Winter storage question

Hello, I recently have bought a 3rd gen Tacoma and was wondering if it is worth storing it during the winter living in the rust belt? I have a second vehicle I could drive during the winter and store the truck or I could sell the car and have an extra 8 grand to my name.

I guess I am wondering if the cost of keeping the truck salt free is worth more than the 8 grand I could have from selling the car.

 

Personally I would sell, you will also save insurance money

 

I've never driven mine in the rain or snow. Don't even take it to the mall.

 

fluid film it, and drive it, or fluid film it and drive in on nicer days, if you have another auto. (that is what I did). if you store it, make sure to keep the battery charged. Ski

 

If it's new, prepare it for salt by coating the steel parts. Depending on what you use your can do it a couple times a year or once every couple years. Inside the forward box section of the frame seems to be the most susceptible to corrosion, that's where Toyota concentrates inspections and CRC treatment on the frames that are part of the service campaign.

 

I didn’t think about that either. So about $700 extra a year saved.

 

Rust protect it with whatever method you like and drive it.


That’s mine with the underbody completely full of snow, ice, and salt.
I don’t even have 2500km on the thing and it’s already seen some shit, got stuck in some shit, recovered from some shit, and crossed some shit.
Life is too short to protect/worry about every damn thing.

Enjoy your purchase, and if that means it’s a garage/mall/pavement princess then it’s all good as long as you’re smiling.

 

The winter is one of the many reasons I have a truck. Woolwax/Fluid Film is going to be a life saver.

 

you must live in a shit area

 

Don't be shitty

 

+1 for Fluid Film or some alternative like it, they need to be applied yearly.
STAY AWAY from undercoats that are one time applications, once moisture gets under them they will eat your frame out insanely fast.

Depending on where you live there are shops that apply Fluid Film or Woolwax (which I think is better) for a reasonable price. I had a shop charge me $500 for lifetime application, so I can go back as often as I want to be resprayed.
And if you don't want to have a shop do it, you can do it yourself for about $100. Just prepare to get really messy in the process. I did it on my Miata once just using floor jacks while laying on the ground under the car, it took me about an hour start to finish.

 

It’s a real cesspool.
Am I doing it right?

 

Same here. Known for me

 

Welcome OP!

Fluid Film or Woolwax is what I hear used here

 

Can fluid film be applied to the door frames and rockers? Or should it stay away from exterior paint

I appreciate all of the responses so far. Thank you.

 

Underside only, I wouldn't put it on the door frames

 

No need to apply it to painted areas but I have it inside all my rockers, door panels, and tailgate. Plus my engine bay is coated in it too.
Just avoid getting it on your belts and brakes.
I've also been using fluid film on my bicycles for years with no damage to any paint.

It's just an oil coating that can be easily wiped off. So if you over spray anything you can clean it off easily.

 

Don't worry about it too much. Rust is slower when it's cold.

After the snow, make sure you wash things before it warms up. I usually take mine to a car wash that sprays underneath. Lots of people on TW spray oil on the frame. Can't remember what brand. Red can, wool oil, lanolin.

 

Rust may be slower, but that's primarily when rust happens thanks to the road salt.