Tools and equipment

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Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Threads
40
Messages
1,219
Location
Prescott Valley, AZ
I just finished organizing my onboard tool box and it occured to me that we may want to compare notes on what members carry on trips. Maybe I am overly anal about tools, but it always seems that the tool that I forgot is the one that I end up needing. I'm a bit superstisious about it because it seems that if I forget to prepare for a problem, that is always the problem I end up dealing with. Murphy's law and all that.
This time I loaded the kit with my "second favorite" tools so that I don't end up raiding my truck box between trips.
I'll list my stuff so that other members can note things that I didn't think of. It may help newbies out and help the rest of to remember everything;

Sockets:
3/8" 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21.
Deep well, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 2 Spark plug sizes.
!/4" 1/4 (for bits), 8, 10, 11, 12, a swivel.
!/2" 21mm for wheels.
!/2" breaker bar, #/8" long ratchet, 1/4" ratchet, various extensions.
Set of metric wrenches.
Some torx bits, phillips bits, etc.
Several pliers and a pair of heavy dykes.
Several screwdrivers.
Test light, some wire and black tape.
Duct tape, super glue.
Cordless drill ( Don't leave home without it! I take it out between trips so it is freshly charged) some drill bits and socket driver bits.
Tape measure.
scissors.
Tire guage.
2 ball peen and a claw hammer.
Drywall hammer (makes a great light hatchet).
Long prybay and a large crescent wrench.
Air compressor and tire patches.
Large branch cutters and a bow saw.
20' logging chain. Tow strap.
Baling wire.
A file, a putty knife and a chisel.
Those red flags from construction zones come in handy. They don't take up any room and they are free.
Electrical wire and some nylon ties.
Extra set of belts. Usually the last set I took off during maintenance.
WD-40 and Brake cleaner.
Enough fluids to refill a rolled truck, Brake and power steering fluids.
A tube of grease.
Winch tackle.
I'd say a high-lift jack, but I haven't bought one yet.

Maybe it's excessive, but it doesn't take up much room if packed well, and it's cheap insurance. If there is anything that I didn't think of, post up.

At the same time I made a simple drawer system for my 80 using Rubbermaid under-bed storage boxes. I may do pics if anyone's interested.
I used 3/4" plywood and put verticals 8 1/2" high at each fenderwell fastened to the factory tie hook bolt holes. Then I put horizontal panels on each side. They extend over the verticals about an inch. I put the factory tie-downs on top.
I fastened rails into the verticals 7/8" down from the tops so that I can slide a plywood panel in across the center space. That holds the Rubbermaid bins in place and doubles as a table top when pulled out. I put table leg sockets on the bottom side. Just pull it out and put legs on and Presto!! A table to eat lunch on! It's kinda cool!
One Rubbermaid bin holds folding chairs and a CB radio, and the other holds all of the above tools expept for fluids. Those are stashed in the cavities between the fenderwells and the tailgate on each side. I painted everything with a truck bed liner that I buy in spray-bombs at Walmart.
 
I didn't see a hack-saw which can come in handy and is pretty darn flat.

We also had an incident where Alvin sheared two valve stems off - fortunately someone had spares an a tool to seat them.
 
Valve stems are a good idea. I hadn't thought of them.
Hacksaw? I should take out my bowsaw. I bought a saw at Home De Po last year that would be perfect. It is a deep style bow saw with a 12" blade and blade cover. It was made to hold a 12" hacksaw blade and only cost $10. With extra blades, it ia an excellent dual-purpose saw to carry. I will change it out in the AM.

Any other ideas??
 
Definatly a tire patch kit with dookie plugs, and maybe an electric testor to hunt down that pesky electrical problem while on trail, also some antifreeze for the radiator, along with a galon or two of water for drinking washing ext. vice grips are also a must and a buncha hoze clamps. more off the top of my head we usually pack a couple extra axle shafts an asortment of bolts and all the air tools we can cram into our boxes.
 
I don't carry that much... but you forgot a Leatherman tool.

Also a high-powered LED flashlight.

Oh and get a Hi-Lift.
 
Most useful "tool" or accessory I bring with me.....gloves. Don't know how many times they've saved my fingers/hands.

Sean
 
batteries of all kinds of sizes :D

axle grease (I tend to give it to the Chevy's)

bolts - ditto

X2 on the flashlight and the gloves

saniwipes for cleaning your hands

assortment of fuses, even switches (donated those once to Chevy's, too :D)
 
Good thoughts. Leatherman I didn't think of because it lives in the glove box, not the toolbox. Glove-box items are multi-tool, flashlight, GPS, binoc's, camera.
I also forgot jumper cables. Can we spell BASIC? Do'h!
Coolant is in there, Vise-grips I forgot about. They can fix anything.
My old truck had on-board running water so I kinda forgot to carry water, but it is important. I'll work it into this truck ASAP. Until then I need to strap a jug to the rear wall.
 
I don't carry that much... but you forgot a Leatherman tool.

Also a high-powered LED flashlight.

Oh and get a Hi-Lift.

I have several LED shaker lights. I use them to find my real mag-lites and lanterns.
I had a 48" high-lift in my Montero. It was too short for an 80 LC., so I sold it with the truck.
A High-Lift jack has limited uses. It is only useful when a lift point is available that won't cause body damage. On my Montero that was most of the truck, front, back and sides, as it is with a FJ40. I need a rear bumper and sliders to use one now.
I owned that jack for 8 years and never used it in spite of all of the brutal places that I took the Montero into. It was mostly a good-luck charm. If I have it, I won't need it. If I don't have it, I will wish I did!
The LC has a winch to help with the lack, but if I don't get a High-Lift, I will wish I had one at some time.:doh:
 
...
A High-Lift jack has limited uses. ... It was mostly a good-luck charm. ...:doh:

Nope, it's a heavy, bulky, truck decoration! The cool kids paint them to match the truck, polish and wax often!;p :D ... I better knock on wood or will be needing one on the next run!:doh:
shotts_jack.webp
 
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... I better knock on wood or will be needing one on the next run!:doh:

And we would attach it exactly where on your :princess:? Then again, it's Lexus/Toyota quality - I'm sure the flares will hold up...:grinpimp:


P.S. I just did knock on wood myself...
 
And we would attach it exactly where on your :princess:? Then again, it's Lexus/Toyota quality - I'm sure the flares will hold up...:grinpimp:


P.S. I just did knock on wood myself...

About the only place they can be used in my junk is the receiver hitch.:eek:
 
Hi-lifts are overrated. It's as if you have to have one to be considered a real wheeler. I have one, it sits in my garage. I carry a small floor jack and some blocks of wood. Much easier, and safer, to use in most situations. Hi-lifts are all sex appeal. Sure, there are situations where a hi-lift is better, but I believe they're outnumbered by the times a simple jack will do the job, and do it better and safer. I also carry both a scissor jack and the factory-style jack, because more is better and both are very small.

Along with most of the crap noted earlier, I always have my picnic supplies with me- small grill, knife set, silverware, paper plates, seasonings, usually some charcoal- everything for a grill-out minus the steaks. I consider it survival equipment. :D

-Spike
 
... I always have my picnic supplies with me- small grill, knife set, silverware, paper plates, seasonings, usually some charcoal- everything for a grill-out minus the steaks. I consider it survival equipment. :D

-Spike

:confused: none of that junk is needed for pizza? :confused: :D
 
True, I cook that on the engine, along with some excellent burritos I got turned on to recently- Posada's from Costco. The grill is survival equipment- as in, if I have to eat someone's dog to survive, at least I can offer to cook it!

-Spike (Gotta bring somthin' to the table. :D)
 
True, I cook that on the engine, along with some excellent burritos I got turned on to recently- Posada's from Costco. The grill is survival equipment- as in, if I have to eat someone's dog to survive, at least I can offer to cook it!

-Spike (Gotta bring somthin' to the table. :D)

That does it - I'm NOT bringing my dog when Spike comes any more:D

I will admit tho, thoes burritos were more appealing than my hand-wiches (since we left the bread home:doh: )
 
Hi-lifts are overrated. It's as if you have to have one to be considered a real wheeler. I have one, it sits in my garage. I carry a small floor jack and some blocks of wood. Much easier, and safer, to use in most situations. Hi-lifts are all sex appeal. Sure, there are situations where a hi-lift is better, but I believe they're outnumbered by the times a simple jack will do the job, and do it better and safer. I also carry both a scissor jack and the factory-style jack, because more is better and both are very small.

-Spike

There was a time when we weren't really wheeling if we didn't HAVE to pull out the hi-lift once per trip for at least one person in the group.

With all the buggies nowadays, it doesn't happen nearly as much and with long travel suspensions, you usually have to chain up the axle to keep the jack from just extending all your travel.....but by and large, I'd say hi-lifts are useful (yet, as mentioned, very dangerous) trail tools especially on more extreme trails.

It also largely depends on your vehicle as to whether or not the hi-lift is useful at all. If you don't have sliders and f/r bumpers made from fairly stout steel, they're completely worthless.

JME,
Sean
 
Along with most of the crap noted earlier, I always have my picnic supplies with me- small grill, knife set, silverware, paper plates, seasonings, usually some charcoal- everything for a grill-out minus the steaks. I consider it survival equipment. :D

-Spike[/quote]

Part of my drawer system is a table, and I carry chairs. Charcoal? I use a propane grill. If I have time to wait for charcoal, I just use native wood.... more authentic.:grinpimp: Charcoal leaves nasty black dust in my truck.:crybaby:

BTW, add a snap-off razor knife to the list, the famed "box cutter". Sani-wipes are a must! I don't even think of them. As they say, you can get the kids out of diapers but you never stop buying the wipes! Those things are priceless. I always have the jumbo pack nearby. Also some orange based hand cleaner. It's bio and cleans great.
 
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And we would attach it exactly where on your :princess:? Then again, it's Lexus/Toyota quality - I'm sure the flares will hold up...:grinpimp:


P.S. I just did knock on wood myself...
Howdy! I've had my HiLift for about 20 years, but only used it a couple of times. I get much more use out of my 8000# hand winch. No, it won't lift 4 tons straight up, but it is pretty powerful. It comes in real handy when there is no BIG Winch available, or you can't get it into the needed position. A log chain, anchor/anchor strap, and a come-a-long are very portable and inexpensive. Also doubles as temporary repairs for broken body parts, suspension, and frames. John
 

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