Sensors & little stuff for your backwoods repair kit?

[katuah]

Hey y'all. I searched for this, and although I found all kinds of stuff about tools and bigger items,* I didn't find this particular thing... what sensors or other SMALL parts would you recommend carrying in a repair kit, for those times when you are just way too far out to walk to the parts store? I was thinking CPS for sure... but what else?

There's a guy with some XJs hes parting out near here and I can probably get some JY spares for cheap, but I'm also about to put on a lift and dont want to buy stuff if i'm not needing now or gonna need it for a kit.

*in particular, I saw mentioned: axle & drive shafts, U-joints, distributor, fuel pump, and shackles - although, wow, I wouldn't carry a fuel pump cos I wouldn't want to deal with pulling the tank in that kind of situation. They must have had an external pump.

 

[JeepAddict85]

fuses, injector, if you have a dana 30 carry a spare hub with stub shaft installed, electrical tape

 

[trail rate this]

carry a spare XJ.

 

[Popeye'sJeep]

When a brake line gets ripped off, after snagging on a stump, a machine screw cranked into the end of the line has saved the day for me and again for a buddy. Carry a range of sizes.

Fast-set epoxy is your friend for some stuff.

I made a couple of long alligator clips with some generic wire, with alligators crimped/soldered on the end & threw them in my jeep with my volt meter. That saved me when the headlight switch decided to go foobar. (Trim the purple wire near the headlight, clamp on an alligator and connect the other end to +12v) Heck, it was an instant upgrade in headlights! It's amazing how much power loss there is in the crummy headlight switch on `95 XJs.

Don't forget toilet paper.

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

My TPS sensor went bad about six months ago, made the truck hesitate at speed. very disconcerting. It was about 30.00 at pepboys. I still have my old one, but I'd definitely consider carrying one out into the back country.

Also, a jumper 12 gauge wire with alligator clips would be a easy fix to a fusable link that goes bad.

CPS sensors (on the transmission bellhousing) can go bad, and cause a non-start. Though they're a bit pricey ($100ish), its one of those dead in the water parts, that simply can't be gotten around, IMO.

 

[kastein]

fuses... always carry a set of maxi, mini, and standards. I keep a few relays around too.

Spare TPS and MAP (JY ones are fine, just verify they work before leaving)

Print out the "bypass hack for NSS" info and stick it in the kit too.

Spare brake hoses are about 15 bucks each, make sure you bring extra brake fluid, a clear bottle, the required wrenches, and some 1/4" vinyl aquarium tubing so you can actually bleed the brakes after. A few segments of preflared 3/16" hardline and some invert flare joiners (not compression fittings) plus a flaring/cutting kit can't hurt either.

A few feet of rubber tranny cooler hose, a few feet of fuel hose, and some fuel injection rated hose clamps that will fit both would be a good idea.

EDIT: the only difference I have noted on mid-90s 4wd front XJ brake hoses is where the locating tab is in relation to the mounting hole on the frame end. If you're short on cash, you can probably get away with carrying only one front hose.

Also remember a test light and a cheap multimeter!

EDIT2: spare serpentine belt can't hurt either. When I replace mine I throw the old one under the back seat.

 

[BruceB83]

carry a spare XJ.

Sadly I've seen people who carry almost everything but the unibody and a short block.

 

[Ghost]

CPS is about the only sensor that I can think of that could be replaced on teh trail that would cause a dead xj. A spare coil too maybe. I have a box I keep in the truck with a spare dist, pitman shaft, pitman arms, and hoses and belts. In the jeep I keep spare front shafts, a spare rear shaft, when I get the money to get one, spare map sensor, spare IAT, spare idler pully, spare belts, and some hoses. I also keep a tub of fluids, gear oil, ps fluid, tranny fluid, and starter fluid. I think I have about 300 lbs of tools and parts in the cargo area of my xj.

 

[jeepgeek2002]

RELAYS! always take relays. they heat up and some times go bad.
I got a prezel jar with all kinds of old bolts,screws, plastic tubes, nuts, pieces of metal, any thing i take off and looks reusable i throw in that jar.
Ghost seems to want have enough stuff to repair 4x4s he finds in the woods to take back home.. if thats your thing? more power to ya..
I have the basics.. wrenches, screw drivers, plyers, knives, cutters, torq wrench, rags, air compressor, grease, fluids, flashlight, lighter, MRE's, water bottles,
you get the point..
i carry that all the time in the Con. Transfer it to the xj. Go behind staples.. they have these plastic lock boxes. mesh bottoms. 3 can go accross the cargo area. its all enclosed and keeps everything organised.

mark

 

[xjtrailrider]

I carry a spare XJ in the back of my XJ, and no I really almost do!

2 spare CPS
several spare relays
spare fuses
spare hoses of all sizes used on a XJ including upper/lower rad.
spare belt
spare metric and standard bolts/nuts of all sizes/lengths
spare DS straps
spare U-bolts\spare center pins
spare spider/side gears for a D-30/8.25 29 spline to replace the Aussie's with
spare 29 spine 8.25 shaft
2 spare stub shafts and one unibearing
spare DS that will fit front or rear
spare tie-rod/drag link and both TRE's
spare upper/lower ball joints
spare spark plugs (3), cap/rotor, and a couple of plug wires
6 quarts tranny fluid
1 gallon of water
3 quarts of gear lube
4 quarts of oil
carburetor spray
WD-40
Fix-a-Flat
Tire plug kit
Drain pan
JB weld
alternator
starter
fuel pump
plugs for the D-30 axle tube


There is more, I will have to get my list out. And yes it all fits nicely in the back, I carry my spare 35" BFG inside along with the Hi-lift, CO2 and a fire extinguisher.

I also have all of the tools need for trail repairs in the back as well.

 

[kastein]

Was going to say, do you carry an air pump (or OBA) and do you have a balljoint tool as well? Some of that stuff is useless without the right tools.

 

[katuah]

I'm gonna hafta take some time and sort through all of this great info. I know I won't be carrying ALL of that stuff, because, frankly, I'm not that good a mechanic yet. If I wouldn't know how to use it, I wouldn't carry it. (kinda what kastein was saying, i think)

No matter WHAT car I'm in, I always carry a bag somewhere in the vehicle with basic tools (wrenches, screwdriver, pliers mostly), some rags, jumper cables, rope, bungee cords, a little pack of fuses, a tarp, plastic bags, duct tape, crank light (doesn't ever need batteries). Oh, and every vehicle has a little air compressor that runs off the cig lighter.

I used to carry a bunch of fluids, but then I knew somebody who had a bottle of something (fix a flat maybe?) explode in their trunk on a hot day, so I stopped carrying most stuff except oil and maybe antifreeze. If I knew I was going offroad, though, all of that would go back in.

I like the wire & alligator clips idea. That's going in my bag this weekend. CPS, TPS, MAP, IAT are going on my JY list. Pretty much in that order.

I've heard JB Weld can fix nearly anything. Or was that duct tape? lol

 

[xjtrailrider]

I'm gonna hafta take some time and sort through all of this great info. I know I won't be carrying ALL of that stuff, because, frankly, I'm not that good a mechanic yet. If I wouldn't know how to use it, I wouldn't carry it. (kinda what kastein was saying, i think

Good plan, im a mechanic so unfortunately I know all the things that can leave me sitting on the trail, I guess thats why I carry so much stuff.

No matter WHAT car I'm in, I always carry a bag somewhere in the vehicle with basic tools (wrenches, screwdriver, pliers mostly), some rags, jumper cables, rope, bungee cords, a little pack of fuses, a tarp, plastic bags, duct tape, crank light (doesn't ever need batteries). Oh, and every vehicle has a little air compressor that runs off the cig lighter.

All good things to carry, you never know when you may have to Mcgyver something up to get home on.

I used to carry a bunch of fluids, but then I knew somebody who had a bottle of something (fix a flat maybe?) explode in their trunk on a hot day, so I stopped carrying most stuff except oil and maybe antifreeze. If I knew I was going offroad, though, all of that would go back in.

I empty my rig out after each run so that won't happen with the fluids, plus there is nothing there for the a-holes to try to steal.

I like the wire & alligator clips idea. That's going in my bag this weekend. CPS, TPS, MAP, IAT are going on my JY list. Pretty much in that order.

I also carry a IAT, you can still get home with a bad MAP or TPS, it just may not be much fun!

I've heard JB Weld can fix nearly anything. Or was that duct tape? lol

Jb weld is good stuff and so is duct tape/electrical tape, I carry those as well I just didn't list them

 

[Popeye'sJeep]

If I'm going to wheel far from home, I carry my mig welder in a carrying case. It's one that just needs two car batteries in series (easy to do with a jumper cable). With standard .035" welding wire it does 300+ amps, which is plenty for suspension fixes, which is mainly what I'd use it on.

For thinner metal, I also take .030" welding wire and use more wire stickout as I weld, so you'll have some voltage drop & can welder thinner stuff.

Mine is manufactured to be mobile but I bet you could modify a spool gun with minimal effort.
http://www.readywelder.com/

I haven't tried it yet, but for really thin metal welding, when connecting two car batteries in series, you can also add some resistance by putting one link of steel chain in the circuit. Steel's electrical resistance is more and will cause a needed voltage drop. Be sure & pause periodically to check the temperature of the steel so it doesn't get too hot & ruin it's temper.

Batteries are the best power source for mig welding... nice clean DC!

 

[DrRandy]

you forgot zip-ties, i dont leave home without them! 2lb sledge, crowbar, 6X6" piece of 2X8...for a hi lift base

 

[kastein]

fuses... always carry a set of maxi, mini, and standards. I keep a few relays around too.

Spare TPS and MAP (JY ones are fine, just verify they work before leaving)

Print out the "bypass hack for NSS" info and stick it in the kit too.

Spare brake hoses are about 15 bucks each, make sure you bring extra brake fluid, a clear bottle, the required wrenches, and some 1/4" vinyl aquarium tubing so you can actually bleed the brakes after. A few segments of preflared 3/16" hardline and some invert flare joiners (not compression fittings) plus a flaring/cutting kit can't hurt either.

A few feet of rubber tranny cooler hose, a few feet of fuel hose, and some fuel injection rated hose clamps that will fit both would be a good idea.

EDIT: the only difference I have noted on mid-90s 4wd front XJ brake hoses is where the locating tab is in relation to the mounting hole on the frame end. If you're short on cash, you can probably get away with carrying only one front hose.

Also remember a test light and a cheap multimeter!

EDIT2: spare serpentine belt can't hurt either. When I replace mine I throw the old one under the back seat.

CPS is about the only sensor that I can think of that could be replaced on teh trail that would cause a dead xj. A spare coil too maybe. I have a box I keep in the truck with a spare dist, pitman shaft, pitman arms, and hoses and belts. In the jeep I keep spare front shafts, a spare rear shaft, when I get the money to get one, spare map sensor, spare IAT, spare idler pully, spare belts, and some hoses. I also keep a tub of fluids, gear oil, ps fluid, tranny fluid, and starter fluid. I think I have about 300 lbs of tools and parts in the cargo area of my xj.

After last weekend, add to this list... blowtorch, plumber's solder, flux, steel wire brush, flux brush, striker, needlenose pliers, and never run anything except a copper/brass radiator in a trail rig.

Also put an O2 sensor on the list, I had a hell of a time even getting my stock 98 to drive two blocks back home, on the street, with a completely dead upstream sensor. Don't bother buying one, just throw the old "lazy" one in the spare parts pile (in the box, with the protective cap on it) after replacing it next time.

I brought literally an entire spare drivetrain with me. Fortunately, it was not needed.

 

[in4aride]

eveeyone has a good list of parts....i carry any extra nuts, bolts, screws, washers or fastening object i ever see in a big jug...everything from ubolts to unit bearing bolts can be found for spares in the mix of fasteners...

an electric impact is an amazing tool to have....replacing parts are a lot easier when ya dont have to do it by hand...

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

hi lift, couple bottle jacks, ropes, straps,

but cuz anything is possible i carry matches, MRE's, extra clothes and some blankets...

keep a way to charge your phone available

 

[High2by]

All this "stuff" is important and does have it's place, but remember, it all adds weight and takes up space. Plus in the event of a flop can potentially become dangerous cargo.

Carry the basics with you on the trail and leave the rest at camp. Worst case scenario, you have to catch a ride or possibly walk back to camp to get something.

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

All this "stuff" is important and does have it's place, but remember, it all adds weight and takes up space. Plus in the event of a flop can potentially become dangerous cargo.

Carry the basics with you on the trail and leave the rest at camp. Worst case scenario, you have to catch a ride or possibly walk back to camp to get something.

X2 my lasg rig i went from havin all kinds of spare stuff and tools to just a set of 30 shafts w/hubs, a 8.25 shaft, spare 33", and tools requred to change shafts, nothing else, all was tied down very secure and never went anywhere, on its last run where i knew it was gonna go over i left everything back at camp, to bad i still got coverd with broken glass from a previous tree incident, also less wieght=better performance off road

 

[DrRandy]

relays