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Thread: Before you go off road

  1. #1
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    Default Before you go off road



    BEFORE YOU GO OFF ROAD
    Before you head off road, use the following checklists to make sure that your vehicle is up for the trip, your on-board toolbox is properly stocked with the right tools, you take along the right spare parts, and basic first aid supplies & survival gear, and pack some optional accessories that could make the trip more fun.

    Use these lists as a guide to get you started. They highlight what the best prepared off roaders take with them when going off road. What you actually choose to take along on each trip depends on the remoteness of the area you'll be traveling to.

    Inspect Your Vehicle:


    First and foremost, before you hit the road, you need to make sure your 4WD vehicle is in sound mechanical condition.
    To determine whether your 4x4 vehicle is trail ready and capable of surviving a trip off-road, first do a visual inspection - inside and out. Then, take a few minutes to more closely inspect the inner workings of your ride - make sure that the following parts are in good working condition and you don't hear any strange noises coming from these areas:
    • Axles & Differentials - hubs, seals, vacuum lines, shift motors, vent lines, front u-joints
    • Battery - clean terminals, check for damaged or corroded wiring
    • Brakes - drums, rotors, pads/shoes, fluid, hoses, leaks, check e-brake, brake lights
    • Belts & Hoses - look for cracks or bulges
    • Body/Frame - look for cracks
    • Cooling/Heating system - look for leaks, fluid levels, clean and repair fins, check hoses, thermostat, radiator cap
    • Driveline/Transmission - inspect case and shifter, leaks, fluids, universal & cv joints, skid plates
    • Engine - carburetor, fuel injectors, spark plugs, wires, pcv valve, pumps, spark plugs, distributor & wires, belts; check for leaks and cracks
    • Exhaust - muffler, tailpipes
    • Fluids - oil, transmission, brake, radiator coolant, gear oils, wipers, power steering
    • Lights - headlights, brake lights, auxiliary lights; make sure they're aimed properly
    • Nuts & Bolts - tighten axle u-bolts, lug bolts, nuts
    • Steering - check alignment, fluid level, belts and hoses, pump and reservoir for leaks
    • Suspension - springs, shocks, alignment, wheel bearings, steering linkage
    • Tires - tighten lug nuts, air pressure, tread wear (including your full-size spare), look for cuts and missing chunks
    • Wipers - check for wear, fluid level

    Once your vehicle is checked and ready to roll, it's time to load the necessary gear and equipment on board…

    Your Tool Box:


    Before heading off road, you should put some thought into what tools you'll need in your off-road toolbox. Your aim is to have enough on hand so if something breaks when you're out on the trail, you'll be able to disassemble, repair, replace, and/or reassemble it in order to get yourself back on the road.
    As a bare minimum, you'll want to have the following items on hand:
    • Air pressure gauge
    • Allen wrenches
    • Baling wire
    • Crescent wrench (small & medium)
    • Electrical tape & spare connectors
    • Grease (or a grease gun)
    • Hammer
    • Nuts & bolts (assorted sizes)
    • Open end/box wrenches (3/8" to 3/4")
    • Pliers - standard, needle-nose and channel lock
    • Pocket/utility knife
    • Screwdrivers - standard and Phillips
    • Socket set (3/8") with extensions
    • Standard & Phillips screwdrivers
    • Super glue/epoxy
    • Vise grips
    • Wire & wire cutters/crimpers

    Author: Make sure that the wrenches and sockets that you bring along actually fit you vehicles. If you have spent any time at all tightening the nuts and bolts on your rig, you will have a good idea. Keep in mind that many of the newer American rigs have both standard and metric. Also realize that many metric sizes cross over to American sizes, so, as a for instance, carrying a 19mm eliminates carrying a Ύ”.


    Off Road Safety Gear & Supplies To Take Along


    Better safe than sorry. The following safety and recovery equipment will get you out of most predicaments. And, if you're riding with a group, then these items could come from any one of the vehicles in the group; it's not necessary for each and every vehicle to carry it all.
    • Air pump/compressor
    • Axe
    • Blanket
    • Bow saw
    • Bucket
    • Bungee cords
    • Can opener
    • Candles
    • Cell phone and/or CB (Note: steel whip CB antennas can be dangerous out on the trail)
    • Cigarette lighter
    • Coat hanger - don't underestimate the number of uses for the common household coat hanger!
    • Compass/GPS unit (remove GPS below)
    • Duct tape
    • Extra gas - enough for a round trip & in an appropriate container
    • Extra motor oil (1-2 quarts)
    • Fire extinguisher
    • First aid kit (packed in a tight weatherproof container)
    • Flares
    • Flashlight/lantern
    • Flashlight/lantern/spotlight - with extra batteries
    • Food (dehydrated foods take little space and last a long time)
    • GPS unit/compass
    • Hydraulic/hi-lift jack
    • ID card, with emergency phone number contact info & medication/allergy information
    • Jumper cables
    • Leather gloves
    • Maps
    • Mirror
    • Multi-fit hose and a roll of rubber-weld tape - to repair a blown radiator hose
    • Paper towels
    • Pen & paper (a china marker writes on anything!)
    • Radiator Stop Leak / Tank sealant putty
    • Rags
    • Repair manual for your particular vehicle
    • Rope
    • Rubber gloves
    • Shovel
    • Spare clothes
    • Spare key kept on your person
    • T-style lug wrench
    • Tarp (6'x6') - to keep yourself out of the mud and to catch small parts
    • Tire pressure gauge & tire pump; fix a flat
    • Trash bags - heavy duty
    • Water - enough for you (to drink, clean up) and your vehicle (battery, radiator, washer fluid)
    • Waterless hand cleaner
    • Waterproof matches
    • WD-40/lubricant
    • Whistle
    • Winch kit - including straps, snatch block (pulley), shackle
    • Zip ties/cable ties
    There are also a number of kits and products on the market today to simplify the repair process, should a particular part fail. Some of the most popular: radiator stop-leak, silicone gasket material, plastic steel, plastic aluminum, tank sealant putty, tire plugs/patch kit, carburetor cleaner, etc.

    Spare Parts To Take:

    Having the right parts on-board could make the difference between walking out and driving out. Make sure that you have extras on hand for each of the following parts to fit your 4WD vehicle. (Keep in mind that many of your old parts can be used as spares in an emergency, so start saving them now.)
    Remember, you don’t need to bring every spare part you own on the trail - just bring the parts that are most likely to break:
    • Air filter
    • Belts
    • Fuel filter
    • Fuses
    • Hoses and several sizes of hose clamps
    • Oil
    • Oil filter
    • Some brake line
    • Spark plugs
    • Tire valve stems with cores
    • Tires (don't forget a good full-size spare!)
    • U-joints
    • Vacuum line (a small piece)
    • Wiper blades
    Your aim is to think of all the components that would leave you stranded if they failed. THOSE are the ones to take along spares for. A good rule of thumb is to take along anything that has already broken twice, because the odds are, it could happen again.

    Author: Remember that the harder the trail, the more stuff can break. Junkyard shopping can really be your friend here if you want to carry a spare axle, tie rod or hub assembly. Also keep in mind that if you upgrade to better axles or have replaced your belts and hoses, you can toss these in as trail spares.

    Again for harder trials, making, or having someone make for you, a square driveshaft is not a bad idea. If you are lucky enough (like I was) the spare square will fit on either the front or rear. At the very least carry a spare U joint.


    Optional Items:

    To make your trip even more enjoyable, consider toting along some modern conveniences that are easy to transport too:
    • Binoculars
    • Boots
    • Camcorder
    • Camera
    • Camping gear - gear - tent, stove, cookware, sleeping bag, air mattress, etc.
    • Cigarette plug recharger (for cell phone, camera, etc.)
    • Hat/cap
    • Ice and ice chest or cooler
    • Insect Repellent
    • Jacket - rain/snow gear
    • Sunglasses/goggles
    • Sunscreen
    • Toilet paper
    • Work coveralls
    While none of these items is absolutely necessary to get you back home safely, these things will, however, make your four-wheeling experience even more fun!

    First Aid:

    Your 4x4 first aid survival kit should be compact, lightweight, dependable and easily accessed. Here are all of the first aid items you should include in your off road kit – they could help save your life:
    • Adhesive Bandages
    • Adhesive Tape
    • Alcohol Preps
    • Anti-Diarrhea Tablets
    • Aspirin
    • Calamine lotion
    • Dust Masks
    • Elastic Bandage
    • Emergency First-Aid Book
    • First Aid Cream
    • Gauze Pads
    • Gauze Roll
    • Hydrogen Peroxide
    • Instant Cold Pack
    • Instant Heat Pack
    • Mouthwash
    • Prescription Medications
    • Razor Blade
    • Sanitary Pads
    • Scissors
    • Snake Bite Kit (in certain areas)
    • Splints
    • Tongue Depressors
    • Toothache Kit
    • Towelettes
    • Tweezers

    Author:
    Adding onto this basic list:
    A small roll of duct tape
    Tube of Super Glue
    Prescription meds for everyone in your vehicle, especially heart, anti seizure, and anaphylactic shock medication
    Quick Clot of similar blood stopper

  2. The Following Member Says Thanks to Brody For This Post:

    tina091979 (August 31st, 2013)

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    Default Re: Before you go off road



    just a good reminder

  4. The Following Member Says Thanks to Rick For This Post:

    ShutUpHippie (May 15th, 2013)

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