Critical Spares List: Discovery Series II

[muskyman]

I dont recall saying to carry extra driveshaft flange bolts?

the transfercase flange nuts are 30MM but I dont really see a reason to be changing them on the trail...allthough I could with my standard tool kit I carry.

I carry tools to fix alot of stuff not just what I drive. Part of what makes you a real wheeler is helping the people you come across. My tool kit is really not that heavy as it is very well thought out.

After having the right tools is knowing how to use them.

---------

Larry

I stand behind the full set of plugs, I have righted a number of rolled trucks and oil fouled plugs make them run like ****. fresh plugs weigh nothing and take up very little space.

Thom

 

[SeaRubi]

Rob, I think some more "seasoned" players here are trying to offer you words of wisdom, which you appear keen on being critical of. I agree with what some others have said in that these spares lists are a bit ridiculous for what 98% of us do with our trucks.

Unless you are gearing up for a several thousand mile journey into South America you shouldn't bother assembling half of these lists in your garage, much less planning to carry them in your vehicle. Why kill your fuel mileage? Take an extra day in town somewhere and wait for the FedEx guy, or just limp it back home.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Rob, I think some more "seasoned" players here are trying to offer you words of wisdom, which you appear keen on being critical of.

I have no problem with listening, and am not being critical. I just don't accept comments about "Your truck sucks, get a D1". It's just not helpful here. It's no more helpful than the Toyota guys commenting in the D1 thread.

I agree with what some others have said in that these spares lists are a bit ridiculous for what 98% of us do with our trucks.

It depends on the use. It's much easier for me to get much further away from civilization in Canada. The only LR dealers are basically along the southern border, and the price to ship something from the US to Canada overnight is astronomical. A lot of these critical engine sensors could fit in a shoe box weighing 5 pounds.

For myself, I plan on just putting in HD components on a lot of these things, not carry the spares, and trust in my mechanical sympathy. If I'm going really far, I'll probably have a trailer, and a few extra spare parts becomes less of an issue.

Take the TC flange off to change the DS bolts? What are you talking about? BTW, the TC Flange nut is a 30mm IIRC.

You can't get the front driveshaft bolts out of the TC flange without removing the flange. They are trapped, and keyed onto the flange so they don't rotate.

I dont recall saying to carry extra driveshaft flange bolts?

I thought I saw that somewhere, but might have misunderstood. I can't find it again. Maybe you were talking about axle drive flange to hub bolts for a D1. Or maybe it was somebody else.

But, I could have sworn I saw somewhere about carrying a U-Joint and a couple bolts. Oh well.

In any case, I had to buy extra, and I intend on carrying them. Whether for a driveshaft, of any other random bolting situation.

I carry tools to fix alot of stuff not just what I drive. Part of what makes you a real wheeler is helping the people you come across. My tool kit is really not that heavy as it is very well thought out.

Good point. So what do you have? I was thinking about carrying mostly 1/2" drive impact sockets, breaker bar, 1/2" drive wratchet, and only going 3/8" on the smaller sockets like 12mm and below. I find it's pretty rare to find a 15mm+ headed bolt that I don't have room for a impact socket. And the extra strength is just nice. I don't see a point carrying overlapping size 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets?

And paint the tools orange.

 

[benlittle]

It was a joke Rob, keep up. Have you owned a DI? You're the one that got all defensive. I never said your truck sucks. In fact, the opposite. I said I like DII's but trying to fix certain things sucks. There is NO denying that. You can't argue that point.

I wasn't clear on what you were asking regarding the DS bolts on the TC side. Yes, I know they are restricted from moving.

 

[muskyman]

Good point. So what do you have? I was thinking about carrying mostly 1/2" drive impact sockets, breaker bar, 1/2" drive wratchet, and only going 3/8" on the smaller sockets like 12mm and below. I find it's pretty rare to find a 15mm+ headed bolt that I don't have room for a impact socket. And the extra strength is just nice. I don't see a point carrying overlapping size 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets?

And paint the tools orange.

I carry 1/4" 3/8",1/2" and even some 3/4" stuff. stubby, deep and all kinds of extensions and swivels, hammers wrenches and such. Dude I carry a mechanics tool set so I can do what I need to do.

Today I changed the u-bolts on the springs and steering rod ends on a Mack tractor, driving back to get tools is a pain in the butt.

 

[benlittle]

I carry 1/4" 3/8",1/2" and even some 3/4" stuff. stubby, deep and all kinds of extensions and swivels, hammers wrenches and such. Dude I carry a mechanics tool set so I can do what I need to do.

Today I changed the u-bolts on the springs and steering rod ends on a Mack tractor, driving back to get tools is a pain in the butt.

Don't forget the stubby 18mm ratchet end wrench for the DII motor mounts.

 

[SeaRubi]

It depends on the use. It's much easier for me to get much further away from civilization in Canada. The only LR dealers are basically along the southern border, and the price to ship something from the US to Canada overnight is astronomical. A lot of these critical engine sensors could fit in a shoe box weighing 5 pounds.

I think a DII is more likely to blow a head gasket than to drop one of those components ... if it does, you might fail emissions or burn out the dash bulb for the CEL. Otherwise, I really, really don't think you have much to worry about with the GEMS and Bosch 4.0/4.6L motors. The basics like radiator hoses, belts, filters, some way to patch a radiator leak and the like - these all I agree are mandatory items to have along. But that's about it.

Think about it - are you planning on carrying around a Rovacom or something? Unless you're a LR trained tech I doubt you stand much of a chance at properly diagnosing an issue in the field with a generic OBDII reader. I suppose at the worst case you have a box of parts to give to a remote mechanic ... :elkgrin:

I understand that you're an engineer, which is great - many folks here are an engineer of some sort. As engineers we have a much deeper understanding of our vehicles than most, but a trained mechanic we are not. That doesn't stop us from trying and I know that first hand. I'm a software engineer by trade. I have long since given up on trying to pretend I'm a mechanic after a long bout of Rover-itus. Engineering an upgrade of some component is far different than troubleshooting and repairing truck day after day and having a genuine bolt-by-bolt understanding of a specific vehicle.

The take away here is - be prepared to make basic repairs to well known weaknesses in the make and model of the vehicle you have. After that it's a recovery operation, or a ride into the nearest town on the south end of a tow strap.

For myself, I plan on just putting in HD components on a lot of these things, not carry the spares, and trust in my mechanical sympathy. If I'm going really far, I'll probably have a trailer, and a few extra spare parts becomes less of an issue.

"Probably" and "already have" are different things. I hate to resort to platitudes and hand waving ... but I would urge you to focus on the trips you can take right now that take you the furthest using the least resources as possible. So many people spend countless piles of cash and time obsessing over their vehicles and tools and lists of "upgrades" and really miss out on the adventure part. It's an easy trap - I'm going to be shopping for a new rig soon and have to keep reminding myself of the same thing.

It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders - let experience be your guide and put more emphasis and more of your paycheck towards getting out there. If **** happens you'll figure it out along the way ... :smiley_drive:

cheers
-ike

 

[muskyman]

Don't forget the stubby 18mm ratchet end wrench for the DII motor mounts.

got it

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I think a DII is more likely to blow a head gasket than to drop one of those components ... if it does, you might fail emissions or burn out the dash bulb for the CEL. Otherwise, I really, really don't think you have much to worry about with the GEMS and Bosch 4.0/4.6L motors.

The D2 has been reported to have the CkPS fail suddenly, particularly <cough> after water crossings. And this will, leave you dead in the water. Truck won't even think about firing without it. It probably weighs 4 oz and about the size of a pack of cards with the pigtail... I'd choose this before I brought spark plugs.

Think about it - are you planning on carrying around a Rovacom or something? Unless you're a LR trained tech I doubt you stand much of a chance at properly diagnosing an issue in the field with a generic OBDII reader. I suppose at the worst case you have a box of parts to give to a remote mechanic ...

I'm a special case, because I do have thorough training training in engine management. I'd put myself up against any tech in this field.

But, even for a regular Joe, it can be beneficial. CEL light on? Is it something important (MAF sensor), or something you can ignore (gas cap not on tight). Unfortunately, the D2 ECU is a bit... wonky in the codes it gives back but... it's better than nothing. Heck, it allowed me to see my engine temps were high *before* the factory needle moved.

The take away here is - be prepared to make basic repairs to well known weaknesses in the make and model of the vehicle you have. After that it's a recovery operation, or a ride into the nearest town on the south end of a tow strap.

Absolutely, that's what this post is about. These are basic repairs for known weaknesses. These are some of the smallest, lightest, most up-the-creek-without-a-paddle parts that could happen to somebody who never even leaves the pavement.

Look, if somebody doesn't want to bring this stuff, that's their choice. This post if for those who want to prepare.

And the further I go, the less likely I am to have somebody to tow me back to town. I'm much more interested in the stupid reliability things, and the axles, etc, which I'm less likely to break.

"Probably" and "already have" are different things. I hate to resort to platitudes and hand waving ... but I would urge you to focus on the trips you can take right now that take you the furthest using the least resources as possible. So many people spend countless piles of cash and time obsessing over their vehicles and tools and lists of "upgrades" and really miss out on the adventure part. It's an easy trap - I'm going to be shopping for a new rig soon and have to keep reminding myself of the same thing.

I understand and agree. But, last summer my wife was 6 months pregnant, and next summer we'll have a 6 month old baby, so trips my trips are somewhat restricted anyway. I've considered these 2 years "building years" for me.

 

[SeaRubi]

lol - fair enough!

My daughter turned 9 years old this last September. Agreed that big trips will be scarce for a few years. It's a great time in between to do a lot of hiking when they're young and easy to carry in those yuppie infant/toddler backpacks.

... don't forget the bailing wire on your list.

cheers