Retiring my 2003 F150.

N80 · Apr 11, 2017

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 · Apr 11, 2017

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

N80 · Apr 11, 2017

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 · Apr 11, 2017

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 · Apr 12, 2017

N80 said:
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 · Apr 12, 2017

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 · Apr 12, 2017

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 · Apr 12, 2017

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

turnkey4099 · Apr 12, 2017

SandburRanch said:
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.