What tools and spares do you carry in your Jeep?

[UKTJ]

Following the Salisbury Plain trip and ahead of the two day Wales green lane trip I have started to think about what I should be carrying by way of supplies, tools and spares when I leave paved roads.  Clearly, in the UK we are not going to get as far from civilisation as Jeepers in Australia, the US and other parts of the world will.  However, it seems from posted recent experience that we can’t necessarily rely on being recovered in a timely manner, if at all, by break down services.  And even if we can, it would likely be necessary to make it back to a paved highway before it would be possible.

 

So fellow JOC members, what do you usually carry by way of supplies, tools and spares?

 

To get things going I am thinking I would need / want:

Additional dry clothing - in case I need to change after crawling under the Jeep or get stuck as things turn cold

A blanket - for warmth

Snacks - long life stuff over and above what I pack for the day in case I get stranded for many hours

An external mobile phone battery charger

High lift bottle jack

Basic set of metric and SAE spanners

Basic socket set

Pliers

Hose clamp pliers

Side cutters

Hammer

Long and strong cable ties

Where I struggle most is on spare parts.  That to some extent comes down to one’s philosophy on breakdowns off-road.  Trying to fix the issue versus doing enough to make it back to the road for recovery.

 

All thoughts welcomed and much appreciated.

 

[Cameron]

I think I may start carrying a spare radiator  

In all seriousness...as a Canadian I am obliged to carry duct tape.

[digger]

Some gr8 ideas already! The thing is one has to try and think what could happen and how you might fix it. At the end of the day one wants to get home and sort it out properly then, if you can't on the trail. Years ago ,one always carried things for fixing at the side of the public road!  Some of the hacks we got away with , I suspect, would not be believed today!!

You can't carry all possible spanners etc. So I carry common sizes on the YJ  plus some 'botch it' tools such as a crowbar, chisel, Stilsons, adjustable spanners. Because I'm getting on and weedy I carry a length of pipe for lengthening things for leverage.  I also carry a cheap 1/2 " drive impact gun(£about £50), which a tip given to me by Vince. It sure speeds up any spannering one has to do. I also carry a cord less work light. Headlights are good but not always the best for working with.

Yes I have duct tape, insulating tape, RTV(for gaskets), tiny ball bearings (fixing brakes), brake fluid,  cable ties and body filler etc. Radiators can be repaired well with the latter (there are a few tips - ask) and a lot of other things. I also have some electrical  wire and some stout wire.

The full amount I take to camp etc but for one day events I do cut it down, I have seperate bags/baskets so I can easily sort what to take on a given day. A space blanket is a good space saver!

Hope these ideas help.

Edited February 23 by digger

[MGomes]

3 hours ago, UKTJ said:

Following the Salisbury Plain trip and ahead of the two day Wales green lane trip I have started to think about what I should be carrying by way of supplies, tools and spares when I leave paved roads.  Clearly, in the UK we are not going to get as far from civilisation as Jeepers in Australia, the US and other parts of the world will.  However, it seems from posted recent experience that we can’t necessarily rely on being recovered in a timely manner, if at all, by break down services.  And even if we can, it would likely be necessary to make it back to a paved highway before it would be possible.

 

So fellow JOC members, what do you usually carry by way of supplies, tools and spares?

 

To get things going I am thinking I would need / want:

Additional dry clothing - in case I need to change after crawling under the Jeep or get stuck as things turn cold

A blanket - for warmth

Snacks - long life stuff over and above what I pack for the day in case I get stranded for many hours

An external mobile phone battery charger

High lift bottle jack

Basic set of metric and SAE spanners

Basic socket set

Pliers

Hose clamp pliers

Side cutters

Hammer

Long and strong cable ties

Where I struggle most is on spare parts.  That to some extent comes down to one’s philosophy on breakdowns off-road.  Trying to fix the issue versus doing enough to make it back to the road for recovery.

 

All thoughts welcomed and much appreciated.

 

So - I have learned a few things in between greenlaning, 4x4 reposnse Deployments and SAR training, so I am usually "fully loaded" as it goes (not so much on spares, Hank is fairly new and I would not have the ability to fix mechanical problems on the road (so for me is getting recovered safely to the road and wait for Jeep Recovery). Having said this I always carry (Off roading or not):

• Recovery Kit (Strap, gloves, shovel spare shackles)
• Bottle Jack (high enough for the car) / Impact wrench / Sockets / Blocks
• Small tool box (to replace things like air filter etc)
• Blanket (multiple) / toilet roll
• Fire extinguisher / 1st aid kit (Human and dog)
• "Wet kit" (Clothes for wet weather)
• SAR Kit (multiple items required for call-outs)
• 4x4 Response Kit (multiple items required for call outs)
• Jet Boil / Water / De-hidrated food / Coffee / sweetener

Not a boy scout - but always good to be prepared

 

 

[Raakhee]

I've actually now have some equipment in my Jeep.

Recovery straps

Small tool kit

Compressor

Compact shovel/saw/pick axe

An extra D shackle. Handy weapon as well

I have 2 Jeep multi tools in my center box for easy access

2 Torches, one is a wind up one

Camping cutlery set

Hand towels

Basic first aid kit

Dustpan and brush

 

When I go green laning I add:

Spare set of clothes

Rain jacket and fleece one

Water to drink and for general use

Protein bars

 

I need to add a blanket for practical reasons

[V]

Over the year's I have become a hoarder when it comes to the tools and parts that I bring to events. It's so bad now that I carry most of it around day-to-day. Sadly, I have used everything at least once in an emergency so the decision to leave stuff behind is always troublesome for me.

 

Stuff I try to leave behind:

One of my Jeeps has an electric winch so I leave the hi-lift jack behind in preference to carrying the ground anchor.

Both my Jeeps are automatics. In the past I often carried a spare starter motor. I haven't replaced the last spare swap in a long while so I guess that's made it to the leave behind list.

I used to carry knuckle ball joints but I don't any more and just check them regularly when greasing.

I used to carry a serpentine belt, but I just check regularly now.

Snow chains - they work in mud as well as snow. Mine are cheap heavy truck chain not expensive lightweight car chain. I only pack them if snow is forecast.

 

Stuff that I usually pack:

Fishing waders - if it's too deep for my waders, it's too deep for my Jeep

For the XJ without a winch I will pack the hi-lift jack and hand winching accessories to use with it.

I carry three propshaft u-joints and one front axle u-joint, sometimes a self centering yoke or a repair kit.

A known working CPS, TPS and MAP sensor.
A Metrinch toolkit - saves a lot of space.

One heavy bag of handtools - I would prefer it to be lighter but I can't decide what to leave behind.

A Stanley/DeWalt power tool crate/box that is also used as a bucket, work seat and work bench. It houses my battery powered wrenches, batteries and chargers, spares, tools, locktite, silicone sealant, exhaust paste, nuts, bolts, washers, hose clips, cable ties and anything small and loose that I don't want flying around in the back.

Spray cans of brake cleaner, electrical contact cleaner, PlusGas, WD-40

Grease gun with a full tube of grease or with a new spare refill.

An oil drain pan just over 6 litres

Spare engine oil in a 1 litre jug with a lid on the spout and top
In the 2001 XJ, I bring an OBD2 code reader.

Blocks of wood of various sizes for jacking and improvised repairs

Too much recovery gear!

And most of the stuff everyone else brings...

 

Stuff that I sometimes pack:

New or known working Oxygen sensor(s). I don't wait for them to fail, I usually change them every three or four years or 24K+ miles. The pulls go to spares.

Kelly Kettle

Smallish trolley jack

Axle stands

Spare ready mixed coolant or concentrate in as small a canister as I can find

 

Stuff I would like to pack:

My sons.

 

[V]

55 minutes ago, Raakhee said:

Dustpan and brush

I have needed those a couple of times and improvised by cutting up a 5L plastic screenwash bottle for the dustpan and using rags for the brush.

 

57 minutes ago, Raakhee said:

An extra D shackle. Handy weapon as well

"Yes officer, I have a legitimate reason to carry this."

Hmm... I haven't thought about that before but the contents of my Jeep is a potential armoury.

 

1 hour ago, Raakhee said:

Protein bars

I've usually scoffed them within 10 minutes of leaving the house.

[V]

1 hour ago, MGomes said:

toilet roll

Often forgotten, but worthwhile keeping in a zip lock bag.

Baby wipes are good for the purpose intended and for cleaning hands and car interior surfaces.

[MGomes]

1 hour ago, Raakhee said:

I've actually now have some equipment in my Jeep.

Recovery straps

Small tool kit

Compressor

Compact shovel/saw/pick axe

An extra D shackle. Handy weapon as well

I have 2 Jeep multi tools in my center box for easy access

2 Torches, one is a wind up one

Camping cutlery set

Hand towels

Basic first aid kit

Dustpan and brush

 

When I go green laning I add:

Spare set of clothes

Rain jacket and fleece one

Water to drink and for general use

Protein bars

 

I need to add a blanket for practical reasons

You forgot camera to take pics from the inside of the car while we recover you  ahahahah

[MGomes]

19 minutes ago, V said:

Often forgotten, but worthwhile keeping in a zip lock bag.

Baby wipes are good for the purpose intended and for cleaning hands and car interior surfaces.

I forgot bin bags.... bin bags and dog poop bags are a constant in my cars... wipes as well... when i get distracted the spaniel will find the most horrible foul smelting dead beast somewhere to roll on and then things its OK to come to the car lol

[MGomes]

1 hour ago, MGomes said:

So - I have learned a few things in between greenlaning, 4x4 reposnse Deployments and SAR training, so I am usually "fully loaded" as it goes (not so much on spares, Hank is fairly new and I would not have the ability to fix mechanical problems on the road (so for me is getting recovered safely to the road and wait for Jeep Recovery). Having said this I always carry (Off roading or not):

• Recovery Kit (Strap, gloves, shovel spare shackles)
• Bottle Jack (high enough for the car) / Impact wrench / Sockets / Blocks
• Small tool box (to replace things like air filter etc)
• Blanket (multiple) / toilet roll
• Fire extinguisher / 1st aid kit (Human and dog)
• "Wet kit" (Clothes for wet weather)
• SAR Kit (multiple items required for call-outs)
• 4x4 Response Kit (multiple items required for call outs)
• Jet Boil / Water / De-hidrated food / Coffee / sweetener

Not a boy scout - but always good to be prepared

 

 

Forgot to add compressor, spare (handheld) CB radio and usually a couple of handheld VHF radios as well

[Chrisby]

I’ve always tried to keep as comprehensive tool and recovery kit in the Jeep as possible as I generally end up fixing something for someone on each trip. Also, I leave a full camp kit in it so its ready to go if needed. As it’s not used for daily driving keeping everything in it makes life easy and the solar panels keep everything topped up and running when not in use. Always normally a cold beer or two in the fridge for emergencies! Actually, I’m just about to remove everything and redesign the rear removing the rear seats and have a bespoke storage system made and fitted as the rear drawers now are just not man enough to keep everything stored away safely and I never use the rear seats so time for a change.

This is my typical Kit list which sometime changes depending on where I am going and with whom .

Tools

Battery 1/2” and 3/8” impact guns, Angle grinder and Reciprocating Saw plus 3 Batteries

Full socket and spanner set with screwdriver/ bit set

Various sized stilsons , mole grips and pliers

Electric test meter and OBD Code reader

Various breaker bars , pry bars and hammers/mallets

Folding Laplander saw

3000KWH Power bank for 240v power and solar panels

Spares

Various types of electrical wire , fuses, connectors and vulcanising tape

Various spare nuts, washers and bolts

Various sized hoses clips and spare silicone hose

Sections of steel round bar

1L of each oil/fluid type. Engine, Gear oil, brake fluid and hydraulic oil , screen wash and 5L water

Heavy duty hand wipes and nitrile Gloves

Paracord and various sized Zip Ties

Recovery Gear

3x 15-ton Rated straps,2x 15-ton Tree protectors ,2x 15-ton Snatch blocks,8 x 30 Ton Shackles

2 x rope dampener

12 ton Winch

Hi-lift Jack and base

Always in the Jeep or Roof Tent

3 seasons sleeping back, pillows and electric blanket

ARB fridge / freezer normally a few drinks in it.

JetBoil and 2 burner stove with spare gases

2 Litres of drinking water

Freeze dried meals 2 or 3 normally

Walking boots, Spare trousers, T-shirts and Coat

CB Radio, Navigation on iPad and 5G hotspot

ARB Compressor

Flushable/ compostable wipes 

[V]

19 minutes ago, Chrisby said:

Gear oil

Thanks for the reminder. I usually buy my gear oil in either 10L or 20L drums and refill my 1L bottles. The pull out spouts on my last two remaining 1L containers split last year. I need to buy a couple of 1L bottles to replace them or find some other way of containing and dispensing gear oil into my axles. I carry 2L of gear oil but only a small 0.5L of brake fluid. I guess if I rip a brake hose I may need more than 500ml.

 

30 minutes ago, Chrisby said:

nitrile Gloves

Running low on these too. Also carry mechanics gloves and strong leather gloves in case I have to use someone else's steel winch rope.

[Chrisby]

50 minutes ago, V said:

Thanks for the reminder. I usually buy my gear oil in either 10L or 20L drums and refill my 1L bottles. The pull out spouts on my last two remaining 1L containers split last year. I need to buy a couple of 1L bottles to replace them or find some other way of containing and dispensing gear oil into my axles. I carry 2L of gear oil but only a small 0.5L of brake fluid. I guess if I rip a brake hose I may need more than 500ml.

 

Running low on these too. Also carry mechanics gloves and strong leather gloves in case I have to use someone else's steel winch rope.

The gear oil is for top up really, should I need to pull a shaft. If I needed more oil in a emergency I'd mix in the engine oil then sort out the mess asap. Good enough to get out of trouble.  Dana 30's and 44's need about 1.5l to fill, but of course in a pinch if you dropped it all you could limp along fine with 1L.

Brake fluid I just keep to top up if I lost a line, pinch it off top up and work with 3 corners to get someone safer .

I love a bit of bush mechanicing...

[V]

I've had to take diff covers off on a trail before. The owner of one Jeep intended to pour back the drained diff oil until a big clod of mud and dust fell into the drain pan. I had two bottles of gear oil with us at the time, one in the TJ and one in the XJ so it made me think that perhaps 2L was a safe minimum. Have also had other Jeepers ask to use my spare gear oil at other times because they didn't have any or enough.

 

I need to work out a better system for fluid storage as spills in the Jeep are a problem. I have had more than I would like to admit.

[TimC]

)

[TimC]

Zombie apocalypse kit

[TimC]

9 hours ago, Cameron said:

I think I may start carrying a spare radiator  

In all seriousness...as a Canadian I am obliged to carry duct tape.

……is this a Canadian thing then…eh? I have never really known when people say “duct tape “ whether it   Is duct tape or duck tape. I had always thought it was Duck tape as there is a brand of “gaffer tape “ actually called Duck Tape and a

I’d assumed then that, like Hoover, all similar tape got called this

[digger]

4 hours ago, V said:

Over the year's I have become a hoarder 

 

Ooooh, not one of those, i wouldn't want to be one of them! LOL. 

[V]

1 hour ago, TimC said:

I have never really known when people say “duct tape “ whether it   Is duct tape or duck tape.

I believe both are valid. I know HVAC installers that call it duct tape and by the Duck brand name.

[digger]

1 hour ago, V said:

I've had to take diff covers off on a trail before. The owner of one Jeep intended to pour back the drained diff oil until a big clod of mud and dust fell into the drain pan. I had two bottles of gear oil with us at the time, one in the TJ and one in the XJ so it made me think that perhaps 2L was a safe minimum. Have also had other Jeepers ask to use my spare gear oil at other times because they didn't have any or enough.

 

I need to work out a better system for fluid storage as spills in the Jeep are a problem. I have had more than I would like to admit.

Didn't you have a pair of tights handy to filter the diff oil? I suppose you could use a spare dust sock, I keep one of those! LOL 

 

Hi Tim, r u sure your bumper complies with H&S? Did it pass the MOT like that?  Nasty tool those 'Bow saws'.  LOL 

2 hours ago, Chrisby said:

The gear oil is for top up really, should I need to pull a shaft. If I needed more oil in a emergency I'd mix in the engine oil then sort out the mess asap. Good enough to get out of trouble.  Dana 30's and 44's need about 1.5l to fill, but of course in a pinch if you dropped it all you could limp along fine with 1L.

Brake fluid I just keep to top up if I lost a line, pinch it off top up and work with 3 corners to get someone safer .

I love a bit of bush mechanicing...

Hi Chrisby , when you say 'pinch it off ' I guess you mean on a flexy pipe.  That's gr8 with a damaged flexy but what if the problem is the pipe feeding it. I have ripped off a metal pipe before now which is why I carry tiny ball bearings. You can just unscrew any joint and insert the ball and refit in order to isolate the problem. Just a thought. Hope it helps someone.

[V]

4 minutes ago, digger said:

Didn't you have a pair of tights handy to filter the diff oil?

Nope, I usually wear jeans.

[V]

6 minutes ago, digger said:

I have ripped off a metal pipe before now which is why I carry tiny ball bearings. You can just unscrew any joint and insert the ball and refit in order to isolate the problem.

Great tip, thanks.

[digger]

Oh dear, I didn't intend to give away my secret!  They are good for keeping warm though , especially the thick woolly ones! 

I've had a c..p day today. Its good to have a laugh! 

 

Seriously , there's lots of gr8 ideas on here!  Good post UKTJ!

Edited February 23 by digger

[Chrisby]

1 hour ago, digger said:

Didn't you have a pair of tights handy to filter the diff oil? I suppose you could use a spare dust sock, I keep one of those! LOL 

 

Hi Tim, r u sure your bumper complies with H&S? Did it pass the MOT like that?  Nasty tool those 'Bow saws'.  LOL 

Hi Chrisby , when you say 'pinch it off ' I guess you mean on a flexy pipe.  That's gr8 with a damaged flexy but what if the problem is the pipe feeding it. I have ripped off a metal pipe before now which is why I carry tiny ball bearings. You can just unscrew any joint and insert the ball and refit in order to isolate the problem. Just a thought. Hope it helps someone.

Yeah good to clamp flexi lines but I’ve done the same many times with steel and copper lines , pinch /flatten end and double over , enough to limp to a toad normally on 3 corners