Winter Parking Preparations

I've actually not fully decided what to do. Here's what I'm dealing with:

- The Jeep has quite a bit of surface rust starting and a few are all the way through the body. Both floor boards have 4x4" holes in them.

- I already have a daily driving car for winter.

- I have only a softtop with no back window. I'm trying to find a hardtop or a good softtop but no luck yet.

- It's freakin cold here!! I drove my '88 YJ for a winter and it sucked. I even had a huge BTU auxillary heater in the back but it still sucked!! ;p

- The salt on the roads here is comparable to the ocean. I'd definitely see an increase in rust if I drove it in winter here.

- I'm trying to get some of the body work done by just sanding the rust out and patching over with fiberglass but it's already getting pretty cold out and I won't come even close to finishing.

- My carb is finished. Instead of doing the carb-cleaning/fixing tricks ...I'm attempting to locate a good used Weber carb but I don't think it'll be bought/installed before winter. So I'm stuck with like 10mpg.

- I hate working on vehicles outside in the winter, so if it breaks down (which it probably would), it would be sitting anyway. I figure it's better to have it all done right and parked properly before it gets cold then to have to do it all when it's -30F.

- If I park it, the insurance comes off it ...but then I gotta resafety it next spring. Blah!! ;p At least I'd save $400 in insurance tho. I think all it really needs to have done to pass is the floorboards.

- I plan to sell my car sometime this winter and buy a new one. There could be a few weeks without a vehicle. Keeping the Jeep on the road solves this problem.

- I like having an extra vehicle on the road in case my other car gets stuck, fails, etc.

So, that's a list of everything floating around in my head ...both pros and cons ...still undecided but time is running out as winter is almost here.

Thanks!

griffin '97 Corolla SD '85 Jeep CJ7

Here's a list of storage things some people I know do with their classic cars Wash and clean both outside and inside of vehicle Do a complete wax job to vehicle (at least 3 days prior to storing) Some serious guys will also get the vehicle rust-proofed (at rust check) a few days before storing. Day of storing apply a second coat of wax, let haze (buff this coat off in the spring) Fill gas tank add fuel stabilizer fog the engine (if storage is more then 6 months they also add a tsp of oil to each cylinder) disconnect battery place cedar tree cuttings on floor mats, under seats and on pillowcases on the tops of seats (helps keep mice away and out of upholstery. Cover vehicle Have a beer and think about the following summer.

Thanks for the list! One question ...what does "fog the engine" mean?

Thanks!

griffin '97 Corolla SD '85 Jeep CJ7

Burrrrr

All I ever have to do when I get ready to park is select the appropriate gear and turn the motor off.

You can buy engine storage fogging spray, not sure how this would work on a injected engine but on cabs, you spray this stuff directly into the intake and spray until the engine stalls out. This is something like the stuff but NOT the stuff I use on my old cars.

You can drop a monster GM blower motor in that heater box and actually drive at -30 without gloves on!!!!

All the windows defrost, even just with the soft top.

griff>

Wow, thanks for that one! I'm gonna call around this week and see if I can locate one.

griffin '97 Corolla SD '85 Jeep CJ7

I bought a new one from Canadian Tire for twenty something dollars. I think there is a 'premium' one sold some places, but the shaft is too long, so if you have a compare choice, go for the shorter shaft.

I drove one winter with only the bikini and soft doors on. It kept my feet and hands warm and the windshield defrosted.... After I shoveled out the snow to go.

Mike

griff>

Mike - I get mine at my lawnmower shop. The gallon of oil/gas mix I use for the chainsaw lasts a long time..... Tomes