Off Roading Essentials

[TACODOC]

One part of a buildup that never gets much attention is all the little stuff that you will need to have a safe trip in the back country. Recovery gear, airing down, airing up, and flat tire repair were at the top of my list as I have seen all of these items save the day when 'wheeling with friends.

Here is what I have come up with so far for "Off Roading Essentials": Hi-Lift, Block, shackle and two straps (20" and 30"), receiver shackle, Staun Deflators, A good tire gauge, Tire repair kit (plugs), and an Air pump.
Also, common sense items like duct tape, tools, shovel, trash bags, WATER, MRE's, first aid, clothing/blanket, gloves, CB/2M radio, etc.


Here is my Kit so far:


A Warn block for double line pull:


Staun Tyre Deflators:


El Cheapo Air Pump from ebay, 33% duty cycle:


Tire Repair Kit from Northern Tool:

[James800]

Looks good, how does that air pump perform, most burn out when i try to use them on my tires

[dyogim]

Another cheap yet durable OBA compressor is the mf-1050(mv-50). Here's a write-up and comparison. Pepboys still have them but you havr to special order them. Got mine last week.

air compressor test

[TACODOC]

Originally Posted by dyogim

Another cheap yet durable OBA compressor is the mf-1050(mv-50). Here's a write-up and comparison. Pepboys still have them but you havr to special order them. Got mine last week.

air compressor test

Damn!!! That is the model I was originally looking for but didnt know the name or model#
I need to try out that one I got on ebay and if it doesnt compare to the test in that article it's little butt is going back on ebay...

4WP has the MV50 if anyone is intersted, its also on amazon

[dyogim]

Originally Posted by 05TACODOC

Damn!!! That is the model I was originally looking for but didnt know the name or model#
I need to try out that one I got on ebay and if it doesnt compare to the test in that article it's little butt is going back on ebay...

4WP has the MV50 if anyone is intersted, its also on amazon

After I read that write-up, I was hooked. MF-1050 is used by Pepboys and the MV-50 is used by Kragen(aka Parts America, Checkers...)

I got it for $60. I still need to try it out on my 35's and also set it up under the hood and hard wire it. I plan to mount it where some have the ABS unit.

[jim65wagon]

Originally Posted by dyogim

After I read that write-up, I was hooked. MF-1050 is used by Pepboys and the MV-50 is used by Kragen(aka Parts America, Checkers...)

I got it for $60. I still need to try it out on my 35's and also set it up under the hood and hard wire it. I plan to mount it where some have the ABS unit.

Got mine! MV-50 hardwired, airs four 265/75's from 17 to 32 lbs in 15-20 minutes!

[dsrtrcr01]

What I carry. Balljoints 1 upper and 1 lower. 1 more of each back at camp. Extra drive shaft (at camp) 2 spares on the truck and 1 at camp. Extra drive belts. Extra Torsion sockets and Torsion bolts. Extra Heims for tie rods. Extra upper control arm bolts and alignment spacers. Plenty of electrical wire, connectors, and fuses. Small tool box with all the essential Toyota tools and spare bolts and nuts. Extra Wires, spark plugs, and caps for oil, and radiator. 2 Leaf spring bolts and nuts. Tire Plugs, Jumper cables, Quart of oil, brake fluid, Tow strap, Jack, Tire iron and extra lugnuts. PLUS zip ties Duct tape Crescent wrench . Last is a Sweater, Toilet paper, Gloves, a map, And a battery less flashlight.

This list started with the factory jack and tools. Each time I broke I added to this list. And now after 12-13 years of Desert driving it has reached this, it grows every time I run into a problem in the middle of the desert

All this fits in a tool box behind the passenger seat, and some ammo cans mounted in the back.

[DevinSixtySeven]

tacodoc's list is a great beginning, i dont have much to add to the list, just a couple comments from personal experience and some advice.

i absolutely love my co2 tank...it's maybe 30 seconds per tire to reinflate a 35 from around 15 to around 30 pounds, with a fixed 150# regulator and standard fittings/chucks/valves. the trade is space and limited supply, but a 15# tank will last a long time and only has around a 6" square footprint in the bed. redundancy is always good--i will always bring the air tank, but i will be installing a dedicated compressor for the lockers and will install the lines so i can run lockers or inflation from either the tank or the compressor. i can see losing the compressor or running out of co2 in a bad place and i'd rather run certain and safe than limp home or bash the rig apart using momentum instead of technique.

make sure your hilift is WELL GREASED, and that you have a good, safe (for you and the truck) lift point. i discovered a few weekends back that i erred on the first count, but was saved by the second...because i hadnt been regularly inspecting/greasing/operating the hi-lift, the reverse lever disengaged but the pins wouldnt descend. fortunately i have enough room between the sliders and the doors, and the sch40 stays put on the hilift safely enough that i was able to climb back in the truck and roll off the hi-lift safely, without hitting sheetmetal, breaking the jack, or anything else. incidentally thats a field recovery trick sometimes, it's just rare when you can do it without trashing sheetmetal in the process, and it's much safer to lift the tires and put a traction aid underneath and then remove the jack rather than what i did. this little incident stemmed from me showing off for a girl and resulted in her exploding in giggles afterward. happens every time..."hold muh beer!" "hee hee hee, you moron!..." anyway...bring the hi-lift, and have a good safe plan for using it that youve tried first before using in the field, whether it's as a winch (i havent) or a lift/rolloff point (i had used it as a lift, this was the first rolloff).

always bring a few pairs of gloves, like three or four, and make sure at least one pair is heavily padded...if you need help, dont assume everyone has their own gloves, and whoever is messing with cables/straps/pushing/rock stacking will appreciate the padding (probably you). leather gloves are so cheap (like a buck a pair) i always keep a few pairs in the gear bag.

a pair of clear goggles with side protection are essential for trail recovery and repairs...like the gloves, bring a couple pairs for you and crew. ive gotten extremely lazy and extremely lucky only once, it only takes once but it shouldnt and if you dont get lucky youll always regret being lazy.

a folding mil surplus shovel (like 5 bux) is great for sand, snow, mud, dirt, and sawing roots. if you have the room, bring a fullsize shovel like the guys at expeditions west...they hang it off the bedside so it's easy to grab and doesnt take space in the bed. an axe and pry bar are good as well, i dont have an axe yet but always bring a 3' pry bar for moving rocks and wood.

bring sand ladders if you can fit them in the truck. at 5'x2' and 2" thick, the pair fit just within the bedsides and once strapped down, the spare tire sits against them strapped to the bed (vs sitting against the tailgate which makes it hard to open), and the co2 tank currently lashes to the ladders (this will change but works fine for now). make 'em easy to get to...youll thank yourself when you need 'em.

the hi-lift, pry bar and other stuff (like axe, shovel, whatever) sits safely between the ladders and the tailgate, and the gate opens without resistance. downside is this stuff is still loose, which isnt safe and i know it. all that stuff should be locked down with quick-fists or similar.

bring only the tools you know how to use and have spare parts to use with...ie dont bring a spare axle if you/crew dont know how to swap it or dont have the tools. if you break, limp back and get a flatbed. that being said, imho a very good thing to bring if youre way in the backcountry with a modified truck on rough trails is a spare upper & lower ball joint, spare limit strap, ball joint press, and way to support the truck. same thing goes for front driveshaft and halfshafts, know how to swap the halfshaft and remove the driveshaft so if you break a shaft or grenade the front diff you can limp back in 2wd low range with a buddy and a tow strap. some good insurance here is swapping to uniball uppers, getting a manual hub conversion with beefier halfshafts, a front locker, and learning how to drive to minimize breakage. again expeditions west has information on driving, look for a very british whitepaper on desert expeditions.

i can still fit a grill, camping gear and two mountain bikes, and at least four gas cans and probably 15 gallons of water in the bed alone with all this stuff. packing method is very important for the large & heavy stuff, particularly hi lift and ladders since you want to be able to reach them quickly and without having to unpack the entire bed, but all of it should be low and centered. some very simple tubework will let me put mountain bikes, gas cans, water and co2 tank in the front, lock the spare a couple inches off the bed in the rear and put the ladders underneath, and fit another pair of tanks to the side of the spare. also, with the spare in the bed, there's room under the bed for an auxilary tank, air, or water, or just some storage room to install a couple drop boxes through the bed, like for batteries or compressors, just have a sealed compartment with a deck plate on top of each, dropping down where the spare used to sit. now if i can just stay outta the damn hospital long enough to do all this!

whew...that was more than i thought. there's an old thread floating around with similar content, it might be in this forum back at the beginning (check your view forum preferences), i think the conclusion was bring a spare truck . never go alone.

-sean

[TMS2U]

Had to use my plug kit this past sat. - 4" nail decided to hitch a ride

[jjc]

Sure could have used one of those portable Ready Welder II's this past weekend !!!!!! That may be my next purchase!

[dsrtrcr01]

Well I guess it depends on what/ Where you are using the vehicle as well. I personally have never needed an axe. Not many trees in the way in the desert . Also I am not a fan of the Hi-Lift jack. To many problems and not an easy unit to use. I have an aluminum floor jack. But then again I am not trying to go over huge bolders (All the time). I had a freind loose 3 teeth from a hi-Lift whacking him in the jaw. Granted probably Drunk user error but You can't loose teeth from a floor jack.


Last but not least what you should ALWAYS have is a well stocked first aid kit.

[dyogim]

After the winter when I hit the trails, I usually bring my chainsaw, just in case.

If you bring Herb (Herbicidal) with you, expect a four course breakfast. He brings the generator, pancake mixer, coffee maker, electric grill....I was able to cook a pot of sticky rice at our last trip to Barney Riley...

[Herbicidal]

Originally Posted by dyogim

After the winter when I hit the trails, I usually bring my chainsaw, just in case.

If you bring Herb (Herbicidal) with you, expect a four course breakfast. He brings the generator, pancake mixer, coffee maker, electric grill....I was able to cook a pot of sticky rice at our last trip to Barney Riley...

Who says you have to eat from a can while exploring the great outdoors?!? I like my comforts too!