Packing offroad essentials

ChrisJC

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Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
Messages
19
Location
Eagle River, Alaska
I know different areas have different needs, but seeing what people are relying on the most when the TJ isn't mall cruising.

What tools and spare parts do you find essential?


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I carry a 140+/- tool set with metric and SAE sockets, wrenches, pliers (needle), screwdrivers, etc... I also have a small metal tool box that is filled with bits and pieces; fuses, wire, heat shrink, baling wire, torx bits, tape, throttle springs and a few other small items. I have a bigger plastic tool box that holds a torque wrench, recovery strap, gear oil, motor oil, 36mm socket and some spare u joints. Also I have an old camping chair bag that holds two Dana 30 shafts.

Then the other essentials; food, water, matches, cell, wallet, chagers, binos, and usually a gun (mostly for punching paper somewhere after the run)
 
Basic tools, a cordless impact and sockets. Spare fluids, spare belt, spare hoses, spare DS, some joints to lend out, spare hardware, spare fronts shafts, spare steering. Spill kit, RTV, bailing wire, tape, zip ties, recovery gear, pretty extensive first aid kit, cooler.....
 
Curiouser and curiouser...

Yes, I am he (as you are he and you are me and we are all contractually obligated to go listen to that song, now). Normally I'd give an absurdly-long response, but that's a pain in the ass when posting from a phone. Thus, you get the short version (for now):

- How has it worked out? Pretty well; you can repair a LOT of stuff with that kit...but you call also repair a lot more stuff a lot more easily if you add a few things to it, here and there. The biggest omissions are some of the speciality sockets or wrenches or snap ring pliers that you need once in a blue moon; add those things and a few more "I got fucked over once before because I didn't have a _" widgets and you can get yourself into and out of most common repairs. The biggest problem is the small size of the bag: it's hard to get anything in and out without literally getting EVERYTHING in and out...but I was going for "totes small" and that was the driving factor. Advice: get a bigger bag.

- Do I like the dogbone wrench? Strangely enough, yes; it's come in handy a couple of times when I didn't have a wrench that could grab something that was mangled, or when I couldn't use an adjustable wrench or pliers for some reason, or when I needed to brain someone. It's still in the kit, so, that means it's useful (but not as useful as my very favorite hammer).
 
For those guessing at the actual website for the link since this forum software appears to block links to other jeep forums, it is at jeep forum dot com.

Pictures may not work because Photofuckit decided to screw with everything, but the text should still be there.
 
Chris, you are in Alaska, you could write the book. Or your neighbour could teach us. Basic tools, water, an axe. Bear spray, matches. A rifle. DEET. CB, VHF, UHF, Cell. CASH
 
We can link to other forums, but we need to work around the filters. I think it started with one of the "other" jeep forums blocking links to this site so @Chris responded by including a similar block for links to the "other" forum. My personal opinion is that the Internet was originally intended for the free and unobstructed exchange of information so I freely exchange the information I have with others who might be able to use it.

What I usually do is replace part of the url with * and then include the following language underneath:
[Replace * with ____]
 
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We can link to other forums, but we need to work around the filters. I think it started with one of the "other" jeep forums blocking links to this site so @Chris responded by including a similar block for links to the "other" forum. My personal opinion is that the Internet was originally intended for the free and unobstructed exchange of information so I freely exchange the information I have with others who might be able to use it.

What I usually do is replace part of the url with * and then include the following language underneath:
[Replace * with ____]

I always use http://bitly.com to bypass the filters.

Which is funny, because here I am bypassing my own filters that I put in place.

But it's just my way of answering to those a**holes at WF and JF.
 
I always have recovery gear, folding e-tool (military shovel), axe, leatherman rebar, lightweight tarp, kindling and ferro rod, water filter, 100' of paracord, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer (cleans pitch and grease and doubles as fire starting excellerant), well stocked first aid kit, fleece sleeping bag liner, hammock, folding 3 legged stool, zip ties, fenix HM50R headlamp with spare battery. Probably forgetting something, but all of that fits in my Besttop saddle bag with the axe handle sticking out a bit on one end.

In the Winter time I have another bag I throw in with extra layers, blankets, energy bars, snow boots.

If heading out on a long trail, I throw in a bag with basic mechanics tools, 5 gallons of water and sometimes my snowshoes.
 
I always have recovery gear, folding e-tool (military shovel), axe, leatherman rebar, lightweight tarp, kindling and ferro rod, water filter, 100' of paracord, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer (cleans pitch and grease and doubles as fire starting excellerant), well stocked first aid kit, fleece sleeping bag liner, hammock, folding 3 legged stool, zip ties, fenix HM50R headlamp with spare battery. Probably forgetting something, but all of that fits in my Besttop saddle bag with the axe handle sticking out a bit on one end.

In the Winter time I have another bag I throw in with extra layers, blankets, energy bars, snow boots.

If heading out on a long trail, I throw in a bag with basic mechanics tools, 5 gallons of water and sometimes my snowshoes.

I just added one of the Besttop saddle bags and am very happy with it.
 
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I don’t pack to much in the jeep anymore, just some tools, but back at trailer I keep

tie rod, track bar, drag link, pitman arm

Full set both sides front axles assembled

wheel bearings, break line, rotor, ball joints

drivers side rear axle shaft (will fit both sides in a pinch)

Diff cover

spare drivelines and an extra set of joints

belts, hoses, all fluids, and some scrap metal for welding

most of the stuff I carry I’ve seen break or broke myself. And most are takeoffs from my upgrades.

I also have the tools needed for these parts