Retiring my 2003 F150.

[N80]

My 2003 F150 SuperCrew has been retired to the farm. So I have a few questions.

It will probably only get used a few times a month. It will be parked in the tractor shed, roof but open on 4 sides.

I'll put Stab-Bil in the gas. I have a trickle charger if needed.

Anything else I need to do for a vehicle that will sit for long periods?

 

[SandburRanch]

Build a 5 gallon mouse trap to preserve the wiring, computer and all those things they want for nesting and nest sites.

 

[N80]

That has been an issue with my tractor. They chewed through all of the wires in the dash board and the breather tube on the engine. I wired the dash back myself and it was a chore.

But, I've been spreading mothballs around the tractor and leave a sock full of them under the hood since that time and have had no more issues. I'll probably do the same with the truck.

 

[2458n]

If you still have good plates and insurance, I would make a Walmart run for a 17 dollar oil change. Some of my projects get set back for longer then planned. Have wasted more money on less.

 

[MossRoad]

My 2003 F150 SuperCrew has been retired to the farm. So I have a few questions.

It will probably only get used a few times a month. It will be parked in the tractor shed, roof but open on 4 sides.

I'll put Stab-Bil in the gas. I have a trickle charger if needed.

Anything else I need to do for a vehicle that will sit for long periods?

Even though there's a roof, try and keep the tires out of the sun. That's what does them in eventually.

 

[scdeerslayer]

We use an '87 F150 with (less than 40K miles) for an occasional use-get dirty/scratched truck and don't do anything special with it. It may get used a few times a week or it may sit for a month or longer.

 

[PJSprog]

We have an '03 F150 that we use as our "farm truck," too. I try to use it as a weekend vehicle to a) save mileage on my little Kia Soul, and b) keep it running on a regular basis. Very rare that it doesn't get used at least once a week. Honestly, just try to drive it regularly, and you shouldn't need to do anything special to it.

 

[kenmac]

those dang rats and mice. They cause destruction everywhere. I hate them and so does my hound. She kills everyone she can find !

 

[turnkey4099]

Build a 5 gallon mouse trap to preserve the wiring, computer and all those things they want for nesting and nest sites.

I put D-con packets in the engine compartment, trunk (if there is one), under the seats in all my vehicles. Haven't had a problem since I started doing that. Good reminder for me to check and refresh them.

 

[N80]

Our rats and mice are thoroughly immune to warfarin now.

 

[RoyJackson]

We have an '03 F150 that we use as our "farm truck," too. I try to use it as a weekend vehicle to a) save mileage on my little Kia Soul, and b) keep it running on a regular basis. Very rare that it doesn't get used at least once a week. Honestly, just try to drive it regularly, and you shouldn't need to do anything special to it.

I agree with this...best way to keep it in decent condition.

Along with the other's suggestions, if you must let it set, up the tire pressure to 20% over max while it's setting.

 

[N80]

I agree with this...best way to keep it in decent condition.

Well that's the problem of course. Sometimes we go down to the cabin every week. Sometimes we may not be down there for a month or so. I think keeping the rodents out is going to be the challenge.

 

[RoyJackson]

Well that's the problem of course. Sometimes we go down to the cabin every week. Sometimes we may not be down there for a month or so. I think keeping the rodents out is going to be the challenge.

I had a Ford F-150 Crewcab...2006 model. Traded it off for a smaller truck a few months back.
Now this Ford was a daily driver, except for weekends.
On my way to Connecticut, the truck just stopped on I-91 south. It turned out the mice had made a nest in the air cleaner (which was replaced at least every other year). The nest blocked a sensor...
Now, if this had been the tractor (which is parked right next to where I parked the F-150), I wouldn't have been too surprised as the tractor sets for weeks at a time. The F-150, being driven daily, just doesn't seem like the place mice would want to live...unless they're adventurous mice.
Anyway, being parked or driven...if a critter wants to set up residence, they're going to. I do recommend using moth balls under the hood. That repels rodents (mice, at least) to a degree.

 

[3930dave]

Roy raises a good point.

I have an old Honda that mice loved to fill the air cleaner with tree seeds. Used what I call varmit wire (about 1/4" square galvanized sheets - Lowes or Home Depot) to cover the intake.



Won't win any appearance awards, but worked in my case.

Should be much less of an issue SC way, but up here I really need to service disc brakes twice a year to ensure that I stay ahead of the calipers seizing. If they haven't been done in a while, if I could find a RoundTuIt, I'd service them before parking the truck.

If parked a lot, unless the battery maintainer is default, I'd probably install a battery disconnect switch.

If shed floor is dirt, I'd park on 2x8s.

Rgds, D.

 

[CADplans]

I lost an air filter to chewing mice one time,,,
luckily I checked the air filter on that parked truck before attempting to start.

After that,,, I now add several drops of peppermint oil to EVERY new air filter installed.
I have not lost an air filter since.

The peppermint oil is very effective mouse deterrent,, if you remember to use it,,,
In the fall, I dump a few drops on each of my machines,,
under the hood, around dash compartments,,

Heck, a tiny bottle of the stuff dumped around my 3,000 SQ FT shed,
and the mice do not even eat the Ramik mouse bars,,,

AND,, the peppermint oil is WAY cheaper than the Ramik bars!! :thumbsup: