Mothballing a Landcruiser...

[JohnnyS]

It looks like the 62 build will be a ways down the road & I'm looking into mothballing it like an airplane (no place to store it inside).
Tucson & Marana have countless airplanes with Sprayplat over parts that are UV sensitive, however I have no idea where (or if it is possible) to acquire Sprayplat.

http://www.desertusa.com/arizona-desert/airplane-graveyards.html

Kind of a kookie idea but it sounds better than a car cover.

Toss some dryer sheets & other anti-mouse stuff in it, Sprayplat the windows & plastic...good to go for a few years.

It is either store it outside or build a bigger garage, rent a storage area, etc...

 

[r3run33]

I had to leave several years ago quick and did not have time to prep my 99 LX470. she sat for 9 months! I know not recommended but she started right up with a jump.

 

[r3run33]

sorry forgot to add this but I think the fuel is the biggest problem for sitting. Dry rot tires also

 

[JohnnyS]

It hasn't run since '09. I bought it with a blown motor & am primarily concerned with keeping the UV sensitive stuff from disintegrating before I can fix it up, AZ sun is muy tough on plastic.
Thanks!

 

[86tuning]

maybe one of those dollar store windshield sun screens to protect the dash from direct uv.

if it hasn't run since 2009 there is no fuel stuff to worry about.

If it was running today and I was storing it, I would change the oil, brake fluid, coolant, and add fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank.

Plus the interior stuff you mentioned. Plastic bag over the tip of the exhaust pipe. Set interior fan to 'recirc' and put your drier sheets everywhere.

 

[Rebelord]

A good coat of white PlastiDip over all the windows to shield the UV parts. Just make sure you have a good 4-5 coats so its easier to remove later on. Just remember to spray a few fresh coats on it when it sits to soften the old stuff for removal, when needed. Could also painters tape all door edges etc to help keep dust out as much as possible. Good cover for the exhaust pipe to keep critters out. I would keep traps or poison bait in the engine bay to try to keep em out of there too. They love the wires and to build nests in there.

 

[PirateMcGee]

sell it and put the money in dedicated savings.....purchase another one at a later date?

 

[Danimal]

I'm with Pirate on this one. All things mentioned here are temporary at best. UV and temp swings will kill plastic bags, painters tape, plasti-dip, etc.

If you really want to keep it, I'd say cover windows with something on the inside to keep UV out, and plan on replacing whatever it is yearly. Keep something inside to absorb moisture and change it often. Coat undercarriage and sheet metal with something like FluidFilm yearly. Stuff oily rags in to open hoses, ports, etc to keep moisture and pests out.

Does it have an engine? If so, there are lots of things there that should be considered.

No matter what you do, plan on inspecting and redoing things every few months.

I have enough trouble keeping my garage-kept Cruiser prepped to only do 2,000 miles/yr without getting stinky, rusting, etc. However; I'm obsessive.

Dan

 

[JohnnyS]

sell it and put the money in dedicated savings.....purchase another one at a later date?

I've thought about this but finding a rust free, straight, 62 that hasn't been modified is not so easy these days.

As I'm in SEAZ luckily I don't have to worry about rust, just UV & critters.
Thanks for all the input & ideas!!

 

[NMC_EXP]

I spent a career in rubber R&D and manufacturing.

The factors most responsible for shortening the life of exposed rubber components are: ozone, UV light, oxygen and heat. Same goes for many plastics.

The condition referred to as tire "dry rot" in which the sidewall and sometimes tread cracks is due to the effects mentioned above. The cracks are evidence that the long rubber molecules are being broken into shorter fragments. This occurs faster on vehicles in storage.

Reason is that the rubber contains chemicals to reduce damage. These chemicals are designed to bleed out to the surface of the rubber and form a thin film. The ozone and oxygen react with the chemical film rather than with the rubber. In the case of a tire, the film is replenished when the vehicle is moving because the tire heats up and flexes. If the vehicle is stationary for a long period, the film gets depleted but is not replenished. The damage occurs faster if the rubber is under strain - like an inflated tire with vehicle weight on it.

The only ways to reduce damage due to ozone and oxygen are (1) apply a barrier film to the rubber and (2) for tires, put the vehicle on blocks and let the air out of them. I have not personally used or tested this material but if it forms a solid film on the tire it ought to help: http://www.rangerpaint.com/ Stuff like Armor All may help - I do not know.

The types of rubber used for tires (natural and SBR) are especially prone to damage by ozone and oxygen. The type of rubber used for modern weatherstripping (EPDM) is not.

As to resisting UV light the best way is to park it indoors in the dark. If its outside use tire covers like the RV crowd. The tire paint may work because it is a thick, opaque film.

If anyone has any questions about rubber let me know.

Regards

Jim

 

[Chris Boyd]

What about the white shrink wrap they do over boats in the winter? Could pretty much do the whole vehicle down to the tires.

 

[JohnnyS]

What about the white shrink wrap they do over boats in the winter? Could pretty much do the whole vehicle down to the tires.

That would be perfect!
I just need to find some...google here we come.
Thanks for the idea.

 

[Equipt]

I don't know if you have the room, but how about one of those 10'x20' canopy/garages from Costco. A couple hundred bucks. They are pretty decent structures for the price. Big shaded enclosure with plenty of room for other stuff. You could even work on the truck inside it.

Cheers,

 

[MoGas]

http://www.bigshrink.com/vehicle-shrinkwrap

 

[MoGas]

My dad kept his GTO in a big bag over the winters in Pittsburgh. It was in his garage, but he found some big plastic bag to put it in, then he would vacuum out the bag and then he would fill the bag with nitrogen.