What trail side repairs have you attempted?

What trail side repairs have you attempted? What was the result? I'm wondering what I should include in a tool kit.

We have had multiple "fixes" before actually getting on the trail &/or being on the trail.

I will include a couple since I am off to work ATM:

Just made it into the driveway after a long trip and wheeling and discovered this:






Fixed her right up!



This was on the trail just after the WALL on Poughkeepsie Gulch. A mate's tire - sidewall. Plug(s) got us off the trail and to a safe area.



Will add to list after work

This might help you pick some tools..

I've done several but I think my favorite was when I was on the backside of Moab Rim in Moab and ripped my rear track bar off. We used two heavy duty ratchet straps and crossed them from the frame to the axle and I drove out and back to the hotel like that. Got it welded up the next day and was back to playing.

So I would include at least two heavy duty ratchet straps. I prefer the self retracting kind. They are more expensive but easier to store and you don't have to worry about tying up the end.

In the Jeep nothing other than tire issues so far thankfully.

My Xterra I wiped the (for some reason) plastic heater core nipples off the fire wall and had to loop it to get off the trail. Also had a motor mount break and rip my intake boot, twice.

Friend's JK... he managed to snap driver's side rear and passenger side front axle shafts on the trail. He had a spare rear so we pulled the rear shaft and used a magnet taped to a pole to get all the metal chunks out and opened the diff to get any remaining pieces then put the spare shaft in.
Up front we pulled the passenger shaft and made a tampon out of a gallon zip lock bag filled with shop towels and shoved it down the tube to keep the gear oil in.
It worked and he drove home 4 hours.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

I keep a box of nuts and bolts, ratchet straps, tire repair kit (Glue Tread for both sidewall and tread), large wrenches and other tools.

Here’s a reality check from @mwilk012
”Exactly what do you plan on fixing on a trail? There’s no point in bringing tools to fix something you don’t have the skills or knowledge to do. Look at the things you’d be willing to repair while covered in mud and mosquitoes, then bring the tools for that.”

A couple of good threads in case you have not already seen them

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/tools.140194/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/field-repair-kit-whats-in-yours.151313/

Typically just tire issues. Picked up nails and screws in treads, tore a sidewall or two. Plugs and sidewall patches are a must. Also make sure you have the proper tools to actually jack up the Jeep and change a tire if needed. I lost count of how many rookies pulled out the stock scissor jack and tire iron to try and change a 37" tire on aftermarket wheels.

Blown radiator and the solution

You will never have the tools and parts for ever scenario so IMO, the best emergency preparedness SOP is off-roading with at least one other vehicle that can get you back home or go and get parts.

Terrymo said:

Blown radiator and the solution

Click to expand...

Many years ago, a friend had a copper radiator in his 69 Ford Pickup spring a leak from a 1/2" split in a tube. We were in the middle of farm fields on a 2 lane in the San Joaquin valley. He pulled over and used a pocket knife to cut a piece of fencepost to fit the split. It was in there for years

Definitely tire repair and enough jacks to change a tire on the trail. I saw a guy use ratchet straps to hold a tie-rod in place just to make it off the trail. I carry some mechanical wire to hold up something like exhaust if there's an issue. Duct tape of course and some basic tools.

Trail repairs are the main reason we wheel new rigs now. Old junk just breaks more often. Wish I had pictures of all the crazy bush fixes. Broken motor mount in the old wagoneer let the fan cut a hole in the radiator. About 20 minutes of carefully tying off the damaged tubes with a pair of needle nose (broke a few extra in the process) probably cost me 10% of the cooling capacity but wheeled it that way for another year before I replaced the radiator. Same rig had a wallowed out tie rod mount in the knuckle. Cut a strip of a soda can, wrapped it around the tie rod end, stuffed it in the hole and wheeled for the next 4 days. Had to replace my aluminum shim on the drive home due to death wobble. Blew up the trans on another trip. Craigslist and a 2 hour drive and we had another waggy th400 to go in. Changing a transmission in the woods with no floor jack isn't for the faint of heart. On another trip my brother in laws starter grenaded on his waggy. Pulled mine, started his, took the starter back out while it was running and put it back in mine. Picked up a new starter at Napa on the drive home. The old xj faired the worst from a single trip. Broke the rear driveshaft on Thompson hill. Working our way out in 2wd led to breaking the front passengers side shaft. At that point it was getting pulled out while providing a little assistance. Caught a stump and snapped the sector shaft off while ripping the box off the "frame". Came back for it the next weekend with generator, welder, and a pile of parts. Plated the frame with 1/4" plates inside and out and installed the new steering box. Replaced rear shaft and swapped in a new passenger side axle shaft. Drove out under it's own power. Welded tie rod ends into their striped tie rod sleeved with a hilift jack handle on the wife's WJ on the rubicon using 2 batteries, some welding rod, and 4 pairs of sunglasses because I forgot the welding helmet. Those are the most stand out fixes but there's been plenty more in 30 years of playing hard in beater rigs.

wazzabie said:

What trail side repairs have you attempted? What was the result? I'm wondering what I should include in a tool kit.

Click to expand...

You should definitely have a tool kit at all times. On and off road.

Fortunately, I’ve only had to deal with minor issues out in the trail in my personal exploring. (Probably jinxed that now)

Recently partially ripped rear passenger fender off and rear drivers side bumper corner. Temporarily fixed those with zip ties and plastic rivets until I made it home. I carry all lengths of zip ties just in case and rivets and a rivet tool. Now I carry extra Christmas tree plugs too. Also carry and tire repair kit and GlueTread.

In my prior days field surveying, we tore up our trucks and came up with all kinds of creative ways to limp home.

Probably should carry some baling wire too as we used that extensively for the survey trucks.