Winter Storage

[dchart]

I store my topless 2002 tj in my garage over the winter (6 months here in the northern CO mountains). Is it better to just leave it, or run the engine once a week or so?

 

[Rickyd]

Some kind of trickle charger for sure. I don't think you need to start it every week. Maybe once a month or two get it to operating temp if you want?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Buy a top for it and drive it. The deeper the snow the more fun it is.

 

[BlueC]

The best thing you can do is periodically drive it every 4-6 weeks, and keep a running log of when you last drove or started it. A 30 minute drive will get everything up to temp which boils off the moisture in the engine/trans/pump/gears, and recharges the battery. Idling the engine for a while isn't the best for it, but now and then should be fine. Also, I recommend running any ethanol fuel out and refilling with ethanol free gas, then disconnect the battery when storing. I've learned to do this after many years of storing old cars.

 

[macleanflood]

Might want to get the tires off the ground too so they don't develop a flat spot. Trickle charger as suggested.

Check your coolant and make sure it's right and your block won't freeze.

But I'm with @TheBoogieman get a top and take that TJ snow wheeling!

-Mac

 

[BlueC]

Might want to get the tires off the ground too so they don't develop a flat spot.

That's not a bad suggestion, but it's really not much of an issue with modern radial tires. Just pump the tires up "tight" 35-40 psi and you're good to go. I've had cars sit for a year with no flat spot issue. Now if someone is running bias-ply, well that's a different ball game.

 

[CreepinDeth]

Do a deep discharge / desulfate /recharge which is to recondition the battery to as good as new.

Disconnect it, & put a tender on it, and leave it alone
Fuel, mix some STA-BIL in the tank

We have 3 spare vehicles, 2 classic vehicles, and 3 motorcycles we do this to annually for Midwest winters

 

[cliffish]

Do a deep discharge / desulfate /recharge which is to recondition the battery to as good as new.

Disconnect it, & put a tender on it, and leave it alone
Fuel, mix some STA-BIL in the tank

We have 3 spare vehicles, 2 classic vehicles, and 3 motorcycles we do this to annually for Nidwest winters

please splain this discharge thang?

 

[williambmac]

I started locking mine away in the winter. I just put a trickle charger on it.
Snow wheeling is fun but the crap they put on the roads in the NE is cancerous to the body and frame.

 

[CreepinDeth]

please splain this discharge thang?

Only need to do it for batteries that are a few years old and weakened. You need a battery charger that has an option to “recondition”

What it does is, it begins a desulfation process
After it desulfates, it recharges to like new condition

Before you begin, ya need to make sure you add DISTILLED water to make all cells full

Ya need to buy a charger that has this option
Best Ive seen is 14 years on a lead acid OEM Lexus battery (mine) and 11 years on my mothers OEM Lexus battery

Here I did a quick search for something for you to read and learn
https://carbatterygeek.co.uk/battery-reconditioning-desulfation-conditioner-charger-desulfator-car/

Sulfation is what eventually kills lead acid batteries. Proper maintenance prolongs their lifespan. This isnt taught for obvious reasons of $$

 

[CreepinDeth]

This may help also
https://www.thedrive.com/reviews/31119/best-battery-desulfator

The full size Schumacher would be my recommendation