Just curious what I should get to carry for spares on the trail. 90 Ranger XLT 4X4 with the 4.0 L V-6. I only plan on doing easy SUV trailing type of stuff, and I've seen the off-road shows that talk about taking this and that and was wondering what you folks thought?

I was thinking a spare fan belt?

The auto parts store said there are four different U-joints, should I carry all four? Some? What do you recommend?

Any other parts I should look at having? I don't have a ton of money, so don't want to buy just to have.

I was also wondering about carrying a fire extinguisher?

I have, I assume, the stock factory step bumper. A class III hitch would attach to the exact same location as the bumper. Am I better off getting a class III hitch in case I need to be pulled out of something, or should I be OK with the bumper?

I finally got all the bugs worked out of the truck (from not being worked on for 8 years by my brother-in-law) so now it's time to start thinking about what needs to be added or upgraded.

Thanks all,
Dan'o :}

Some good and strong tow points are always a plus as well as a tow strap; simple things like jumper cables and a few tools are good to have as well.

I always have a fire extinguisher and make the majority of those I ride with carry one too... But that is just me

All accessory belts are good to have with you in case one happens to go.

I also carry at least one quart of each fluid for the vehicle
ATF
Gear Oil (Manual Transmission / Transfer Case / Differentials)
Motor Oil
Brake Fluid
Power Steering
Pre-Mixed Coolant

Also, don't forget some fuses!

Some good and strong tow points are always a plus as well as a tow strap; simple things like jumper cables and a few tools are good to have as well.

I always have a fire extinguisher and make the majority of those I ride with carry one too... But that is just me

All accessory belts are good to have with you in case one happens to go.

I also carry at least one quart of each fluid for the vehicle
ATF
Gear Oil (Manual Transmission / Transfer Case / Differentials)
Motor Oil
Brake Fluid
Power Steering
Pre-Mixed Coolant

Also, don't forget some fuses!

Forgot about the fluids, that's a good one. I remembered about the fuses, then forgot again, so thanks for reminding me.

On another site they said I should be OK for the U-joints as I'm not doing too much hairy stuff, so guess I can hold off for now. Does one U-joint fail more than another?

Any other advise is still appreciated.
Dan'o :}
FNG

If you don't have any sort of lift or only slightly over-sized tires, you shouldn't have to worry about the u-joints... I also bring a 5 gallon can of gas - always nice insurance depending on where(how far) you are going. A full size spare tire is a must in my opinion...

Also, make sure to bring a friend (in a vehicle), don't go wheeling alone...

I always carry these items
tire patch kit
tow rope
first aid kit
fuses
small shovel
for you I would get a cig lighter compressor, and you can get tow hooks at tractor supply or any 4wd store or site for under $30. I would get 4 and attach one on the FRAME in the front and back. That way you can be pulled out from either direction.

If you don't have any sort of lift or only slightly over-sized tires, you shouldn't have to worry about the u-joints... I also bring a 5 gallon can of gas - always nice insurance depending on where(how far) you are going. A full size spare tire is a must in my opinion...

Also, make sure to bring a friend (in a vehicle), don't go wheeling alone...

Truck is bone stock, but has 100K on it.
I have hooked up with a 4X4 club, and when I go out it will be with them, so they'll have to get me home if something goes wrong. Was just thinking ahead to what they may need me to have.

I always carry these items
tire patch kit
tow rope
first aid kit
fuses
small shovel
for you I would get a cig lighter compressor, and you can get tow hooks at tractor supply or any 4wd store or site for under $30. I would get 4 and attach one on the FRAME in the front and back. That way you can be pulled out from either direction.

D'oh! Pretty much the same stuff I carried when I did the Dez. It's nice going back to square one sometimes to remember the basics.
Thanks for jumpstarting my brain!:shaking:

Think about parts that may be unique to your rig... if you are out with a bunch of Toyota or Bronco guys, they may have truck loads of spares, but nothing that will work on your rig.

Plus all of the above...

when i head up to the con i usually carry:

-spare front inners and outers ready to go in(no messing with ujoints...new shafts and go)
-spare rear shafts
-2 spare driveline joints per shaft
-enough oil to fill crankcase and spare fliter
-4 qts atf
-1 gallon of 90w
-an ammo can full of bolts and nuts
-2 fan belts
-spare solenoid(for electric fan
-fuses(minis and atc's)
-20 foot spoot of wire
-wire connectors and crimps
-loctite and quick steel
-a lot more crap that would take up too much space for one post...thats just the major parts of the list:laughing:

Sounds like there's a ton of stuff I could carry. I'll start with some of the basics and wait till somebody yells at me for being stupid for not haveing (insert item here) then get it for next time:laughing:
Thanks for all the advise. The more that tell me, the more I learn.
Dan'o :}

On mild trails you should be okay with extra fluids / belts / recovery gear...

When you start to branch out onto the more advanced stuff, you will see what fails the most vs. what doesn't (that often). From this point is where you start looking at what you may want to have "just in case".

Just remember... more stuff = more weight, and that means more chances of :nuke:

Just a thought...

I have a set of tools that NEVER leave my rig... in two small tool bags are enough tools to practically take my rig apart on the trail. Spare parts are great, but if you can't change them out you are just as stuck :).

On mild trails you should be okay with extra fluids / belts / recovery gear...

When you start to branch out onto the more advanced stuff, you will see what fails the most vs. what doesn't (that often). From this point is where you start looking at what you may want to have "just in case".

Just remember... more stuff = more weight, and that means more chances of :nuke:

Just a thought...

I have a set of tools that NEVER leave my rig... in two small tool bags are enough tools to practically take my rig apart on the trail. Spare parts are great, but if you can't change them out you are just as stuck :).

I'll definitely get some fluids and will pack my toolbox. I have a bunch of this stuff, but it's in another veh, so just have to remember to transfer stuff. Gonna go play next weekend at the Knoxville clean-up, so figured I better get my sh!t together now.
Dan'o :}
FNG

Maybe this is the going back to basics 101? A Hi-Lift jack is mandatory in my book. It can help you get unstuck or lift the vehicle to get to the broken part underneath (properly supported of course). All of the other things posted above are good also. Oh and one more thing many people do not think about until you need it...some Bio friendly toilet paper:D

Maybe this is the going back to basics 101? A Hi-Lift jack is mandatory in my book. It can help you get unstuck or lift the vehicle to get to the broken part underneath (properly supported of course). All of the other things posted above are good also. Oh and one more thing many people do not think about until you need it...some Bio friendly toilet paper:D

My buddies have the high lift jacks, so I should be good on that for right now, but definitely something I need to look into.

I've had an emergency roll of TP or at least a box of Kleenex in my veh's for over 30 years (maybe it's time for a new one??!!:eek::shaking:).

Thanks,

I'll definitely get some fluids and will pack my toolbox. I have a bunch of this stuff, but it's in another veh, so just have to remember to transfer stuff. Gonna go play next weekend at the Knoxville clean-up, so figured I better get my sh!t together now.
Dan'o :}
FNG

As someone who wheels a stockish RBV, bring

Extra hubs
RTV
Gear oil

In addition to the standard stuff

Full sized spare
A real jack
A real tire iron
Tire plug kit
Brake fluid
Oil
Water\antifreeze
Duct tape
JB Weld
Normal recovery gear
Basic hand tools
Fire extinguisher
Jumper Cables
Camping shovel

And before you go out,

Get solid recovery points
I would recommend running full clips around your u-joint caps

This should take care of you for 98% of what you will need...


hick

As someone who wheels a stockish RBV, bring

Extra hubs
RTV
Gear oil

In addition to the standard stuff

Full sized spare
A real jack
A real tire iron
Tire plug kit
Brake fluid
Oil
Water\antifreeze
Duct tape
JB Weld
Normal recovery gear
Basic hand tools
Fire extinguisher
Jumper Cables
Camping shovel

And before you go out,

Get solid recovery points
I would recommend running full clips around your u-joint caps

This should take care of you for 98% of what you will need...


hick

This is pretty much going back to my dirtbike days, just bring all the stuff from the garage that you might need.

You folks have definitely given me a good list of stuff. Stuff I haven't thought about in awhile.
Dan'o :}

This is pretty much going back to my dirtbike days, just bring all the stuff from the garage that you might need.

You folks have definitely given me a good list of stuff. Stuff I haven't thought about in awhile.
Dan'o :}

Honestly, most of what I mentioned it just the basic stuff, the only thing Ranger specific is the hubs. I specifically mention the RTV and gear oil from personal experience of getting the TTB "axle housing" caught up and having problems getting the 3rd member to seal properly. My goal when trail riding is to bring only the essentials, if you have a tow rig, a good portion of what I mentioned can stay there (as long as you aren't going too far from camp). I try to keep my extra gear in the 200-300# range, and that includes the spare, jack, and recovery gear. On my list, I should have included a small canvas tarp as well, much better to lay/work on that than on the ground.



hick