travel tool kit
 

Just been talking about this and wondered if any one had any thoughts.

So what tools would you take with you for a 3 month trip accross a diferent continent through predominantly 3rd world countries with a significant part in remote, unpopulated areas? here is my basic list:-
¼” socket set )
3/8” socket set ) overlaps removed
½” socket set )
18” breaker bar
combination spanners
flare nut spanners
pliers standard
pliers long nosed
pliers circlip
wire cutters side
wire cutters end
wire strippers
selection of screwdrivers
screwdriver bits for ¼” ratchet
jewelers screwdrivers
impact driver
allen keys
Torx bits (cylinder head bolts)
Brake pipe flare tool
Thread restorer file
Needle files
6” mill file
¼” round file
hacksaw 12” & 6”
mole grips
small vice 2”
parallel punch
3/4x6” brass drift
tap & die set
water pump pliers
tin snips ( curved)
stud extractor set




Wheel bearing socket
2lb ball pein hammer
rubber mallet
½” wood chisel
scraper (cleaning gaskets)
Electrical terminal kit
Terminal crimper
12” forcepts
multimeter
12v soldering iron
small mirror
magnet
wire brush
3/8 chuck air drill
1-12mm hss drills
4-32mm step drill
leather hole punch (improvising washers)
3 tyre levers
puncture repair tools
feeler gauge
deburring tool
Stanley knife
Scalpel
Jump leads



A few welding rods


this does not include improvisation materials.

Look forward to your additions/subtractions:funmeteryes:

Chris

Hmmmmmm,
 

Thanks Martyn, you just made me smile (again):funmeteryes:. Although it seems a lot it all fits into a cantilever tool box and a small bag. It's what I have used over the past 5 years building the car up to spec and would feel confident tackling most jobs outside the engine.
I should add your contribution as ' a sense of humour'.:thumbup1:

Sorry.......... My Bad!
 

Sorry feller... My Bad! I didnt see the bit that said 4X4!!!!! :blushing: :blushing: Im BLIND in my old age ya see...... ( actually i think everyone should travel on a Bike, but there ya go each to there own.....:thumbup1:)

in that case....... er Yeah, it was not too bad for a 4X4 toolkit! :oops2:

Dont forget your hight lift jack,, they are the second most usefull thing you can carry!

the Joint first are a GOOD winch ( with doubler cable) and a Ground Anchor... just in case there are no trees handy!

sorry about the misunderstanding!

Martyn

PS The GAS soldering Iron is HEAPS better than the 12v!!!!!

Martyn

Hey Martyn, didn't take it in a bad way at all.
If my other half doesn't get on board with this traveling thing then I,m going to pass my bike test and f... off:offtopic:

If I sold the tool kit I could live in africa for a couple of months:eek3:

And I was serious about including the sense of humour in the tool kit along with a tea bag and 5 minuit break to examine the catastrophy:confused1:

Chris

and I just learnt about soldering irons

sense of Humour essential Kit!!
 

One of the first posts I ever posted on here I remember saying something along the lines of......." if you break down or get a puncture, first thing, get a Brew on! then sit under the shade of your bike (if its hot) and have 10 minutes to think it over"

Its a good bit of advice.... never failed me yet. Too many "newbies" panic First then calm down....... Basically Panicking isn't allowed in my book. It doesn't accomplish anything. I'm not Mr Ice Cool....... I just don't Panic!

Apart from the waste of energy it gives you a headache and makes you look a pillock if anyone is watching!

after the non panicking you HAVE to have a sense of Humour! ( Cammy, you reading this?)

Martyn

Given that I do break down occasionally I have written on my steering wheel( in red ink) 1-10
ie. count to 10 before doing anything radical/impetuous/pulling bits off

lol
 

you sure thats not odds against it startin? :eek3: :rofl:

martyn

Only once when I dropped a piston outside a 'Landrover experience' site in my mercedes G Wagen:no:

I would second the gas soldering iron over the 12v one and throw in a can of gas for it and a multipack of heat shrink.

You also haven't put in Torque wrench.

Make sure you have a decent LED head torch and plenty of sppare batteries or rechargeable ones (and charger) - beats lead lamps and hand held torches hands down.

Also don't forget all the things like WD40, Silicone based dry lube, liquid metal, insulating tape, coppereaze, grease and oils, roll of wire, etc.

Also throw in a roll or two of workshop paper towels (not kitchen towl - not up to the job), box of rubber workshop gloves as well as some hand cleaner - since you will be away from civilisation the gloves should keep most of the crap off your hands and the hand cleaner will remmove the rest.

heres an extra!
 

You can also buy a WIND UP LED torch....... it is the thickness of a 20 pack of ciggies and twice the length, not very heavy less than a pound.... but winds up in about 20 or 30 seconds ( more of a generator than a clockwork affair) and quite bright, never needs batteries obviously and a 'Brilliant' exscuse the pun. idea.

also YES on the headlamp to keep your hands free! why not carry both ( like i said, now I now its a 4WD its not so much of an issue....lol)

get also a tub of 'LANIMOL' waterless hand cleaner.. made by swarfega I think....... GREAT stuff..... uses lanolin ( sheeps wool fat) as a base and is great for getting even the blackest oily hands 'eating clean' using only lanimol & paper towel....



Martyn

Thanks Julian, I had wondered about the torque wrench but it's a bit of a weight and if I took that instead of the breaker bar it would get abused.

Cheers
Chris

Chris,
I would also add a filter strap/chain type removing device for spin-on filters, I have found mine very useful and for a three month trip you will be changing filters I reckon.
Have to disagree with Martyn about the winch and ground anchor though <BG>
Gil

Fortunately I only need a 13mm socket for the filter ( Merc G wagen).

Don't worry about Martyn, he's just jealous he can't have a macho winch on his bike:rofl:

BTW I have asked this question as a general discussion and the criteria in the question was to provoke issues of preventative maintenance, preparedness etc
.....keep the replies coming:thumbup1:

They are both invaluable so take both.

I'm working on LCs full time now and could confidently tighten up most bolts to roughtly the right torque without a torque wrench, but couldn't do without one for bedding in wheel bearings, working on the engine, etc.

I notice that you include a couple of welding rods? We are currently in the process of installing a alternator replacement welder:
http://www.zena.net/
It is being put in a L/C 79 pickup to save carrying around big welding plants in the back. So far the installation has been a bit of a hassle, but nothing too major. 200 amp welder with a continuous duty rating would be a pretty usefull thing. Maybe more the sort of thing for a support vehicle type scenario.

Of course the obvious one is also a tyre pressure guage! But I know that is really stating the obvious! Duck tape also a bit of an essential. A tyre valve tool - for removing valve cores and chasing the threads is also very small and might be usefull.
G

Gil, the welding rods are in there for that really dire emergency and I have to use the two batteries - not something I want to do:eek3: but when the chips are down. I've also got a couple of rods for cast iron ( can't remember which type) - these are invaluable for cracked exhaust manifolds - not ncessarily permanent but a good 'get you home' repair.

I've had cause to use a pop-rivet gun on every trip I've done so far, and a good selection of nuts/bolts/screws and washers has also been invaluable.
A pry bar has also come in handy a couple of times, and being a Land Rover owner, the most important tool of all - a BIG hammer :hammer:

I wouldn't leave home without a big hammer but then I'm a blacksmith:clap:

That's a very interesting bit of kit - look forward to hearing how it works out.

Big Hammer = BMW tool No 1 - the largest hammer you have. The second biggest is BMW tool No 2.


Land anchor = spare wheel burried in a hole. Best done in sand - easier to dig. Arr yes you do need a shovel!

The gas soldering irons are good .. but you can run out of gas .. 12v you'll probably not run out of.

------------------
I count epoxy, electrical tape etc as 'consumables' .. not tools as such but more along the lines of spares. Metal epoxy is good stuff these days .. can be used on exhaust bits, fuel tanks, radiators ..

Hello,

Has any one tried ReadWelder? Any good?

reason I said gas was....
 

Frank, reason I said GAS as opposed to a 12v was, Faster heat up time... Hotter & usually Variable heat, good for heatshrink too, your NOT limited to a cable therefore can be used anywhere, even away from the vehicle.
carry a couple of Gas canisters for refilling ( about 1.50 each) and if your worried about heat affecting them, keep em in your coolbox.

Tyre OK as a land anchor but you gotta bury it DEEP. and its hard work, all the 4WD crew I used to knock about with swore by these babies...
Straight Forward Supplies Straight Forward Ground Anchor @ Straight Forward Supplies UK 4x4 Accessories

Best 99 quid inc delivery you will ever spend!
Martyn

Hi Roman,

They have a good following in the US. Obviously not as good as a proper gas MIG, but the next best thing.

exspensive for something you might never use!
 

expensive $599! and I'm suspicious as they offer new circuit boards at $79.99 and new motors at $24.99 on the first page......meaning there must be reliability issues..not something want to see on a bit of kit costing $599!
you would be better off ( IMO) having an arc welder attachment/alternator setup, that way it is ready Instantly although if your engine doesn't run....your Goosed!.... back to the twin batteries!

Martyn

You forgot one thing!
 

Chris

What abour a small vice - you can pre-drill some holes in the bumber or something so it can be bolted on when needed.

Also, a stethoscope - Handy for tracking down strange noises.

Oh - and a Hamlet cigar - incase it all goes pear shaped

Also - a deep socket for the nuts on the top of shock absorbers

Oh yeah - some bailer twine

Cheers

Niallo

Hi niallo, Yes I've got the stethoscope (a long screwdriver will do at a pinch)and a small vice but thats a good idea to pre-drill the bumper.

Intresting point about the deep sockets - not often needed but there are times when a spanner won't fit.

Bailer twine - I live on a farm :thumbup1:

Re: welder - does the arc welder replace the alternator or is it simply an extra bolt on?
Martyn - when the chips are down it has to be the 2 batteries - better than walking so worth carrying a few rods which would also hold up the exhaust if need be

Thanks for the input so far:thumbup1:

Even a LWB 4WD runs out of room ane load ability .. Yes a spare tyre as a ground anchor is a lot of work ... but how often are you really going to use it? Most of the time there will be a passing vehicle all too willing to help.

One intersting tip on the ground anchor is to fill/bury a large builders sack or a parachute. Much lighter than a ground anchor but a lot more shoveling


I have a ply board in the car to sleep on but I'm sure with a few holes in each corner, 2 straps it would work as an anchor.


a good rule of thumb is :- 1 cu m h2o = 1 tonne - sand is a bit heavier but you get the idea:yes:

On board welding kit
 

Well, I said the installation seemed to be smooth, but in reality we ordered some wrong parts, Ghana customs went on lunch and everything slowed right down as it sometimes does with projects here! The welding alternator is from
Mobile DC Welding Equipment Designed for Use in Remote Locations

It has been in use for one month now, every single day out in the forest doing serious welding - CAT undercarriage etc. This is not light or hobby type use and neither are the operators. So far so good, the quality seems really good and our welders reckon it is one of the best welding machines of ANY type they have used. It could make a very useful thing to have under the bonnet. To set it up it is simply a question of swapping a big anderson plug connection to weld instead of charge.
Gil
http://lh4.ggpht.com/gilmour.dickson...A/P1150037.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/gilmour.dickson...M/P1150038.jpg

I'd have thought daily check ups would avoid having to take everything.

Just my thoughts.

Chris wanted to know how this Zena welder was going on, and it could be a very useful thing for overlanding/farm work/field service etc etc etc.

Of course then the HUBB/Picassa issue (for me at least) interfered AGAIN, so here goes:
BTW we still haven't been able to break the Zena alternator replacement welder after two months now, and believe me that means it would probably last a normal person about a lifetime:oops2:
Comments:
- the vehicle needs a hand throttle or simple way to adjust idle speed (we use the driver ;-)
- It does not charge while welding, so the "hand throttle" must not listen to the radio too much if it is an all day welding job

We are well impressed, and will be ordering another for the other HZJ79 pick-up we have.
Cheers,
Gil

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...g?t=1226684030

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...g?t=1226684496

Thanks Gil,
being a blacksmith I could justify one of these for work, and if it happened to stay on while travelling well that wouldn't be a bad thing would it. Thanks for keeping us updated