Trail tools and parts

[Dantheman1540]

I’m some what refocusing how I outfit my 94 RCSB to be much lighter and setup for solo exploration. In doing so I am ditching the traditional aluminum tool box that sits over the bed rails and switching to 2-3 Pelican 1620 cases.

One will be setup with nothing but recovery gear, soft shackles, kinetic ropes, winch extensions, shovel, tree savers, all that good stuff. It will be setup to be transferred from my ranger to other vehicles depending on what I’m doing.

The second will be generic tools and fluids. An off-road jack, tire change stuff, socket set, shop towels, oils, coolant, stuff that can also be useful for me to grab for any of the vehicles I have depending on the adventure ahead.

The third will be vehicle specific parts and tools for stuff that is fixable on the side of a trail or possibly the middle of the trail and this is kinda where I need help. What would you all bring in this box if it was yours?
Currently I have the following.
-set of old but good spark plugs
-hubs, wheel bearings, seals, and hardware.
-belt
-coolant hoses
-fuel filter
-fuses and some random bits of wiring stuff incase a circuit needs repair or temporary bypassing.

Seems like not that much stuff to me, what do y’all bring with you?

This is all for my 94, 4.0, 5speed truck, I can provide more details if you’d like.

 

[SenorNoob]

How far do you wanna go? I've heard of people keeping axle shafts with them. Even heard of a few welders on board. I think both of those are pretty serious repairs to be doing on the trail, but I understand if ya gotta get back to civilization. I'd say water and some basic survival tools if you're really getting out there.

 

[Dantheman1540]

How far do you wanna go? I've heard of people keeping axle shafts with them. Even heard of a few welders on board. I think both of those are pretty serious repairs to bee doing on the trail, but I understand if ya gotta get back to civilization. I'd say water and some basic survival tools if you're really getting out there.

I think an axle is right at the edge of too in-depth to do on the trail to me. Luckily even the most remote parts of Florida aren’t more than a days walk to a paved road and a lack of cell service is nearly non existent. Calling an uber or friend is just so easy these days.

The trail welder would be cool, I’ve had my eyes on a manage welder for awhile but I’ll put that off as too much for the time being as well.

I think a new parameter to put in this to keep the scope from getting out of hand is that it must fit inside the 1620 which is around 12x16x20”.

 

[SenorNoob]

Uhm, brake hoses? Bobby says a couple u-bolts are good to have. Bolts and mending plates? Zip ties? It's amazing how much they'll hold up to. Especially if you get the stainless variety.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Something to cap off brake lines with. I’ve done the barbaric methods and would in an emergency, but it would be nice to be able to be a little neater about things.

Make sure you carry the socket for the front axle nuts or carrying spare bearings won‘t do you any good.

 

[Uncle Gump]

 

[ElectraRider]

do they still make those knobs?

 

[sgtsandman]

Something to fix, or at least mostly fix leaks in hoses and hard lines and some extra fluids, like brake and ATF fluid. Coolant might be a bit much since you could just use regular old water in a pinch. Engine oil, well if you need engine oil, you probably have bigger problems.

If you have a junk box with various screws, bolts, nuts, and so on that isn't too big, that might be worth some consideration. A spare air filter might be a good idea if you are in a real dusty place.

 

[Uncle Gump]

do they still make those knobs?

They do not...

I did buy a couple the last year or so. Ebay for one and the other was from here. I'm keeping one for my trail box and the other is already spoken for.

But they do pop up now and then.

 

[Curious Hound]

Leatherman multitool and a can of Spam. Everything else is useless fluff.

 

[DeeRanger]

You might consider one of these if you're going out of cell range. Kind of expensive but worth peace of mind.
Link to info on the one pictured.
https://www.phonearena.com/news/hmd-offgrid-device-satellite-communication_id166362

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

You might consider one of these if you're going out of cell range. Kind of expensive but worth peace of mind.
Link to info on the one pictured.
https://www.phonearena.com/news/hmd-offgrid-device-satellite-communication_id166362View attachment 122508

New iPhones already have satellite SOS capabilities so I’m not sure what this does for you unless it gives you more sat phone abilities rather than just sending a broadcast for help and limited text capabilities.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Lots of great suggestions!

Man that knob is super cool. My plan for T case not shifting was just to remove the motor and use big channel locks. Then convert to manual shift when I get home lol.

For cell service I’m lucky to have a cool work phone that has some sort of magic that allows it to literally always have service, even during disasters where towers are down, or the networks are overwhelmed.

I think I have some U bolts laying around, man if I break a ruffstuff 5/8s U bolt imma have some big problems lol.

All fluids will be brought, if I need engine oil your right something bad has happened but it could be as simple as water getting in the motor and needing to do a flush or change so a filter will go in that box as well. I usually stick a couple filters for each vehicle in the shop anyway. Air filter is good, when I slap a new one in this year I’ll clean and save the old one.

 

[SenorNoob]

The u bolts aren't for breaking one on the rear axle, but for smaller things to be held together with them. Smaller u bolts of course.

Although one full size would've allowed me re-attach my broken shock mount. At least to get home faster.

 

[holyford86]

I used to carry a lot more than I do. It's a good idea to first think about the kind of wheeling that you'll be doing and go from there, kinda tailor it to the situations you're most likely to encounter. Knowing the weak points of your rig also helps quite a bit. What I'd choose to bring if I was doing wooded trails with no deep water crossings would be far different than if I was going to be in deep water, sand, or rocks.

As far as tools go, I'm of little help, what I carry would be considered completely insane for a trail tool kit as I use the truck as a go most places service truck. (If anyone is curious, I'll list it all, haha)