Recommended Equipment List

This list was developed by various members of the Jeep-L mailing list.

ALWAYS IN JEEP:

1st aid kit, toilet paper in zip lock bag, CB radio, and/or cell phone, tire pressure gauge, flashlight w/fresh batteries, Leatherman tool or Swiss Army knife, 2 fire extinguishers (especially if you run a Carter carburetor), 2 flares, jack /handle, "X" lug wrench, local maps (in zip lock), sm/med. adjustable wrenches, med. pliers, needle nose pliers, fuses, jumper cables, slot and phillips screwdrivers, spare drive belt, extra radiator hoses, 1 gal. jug of water.

ADD FOR ONE DAY TRIP:

A few selected sockets, 3/8" to 1/2" & 1/2" to 3/8" adapters, ratchet, more screwdrivers, some box/open end wrenches, hammer, long pry bar screwdriver, larger reg. pliers, small channel locks, huge water pump pliers, Vise-Grips, diagonal cutters, roll of repair wire, duct tape, plumber's tape, coat hangers, ignition module (finicky on CJ's), distributor cap and rotor, extra u-joints, straps and bolts for both drive shafts, *high-lift jack, scissors and hydraulic jacks with handles, 1 sq. ft. 3/4" plywood jack base, tow strap, gloves, small shovel, snatch block, winch, chain w/hooks, coveralls, plastic sheet to lay on, anti-freeze, brake fluid, stop leak, heater hose*/gas syphon, tire pump and more pressure gauges. Under duress, a high lift jack can be disassembled and used for all sorts of emergency uses, incl. pipe handle for ratchet extender, and the I-beam for a body straightening pry bar and last resort RF spring. Been there.

ADD FOR MAJOR, REMOTE, BIG-TIME TRIP:

Many sockets, ratchets, breaker bar, more screwdrivers, box/open end wrenches, 2 lb. hammer, front wheel bearing spindle nut socket, rear spindle nut socket (AMC 20:34mm), electronic multi-tester (and ability to use), wire terminals crimping tool, electrical wire*-various, electrical tape, bungee cords*, bag of plastic tie wraps* (6"-18"), larger water jug, snakelight or headlamp (w/fresh batteries), sundry hose clamps*, tube-silicone sealer, blue gasket sealer, oil filter (especially on CJ-I6), 4 qts. motor oil, jug gear oil, clean rags, tube hand cleaner, fuel filter, radiator cap, thermostat, paper towels in plastic bag, more toilet paper in zip loc, binoculars, radio, 2 u-bolts (if springs under), various metal straps, 2-4 lug nuts, supply of nuts, bolts, washers, more maps in zip lock, spare distributor, WD40, Wire Dryer, Starting fluid, brake cleaner, PS fluid, an inner tube to fit your tubeless tires, large tire repair boot(s), tire irons, piece of rope, tubeless puncture repair kit, Makita drill for use on small multi bolts (like hex bolts on u-joints), alternator repair kit.

LUXURY $$ ITEMS: On Board welder, air compressor (or air tank)

MONGO HARD CORE:

Courtesy Rick Boiros. More or less in order of importance. Spare fuel pump, starter solenoid, spare starter (got an auto? Chevy engine? you need a spare), a couple of long plug wires, tie rod assy, or at least ends, complete front and rear drive shaft, rr axle shaft w/bearing, front axle shaft w/u-joints, outer ends:(D-30 owners take note: easier to replace whole shaft than u-joint), set/wheel bearings, spindle, motor mount, trans. mount, locking hub or drive flange (esp. w/5 bolt CJ hub), inner hub (center of rotor), spare alternator, power steering hose, front spring hanger, clutch linkage parts, pieces, gas pedal arm and retaining clip on some Jeeps.

YJ's:

Matt Osburn recommends an extra trak bar bolt (axle side). Do some kind of disconnect, remove it or have tie wraps ready to secure it when it shears. 4.0L MPI engines: lars: Spare TPS. Sensitive to water damage.

IF GOING TOPLESS in YJ or CJ:

Windshield hold down strap, octopus bungee over cargo, motorcycle goggles for ea. person, ear plugs, lip balm, sun screen, bandana (dust), foul weather gear, cargo cover, cap or hat that won't blow off (I use a 'Rat Patrol' style hat w/strap.)

Tim Taylor and Jefe recommend packing as much as possible in heavy plastic or canvas bags, and keeping the heavy part of your load as low as you can to keep your center of gravity down. Jefe has a large rooftop Naugahyde zippered bag (3.5'W, x 4.5'L, x 1.5'H) that he just lays in the back of his CJ and loads. Dust proof, water tight, theft deterring. IMPORTANT: Make sure everything possible is tied, strapped, or bolted down. If you roll or crash even at low speed, your cargo may shift or be propelled at you or your family causing injury. I'll never do anything that dumb again.

Jeff Layton says, if you have a base camp, leave much of the heavy or marginally useful parts there. Or, if going to a Jeep Mecca, like Moab, depend on the Jeep parts available in town. Creative storage: hose clamp spare tie rods to your frame, stow your spare radiator hoses in the engine area strapped to existing hoses. Stuff nooks and crannies with whatever: tie wrap anything to anything solid. Be creative.

If Jeeping in a group, spread 1 ea. of the COMMON spare parts and big expensive tools amongst the group: winch, welder, on board air, starter, tied rod assy, axles, drive shafts, much of the 'Mongo hard core' list. [as of 3/25/97]

This list was developed by four of us sitting at a campfire near Lake Isabella. Some of these items are personal, some camping and some emergency. Of course, your mileage may vary.