Break downs and repairs

[OnlyNaTaco]

After surfing the site and reading up on all the excursions you guys have taken through desolate places, I cant herlp to wonder what happens if you guys have a major breakdown in the middle of no where.

New to this scene I would like to be well prepared for it so I would like to know, what spare parts and tools you guys take along with you. I have a tacoma what should i watch out for.

Also, I am interested in hearing some of you horror stories.

How you prep your vehicles before long expeditions...so on

 

[calamaridog]

Unless you are totally self-sufficient, you should travel with companion vehicles, and even then, you should still consider traveling with others.

Make sure you address mechanical issues as they arise and keep your vehicle in top condition BEFORE you leave on extended journeys.

I have spent hours working on other peoples problem vehicles on the trail. I try not to travel with people like that and I try not to be "that guy". Things do break, but they break more often on poorly maintained vehicles.

I skipped some good trips this year because my vehicle was overdue for maintenance. It sucks, but it was the right thing to do.

I believe there have been some useful "lists" posted at various times suggesting spare parts and tools. Spare parts are only as useful as the person who is trying to fix something, however. Also, some parts require special tools to install.

 

[gjackson]

Yeah, keep up on your maintanence. Do it religiously. Investigate any and all strange sounds, shakes, shimmies, creeks, groans, splutters, coughs, squeeks, grinding sounds, wobbles etc etc.

Make sure you are comfortable working on your vehicle. Good way to get comfortable is to perform all your own modifications. Realize that usually it is the modifications that will break first. Take a good tool kit and don't be scared to get your hands dirty.

I have had some great breakdowns. All good stories in retrospect, though they were not fun at the time. Changed a transmission in a camp in the Sahara. Had to remove shocks and run without after improvising an axle dropout stop with a ratchet strap. And had to modify an incorrect altenator and the engine to get them to work together. And that was all on one trip!

Of course you could just buy a Land Cruiser. . .eepwall:

cheers

 

[Grim Reaper]

Almost every broke down truck I have seen on the trail that didn't involve breaking an axle was a maintance failure. Been a couple dunked alternators that were unforeseen and a swamped ECU but stuff like blown U-Joints from lack of grease, batteries coming loose from rusted out trays or not properly secured, bad plug wires etc is most of what I have run across.

Regular maintance catches those problems and deals with them.

The rest of the problems you can prepare for and carry spares. Examples:

Toyota Alternators are pretty solid. When they fail its usually bad brushes. $11 at Autozone. They don’t take up much room.

My toy truck is prone to bending tie rods and idler arms. I have used ones I keep with me.

I have a spare axle shaft that I need to get a bearing retainer for it but I think I can make a bracket for the high lift that would let me use it as a press in a pinch and just swap.

I need to get some spare U-Joints to carry, I already carry a small joint press.

Looking for a spare rear drive shaft but with a second truck I should be able to get out in front drive so I am weighing if it is worth the weight penalty.

Couple spare plug wires, spare plugs, and tools.

Spare fluids. Enough to change any one box or axle.

Welding rods in a hermetically sealed container. Buddies battery, 6 pairs of sunglasses and some jumper cables and you are welding.

That’s the most critical parts I could think of that would keep me from getting out.

Most problems can be over come enough to get you out.