Recovery and basic equipment for trips

[bulldog]

This is a very important topic that pops up every now and then. SO lets make a list of the recovery equipment folks should have for trips. I can update the first post to make it easier to pick up the info, but please feel fre to add recommendations in the thread, to be discussed and added.

I thought it might be worthwhile to make seperate sections for recovery and some equipment.

Basic recovery and other equipment (MUST HAVE)
To take with on every trip (even day and easy trip) and even for beginners
- Spare key somewhere in or on the truck (more important for more remote trips)
- Fire extinguisher and first aid kit (should always be in the truck)
- Good quality tow strap at least 2"x30'
- At least 2 x D Ring shackles (3/4" Heavy duty, also check recovery points on truck)
- Full size spare, jack, wheelnut wrench, wheel lock "key" and all other tools to swap the spare on your truck, check the tools and spare before you leave.
- Tire pressure gauge with deflator and/or tire deflator(s)
- Small compressor (capable of airing up truck tires) or other way of airing up like CO2
- Communication with other trucks, FRS, CB or HAM pending on group
- Basic hand tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers,
- Duct tape
- Gal or so of water (drinkable in a pinch)
- Trash bags
- Gloves and some rags
- Zip ties in assorted lengths and widths, as well as a few few extra big ones
- Shovel (compact one would be better than nothing in a pinch)
- Flashlight(s) (with spare batteries, ideally add a headlamp as well)

Intermediate recovery and other equipment
When doing moderate difficulty trails and more remote
- Basic kit plus items below
- Additional tow straps preferably 3"x30' and high capacity (see link above)
- Snatch strap of 30' (for mud and bogged down recoveries)
- 1-2 more D rings shacles (3/4")
- For trucks without HD rear bumper, a hitch reciever with recovery shackle mount (like Warn)
- Tire repair kit
- Spare tire valve cores, tool to remove/replace, spare valve caps
- Spare fuses (including the bigger fuses see hardcore below)
- Electrical tape and some isolated electrical wire
- Wire, pliers and sidecutters to tie up components in a pinch
- Hi-lift (especially useful with sliders, also make sure it is properly secured for driving)
- Hi-lift base plate, also a Liftmate (tire), bumper adpater (if ARB) and slider adapter can be handy
- More extensive list of hand tools
- More water
- Bungee cords
- Assortment of bolts and nuts (metric OEM stuff and non metric aftermarket stuff) (Check shock mounts and common other areas like skids, etc)
- Small Digital Volt/Ohm/Amp multimeter



Winch Accesories
- control unit (leave it in the truck or keep in you basic recovery bag, no help if you can use the winch, if you have a remote control, leave it in the truck)
- Tree saver strap
- Snatch block
- Winch line extension cord (optional for long distances)

Hardcore recovery and spares are in post below
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showp...3&postcount=13

[Dealmaker]

- assorted nuts and bolts in commonly-used sizes for the vehicle:

M6
M8
M?

Probably go long with the expecation that you can cut them down, if necessary, with a hacksaw?

- Zip ties, assorted lengths, including the extra-long and thick heavy duty ones.

...to add a few more

-tire deflators of some sort
-shovel
-axe
-spare clothing dependent on type of trip/season/weather (e.g. rubber boots if wet/muddy, thick winter gloves if cold/snowy, etc.) This may pertain more to a "survival kit" list which could be a new thread.

Definitely second Dealmaker's post.. ZIP TIES!!!

Make sure you have a bag or cargo drawer to put everything in so it's easy to find and not flying around.

Also, bulldog.. could you be more specific about the size/type of fire extinguisher?

[bulldog]

Keep it coming guys. One thing though, pleae say if the things you list is for a basic, intermediate or advanced recovery list.

I will start working on the advanced a bit later.

[waskillywabbit]

I think you forgot to add a WabFab Slider Adapter for Hi-Lift Jacks in there.

A Hi-Lift base comes in handy as well.

[Teotwaki]

I need to recover after seeing Andries' latest avatar...

[bulldog]

Originally Posted by Canyon.4R

...to add a few more

-tire deflators of some sort
-shovel
-axe
-spare clothing dependent on type of trip/season/weather (e.g. rubber boots if wet/muddy, thick winter gloves if cold/snowy, etc.) This may pertain more to a "survival kit" list which could be a new thread.

Definitely second Dealmaker's post.. ZIP TIES!!!

Make sure you have a bag or cargo drawer to put everything in so it's easy to find and not flying around.

Also, bulldog.. could you be more specific about the size/type of fire extinguisher?

I just got a small auto unit, which I bought from Kragen. It fits in the rear door pockets in the 4Runner. It is just to stop a fire from really starting in the truck. Once a fire has started it will take some serious equipment to put it out.

[Teotwaki]

Basic:

Flashlights large and small, hikers' style LED headlamp, spare batteries and maybe a DC powered worklamp. Decent first aid kit.

Intermediate:

Inexpensive digital voltmeter for electrical problems

non-metric bolts or nuts for aftermarket skids, sliders etc., non-metric tools to fit them

Hydraulic bottle jack instead of factory screw jack

[irwinsr5]

What I've never understood is how do you properly attach the metal hookless tow straps to vehicles without mounted shackles? Are the D shackles meant to attach through the tow strap and through the welded hoops on many truck / suvs?

For instance, the welded hoops on the front end of the 4runner (stock), how would you use that as a tow point with a strap w/o metal hooks? Or is that not meant for towing and i'm completely confused.

[bulldog]

Originally Posted by irwinsr5

What I've never understood is how do you properly attach the metal hookless tow straps to vehicles without mounted shackles? Are the D shackles meant to attach through the tow strap and through the welded hoops on many truck / suvs?

For instance, the welded hoops on the front end of the 4runner (stock), how would you use that as a tow point with a strap w/o metal hooks? Or is that not meant for towing and i'm completely confused.

Yep, the D ring shackles are meant for exactly that purpose. COnnecting the towstrap to the recovery points on the frame (back and front metal hoops).

[irwinsr5]

Is it possible to use them the other direction. For instance, the D ring shackle , instead of having the opening facing you, the side of the shackle is facing you. I realize the pivoting of the shackle would not longer work properly, but does that matter?

[bulldog]

Originally Posted by irwinsr5

Is it possible to use them the other direction. For instance, the D ring shackle , instead of having the opening facing you, the side of the shackle is facing you. I realize the pivoting of the shackle would not longer work properly, but does that matter?

I don't see why it would matter how you put the shackle in, as long as the load is on the U and D pin, not the sides. Have used mine either way with no problem, the tow strap would snap before the schackle.

[bulldog]

Ok ran out of space on first post so here it continues:

Hardcore recovery, repair and spares
Use common sense when selecting from the list below for the type of trip you will be doing. Also it will be a good idea to share spares and tools among the trail group, as this list can easily be overbearing for one truck.. Good relationships will be maintained if spares used or tools broken are repalced in same or better condition to the owner of such, if a non owner uses(d) it.

Rockcrawling will require more drivetrain equipment, while remote and long trails more electrical.

So here goes:
- Intermediate kit plus listed below
- Field repair guide (see FSM for critical components copies and TQ settings)
- 2+ HD Jack stands (don't want a to work on a tippy trucl on hi-lifts again)
- Chain with hooks on the ends to tie up axles, etc.
- Ratchet straps for add loose pieces (cargo or truck)
- Loctite blue and red compound
- Loctite locweld or similar liquid metal bond (fast curing needed)
- Gasket maker
- Complete spare front CV axle assembly
- 35MM socket and HD TQ wrench
- Breaker bar, big srewdriver, circlip removal pliers and big hammer
- Spare CV axle circlip (diff side) and diff oil seal
- Spare tie-rod and tie rod end
- Tie-rod and ball joint puller
- Spare Rear driveshaft (tranny to diff)
- Only in very extreme cases spare rear 3rd and sideshafts (leadfoot rockhopping)
- Spare relays for Starter, EFI, ABS SOL, Fuel pump, Headlamps, Ignition, Power relay (will get part #s, see attached relayloc pdf)
- Spare HD fuses 140A altenator and assortment of HD 30,40 and 50A fuses. (mentioned again)
- Spare rear shocks (only if you don't have HD remote res or monotube shocks) and fitting hardware (includign OEM bolts) (Only for heavy load long distance, remote trips)
- Spare brake lines (front and rear)
- Brake fluid 2-4 small botttles
- Diff fluid 3 Qts or more
- Tranny fluid 3-4 Qts
- Engine Oil 5-6 Qts
- Wheel bearing type grease
- Trail cleanup kit for oil spills, etc
- Oil drain catcher
- Small gas soldering iron with solder (or 12V or 110V if you have an inverter)
- Hand cleaner, lots of spare rags, latex or rubber gloves (if you dont like the smell of grease and oil)
- Extensive set of hand tools, including wrenches and socket sets, screwdrivers, adjustabel wrenches and vice grips, pliers, side cutter, longnose pliers, knifes.
- Impact wrench can be handy with regulated CO2

[bulldog]

Ok guys let me know what you think of the lists as they are now. Please be specifi in regards to basic, intermediate, hardcore and winch goodies.

Obviously you can't take the workshop with.

[Teotwaki]

Originally Posted by bulldog

Ok guys let me know what you think of the lists as they are now. Please be specifi in regards to basic, intermediate, hardcore and winch goodies.

Obviously you can't take the workshop with.

intermediate:

Something to read the engine's fault codes (I have a ScanGuage II)

Awesome lists Andries. When I am out in a group for mountain climbing we will pick certain items as "group gear" and have a designated person to be responsible for it. Same point you made about offroading; not every person needs to bring every item.

[bulldog]

Originally Posted by Teotwaki

intermediate:

Something to read the engine's fault codes (I have a ScanGuage II)

Awesome lists Andries. When I am out in a group for mountain climbing we will pick certain items as "group gear" and have a designated person to be responsible for it. Same point you made about offroading; not every person needs to bring every item.

Thx, it will be great to get the lists fully developed. Then we can make a checklist on a spreadsheet for trips.

I do believe everyone should have the basic and intermidiate gear. Hardcore obviously needs to eb shared.

The code reader is a good point for long remote trips, but you think it is required for intermediate? Also with the code reader, you need to have a copy of the trouble code list. In most cases you can still limp home with a CEL, which is OK if your not stuck a zillion miles form civilization.

[bulldog]

OK some part # to make it easy for folks:

First electrical:
See relay location file (above) for more info as a lot of relays can be interchanged and also the large fusable links. However some are unique or will be better to carry a spare. Keep in mind the relays can be expensive so see the file as to which can be interchanged and what function you might loose.

For the lazy here is the link again
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/attac...6&d=1176187503

Must get electrical spares:

• Starter relay - 28300-28010
• 140A Fusable link - 90982-08286
• ABS and TRAC relay - 88263-24020

The following you can raid something else for a spare:
(But still good to get IMHO, maybe get one every once in a while)

• Fuel pump relay (also for other functions) - 90084-98032
• Ignition relay (amd others) - 90987-02025
• 30A Fuse link - 90982-08283
• 40A Fuse Link - 90982-08281
• 50A Fuse link - 90982-08282

Mechanical spares:
The part # might have been mentioned somewhere else (but just for completeness sake.

• CV axle assembly - 43430-60060
• Outer-Tierod - 45046-39505
• Inner-Tierod - 45503-39265
• Tierod boot - 45535-26030
• Left front diff seal - 90311-47012
• Right front diff seal - 90311-47013

Special thx to Scott @ Findlay Toyota who helped to assemble the list, and shipped it to me for a great price. Robert organized a good discount for Toyota120 members there.

[Vegas Runner]

If you are going to bring a CV Axle then the appropriate socket is required. I dont remember the size, (something like 43 mm). Also Pulling it from the diff can be difficult. A slide hammer with the appropriate end makes the job much easier.

[bulldog]

Originally Posted by Vegas Runner

If you are going to bring a CV Axle then the appropriate socket is required. I dont remember the size, (something like 43 mm). Also Pulling it from the diff can be difficult. A slide hammer with the appropriate end makes the job much easier.

See list of tools and spares above (sort of what should be brought for different levels).

I believe it is a 35mm socket (if someone can confirm), the slide hammer sounds like a good idea vs normal hammer and HD screwdriver.

[Dealmaker]

Here's another thorough list of tools, gear, etc....

http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Offroaders_Checklist.htm