Ranger Tech ('19-'20)

Ranger Tech ('83-'11) Product / Build Guide Other Articles TRS Events Overlanding

Readers Rangers

Ford Ranger Forum

TRS Store

What To Pack For Your Trip Off-Road

Trucks Of The Month

Ranger Buyers Guide

       
       
  
 

 

Some of forum member schanusa's gear he carries on long off-road trips

Choosing what to carry off-road can be a huge decision. You want to have the tools you'll need, but not carry more than necessary due to the weight and space they take.

What I Carry (Jim Oaks):

My wheeling trips generally consist of a full day of wheeling on a Saturday afternoon (Sometimes I stay the night and wheel for a few hours on Sunday). I have a large plastic tool box in my bed that I carry tools in.

The large tool box above contains:

  • Small floor jack& handle (A Hi-Lift is great, but if you have a lot of suspension travel, you'll be jacking the truck forever to get the wheel off the ground. The higher you go, the more you have to worry about it leaning over. It's a lot quicker to throw a small floor jack under the axle.)

  • 4-way lug wrench

  • (2) spare hubs for the Dana 35

  • Breaker bar and spindle nut socket

  • Hammer with a rubber and plastic head (for knocking the spindle loose if I need to replace a front axle shaft)

  • Spare left and right front axle shaft

  • Black tool bag containing SAE and metric wrenches and sockets (need 15mm to remove the spindles), screw drivers, pliers, vice grips, tire repair (plugs) kit, and electrical tool kit (multimeter, stripper/crimper, wire, connectors, tape, fuses, and spare toggle switch)

  • Large and small tow strap

  • (2) D-rings

  • (2) snatch blocks

  • Winch remote

  • 12-volt hand-held spotlight with long cord for working outside the truck

  • Jump-pack (sometimes)

  • Power steering fluid

  • Brake fluid (if you break a line or wheel cylinder, you can crimp it closed with vise grips and add more fluid)

  • Engine oil

  • Transmission fluid

  • Gallon of water

  • Shop towels

  • First aid kit

  • Toilet paper

  • I also carry:

  • Fire extinguisher (not shown - mounted in the cab)

  • Full size spare tire

  • Food and drinks to last the day on the trail

  • Change of dry clothes

  • Trash bag

  • GPS

  • CB radio to stay in touch with the group

  • My truck has tow hooks mounted to the front and rear

  • Recommendations:

    Here is a list of recommended items to carry (found quite some time ago, don't remember where):

    One Day

    Maps of the area
    First-aid kit
    Fire extinguisher (Halon if available)
    Basic tool kit
    Shovel
    Axe or saw
    A good hydraulic jack
    A good Hi-Lift mechanical jack
    Jumper Cables
    Spare tire
    4-way lug wrench
    Air pressure gauge
    Tire repair kit / tire pump (DC compressor)
    Can of tire sealant
    Radiator stop leak
    Tow rope / chain
    Gloves
    Baling wire and duct tape
    Extra motor oil (at least 2 qts.)
    Extra fuel (enough for the entire trip home)
    Grease
    Engine belts
    Extra distributor cap & rotor
    Extra ignition module
    Spare locking hub
    Repair manual for your Ranger (Chilton's or Hayes)
    Extra hoses / clamps
    Fuses
    Flashlight and extra batteries
    Good pocket knife
    Strike anywhere matches in water tight container
    CB Radio
    Spare keys
    Food and water for a whole day
    Can opener
    Utensils (fork, spoon, knife, pan w/handle)
    Aluminum foil
    Plastic trash bags
    Paper towels and toilet paper
    Bungee cords
    Rain gear
    Change of clothes
    Hand cleaner
    Absorbent
    Plastic tarp

     

    Tool kit

    Set of 3/8 & 1/2 inch sockets & ratchets
    Extensions for the ratchets
    Torx bit sockets for your U-Joints
    Metric sockets
    Open end / box wrenches
    Spark plug socket
    Crescent wrench
    Pliers
    Vise grips
    Channel lock pliers
    Wire cutters & crimpers
    Assorted fuses
    Wire and wire nuts
    Electrical Tape
    Standard & philips head srew drivers
    Alan wrenches
    Assorted nuts & bolts
    Knife
    WD-40

    Expanded Tool Kit

    Basic tool kit
    Set of 1/4 inch sockets & ratchets
    Hacksaw
    Chisel
    Deep sockets
    Small sledgehammer
    Valve stem remover / installer
    Large crescent wrench
    C-Clamps
    Voltmeter or test light
    Retrieval magnet and mirror
    Battery terminal cleaner
    Files
    Breaker Bar
    Torx bits and sockets
    Tire Iron
    Large channel locks
    Pipe wrench
    Replacement belts
    Hoses
    U-Joint
    Fuel filter
    Oil filter
    JB Weld
    Gear Oil
    Silicon gasket maker
    Fuel pump
    Grease
    Lug nut
    footer

    Advertisers

    The Ranger Station

       About
       Staff
       Contact Us
       Advertising
       Legal Notices
       959 Media LLC
       Copyright © 1999-2020

     

    Submit Content

    Have Info To Share?

    We're always looking for good content to share with other Ford Ranger enthusiasts. Click on the 'Submit' button to find out how you can get your submission posted and acknowledged for it.