Truckster (Vic) replied:

There are 2 or 3 other threads with this same topic. one i started about 2 mths ago!

Member - Davoe (WA) replied:

well for starters I agree with you have had a few breakdowns but nothing you could conciece carrying spares for. I know a guy who broke a rear spring on his hilux so was talking about carrying spare springs probably broke a spring on his next trip because of all the weight and congratulated himself on being prepared. I carry hoses, fuel line, belts , rad stop leak, aqua putty, bolts screws etc elec cable wire zip ties (last 2 are most important) some people carry water pumps and shockers well I have done a few shockers but its not like you cant get them home and a water pump - just drop your water in the radiator to just above the fins and empty the overflow - hey presto no more leaks!. I lost an aircon belt off of a work ute coz it was pulled off by a stray stick during xtreme bushbashing.

Wombat replied:

"In 30 years of driving, I have NEVER done a fan belt...... ever.

Radiator hoses? I have never blown one of these either."

. . . . but . . . . how many times have you been somewhere as remote as the CSR where if you don't have a spare the results of a breakage could have serious consequences?

Member - Stillthinkinaboutit replied:

I carry as spares for my 4.5L Petrol GU Patrol an air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, top radiator hose, bottom radiator hose, a universal fit heater hose with wire coils, pair of fan belts, steering pump belt, air con belt, radiator cap, transponder key, fuses, electrical wire, electrical tape, duct tape, gaffa tape, fencing wire, cable ties, various screws, various nuts and bolts, hose clamps, epoxy patch strips, engine oil, tubless valves, tyre tube, tubless tyre repair kit.

Mainly carrying the spares for peace of mind. So far only needed to use the radiator cap.

Regards,
Mark

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

Yeah I don't go tooo far off the into the outback and pretty much never off the beaten track without other 4bies.
I carry Green Tyre goo, Full set of fan belts, top and bottom radiator hose (getting some of that universal heater hose soon), wire, terminal blocks, solidering iron, solder, spare battery terminals (had one break once, lucky it was in the rocky, just got a mate to hold the lead on while I started it then drove home with no power) wire crimps, bolts and screws, silicon, water, oil, CRC, Big FO jumper leads and a spare air filter, I'm sure there is more crap but I can't think of any at the mo....

muzzimbidgie replied:

You could go to the CSR with absolutely no spares at all if you wish !!!

What you must be prepared for is...................... to be able to get out in the event of an accident or breakdown. You could choose to take three weeks worth of food & water and a sat phone, and should you break down, just sit and wait to be rescued, as long as you are aware of the money involved, inconvenience to others, the time it would take and possible threat to life or limb, then so be it !
But this is not advisable.

As for fan belts and radiator hoses, I have blown both, and both times I was within cooee of a little country town and both times it was sunday.

As inconvenient as this was, I was not in any danger from dehydration, starvation, sunburn or being stranded for days. Having to phone in sick at work was the only real down side.

Had I been 15 K's up a beach in the middle of nowhere, I would have been stuffed.

The CSR is known for being very hard on vehicles, and you must always be thinking that if it's gonna go wrong, this is where it is most likely to happen, and you must be prepared when it does. Many people have learnt the hard way by thinking that "she'll be right mate" "it'll never happen".

Hano replied:

Wolfie,
My kit has all of the above, plus my tirfor, which I carried for 5 years before I got stuck and there wasnt another vehicle that could help, because it was bogged to the running boards as well. We were in the Daly river region, 40 degrees, humid as an armpit. Three recoveries and buckets of sweat later we got out. There was nothing a front mounted winch could have done to save us, and i knew then i had made a good decision when i bought that bloody thing and lugged it around for so long.

Hint for new players, dont wait 5 years and for a life and death situation b4 you use your new tirfor for the first time!!!

Hano

Wayne (NSW) replied:

Wolfie,

Vic Widman, the bloke who makes me go on all the out back trips, has written a book called Travelling The Outback.

This has the answers on how to prepare and travelle the outback.

Wayne

Member - W.Wallace replied:

You can get that Vic Widman book in the shop on this site

member-Diamond(vic) replied:

we dont even have a jack in the 4by.

Member - W.Wallace replied:

No worries.
As for the actual topic, pretty much what everyone else said,but
the best thing to do is get is serviced & have the mechanic go over it
just before you go away.
Other than that, cable ties, wire & hundred mile an hour tape, can nearly fix anything then :)

glenno(bris) replied:

I carnt afford to go on holidays because i have spent all my money buying spare parts and recovery crap for when i want to go on holidays I carnt afford to go on holidays because i have spent all my money buying spare parts and recovery crap for when i want to go on holidays I carnt afford to go on holidays because i have spent all my money buying spare parts and recovery crap for when i want to go on holidays I carnt afford to go on holidays because i have spent all my money buying spare parts and recovery crap for when i want to go on holidays .

Eric Experience. replied:

Wolfie.
I have been on many long trips in mitsu diesel and the only thing apart from a puncture that has stopped me was the small belt that drives the balance shafts, it broke and got jammed in the timing belt causing it to jump a few teeth, it took me an hour to work out what had happened and 3 hours to strip the front of the motor and fix it. The moral of this story is check your timing belts before a long trip and its no use carring spare parts because you can not predict what will fail. I do carry tools but they are mostly used on other peoples vehicles. Another thing to check on a Deli is the rubber plugs that cover the brake adjusters on the rear drums, if they are left out the drums can get sand in them which leads to dragging brakes and heavy fuel consumtion. The extra weight of spares increases the chance of problems, most of the breakages I have come across on trips are due to speeding overloaded vehicles, the worst thing is putting extra springs on the vehicle and assuming that the overweight problem is fixed. Eric.

Member - Craig M (NSW) replied:

Hi,
Just a wee question.
What does everyone think of the cans of spray stuff you can use on your wheels when you get a puncture?
Its suppose to fill in the hole and inflate the tyre. (i think)
Any good? Is it worthwhile carrying?
Cheers

Member - Melissa replied:

Wolfie,

We've got a full list of our spares listed on our website

Over the years the most useful items have been twitching wire and duct tape. This is because breakages rather than break downs seem to occur more frequently. Some of the problems we've experinced include broken spring and mud guards on tinny trailer, broken radiator mounts, broken aerial and hit a roo causing a heap of front end damage but luckily the radiator although knocked back towards the engine a few inches survived. We finished out this trip with the front end and bonnet wired and taped shut, strategically placed lumps of wood and headlights taken from wrecked car. Got plenty of disbelieving stares but we did about 9,000 km's like that and got home safely.

Once we broke a belt in the 2WD but had no spare, so we had to limp into the nearest town with no alternator. Luckily we didn't have too far to go.

:o) Melissa

Rosco - Bris. replied:

The phone number for roadside assist.

Cheers

beatit replied:

G'day Wolfie,

Now I know as a good country raised lad you wouldn't forget a good torch, Pocket knife (or did you get one of those leatherman tools?) and good fencing pliers. Can mend a lot with 8 guage and a cobb and co.

Kind regards

Coops (Ex-Pilbara) replied:

I always carry hoses, belts, filters, tyre repair gear, all recovery gear, fuses, filters, 3/8" socket set, ring spanners and even more for bigger trips. Remembering of course that CSR has been my back yard for last 7 years. Have now relocated to south of WA but will still carry all that gear as it all fits into drawers nicely.
When storing water make allowance for radiator as well as 1 litre per day per person as if you use all your water topping up radiator in CSR then you'll soon be in strife.
I have a checklist that I can send you if you like

Member- Starky replied:

Wolfie,

I asked this same type of question about a year ago. Like you I have done heaps of bush driving and never had and breakdowns. I think the list of spares to take really is a carry over from the 1920s but do you want to be the bunny that gets all the advice and disregards it. I carry all the crap like everyone does but have only used the odd srew, peice of tape, wire and strap. Always seem to use the tools for someting.
Be a good boy scout and be prepared.

Footloose replied:

A couple of feet of hard drawn fencing wire can be used to fix a lot of things..I dont leave home without it :))

Lone Wolf replied:

Well...

Thankyou to ALL that replied.

I have got a fair idea as to what I may pack now.

Most of my kit was already pretty much under control, just had to add a couple of other things.

Again, thankyou to all......

Wolfie

Mike-TS replied:

Case of beer and a Sat Phone.