[matto3008]

Wanting to put together an off road emergency kit containing spare parts and tools specific to my vehicle. I thought it would be interesting to see what experienced Zookers carry in their vehicles when off road, like specific parts which commonly fail and don't leave home without sort of things that I could incorporate into my kit. Any hints and tips? Specific fuses, hoses and belts etc.

[pete_79]

This thread pretty much covers it;
https://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=55017

Most of the spares I carry are extras or leftovers from replacing things in general maintenance.
For example, I finally got around to replacing the broken engine mount the other day that has been broken since before I bought my Sierra.
I ordered the kit with 2 engine mounts and a gear box mount. Replaced the broken one and threw the 2 extra mounts into my spares box.
Same with the uni joints, transfer mounts, fan belt, etc.
I just take notice of what needs to be replaced when doing routine pre-trip checks, then either order extra new parts and or just throw the old bits that still have more life (like the fan belt) into little boxes that fit neat under the seats.

[Jack jr]

I am going to start carrying a spare alternator as i have had 2 quit.
Cheers Jack jr.

[matto3008]

pete_79 wrote:

This thread pretty much covers it;
https://auszookers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=55017

Most of the spares I carry are extras or leftovers from replacing things in general maintenance.
For example, I finally got around to replacing the broken engine mount the other day that has been broken since before I bought my Sierra.
I ordered the kit with 2 engine mounts and a gear box mount. Replaced the broken one and threw the 2 extra mounts into my spares box.
Same with the uni joints, transfer mounts, fan belt, etc.
I just take notice of what needs to be replaced when doing routine pre-trip checks, then either order extra new parts and or just throw the old bits that still have more life (like the fan belt) into little boxes that fit neat under the seats.

Good idea

[Gwagensteve]

The best parts to take are the parts you're asking the most of, and that's going to depend a lot on your driving style, who you are driving with (and what they carry) and most importantly, how modified your car is. No part you take with you though, is as valuable as careful pre-trip preparation, routine maintenance, and repair post trip.

The next issue is how far you want a repair to go - is a "limp it out" repair enough, or do you want to be able to do a workshop-level repair?

The most common parts failures are associated with driving in deep mud. Dead alternators, chewed out seals, freewheeling hubs not working due to water ingress, wheel bearing failures.

I'd say the most next common failures are with modified/added electrics - melted fuse holders, overheating due to undersized thermo fans or dodgy temp switches, poor ignition wiring, electric fuel pumps etc.

Lastly (controversially - I'll explain) it would be the parts that almost everyone carries - transfer rubber mounts and uni joints. I say controversial because factory Bridgestone mounts rarely fail, even with big tyres and reduction gears, but aftermarket chinese mounts will fail practically every trip. Likewise, unis will tend to vibrate and creak well before they fail, but if you have excessive axlewrap, you can wipe out a new uni in seconds. I have coils so very axle wrap, and a long rear driveshaft, and my unis are almost 10 years old.

Don't head out with a car with problems. Educate yourself about the modifications (especially if you haven't done them yourself) and get under the car the weekend before a trip and check fluids, do a "nut and bolt" check, look for seal weeps, play, things dangling etc.

I carry unis and a complete uni flange and driveshaft slip yoke. My experience is if a uni really fails, it will tend to wipe out the a complete wheel bearing assembly (I have the same spindle/hub arrangement front and rear) spare hub bolts, some fluids, JB weld, fuses, wire, terminals, lots of assorted bolts, cable ties, and relevant tools. No point having a spare uni if you don't have circlip pliers, a hammer, and sockets do drive the unis out. no need to take cordless drills, a torque wrench etc. Pack at least a good size pinch bar or quality tyre levers. have a look over your car and see where you can jam something to bend or bash it straight.

The other important lesson is that nothing can replace going out with other experienced people who drive the same car you do. It means with pooled resources and pooled tools, and the sense of fun that comes with a group, lots of things can be fixed. I've replaced a couple of semifloat rear axles trackside. This takes three hours and you'd never do it by yourself, but it absolutely can be done, and is kind of perverse fun.

[matto3008]

Great tips! Didn't realize this subject had already been bought up. Will use the search function before I start a new thread. Cheers

[got_bar_work]

Peanut butter jar of random nuts, bolts washers in 6,8,10mm. Rag joint( seen a few sierra ones fail on track.) Uni joint, punch, ball peen hammer and a lump hammer. I've had to use the lump hammer as an anvil and bash a yoke back into shape, then mushroom over the openings to hold the uni inplace because the cirlcip Grove was destroyed