Road trip preparation - what parts/tools should I bring? (2 Viewers)

[BuddhaCruiser]

The Buddha has ~347k on the odometer and has been our family action rig since June 2020. I've had no major mechanical issues since we bought it. Service records from the P.O. go back to 2005 and 114k. I know that most major systems are sound, having undergone inspections and work over the last 5 years. Trans, radiator, diffs, all good.
I'm planning a 3,000-mile road trip through Eastern Oregon, Nevada, and Northern Arizona for early September—mostly highway plans, with a few off-road camping spots and dirt/gravel connecting roads.

Question for the wisdom of the community...
What (if any) parts, tools, and gadgets would you be taking?
I'm not a mechanic, but I can do the basics in a pinch. Any guidance or ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[george_tlc]

All comes down to maintenance that has been done.

i.e. all coolant hoses, transmission hoses, brake lines, fuel lines/hoses, lubrication, etc. Brake pads etc. Belts.

Basic toolbox with what you would need to replace a hose or change a spark plug or tighten up a loose bolt.

If maintenance has been kept up, I wouldn't be bringing a boatload of spare parts. Maybe a few lengths of hose and hose clamps just in case. Some extra fluids (e.g. engine oil). In a pinch regular water is fine to top up a coolant leak.

Modern and recent phone with starlink service (e.g. Pixel 9 and tmobile) - that'll get you help IF needed when off the beaten path.

Take your time and if there's a bypass to get you to where you want to be, take it Get under the vehicle every so often on your trip and look things over. Don't ignore 'strange noises'.

And then all the stuff you would have if camping anyway, first aid, shelter, food, water etc.

cheers,
george.

 

[smorkington]

54mm socket

 

[BuddhaCruiser]

All comes down to maintenance that has been done.

i.e. all coolant hoses, transmission hoses, brake lines, fuel lines/hoses, lubrication, etc. Brake pads etc. Belts.

Basic toolbox with what you would need to replace a hose or change a spark plug or tighten up a loose bolt.

If maintenance has been kept up, I wouldn't be bringing a boatload of spare parts. Maybe a few lengths of hose and hose clamps just in case. Some extra fluids (e.g. engine oil). In a pinch regular water is fine to top up a coolant leak.

Modern and recent phone with starlink service (e.g. Pixel 9 and tmobile) - that'll get you help IF needed when off the beaten path.

Take your time and if there's a bypass to get you to where you want to be, take it Get under the vehicle every so often on your trip and look things over. Don't ignore 'strange noises'.

And then all the stuff you would have if camping anyway, first aid, shelter, food, water etc.

cheers,
george.

Thanks, George,
That's exactly what I was hoping for from someone with more trail miles than me. Much appreciated.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Admittedly, you are not a mechanic;, AAA is your friend.

Im mechanical and I carry AAA because if nothing else it will get me to a better place to deal with the problems.

 

[davidp14]

I carry a driveshaft, starter, alternator and a bunch of hoses, fuses, and relays. I have most of my tools with me all the time, including a 54mm socket and a knuckle rebuild kit and bearings. I have enough of every fluid the 80 uses to at least get me off the trail.

All of it is securely strapped down.

In truth it's probably too much but it makes me feel better driving long distances to have it with me. I am usually driving to trails where I'm going to beat on mine though.

You've got some good advice already here. Make sure it's been thoroughly baselined and check on it regularly and you'll probably be fine.

Oh and I also have AAA

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have done a lot of remote solo travel, and the only major parts I carry for an 80 is a fuel pump and a PS high pressure hose. (never needed)
You can work around a lot to get home, but without a fuel pump, you are not going anywhere.

 

[davidp14]

I have done a lot of remote solo travel, and the only major parts I carry for an 80 is a fuel pump and a PS high pressure hose. (never needed)
You can work around a lot to get home, but without a fuel pump, you are not going anywhere.

I have one of those too.

 

[efjayatee]

Gluethread
EFI fuse
Fusible link
Fuse kit
Coolant, oil (PS, engine.....)
Belts
Extra hardware (....knuckles)
Volt meter
Spare part (starter, alternator, battery)

 

[jonheld]

I do frequent road trips in my 97 LX450, and I can't agree more with what @george_tlc stated.

This past June I drove from Jersey to the Lake Tahoe area, ran the Rubicon, went to SLC to visit the LC Heritage Museum, went north through Grand Teton into Yellowstone, and back east. 6180 miles from driveway to driveway in 90F+ ambient the entire way, pulling an M416 w/5 Swampers.
She drank a few quarts of oil, and some fuel here and there. Zero issues.

As @OGBeno told me years ago, these trucks are industrial pieces of equipment and require periodic maintenance to remain reliable. All systems on my truck get inspected and serviced in the spring before any trip, or when I feel it's time according to my spreadsheet. I also don't let anyone touch my truck and do all maintenance myself.

There are always 2 tool rolls in the truck with the most common hand tools, a few quarts of extra fluids, full set of new belts and hoses, tire patch kit. That's pretty much it for road trips and light off road.
If I plan to do rock crawling, I add some steering linkage and a rear drive shaft.

All that said, the most important tool is the one on top of your neck.

 

[ChaseTruck]

…
All that said, the most important tool is the one on top of your neck.

That one.

When our trips were with my wife in the FJ40 and me in the K5 Blazer, we’d carry things like spare front axle shaft assemblies. But we were more ‘adventurous’ in those vehicles. And got to use those spare axle shafts, as well…

In the 80s, we haven’t run the more difficult trails, but have put them through some respectable obstacles now and then. There are spare fusible links, voltmeter, spare fuses, an EFI relay, hand tools, jumper cables, recovery gear like straps and gear for winching. And we try to stay ahead on maintenance items.

What has failed most often in the 80s are the microphones on the CB radios, though .

 

[bhsdriller]

3,000 miles of mostly highway?

Nothing except gas money

 

[Rifleman]

Just my 2 cents, the most important thing I'd bring on an overland trip would be a cell phone with AAA on speed dial, and a HIGH LIMIT credit card for all the other problems you my encounter.

 

[efjayatee]

The one item that I don't bring is my WIFE.

 

[lumbee1]

I think the better question is "What has failed on your 80 during a long distance road trip?"

Short distance trip: injector wire was exposed, shorted out on the valve cover, blew the fusible link, and made the truck cut off instantly. Check your harness before you go.

We drove to the Grand Canyon in 2017 (4700 miles) and other than badly needing a regear and more power, the Cruiser did fine.

 

[Beach80]

I like front and rear hub bearing kit and tools needed. Tie rod ends. Tub of Moly and tub of bearing grease. Misc. Fluids. Extra ratchet straps. Hoses, belts. fusible link, basic electrical kit, fuses, butt splices, different size wire ect. Tire repair kit, glue tread and plug kit. Repair manual. Tarp. A cheap misc kit of common metric bolts. Tire chock if you have room. Tire changing equipment that will work in gravel ect. Portable air compressor. Fire extinguisher. I bring way to many tools.