So, what do YOU guys take...

Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:10
ThreadID: 20042 Views:3253 Replies:22 FollowUps:29
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... as far as 4 x 4 spares when going away?

Read all the books...

Read all the Magazines...

Read all the Forums...

So... aside from the toolbox, and tyre changing stuff, what in the way of SPARES, ODDS & SODS are you guys carrying?

The reason I ask, is because, the days of spare distributor caps is over, as well as spark plugs for most.
In 30 years of driving, I have NEVER done a fan belt...... ever.

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

What sort of spares & stuff is nowadays a realistic thing?

Let's for a minute pretend we're going to do...... say ........ the CSR. Hard core stuff, so, aside from fuel, tyres & water........ what else?, and why.

Knock yourselves out, and share with us!

Wolfie
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:19

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:19
There are 2 or 3 other threads with this same topic. one i started about 2 mths ago!
AnswerID: 96270

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:29

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:29
Bugger!!

Ya sprung me!!

I will admit.... I did not look.....

I will beat my self with a knotted boot-lace, whilst reciting the numbers of the firing order on my 351 Cleveland!!

Cheers

Wolfie

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FollowupID: 355043

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:14

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:14
Bruce.

Can't find you're post.

Can you give me the Post Id?

Wolfie
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 22:06

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 22:06
Repeat after me: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8........ now the 351W has a different firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 as do other HO versions of the venerable 302.
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Reply By: Member - Davoe (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:22

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:22
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.
AnswerID: 96273

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:35

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:35
" just drop your water in the radiator to just above the fins and empty the overflow - hey presto no more leaks!"

Can you explain this to be?

Wolfie
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FollowupID: 355046

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:46

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:46
yep shure it only means you are running about 1l less in your radiator and will make no difference to cooling. If you leave water in your overflow it will suck it in as it cools and fill the radiator right up to the neck . by leaving some headspace it relieves some of the pressure in the radiator (air compresses water doesnt) so it gives the seal in your water pump a break. If anyone disagrees with me I did it on the start of a 14k trip and had no more leaks until I Forgot about it 3 months later and changed the coolant topping it right up and it leaked again
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:39

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:39
Might be ok for you blokes with 2h's, if mine is lacking even the slightest amount of coolant/pressure on a hot day-----UUP SHE GOES.

My little japanese radiator cooling a diesel bolted to a turbo and automatic gearbox in a crammed bonnet needs all the help it can get! :-(
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FollowupID: 355073

Reply By: Wombat - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:24

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:24
"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?
AnswerID: 96274

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:31

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:31
Good call.

Thing is, is that I am relatively new to adventuring out on my own for periods of time, so my driving conditions are going to be all different.

It's hard for me to gauge what I should be taking, based on my previous driving.

Should I be taking belts & hoses?

Wolfie
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FollowupID: 355044

Follow Up By: Wombat - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:42

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:42
Murphy's 2nd law - "Any vehicular breakage in the outback will be to a component which you are not carrying a spare".

Of course Murphy's 1st law is "Don't mess with Mrs Murphy".
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Reply By: Member - Stillthinkinaboutit - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:29

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:29
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
AnswerID: 96276

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:32

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:32
Mark, Thank you.

What's a transponder key?

Wolfie
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Follow Up By: Member - Stillthinkinaboutit - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:36

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:36
It's the ignition key with the coded chip in the end of it. If you lose one or damage it you are pretty well stuck. I lost one when we were camping once and it is quite embarrasing when the spare one is at home. Now I carry a spare in the vehicle ( well hidden of course ).
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Follow Up By: Member - Mozza (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 07:55

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 07:55
so if the spare key is in the car (hidden), and your lock the actual car keys in the car.. how do you get in?
hope that you got the axe out first to chop up firewood .????
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FollowupID: 355126

Follow Up By: Member - Stillthinkinaboutit - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 08:17

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 08:17
Getting into the vehicle is usually the least of the problem.

I carry a few spare metal copies of the key ( without transponder chip ).
The copies are only about $ 2.00 ea. whilst the transponder keys cost around $ 100.00 ea.

The copies won't start the vehicle but they do allow access to it.
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (WA) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:50

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:50
maybe its a differnt type of immobiliser but dont you just need to know the code?
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FollowupID: 355141

Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:41

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:41
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....
AnswerID: 96281

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:42

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:42
Oh yeah I always carry the spare keys/remote. And after reading and replying to this post I went out (just then) and finally got off my bum and bought some radiator stop leak, generic heater hose and some gaffer tape for my tool box. :-)
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FollowupID: 355075

Follow Up By: Matt (W.A.) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:40

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:40
A few years ago I got a Credit Card Key from a Cobblers Plus, as the name suggests it’s the size of a credit card and it fits in your wallet/purse quite neatly I wonder if they are still available? It saved me a few times! It was made of Plastic with a metal insert in the Key Part so it wont rust and wasn’t all that thick. Similarly it wouldn’t disarm the alarm so you wouldn’t be able to start the 4by but you could get your keys out!
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FollowupID: 355140

Reply By: muzzimbidgie - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:42

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:42
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".
AnswerID: 96282

Reply By: Hano - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:55

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 17:55
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
AnswerID: 96285

Reply By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:08

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:08
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
AnswerID: 96301

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:11

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:11
Wayne.

Where can I get this book online?

Cheers

Wolfie
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FollowupID: 355065

Follow Up By: Wayne (NSW) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:20

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 19:20
Wolfie,

If you go to the the Great Divide Tours site and in the top left hand corner there is a index, click on books.

If you wish to purchace just email Vic or give him a ring 02 99 13 13 95

www.4wd.net.au

Wayne
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FollowupID: 355069

Reply By: Member - W.Wallace - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:19

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:19
You can get that Vic Widman book in the shop on this site
AnswerID: 96309

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:31

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:31
Yep.......

Found it!!

Cheers

Wolfie
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FollowupID: 355083

Reply By: member-Diamond(vic) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:35

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:35
we dont even have a jack in the 4by.
AnswerID: 96313

Follow Up By: Lone Wolf - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 21:00

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 21:00
You must be kidding me!!

I went and bought an 1850 kg bottle jack today for 29.00

Already have the usual scissor job, but wanted the bottle jack. As soon as I got it to my workshop, I drilled two holes in it's base ( 6.35 mm. ), and mounted it to a 300 x 300 x 3.0 MS Plate, so it works on soft stuff.

Wolfie
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FollowupID: 355088

Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 22:09

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 22:09
the 4by IS A JACK!
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Reply By: Member - W.Wallace - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:40

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 20:40
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 :)
AnswerID: 96314

Reply By: glenno(bris) - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 21:32

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 21:32
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 .
AnswerID: 96332

Reply By: Eric Experience. - Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 23:06

Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005 at 23:06
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.
AnswerID: 96349

Reply By: Member - Craig M (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 00:16

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 00:16
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
AnswerID: 96377

Follow Up By: Hano - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 12:38

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 12:38
I have used this stuff on passenger vehicles, it does work on basic punctures, but wont fix side wall damage, or in the case of a spike if the offending article has come out depending on the size of the whole it wont fix that either. plus the tire people dont like it coz its messy when the take it off apparently. all that said 9 out of 10 times it will work, and if your not carrying a spare, (bad idea) it will get you to the next town.

Hano
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FollowupID: 355157

Follow Up By: Member - Craig M (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:18

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:18
Thanks for the Info,
We will be carrying two spares, one on the front bullbar and I thought I would put one up on the roof on the luggage area.
Just thought a tin of goo would be handy just in case.

cheers
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FollowupID: 355161

Follow Up By: Hano - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:23

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:23
In that case, if you are carrying spares and a compressor, go for the products that stay liquid in the tyre. I think its called slime and is an appropriate green colour. The pressure pack one is good if you dont have a compressor but it only works once, whereas the slime product will keep plugging holes.
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FollowupID: 355164

Follow Up By: Member - Craig M (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:31

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:31
Thanks again,
Where is the best place to get this stuff from? Any suggestions?

Cheers
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FollowupID: 355166

Follow Up By: Hano - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:33

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 13:33
To be honest I havent looked for a while, but I would start with your local 4WD accessory store, or repco?
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FollowupID: 355167

Reply By: Member - Melissa - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 00:23

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 00:23
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
AnswerID: 96379

Follow Up By: Hano - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 12:54

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 12:54
I have tied the aircleaner to my carby with speaker wire (all I had at hand), when the thread stripped. Soft wire is excellent for all sorts of panel, bumper and mudflap repairs too.

The basic stuff and a toolkit that has big persuaders and levers, pliers, an axe a shovel. At the end of the day if your rig is well serviced and maintained its going to be a vehicle versus something hard that slows you down, so recovering from that requires leverage, persuasion and wire!!

Hano
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FollowupID: 355159

Reply By: Rosco - Bris. - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 08:40

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 08:40
The phone number for roadside assist.

Cheers
AnswerID: 96395

Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:03

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:03
Is it true they are stopping LR assist.
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FollowupID: 355135

Follow Up By: Rosco - Bris. - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:12

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:12
Baz

Not to my knowledge. I believe the hiccup with extended warranty insurance has been ironed out, which includes roadside assist ..... anywhere in Aus.

Cheers
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FollowupID: 355137

Reply By: beatit - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:44

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 09:44
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

AnswerID: 96409

Reply By: Coops (Ex-Pilbara) - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 10:14

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 10:14
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
AnswerID: 96414

Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 12:25

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 12:25
G'day Coops,

(excuse me digressing Wolfie)

whereabouts have you moved to mate? I covered a fair bit of WA with Telecom before I moved to Sydney. Love the Pilbara & Kimberley but always had a soft spot for Augusta. Family still has 60 acres at Dwellingup, 30 yrs on.
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FollowupID: 355156

Reply By: Member- Starky - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 10:52

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 10:52
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.
AnswerID: 96419

Reply By: Footloose - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 16:15

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 16:15
A couple of feet of hard drawn fencing wire can be used to fix a lot of things..I dont leave home without it :))
AnswerID: 96470

Reply By: Lone Wolf - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 17:15

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 17:15
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
AnswerID: 96481

Reply By: Mike-TS - Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 20:26

Thursday, Feb 03, 2005 at 20:26
Case of beer and a Sat Phone.
AnswerID: 96513

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