School me on expedition tool kit!

[The Jade Bean]

I'm getting to the point where I need to put together our rig tool kit and I'd like your feedback. A little back drop for you... Our rig will be in the remote mountains of primarily Honduras and Guatemala and although we won't likely be days from help it could be several hours. So I would like to be prepared but I don't want the whole rig to be tools and in fact I'd like it to fit in about a 2'x1'5"x10"tall case... I don't have the case yet I'm just giving you an idea of a good size. Our first rig is a 2005 4Runner V8, so what size wrenches, sockets, etc. are needed? I am planning on having a ARB compressor under the hood. Thank you in advance for your help!!!

-Daniel




I guess I should add that we already have a winch, high-lift jack, shovel, axe, pick axe, solar panel for battery charging, gps... Plans for compressor, inverter and dual batteries. THX!

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[george_tlc]

Asking the question on socket/spanner sizes begs the question of do you know how to repair your vehicle if need be? What have you had to work on so far? What size sockets and spanners did you need to do those repairs? Whatever size tool you have with you will end up being the wrong length/shape etc to fit where needed - murphy will ensure that, i.e. you may need a deep socket in one spot yet a standard depth socket in another. Your own familiarity with working on your vehicle should guide you on the basic tools you need.

I'd personally focus on having a real tyre repair kit and knowing how to use it to cope with anything from a nail to a side stake.

This is my own setup when heading into the bush in oz for a few weeks or more... bigtrip

cheers,
george.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Asking the question on socket/spanner sizes begs the question of do you know how to repair your vehicle if need be? What have you had to work on so far? What size sockets and spanners did you need to do those repairs? Whatever size tool you have with you will end up being the wrong length/shape etc to fit where needed - murphy will ensure that, i.e. you may need a deep socket in one spot yet a standard depth socket in another. Your own familiarity with working on your vehicle should guide you on the basic tools you need.

I'd personally focus on having a real tyre repair kit and knowing how to use it to cope with anything from a nail to a side stake.

This is my own setup when heading into the bush in oz for a few weeks or more... bigtrip

cheers,
george.

I've done 95% of the work on our rig myself and am building our expo trailer so yes I feel confident on working on it if I have too. I defiantly realize that there are a multitude of sockets and what not for everything... Which is why I said I don't want my entire garage of tools and fab EQ on every trip with us.

I'm looking for a "What have you taken on every trip with you and what is needed most of the time"! Thanks!

I would like real time experience answers of OMG "I wish I had brought..."!

Oh and yes tire change gear is actually already on our rig. Plus we will almost always have 2 spares with us.

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[The Jade Bean]

I should also be sure to drive the point home like I already said above: We will likely on most occasions be at most a day from actual tools and mechanical help. More than likely we will only an hour at most from people just because there are villages and "houses" scattered throughout all of the mountains where we will be. So I really only need basic tools likely... Volt meter, screw drivers, monkey wrench, channel locks, hammer, multiple types of pliers, electric tape, duck tape... ???

Thanks again!

-Daniel

EDIT: Thanks for the handy list George!

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[george_tlc]

Well, if you've done work on your vehicle you should know what you most often reach for in the toolbox.

10mm, 12mm, 14mm etc are the obvious sizes of most nuts/bolts on a jap vehicle. Gear wrench and standard spanners are great for tight spots. DECENT screwdrivers for the odd fastener. 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" ratchet and appropriate sockets. Visegrips, channellocks etc. See my overall list in my first post.

The reality is that a newish vehicle will have little that goes wrong that would strand you, anything that does will require a toyota workshop stocked with electronic test equipment and 'modules'. I head bush in oz in an old 80's vintage diesel - nothing electronic, all mechanical including fuel pump and injectors.

Most mechanical things that I've had fail/break have been aftermarket stuff that was added on. The stock stuff tends to be very reliable. Obviously if you are typically on tracks/trails and not pounding over rock gardens, the basic vehicle will hold together very nicely.

Tools on their own obviously won't save the day, something breaks (suspension etc), it won't be the tools that save the day, it'll be the other odds & sods that you have with you to help make the repair... ubolts, scrap bits of metal, misc nuts & bolts, fencing wire, heavy duty hose clamps, spare hose, etc etc...

I take a small petrol minibike (little 50cc honda) and that has saved my bacon once when a front set of ubolts (aftermarket) failed while 40km from the nearest road. Took over a day to make the trip back to the road, hitch a lift to the nearest town about 120km away, get new ubolts made at a garage, hitch lift back and ride back to the vehicle. Obviously I now have a set of spare ubolts for front & rear of the vehicle and of course they've never failed again.

cheers,
george.

 

[The Jade Bean]

" GEORGE: I take a small petrol minibike (little 50cc honda) and that has saved my bacon once when a front set of ubolts (aftermarket) failed while 40km from the nearest road."

Now that's a good idea! We actually do have a 65 Honda 90 that we are taking with us and you see tons of them over there. You are right that little will break on it that I'll be able to repair. When we get there we will be adding likely a 40 and a Hilux to the team that we will purchase there so the same tool kit will also be used for those. I do actually know what tools I grab for the most. I'm sure as you have said like you learned, I will also learn I should start caring (fill in the blank) for now on!

I choose the newer rig cause for me I don't want the time when we first get there to be wrenching on our vehicle. Since when we first get there my time will be consumed with building our house/ store front and lining out our land with coffee... Whew I'm tired already!

Good input so far...keep it coming! Pictures of your recovery, tools, supplies, etc... I'm going with Pelican cases to house most of our gear.

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[Enigma]

I just found out I need to add a 22 mil socket and wrench to my on board tool kit. That size is required for the pan hard bolts (frame mount bushing was toast and tightening the crap out of it 'fixed' it).

 

[The Jade Bean]

I just found out I need to add a 22 mil socket and wrench to my on board tool kit. That size is required for the pan hard bolts (frame mount bushing was toast and tightening the crap out of it 'fixed' it).

Nice...thx! Is it ridiculous to carry an entire socket/wrench set?

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[george_tlc]

Nice...thx! Is it ridiculous to carry an entire socket/wrench set?

-Daniel

I carry complete socket sets (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive, shallow/deep), Also some 'big' sockets. I can't be bothered to 'presort' the ones I 'really' need - and I may need to give someone else a hand in the bush (wouldn't be the first time)...

cheers,
george.

 

[The Jade Bean]

I carry complete socket sets (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive, shallow/deep), Also some 'big' sockets. I can't be bothered to 'presort' the ones I 'really' need - and I may need to give someone else a hand in the bush (wouldn't be the first time)...

cheers,
george.

Good to know... I was thinking of starting with that and adding as needed as its been pointed out.

As it will be HOPEFULLY be sometime before I have real problems with my rig. What would be the best parts to carry for a newer rig such as mine... U-joints, cv boot repair kit, grease, belt, oil....

Thanks!

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[SHREDwagon]

Don't forget rescue tape! Does a new 4runner have grease nipples?

 

[The Jade Bean]

Don't forget rescue tape! Does a new 4runner have grease nipples?

I've never heard of rescue tape and yes to the grease points.

-Daniel

EDIT: Found it...pretty sweet. http://www.rescuetape.com/

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[roscoFJ73]

One thing that is handy is a small vice you can bolt to the bullbar. Great for filing or drilling metal and many other things.
I saw a show on TV one night where SAS recruits had to make a radiator out of a 10 litre water container and duct tape.They could only do 15-20 kph but it got them home.
They used their spare radiator hoses for more length joined with duct tape and a container like these.

 

[The Jade Bean]

One thing that is handy is a small vice you can bolt to the bullbar. Great for filing or drilling metal and many other things.
I saw a show on TV one night where SAS recruits had to make a radiator out of a 10 litre water container and duct tape.They could only do 15-20 kph but it got them home.
They used their spare radiator hoses for more length joined with duct tape and a container like these.

That's a cool idea... I could see bolting one down to the expo trailer.

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.

 

[PandaTelf]

I take a small petrol minibike (little 50cc honda) and that has saved my bacon once

Genius! Must figure out how to mount/carry one.

Luckily tend to travel in convoy. Something breaks that seriously you park it up on the track and jump in with one of the others, hitch back to town and replace...

 

[TheJackRabbit]

That is a good idea only I am too big for a Honda 50. I used to own a 1951 HD WLA but that might be too big to carry on a receiver hitch mount .

 

[Bogo]

" GEORGE: I take a small petrol minibike (little 50cc honda) and that has saved my bacon once when a front set of ubolts (aftermarket) failed while 40km from the nearest road."

Now that's a good idea! We actually do have a 65 Honda 90 that we are taking with us and you see tons of them over there.

The old Honda 90s are excellent because they are still made in one engine variant or another by other manufacturers. Also, so many were made they are everywhere in the third world so common failure parts are available all over.

As for having a second vehicle, I think it is the one thing I figured is most important. Even if it is an off road bicycle. Furthermore, it must be able to be driven/ridden and picked up by anybody in the party. That way anybody is able to go for help. The Old Honda 90s, and 110s were nearly perfect for this as they are off road capable, and light enough most people can pick them up if they fall over. They may be a bit harder to drag out of a stream than a bicycle, but most should be able to manage. When choosing an emergency vehicle, think about this. Can you carry/drag it out of the mud hole/river you got your main vehicle hopelessly stuck in?

 

[Bogo]

Thinking on that radiator trick. Any web sites or books where lots of these tricks are gathered together?

 

[cody c]

If your adding a hilux and a 40 to the group than you should be adding a 54mm socket, and a 24 if you dont have one already. Also split ring pliers and a spare aisin hub with star washers, washer and hub nuts. Grab some spare u-joints and bearings for a cruiser/mini front and rear axle, as well as some spare belts.

A good selection of hoses in different sizes tucked into each other that will work for coolant or fuel, a tire plug kit with extra valve stems of a few different sizes, a few extra driveshaft bolts/nuts and wheel studs would be nice to have as well.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Your right the Hondas in general are all over Central America and in some places that's the main mod of transportation.

Great list for the added vehicles and I never thought about the different hoses inside each other (great way to save space). Nice!

Keep it coming... I'm waiting to see how much space roughly I'll need and then I'm ordering the storage cases.

-Daniel

Sent from deep in the mountains of Honduras using only sticks and rocks.