Near-range spare parts kit ideas....

[jameyFL]

Interested in having a local bag of spare parts. Not talking expedition but for general use on my 1985 daily driver.

So far I have broken down 4 times. Only one of them could have been handled on the side of the road but it got me thinking about what I could keep at the house vs on the truck for quick repairs.

Then I started thinking about what I could carry around with me on a day to day basis.

Here is my list so far:

1) replacement belts
2) some kind of duct tape for pipe / hose leaks

Not very long is it?

 

[OSS]

Get a bag like this & fill it full of tools until it's hard to zip up and get a 1/2" breaker bar. Then you'll have everything you need. It's not necessary to have two sets of tools (home/car). A complete tool bag is just as important (imo) as a jack or spare tire.

 

[John McVicker]

Replace all your hoses before they fail, save the old ones. Find an old school military bag and always carry it with you.

 

[CaptClose]

Every new mechanical occurrence that you're hit with in the road, will probably be an issue that you're not prepared for. That's just dumb luck. I consider myself an over preparer, and yet... the last issue I had required a replacement shock bolt. I never would have thought to carry spare bolts, but now I do.

Some other easy " non-tool" items that should be in the bag that @OSS told you to get are:

Zip ties - I used a few of these to repair a broken wiper blade assembly the other week. They can be used for all sorts of things.

Spare fuses - you never know when you'll need to replace a fuse. I had to replace one several times on a recent road trip.

High Temp RTV - if you need to pull your seized thermostat on the side of the road, and you can't save the gasket... this stuff can get you by.

Steel wire - because you never know what you might need to fasten up

Spare fuel filter - because it's small, cheap and easy to have on hand.

JB Weld - because sometimes it's better than duct tape

Hose clamps - always handy to have some spares

I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. I'll add them when I remember. But the point is, be prepared... but don't be surprised if something happens that you're not prepared for. The best thing to have are good friends that are willing to help.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

always keep the old belts and hoses in the cargo panels...elec tape, rescue tape, bailing wire, rags, wire splices and a crimper, fuses, aaa card, tools...spare tire WITH AIR IN IT...

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

any questionable parts you have not yet changed...I have taken many trips with radiators and alternators still in their boxes...whatever it takes to keep Murphy working to get in. Even then; he's going to get in...just be ready, try your hardest, and know how to accept when you're beat.

 

[lcwizard]

tire plug kit, compressor, trioxane fuel bars, lighter or matches, small LED flashlight or headlamp, blanket or two ( depends where you are), water ( 2 gallon rotopax style is easier to store)

 

[lcwizard]

Personally, a sleeping bag and small tent never leaves my 60. It's 10PM, wheeling all day, and you bust a birfield . It's better to throw out the tent, get a good night's sleep and start fresh. You never know what could happen. You could get sick, hurt yourself, run out of gas or any number of things. You might as well be comfortable while you work it out. It might seem like overkill but the first time you spend a night
in 20 degree weather without blankets or a bag, you'll be a believer. Sportsman's guide has big bags that are cheap enough that if you have to use them for traction you won't be out much....and they may save your life

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Wiring diagram, jumper wire, fuses, multimeter and of course the knowledge to use them. Mechanical failures almost always give warnings. Electrical issues not so much.....

Eric

 

[mattressking]

Baseline you're maintenance before you daily drive

 

[jameyFL]

Great ideas, thanks.

It's pretty well baselined I suppose now. Runs great after a full rebuild Knuckles, fluids etc all done. But you know how it goes. You feel like you have replaced everything on the car and something else goes.

I have actually thought of buying a spare 'something' each month. Alternator, starter, clutch slave, etc.

Come to think of it, the most useful thing so far has been my tow strap (ugh)

 

[lovetoski]

adds to the above
spare fusable link
headlight bulbs (others are good also, but headlights are essential if it's dark)
a few lug nuts
misc bolts/nuts
spare wire and connectors
multi meter
first aid kit (in case you need repairing)

 

[kbfj621989]

Wheel studs

 

[Kleatus]

A ziplock bag with a roll of toilet paper in it, and a good LED headlamp have been some of best things to have (in every vehicle..).
Some great suggestions so far, there's many other things that could be added in addition to a generic toolkit. I also carry- 54mm hub socket (fits on top of the original bottle jack in rear quarter panel), Nitrile gloves, brake cleaner, some random lengths of vacuum and fuel hose, grease, snap ring pliers, small multimeter, brass drift (cone washers), 4 lb hammer, spare U joint, tie wire, ratchet straps, extendable mirror and magnet, jumper cables, hmm... what else...
And I throughly endorse the use of the military duffle/tool bags as well!

 

[lcwizard]

A ziplock bag with a roll of toilet paper in it
!

I second that, especially if you do a lot of group runs. The s*** can get pretty deep around the campfire after a full day of trail running.
I'm always surprised how many people are actually still alive after hearing the stories