Tools!

[Teckomando]

If you're going to do any serious off road driving, you're going to need some basic tools. I drive out to oil patches in eastern Utah for my job. I drive either an all wheel drive tractor with a 53 ft trailer, a customized M35A2, or a customized F750. This time of the year is the worst. The paths are ice in the morning and by noon they are literally two feet deep mud trenches. I carry a six foot steel spike and a 20 pound sledge to hammer the spike into the ground for a winch point. Tow straps, a winch, a high lift jack, a couple of sledgehammers and some basic mechanics tools are necessary. I carry those same basic tools in my Ford Explorer. Unless you can carry your vehicle on your back you had better have tools. Any other tools necessary?

[McTavish]

Snatch blocks are wonderful to have, double the winch pull power and will make angle pulls better.
A small shovel doesn't take up much space.
I keep a small ratchet strap in my recovery bag. I broke an axle centering pin once allowing the axle to slide backwards. We pulled it back into place with another winch and then used the strap to hold it in place to keep me back to the trailer. It has many other uses too.

Fire starting stuff.
Forgot tire repair kit.
I've seen a sidewall with a whole pack of plugs put in it to get it off the trails.

[ericb]

For those without a winch, a come along and some straps will work too. I have done this numerous times. The come along is a very underrated piece of equipment. Don't forget a blanket to put over the winch/come along cable to protect everyone in case of failure

[Teckomando]

Some basic tools for "trail modification" are necessary too. A shovel, an ax, a pick...

[McTavish]

I keep a bow saw in mine, fits in between the seat and fender.
A wheelin buddy put an power inv. in his and keeps an electric chain saw.

[YARP]

For those without a winch, a come along and some straps will work too. I have done this numerous times. The come along is a very underrated piece of equipment. Don't forget a blanket to put over the winch/come along cable to protect everyone in case of failure

+10,000 to this! Seen one snap before, so +10,000 to the blanket to.

[mooseman100]

Sleeping bag, boots, hat, fire starting stuff, water, food.

[tomcatg]

I also keep one of these in the tool box

http://www.wagan.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=45&category_id=18&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=101

[Juju]

If you're going to do any serious off road driving, you're going to need some basic tools. I drive out to oil patches in eastern Utah for my job. I drive either an all wheel drive tractor with a 53 ft trailer, a customized M35A2, or a customized F750. This time of the year is the worst. The paths are ice in the morning and by noon they are literally two feet deep mud trenches. I carry a six foot steel spike and a 20 pound sledge to hammer the spike into the ground for a winch point. Tow straps, a winch, a high lift jack, a couple of sledgehammers and some basic mechanics tools are necessary. I carry those same basic tools in my Ford Explorer. Unless you can carry your vehicle on your back you had better have tools. Any other tools necessary?

Teck, sounds like you're hauling some heavy s___, but have you thought about a PullPal? Smitty makes one that works like a plow. ARB is a bit pricy and I don't know if it will rate high enough for your weigh requirements. PullPal makes three different sizes and it is the only one that I have heard of that actually works.

[Teckomando]

I haul explosives and blasting supplies. The PullPal can't handle the weight. The smallest thing I drive is a Ford F750 with a special steel box on the back. The smallest load I haul is around 16,500 pounds. The GVW for the PullPal is 10,000 lbs. For personal vehicles the PullPal looks awesome.

[NoBucks]

For those without a winch, a come along and some straps will work too. I have done this numerous times. The come along is a very underrated piece of equipment. Don't forget a blanket to put over the winch/come along cable to protect everyone in case of failure

This is where a Hi-Lift jack is helpful as well. You can use the jack as a come-along. Personally, I'm more comfortable with the jack in that capacity, than I am with the come-along. You do need a good variety of straps to make this work, though.

[NoBucks]

Yes, definitely some sort of onboard air that can air up tires and run air tools. A good quality power inverter is a good idea too, as you can run power tools, blenders, etc.

[YARP]

Don't know if this "necessary" but I'd like to add these things (or something like it) to my future sand/wood buggy crawler thingy (technical terms).
multi-fuel generator
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_419355_419355
air compressor+air tools
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200427568_200427568
Hand tools of course and extend-able ladder.

[McTavish]

I've been looking into a York OBA set up. Lot of info about making them online.

Another thing is an on-board welder. One of the guys I wheel with some has an on-board welder. It gets used more than I thought it would.

[ericb]

Grab a york compressor at a junk yard pull apart and a bracket and have rechargeable OBA all the time. I did my wrangler for under 320 bucks.

http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/bracket-kits.htm

[McTavish]

ericb I've been looking into using the stock Jeep ac comp. Then I can use all factory stuff for the mounting belt etc. The biggie is where to put the air tank and keeping the comp oiled.

[ericb]

ericb I've been looking into using the stock Jeep ac comp. Then I can use all factory stuff for the mounting belt etc. The biggie is where to put the air tank and keeping the comp oiled.


I only use mine to air up the tires, not run tools so I put a small tank under the hood.

[McTavish]

Any pics of mounting?
I thought about one under the Jeep back by the fuel tank and run a fitting out to both ends for a hose.
A tank under hood would be easier if I can make it work. I have a Tuffy box under the hood now for a few tools, jumper cables, a spare belt, wire, etc.

[Godswarriornservant]

OBA and on board welder, once you've had it you'll never want to be with out it. More important than a winch and cheaper if you DIY.

[Juju]

I haul explosives and blasting supplies. The PullPal can't handle the weight. The smallest thing I drive is a Ford F750 with a special steel box on the back. The smallest load I haul is around 16,500 pounds. The GVW for the PullPal is 10,000 lbs. For personal vehicles the PullPal looks awesome.

Yeah, I couldn't remember what the capacity was for the larger one since I have the mid-size. Apparently, they have a new heavy duty one that rates for 12000 lbs. GVW and two can be snatched up for double but that still sounds too light for your needs. Sorry, I couldn't help bro.

[noflyers]

OBA and on board welder.

Saved me some serious cash on more than one occasion..... especially the welder!

[YARP]

Space, weight and money wise you would be much better off with a 20lb CO2 tank if you primarily want the generator to operate the compressor.

I was just giving examples, not the specific ones I want. We used to have a pretty sweet setup on one of our old squads (fire truck) that was used for "special rescue" in hard to reach places, it doubled as brush fire truck. It was pretty compact and was strong enough to run three tools at the same time on a couple different cut jobs. If I can dig out some pics I may be able to find out what it was....hopefully not just some thrown together mess from the guys in the shop.

Didn't even think of a welder! Solid thought fellas!

[Quin70]

On my old Toyota and on the one I am building now I used the tube bumpers as the air tanks. Electric compressor under the hood plumbed to the rear tube bumper. A female fitting threaded on the back side kept it protected. A two tube bumper holds a lot of air. No room taken up for a tank and provides the added protection of a good rear bumper. Throw a coil type hose in the gear box and your good to go. There are some great high volume electric compressors on the market fair cheap these days. Way too easy.