Words by Tom Severin
While I was on my way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, my vehicle just plain died as I bottomed out from the entrance ramp to I-15. I had just fueled up in Las Vegas and as I coasted to the shoulder, I contemplated my options. One was to see if I could find the problem and fix it or walk back up the entrance ramp for help (I didn’t have a cell phone at the time).
After a quick fuel and spark analysis indicated there wasn’t a spark, I opened the distributor cap (old school). The metal contact that is pop-riveted on the top of the rotor was lying on the bottom of the distributor. I had the solution with me – a used rotor from a previous tune-up. When I pulled into St. George, UT, I purchased a new rotor and for good measure, a second one. I figured the used one was already on its second life.
Powhusku
Travelling to remote regions is always a great experience - until you break down without the necessary spare parts to fix the problem.
Successfully fixing a breakdown requires the parts or equipment to do it. In the lists that follow I’ll review the most important spare parts to carry on any off-road trip.
I chose two specific destinations for this article. A client asked me about spare parts for a trip to Death Valley National Park and asked to contrast that for a trip on the Rubicon Trail. I have tried to highlight the difference, but I have a problem. I prefer to take every spare part for pretty much any trip as it’s always best practice to be prepared no matter where you go wheeling.
Death Valley’s challenge is kilometres of extreme washboard roads. The backcountry is a long way from help in extreme temperatures with no cell service or ham radio repeaters. Death Valley will find the vibration weakness of everything on your vehicle. It can shake a nut off a shock or the Schrader valve out of a valve stem.
The Rubicon Trail consists of kilometres of hard-core rock crawling in an extremely remote location with no services (i.e. fuel, parts, lodging, or food) and definitely no cell service. But there is now a ham radio repeater that’s accessible. It’s not uncommon to break a front axle, mash a tailpipe, damage a drive shaft and break U-joints.
The trail will find any weakness in your vehicle. The remoteness of the Rubicon Trail adds to the challenge. If parts are needed, it could take two days – one day each way for help – to buy replacement parts. So, when you travel to such a location, make sure you’re fully stocked with important parts and gear.
The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company
Bringing along a spare tire is a given and should be in perfect condition.
Critical parts
Critical parts are those that you need to replace in the event of damage. In other words, if a certain part fails, you’re stuck. Some essential parts for the Rubicon Trail include a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, throttle position sensor, crankshaft position sensor, a fuel pump, and coil/coil pack. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, include a starter motor.
For Death Valley, perhaps consider taking the starter motor. It is possible to be towed out or have someone run into town for parts. But a round trip to the store could take two to three hours. Do you want to lose that much valuable drive time?
To avoid breakdowns, it always goes back to maintenance. If you have an older vehicle, and the crankshaft position sensor hasn’t been replaced in a long time, have a new one installed before you leave. You also might want to pack some of these items listed for the Rubicon and keep them in mind to bring along on other trips.
Tires
Tires are the number one problem in Death Valley, the Rubicon, and any other challenging trail and the following applies to both locations:
- You’ll need a full-size spare. If your vehicle doesn’t come equipped with one, buy it.
- A plug kit with extra valve stems and valve caps. Although expensive, a good alternative is a package of Colby valve stems.
- A tire gauge and tire deflator
- An Air compressor with a hose
- Extra lug nuts and try to pack two lug nut keys. You cannot afford to lose it.
- A lug wrench and 4-way valve tool
- Extra wheel studs - three or four are enough.
- Rags for clean-ups
The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company
Tools are another necessary item to properly replace the spare part.
Fasteners and Sealants
Fasteners and ties are all-purpose gear. They have so many uses and carry them whenever you’re four-wheeling, not just in Death Valley or on the Rubicon Trail. You’ll want to bring:
- Zip ties, rope, ratchet straps, baling wire, cable ties, duct tape and a bag of bolts (metric and SAE as well as washers and nuts)
- Muffler clamps
- Epoxy (i.e. J-B Weld)
- Rescue tape
Fluids
These are also essential for all off-road trips. Make sure to have the following in your vehicle:
- Motor oil, gear oil, brake fluid, ATF, power steering fluid, WD-40 (that is preferred over silicone spray) and waterless hand cleaner (purchase the tube variety to save space). I don’t recommend hand sanitizer for greasy hands. It doesn’t work and just makes a mess.
- Coolant, although water can be used in an emergency.
Tom Severin
A Coby valve stem - you can reuse them after replacing if they aren’t worn or damaged.
I also recommend bringing Loctite ViperLube (a synthetic grease) and RTV silicone adhesive (black 598). Both are available in convenient tube size. You may need to add a dab of grease around bushings or joints and the silicone is handy if you need to remove the differential cover. Just scrape off the old gasket and apply a bead of RTV silicone. It’s so durable you won’t need to install a gasket later.
Hoses and Hose Clamps
Always be sure to carry different sizes of hoses and hose clamps including:
- Fuel, heater, vacuum, and brake hoses ranging from 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in).
- Splices – short metal tubes that fit inside a hose; fastened with hose clamps.
- Vacuum hose tees
- ARB relay (if your vehicle is equipped with an ARB locker)
- ARB blue line: extra piece to splice in; splicing kit. ARB converted from the blue hose (5 mm) to the black hose (6 mm) a while ago and the old splice kit doesn’t work with the new diameter hose.
Tom Severin
Always have a variety of fluids that are properly stored to prevent spills.
Fuel-Related Parts
These should also be carried on every trip:
- A minimum of 20 litres (about 5 gal) of extra gas along with a siphon and/or fill spout.
- Consider packing an extra gas cap if the tether of yours is broken. There’s always a possibility of leaving the cap at a gas station. Along with check engine warnings, fuel will leak out when off-camber. Remember to change out the locking gas caps. Running out of gas without a key to open the fuel cap is a problem.
- If your vehicle requires premium fuel, always carry a few bottles of octane booster. Many rural gas stations only sell 87 octane and diesel.
Hoses, Alum-a-seal, Belts, Fasteners, Rescue Tape, etc.
This list is short since some of the essential parts are in other categories but they should be packed for both and similar destinations.
- Alum-a-Seal and idler pulley (inexpensive and easy to pack)
- Water pump: Take one along for the Rubicon Trail, especially for an older vehicle.
If you’re running the Rubicon Trail, it’s handy to have a spare serpentine belt, spare V-belts for other accessories, and upper and lower radiator hoses. They don’t need to be new. Save the ones from the last maintenance project. However, there is at least the probability that you can save a radiator hose with the use of the rescue tape.
1 of 2
The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company
Storage can be an issue with limited space so it’s best to have spare parts in designated areas.
2 of 2
Tom Severin
Storage can be an issue with limited space so it’s best to have spare parts in designated areas.
Electrical
All of these parts are small but useful:
- Electrical tape, fuses (mini and maxi; regular blade), 14- and 16-gauge wire, crimp-style splices, and two or three used spark plugs. Spark plugs are handy in case you break one. Remember that if a vehicle rolls over, you must blow the oil out of the pistons. There’s a chance that a spark plug could get damaged or broken while removing it (or you have incompetent help).
- If you change your plugs on a schedule, keep two or three used ones in a box.
- For older vehicles with a distributor and spark plug wire, save two or three of the longest wires as well as the used rotor next time you tune it up.
Hard Parts
What’s left on this list is a bit of a catch-all. These parts are most important for the Rubicon and/or any punishing trail.
- U-joints and axles,
- Tie rods and a drive shaft (used ones are OK to take along).
The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company
A damaged shock with a defective weld – maintenance and inspections are also important before every trip.
Storage
Bringing all of these spare parts (or the ones that you feel are essential) is always challenging. You might find places in the engine compartment. If so, consider the impact of the heat on the spare part. The engine bay is not a good spot for spare fan belts, coils or fluids. Plus, any fluid is best stored in plastic boxes to keep unplanned spills contained. I tape the tops of brand-new bottles and put them in zip lock bags and store them in a plastic box. The rigours of the off-road environment have opened more than one bottle during my travels.
Tie rods, spare axles, and drive shafts can be zip-tied to roll bars and bumpers for the duration of the Rubicon trip. Make sure they are safely protected from dust, dirt, and getting smashed. It’s also always helpful to record a list of spare parts and where you stored them.
In all, packing spare parts is time well spent. You’ll save a lot of time should you encounter a breakdown. You’ll also drive more confidently knowing you’re carrying replacement parts if they are needed.
Tom Severin is a 4x4 coach and teaches four-wheel drive owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skills. Connect with Tom Severin on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Badlands4x4Instructor/