Off road tool box

A lot of the tools to carry are quite obvious. Here is a rundown to include a few you may not have considered. And along with all of your tools and spares, do not forget a few essential safety items like a fire extinguisher and emergency first aid kit.

A variety of wrenches, ratchets, and sockets is a pretty fundamental start. Some pairs of pliers and wire cutters are handy, too, as are locking pliers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Need to contact us? Skip to content. Written by John James. Last Updated: November 9, Off Road Tool Kit Essentials. Have The Same Tools for Both House and Car We prefer to not use our house tools in our trail tool kit, but instead construct a standalone kit particularly for the automobile when one can manage to do so.

But not unheard of for lighter to be used on heat shrink tube. Or for heat shrink wire connectors in a pinch. Because there are several different styles. Just have an assortment of connectors onboard. Or say if you need to connect an accessory. Always good to have a few different size gauges on hand. Just find out what all the bulbs on your vehicle are and keep some extras on hand.

Now a multimeter is good to have to be able to check electrical problems. A test light is an excellent simple option. Well, you just popped a fuse for your lights or something. Having a good test light makes easy work of finding a bad fuse.

And a test light is also useful for checking various other electrical connections for power if you have a problem. Also, note on newer vehicles with computers. An LED test light is safer for circuitry. Here are some suggestions for tire repair. And in addition to that on a long remote journey. You may want to have two spares. Of course, you would need a good tire rack to hold them. Before you do any tire repair, or even if you just air down when you go off road for better traction.

Also, accompanying the compressor would be an extra length air hose 50ft to reach around your vehicle or use it on a buddies truck. Or use it as a winch with a winch kit. D Shackles or Soft Shackles: So you can connect the straps to the recovery points on your vehicle. You could also throw in a set of traction boards like MaxTrax to help with a self recovery. Some folks have even used ratchet straps or chains to straighten and pull bent parts back in shape.

Or even to temporally help hold a steering and or suspension component in place. To help wiggle themselves back out of the woods. Ratchet Straps: 1 inch and 2 inch. Because a pair of gloves will help protect your hands when doing repairs or when handling gear and equipment.

To be able to fix a leak, reattach, or hold stuff back in place. When you travel down corrugated washboard roads, you could have some stuff start working loose on you. Having some tie wire is handy for sure. A shovel is nice to have from helping you get unstuck, putting out a campfire, or even making a latrine if need be. Because you never know when you spring a leak or lose some fluid somehow. Having what you need to top it back off could be invaluable. When doing repairs, you will need a way to clean up parts and surfaces.

So you can get right to your tools and quickly take care of a repair out on the trail. Now when it comes to welding on the trail, there are different options available. Some units go on the engine, replacing the stock alternator. However, there are kits available that are a little more simplistic. With some wire leads and connectors, that will a llow you to connect a few car batteries in a series. Or take up too much space in your rig.

However, something like this could give you the ability to weld to reattach those broken parts. And or fix cracks on the trail. In brief, as we talked about at the beginning of the article. Will determine what you need to take along on your journey. Here are a few things to think on.

Good to have at least one or maybe two or a few on hand. U-Joints: There can be different size U Joints throughout the drivetrain. Keep that in mind. Brake Line and Some Fittings: To repair a broken line. You will have to check what size line and fittings metric or standard you need for your vehicle if you decide to carry it.

Y ou will also need a double flaring tool if you plan on repairing a brake line. Other Various Plumbing and Fittings: You may need to cap off or repair a line if a leak occurs. For instance, with an air locker line, power steering line, engine or transmission cooler line, etc.

It might be something you want to consider carrying. Water Pump: Make sure your water pump is in good shape. Consider using the best quality new water pump you can get. And carry along a new water pump for a spare as well. Lines age and get brittle and leak also, they can be damaged from debris flying up from the trail. Or even if you bury your rig in the mud, something could get rip loose in the recovery.

Spare Hose Clamps: H ave some different size hose clamps. That will fit the upper and lower radiator hoses, heater core hoses, fuel lines, and the air intake boots for your vehicle. Fuel Line: N ever hurts to have a few extra feet of fuel line on hand. Because you never know when you could damage a line.

Just make sure you have the size that fits your vehicle. Radiator Hoses: Have a complete spare coolant line set for your vehicle—for example, the Upper, Lower, and Heater Core Hoses along with any others, etc. Because you certainly want to fix anything that may look like it could give you problems on your journey. Yet you can always take and leave what you want. Well, this should give you some basic ideas and a good start down the right path as to what you might want to pack on your adventure.

As we know, breakdowns are going to happen. Or way off out in the backcountry. Help will be more than a stone throw away. As you very well could be a long way from civilization. You and or some friends. Could limp your rig back out of the woods. While on the other hand Overlanding, you typically try to find the path of least resistance and go around tricky obstacles. So do some research and find the parts that could commonly break on your specific vehicle.

So it is always a good idea. Now, tools come in, Different Levels of Quality You have High quality or really low quality cheap tools. In some cases, having anything would probably be better than nothing at all. Now depending on how much room you have in your vehicle will determine your toolbox option. Also, Hard plastic and metal tool boxes do work well, But something to think about they can be bulking taking up precious real estate, And it might be hard to find a home for it.

While sometimes soft tool bags might be a better option. Or, You could always make some storage boxes. Before we dive in too deep, Just keep in mind. There is a balance between Weight vs. What You Need And there can be a delicate dance of having all the tools you need to tackle any task on the trail and then going overboard.

However, remember every bit of weight you add puts more stress on your frame and powertrain. Which too much weight can eventually cause premature problems in itself. Ok, so, to get started. And locate them where they are quick and easy to get to And You should always have some form or forms of Backup Communication.

But something as simple as a Garmin inReach device can be a good start. For some vehicles, you may need a Triple Square Bit Set for certain parts.

Also have on hand, an assortment of, Pliers, Pry Bars, and Screwdrivers. Never leave home without the Hammer: Even have on hand a couple of different size hammers And a Plastic Dead Blow Hammer: Helps prevent damage when banging on a more sensitive part.

While having a set of Cold Chisels and Punches: Will help you split or drive free pins and parts. Also, carrying a Brass Punch Set: So you can beat on a stubborn steel part to prevent damaging it. Further a File: Can help fix threads on messed up bolts or even help flatten off a nick or burr on a surface. However on top of the files. You may want some, Wire Brushes and Emory Cloth. A Small Wire Brush is good to clean up in a confined tighter area, clean rust and debris off threads on bolts.

While a Large Wire Brush: It is nice to clean up when you have more room or larger objects. Also, check and see what tools you will need for all the Drain and Fill Plugs Make sure you carry those along as well. To be able to top off the fluid if need be. Axle Hub Socket: To fit your vehicle if you want to able to tackle an axle job out on the trail Snap Ring Pliers: Are sometimes needed to do front hub and axle work. Why not add some Gear Like a Raincoat: so, when you get caught in the rain, can you stay dry.

It might be a good idea to carry a Small Tarp: as well to lay on or use as a shelter if needed Or even a Extra Change of Clothes: A change of clothes is good to have If you get wet, muddy, or greasy.

How about a pair Sunglasses: This can be a huge help when you drive. And some Safety Glasses: to help keep stuff out of your eyes while doing repairs. Also a Lighter: can not only be used to make a campfire if need be. Moving on to, Electrical Repair First up would be to have some. Electrical Wire Extra electrical wire is good to have to repair a damaged wire.

Wire Loom Now Wire loom can be used to wrap around an electrical harness that you needed to repair.