Trail Ready Tool Box

[Steve Rupp]

I would like to put together a tool box without any unnecessary tools. I hate trying to pack everything into a small box for a trip and not needing to use 75% of them.

I'm looking for posts about specific tools for specific jobs. Please don't just rattle off tools. After a while people can take the imput and put together a list of specific tools themselves. Thanks.

 

[Runnerma]

. bookmarked!

 

[bri]

So if you don't want us to rattle off tools, then are you just looking for a single post from someone that knows it all?

The first time you leave a tool at home will be the first time you need it.

I have seen this question come up a few times, but never one good condensed list.

I pretty much take everything I need to make all repairs, that does not take too much space. What takes space is the spares.

http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/toolkit.htm
http://motorcare.com.au/survive.htm

 

[MUSKYMAN]

well I have a simple answer

before you go off-road, service every part of the drive train before you go.

As you are performing the service , place every tool you use to do that on the bench . When you have completed the service you should have accumulated all the key tools you need to start with.

Then add a electrial circuit/voltage/ohm meter. and a complete basic electrical kit. and you have a very good start.

What I have always done is focus on using my trail tools all the time for every repair the truck needs. that way as you go you add new needed tools from what you learn about the vehicle.

anyone can buy tools but just like off-road trucks, "tool sets" are bulit

 

[utahdog2003]

Muskyman, I love that movie! I'm regularly in trouble at the office for not wearing enough 'flair'!

 

[Ajax]

You must be a fanatic Dilbert reader then as well

 

[bigred]

A bit different from the tools question, but what kind of spare parts do you guys carry on trail runs?

 

[Jaime]

IMO, in addition to whatever tools you decide to carry, every trail toolbox should have a 12" adjustable wrench, a small crowbar, a BFH, some electrical wire, and a roll of duct tape.

 

[Pugsly]

It's always good practice to take a comprehensive set of tools - and good insurance against problems. Murphy's Law = you'll always need the tool you don't have, so if you have all the tools you need, you won't need them!

 

[Steve Rupp]

Sorry guys, this thread sucks. I thought there would be some better insight. If I took "everything I think I might need", my truck would be pulling a weelie.

 

[Pugsly]

Sorry guys, this thread sucks. I thought there would be some better insight. If I took "everything I think I might need", my truck would be pulling a weelie.

Okay, so make a list of what you plan on breakng and then take only the tools necessary to fix what you plan break.

Or, only take tools to fix what you are bringing spares with you for.

Depending on where I'm going I take my full kit or just minimal. There is no one size fits all, sorry.

 

[scrover]

I think this is a good place to start:

http://www.africaland.it/equipment_toolbox.htm

SC

 

[Steve Rupp]

scrover, that's a good reference. thanks

 

[Reed]

I guess the two links that Bri left were too esoteric for you.

Reading through this thread, everyone gave you good sound advice. Some of it more seriously given than others, but it was all basically good. But you don't seem to want to use the one tool that is really needed when you go off-road.

The African link is good, but again it is just a starting point, and everybody's needs are different.

A lot of stuff on that African list was marked as "community property". Which means you would be left stranded if everyone that you go wheeling with thought that someone else needed to take it so his truck wouldn't be overburdened. Some of those "community" tools should be carried in ANY truck going off-road.

As mentioned in one of the links that Bri left, no "well-equiped" toolbox will help you if you don't kow what the tools are for.

-Reed

 

[Falconx84]

The africa link is good, but I'd carry all the tools instead of relying on someone else to have it for me. Also, the africa toolbox can be cut down a bit, like using a screwdriver with different bits instead of carrying multiple screwdrivers

 

[bri]

I think your original post sucked just as much as the thread.

"Please don't just rattle off tools. blah, blah blah". You get what you ask for eh?

For spares...
-Belt
-Heater hoses
-Thermastat
-Airfilter
-Oilfilter
-Trackrod
-Trailing link
-Rear axle
-Brake switch thingy under pedal
-CV joint

IMO if you are doing trails in locations that make taking tools mandatory, then you should take all of your tools, you will eventually need all of them. If not don't bother taking any and give AAA a call when you need them.

One thing for sure is what Pugsly said, that your shrugged off. The tool you will need is the one you don't bring. This IS absolutely the case and is justification alone to take the entire set.

Brian

 

[bri]

Oh yeah.

Do not forget the 1 1/16" 6 sided socket for your 1/2" drive and 1 1/16" wrench. Also have flex handle or breaker bar of some type to fit this socket. There are a number of things that this will take off under your truck, that eventually you need to get off if you are doing anything bumpy. Trailing links, radius arms, control arms and lugs come to mind. This is something that your typical set does not always include.

Brian

 

[Reed]

One of the problems I have found with a "pristine" toolbox, is that it hasn't the accumulation of odd stuff that has collected there.

I once temporarily repaired the "-Brake switch thingy under pedal" that Brian mentioned, with an old PTT CB Microphone and some extra wire. When I needed to get the truck underway, (or stop. Brake lights you know ), I would key the mic. Now that "microphone is a permanent part of my onboard tools. Just-in-case

-Reed

 

[Pugsly]

A bit different from the tools question, but what kind of spare parts do you guys carry on trail runs?

It depends how far afield I am going. my spares box has...

• 
  u-joint
  wheel bearings and seals
  distributor cap and rotor
  coil
  one spark plug and one plug wire
  ignition amplifier
  set of belts
  set of hoses
  fuel filter
  air filter
  wires, fuses, electrical tape
  all sorts of sticky goo in little tubes
  all kinds of different fluids (engine oil, gear oil, hydraulic fluid)
  LR service manual
  surgical gloves

I have one of the sears craftsman truck tool boxes (long thin flat, tucks under the seat) for my wrenches and a tool bag for miscellaneous tools.

 

[Pugsly]

I once temporarily repaired the "-Brake switch thingy under pedal" that Brian mentioned, with an old PTT CB Microphone and some extra wire. When I needed to get the truck underway, (or stop. Brake lights you know ), I would key the mic. Now that "microphone is a permanent part of my onboard tools. Just-in-case

That actuallly sounds like a pretty good theft protection device as well!