How far will you go with your wagon

[RUSH55]

Glad I wasn’t relying on patching abilities when I had sidewall tears both times I needed to change out a tire out in the middle of nowhere (my luck).
If you’re sticking to maintained gravel roads and pavement, then you’ll probably be fine without a tire carrier.

 

[scrapdaddy]

You're right about that, got to have a spare. As soon as you don't have one, you need it.

 

[wngrog]

When I thought off reading meant trailering my tube buggy to the trails I always left the spare on the trailer. Back then I actually did have flats from cuts. Nothing makes your day go to poo like slicing open a $500 tire

 

[RUSH55]

Had an outing one time that ended with somewhere between 5 - 7 flat/torn tires in a group of about 7 - 8 rigs. They were all BFG MT’s IIRC. Both FJ55’s made it out with zero flats in a place they really probably shouldn’t have been in the first place

 

[Megadoomer]

My pig came with a home made swing out. it was heavy and bulky and that was without the tire even on it. I tried to modify it and make it better or more useful, but in the end I cut it all off. It looks way better without and you can see the classic piggy lines. Now I don't carry a spare and I could be asking for trouble. I am still working on making my off road donut spare, just trying to find the right items. This is why I think the off road trailer is so enticing. You can put your cargo in it, mount your spare and rooftop tent. Keep that all in camp while you wheel, or throw the spare in the back. I like my Pig being able to go on long trips and be self-sufficient which I guess is the "overlanding" thing. But I don't like my Pig to look like it can do that when I go get my Sunday donuts..

 

[bobm]

Had an outing one time that ended with somewhere between 5 - 7 flat/torn tires in a group of about 7 - 8 rigs. They were all BFG MT’s IIRC. Both FJ55’s made it out with zero flats in a place they really probably shouldn’t have been in the first place

I've been running BFGs since 1980 both Mud and All terrains. I can only count 3 flats in that time frame. Will always run them ❤

 

[residualboulders]

My pig came with a home made swing out. it was heavy and bulky and that was without the tire even on it. I tried to modify it and make it better or more useful, but in the end I cut it all off. It looks way better without and you can see the classic piggy lines. Now I don't carry a spare and I could be asking for trouble. I am still working on making my off road donut spare, just trying to find the right items. This is why I think the off road trailer is so enticing. You can put your cargo in it, mount your spare and rooftop tent. Keep that all in camp while you wheel, or throw the spare in the back. I like my Pig being able to go on long trips and be self-sufficient which I guess is the "overlanding" thing. But I don't like my Pig to look like it can do that when I go get my Sunday donuts..

that's the quandry isn't it? equiping the rig so you're prepared, but not looking like you're headed to an overlanding expo?

 

[RUSH55]

So now another angle to add to this is, that if you like to run off the beaten path, what’s in your tool kit, what’s in your spare parts kit, and where and how do you store them so that your rig doesn’t sound like an M1 Abrams rolling down the road?

 

[scrapdaddy]

I think everyone should bring enough tools to reasonably get their rig out of the backcountry, if possible. I carry all the usual stuff and things like a hub nut socket, snap ring pliers, etc. I put in there everything I've used four wheeling over the years and parts like u-joint, front wheel bearing/gasket, belts and some fluids.

Since I built the drawers in back I had to reduce what I carried, but now it's far easier to grab a tool, just pull out a drawer. The tool box was always on the bottom of the pile and a major pain to unload just to grab a wrench to check driveshaft bolts.

On a side note, some tools I carry are like my first aid bag and "get home bag". I put things in there I have no experience using, but hopefully someone will know and doesn't have what they need. So, please don't break a leg or cut yourself bad, because I'll stitch your azz up!

EDIT: I carry an assortment of bolts and nuts, gorilla tape, a full tire patch kit and two dimes because my Mother always told me ( in case I need to call for help).

 

[wngrog]

Drawers are clutch. Since I use multiple vehicles I made a big box that supplements the normal bag of tools that stay in the truck. Weight kills. Sure you can pack it but every pound added reduces the ability of the vehicle to defy gravity.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Weight, another good subject. I need to weigh mine fully loaded and gassed up.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Drawers are clutch.

Is this good or bad? Me and Bob want to know.

 

[RUSH55]

In video game speak, it’s good

 

[RUSH55]

I used to carry a decent toolbox with a good assortment of the general stuff. The metal box made a ton of racket. Switched to a plastic box but you could still hear the sockets chiming on every bump. Learned to just live with it.
Carried an extra Birfield, hub, and u-joint in an ammo can with some rags and some WD40.
Also liked to have some spare electrical wire with an assortment of crimp connectors, tape, and a pair of cutter/stripper/crimpers. Came to the rescue on a couple occasions.
Have found since then that some old Tupperware containers do a good job of storing and organizing smaller, loose hardware.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Yep, I forgot the electrical bag. I put all mine in different canvas bags.

 

[residualboulders]

@wngrog that's the problem having multiple cruisers and wanting to use them all. Do I spend on drawer systems, RTT, fridge for the 200, or the 55, or the 60? Or, do i come up with a system that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle? Worse for you because you also have an 80 and 100.

 

[bobm]

Tupperware Sucks, I'd like to choke the MOFO who invented it . Vise grips, Duck tape, and lubricants . No this ain't a Porno . No er

 

[TachedOutOffRoad]

I just ordered a rear swing out…..
Have a 55 gallon tank for the range…

we take 4 people camping in my pig and need the back for tools, fire extinguishers, gear, fridge, fire extinguishers, and beers

It does take a little away from the look, but damn the 35” spare takes up a lot of room inside

 

[bobm]

Pastrana drove top of Mt. Washington in 5.28. Speeds of 136 mph

 

[MacDaddyRabbit]

Pastrana drove top of Mt. Washington in 5.28. Speeds of 136 mph

How far would I go in my 55? Interesting read and I've seen a couple of your rigs, amazing...
My thought is going toward a 'new' owner purchaser, like me (2 years).. I had visions of making mine an offroader, camping, ruffriding SOB...Damn the dents and abrasions.. I own a 40 and its a little too nice to bang up so I was looking for a 55 to use a bit more off road. I buy my pig out of Arizona and it gets delivered. I spent several months trying to figure out next step, but what was evident was PO's had taken care to keep it original.. plus minimal rust. . everything eventually worked w a little time and effort.. thanks to Pigeaten... Ownership 'crisis' (Grins).. Body was straight AF, and w the number of original pigs disappearing I hesitantly decided to keep my truck OEM as possible and to of course fix the minimal rust. So new paint on a pig I thought I was going to use primarily offroading.
My thought is the truck's starting condition has a voice in this.. so how far will I take my truck? Taking it to Missouri hopefully in October.. Camping along the way..took it to Arkansas last year, NC this year (Carolina Relic Run) ..the truck will go anywhere (it's a pig at heart) but the driver is severely limited (LOL) in offroading capabilities and experience so I'm dirt/gravel roads with an occasional need to 4WD... I stay away from deep water/mud holes just cause this truck isn't 'that' truck.. I drive highways at 60-65 MPH with 33's and 3.70's.. A PO had previously replaced the seat covers and apparently has the same issue most of us do w comfort, and his answer was to overpad the front seat cushion and it is a difference maker.. very comfortable..

I was borderline thinking of going to the PP2021, talking to Deo about logistics, vehicle concerns, etc. He said you can go anywhere in the USA w these things.. His explanation was this group of guys on Mud.. If you find yourself 'stuck', get on Mud, someone will come to assist. You experienced owners are the reason us newbies get to enjoy our trucks. And allow us to go anywhere we want. Appreciated..

And yes, I'm looking for another fixer to buy to take offroading, ruffriding, damn the dents and abrasions... Just saying .... that 76 in barn find along the tree line Carolina was a great candidate...patience...