Well, tomorrow I sign the papers on my White 93 D350 Club Cab LE, with a 5 speed, 3.55, Flat bed and Nerf bars. It has 186k miles on it and I'm picking it up for $1700, the guy just doesn't know what he has.

Anyway, the truck has been setting for about 6 months as it is, and I am fixing to put it sitting for atleast another 7 months when I go off to training, so I was wondering what I should do to it besides the basics listed bellow.

My dad will be jump starting it, as the battery is already shot, about 1 or 2 times a month. I will be adding a bit of fuel stabilizer in the tank (but I plan on dropping the tank and inspecting it before putting it on the road.

I'm not sure if I should even bother changing the fluids since I will have it sitting for even longer. I know antifreeze sometimes has problems with acting like battery's with cars that have multimetal engine/cooling systems, but I was wondering if anyone has run into these same problems on the 1st gen Cummins?

And what about the oil? Will it be ok for the next few months

Before it goes back on the road I plan on changing the tires, oil & filter, coolant, rearend oil, air flter, fuel filter, Tranny fluid, P/s fluid, valve cover gaskets, and any other problems I find with it. (besides the driver's door, alignement, battery, rear shocks, exhaust,and possiblly the brake booster, which are in damaged shape.) While I am doing the valve cover gaskets, I will check and adjust the valve clearance , and possibly look into injection nozzles while I am at it.

Is there anything else you guys would recomend?

 

The engine oil should be changed now because it might have picked up water from storage and you don't want to store it 7 months with water in the oil. Alternatively, you could run it under load until it's hot, to burn off the water.

You seem to have a handle on the maintenance required. Also inspect the brake pad/shoe linings. Good idea to flush out all the brake fluid with fresh fluid in case it has water in it.

 

I would suggest to change out all the fluids and filters, and if you can afford put new batterys in and let your dad start and drive the truck from time to time. It is not good to let it set and idle till hot, have him drive it if possible. Keep the tank full and the addititive is a great idea,Goodluck on your training,,,, Rick

 

The current owner has already installed new brakes all around, but a brake flush is in order as soon as I finish STEP.

The truck will be driven 60 miles to my house, so it should burn off any water that may have developed in the crank case.

I actually have plans on installing dual battery's when I put it on the road, but I am not sure on what exact setup I want to do, thats the main reason I am holding off on buying a battery.

Thanks

 

If you really want to do it up....moth ball it, nicely of course.

I would change all the fluids and run it, hard. Then drain everything. Replace all the drain plugs, etc. May want to consider leaving the oil in and just bumping the engine every so often...

Ditch the batteries.

Put it up on jackstands, and remove the wheels - not only saves the wheels and tires, but also takes stress off of the suspension. Place the wheels on one side and have someone flip periodically. Good coat of tire dressing wouldn't hurt.

Keep it parked in a cool dry place if possible, no direct sunlight, windows slightly cracked.

If you really want extreme, take the turbo off and place it in a plastic bag and lay it on one end as well. Have someone spin it every so often, and flip it....good for the bearings.

I am sure there is more, but....

Used to play engineer!

Matt

 

Why don't you just park the thing and when you get back, fire it up and go for a ride. Seven months will not hurt anything. Big overkill.

 

gsdog1

It's a truck, not a Model T Ford or something like that. If It needs new tires when I get back, I'll just change them. It's not like they are Original Redlines off of a 64 GTO or something of that mannor.

But, I do like the idea about the drain plugs. I will most certainly instect them.

BTW: Anyone know what size rear end this truck should have on it? If I remeber right I thoughtI remebered reading somewhere's that they came with Dana 70's, but I am not sure.

 

I need to stop drinking coffee so late in the day!

Matt

 

The oil film drains off the journal bearings after about 30 days. I was told to crank the engine to get up oil pressure with no firing. The compression stroke firing puts a lot of stress on a babbit bearing with no oil film. On 1st gen you can get someone to hold up the spring loaded "shut off " lever until starter cranks up oil pressure. I used to do this when spending lots of time in Atlanta and truck parked at airport 5 weeks.