jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Lots of good opinions here so I'll just toss mine in the ring.
Basic survival gear is kind of a no brainer as is camping stuff.
Right behind those I'd add self recovery equipment if you plan on going solo (not the preferred way but its give-take there really) A winch will make extraction far easier on you and the vehicle but a hi lift, come-a-long, chains, etc... can all be made to work if pressed. A lot depends on where you plan to explore honestly. You could get away with a sand ladder in the desert but in the mud you may wear yourself out trying to get out of a hole without a winch.?.
As your a mechanic you at least understand how to make trail repairs. The basic "stop you in your tracks" issues should be covered in spare parts. As mentioned, belts, hoses, fuses, and whatever else you can imagine is a dead in the water without a replacement item. One item you should remember to bring is replacement U joints for both drive shafts and axles. They could use the same part # which is great but you don't want to grenade one and then find you don't have a way to continue without it. And don't forget any special tools to make repairs that could come up. Does that mean you need your entire garage? No. But you know what is often used and what can only be fixed with special tools. Balance the potential for a failure versus carrying to much.
Its really easy to overbuild/over think the entire issue. I know I am often guilty of this and it is difficult to resist. I was raised in the better to have and not need school of thought so I catch myself sometimes bringing junk I realize would be a 1 in a million chance I'd need.
The biggest thing is going to sound a little cliche, just get out there and do it! I find I spend a highly unbalanced amount of time wrenching, modifying, or tinkering on my Jeeps than I do enjoying them. So often I find myself knee deep in some repair/mod that I miss out on trail runs or other events I would have liked to attend. I'm trying to force myself to keep at least one trail worthy, non- project able to get out there.... I'll let you know when I manage that one.
Basic survival gear is kind of a no brainer as is camping stuff.
Right behind those I'd add self recovery equipment if you plan on going solo (not the preferred way but its give-take there really) A winch will make extraction far easier on you and the vehicle but a hi lift, come-a-long, chains, etc... can all be made to work if pressed. A lot depends on where you plan to explore honestly. You could get away with a sand ladder in the desert but in the mud you may wear yourself out trying to get out of a hole without a winch.?.
As your a mechanic you at least understand how to make trail repairs. The basic "stop you in your tracks" issues should be covered in spare parts. As mentioned, belts, hoses, fuses, and whatever else you can imagine is a dead in the water without a replacement item. One item you should remember to bring is replacement U joints for both drive shafts and axles. They could use the same part # which is great but you don't want to grenade one and then find you don't have a way to continue without it. And don't forget any special tools to make repairs that could come up. Does that mean you need your entire garage? No. But you know what is often used and what can only be fixed with special tools. Balance the potential for a failure versus carrying to much.
Its really easy to overbuild/over think the entire issue. I know I am often guilty of this and it is difficult to resist. I was raised in the better to have and not need school of thought so I catch myself sometimes bringing junk I realize would be a 1 in a million chance I'd need.
The biggest thing is going to sound a little cliche, just get out there and do it! I find I spend a highly unbalanced amount of time wrenching, modifying, or tinkering on my Jeeps than I do enjoying them. So often I find myself knee deep in some repair/mod that I miss out on trail runs or other events I would have liked to attend. I'm trying to force myself to keep at least one trail worthy, non- project able to get out there.... I'll let you know when I manage that one.
