Author Topic: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?  (Read 4330 times)

Offline slsc98

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Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« on: July 22, 2013 - 02:26:48 PM »
Hullooooooo, everyone!

I did a several searches for this throughout the various fourms in Chryco's Shop but, came up dry, thus far (depending upon the responses, this thread may become "sticky material" for us noobies?)    :1zhelp: :thumbsup:

Anyhoo, I am looking for input as to the spare parts, neat "McGiver items" and even any tools you all carry with you, everywhere you goEspecially any spare parts, fuses, belts, bulbs or other parts you try and always keep on hand, for those rare but inevitable road-trip 'emergencies.'

Background (maybe this will clarify my goal in posting here): While I was thinking about all of you in Carlisle, I had to stick close to Mama last weekend as, even though our oldest seems to have come through cancer free after the hellish ordeal we've called 2013 thus far, something toild me not to go to Carlisle without her and 'Gator' (the car corral chihuahua!).

Anyhoo, got about 4 miles from the barn and car went dead.  No sputter, no nuthin', just kapoot.   :dunno: :clueless:

Long, long saga short, my resistor had gone t*ts up.

Now, Cathy and Gator were out cruisin' for action anyway  :bigshades:   so, they swung by and, on the advice of a mechanic who took mercy  :angelwings: and stopped to admire our cars and also share with me about his long-gone '71 Cuda  :drunk:, Cathy and Gator went by a NAPA store about ten miles down the road and got me a new, 2-prong resistor. I used a quarter as screwdriver and, after about 2 or 3 hours of being on the roadside and listening to a little smack  :poopoke: from the Ford and Chevys that passed me, I was on my way again.    :burnout:    :cheers:

Later, several buddies all shocked me when they heard about my plight and said, "You didn't have a spare resistor with you?"   "Gee man, I ALWAYS keep a spare resistor and voltage regulator in my glove compartment!"

 :swear: :stomp: :pullinghair: :banghead:

I swear, I started to try and choke a couple of 'em!  I mean, I replied, "Holy crap, f-r-i-e-n-d: a) when were you gonna get around to sharing that cool little tidbit of information with me; and, b) What else do you always carry that hasn't yet worked its way into any of our previous (hundreds of!) conversations on maintainin' our babies?!?!?!!!!!!!!

Well, at least they were honest and admitted, "But dude, life is so much more interesting for me, to watch you learn this stuff as you go . . .!"    :stirpot:


So, that's my saga; how 'bouts it y'all?  What neat, "McGiver items," spare parts (such as fuses, belts, bulbs or any fluids) and even any tools do you always with you, everywhere you go?


Lastly, thanks in advance and have a safe and wonderful summer, too!




Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2013 - 03:31:46 PM »
Bring a cell phone to call AAA.     :lol:

Seriously, I drive with my tool box in the trunk. Besides tools, I have an Ohm/Volt meter too. I can say it saved me at least once.

Mike

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Offline moparman82

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2013 - 03:47:44 PM »
Yeah I believe in AAA, cell phone, jumper box, and a full size spare! Lol
Scott in Omaha
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Offline ToxicWolf

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2013 - 04:40:45 PM »
 
Yeah I believe in AAA, cell phone, jumper box, and a full size spare! Lol

 :iagree:
« Last Edit: July 22, 2013 - 05:55:30 PM by ToxicWolf »

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2013 - 05:34:00 PM »
I carry some base tools, oil, antifreeze and DUCT TAPE!
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
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Offline mojavered

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2013 - 05:47:11 PM »
Yep, basic tools like screwdrivers, some open and box end wrenches, pliers, some tape, belts, ballast, regulator, antifreeze, some rags, and a tester.  I think that's about it :working:
Jason

Offline RzeroB

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2013 - 06:34:07 PM »
I was caravaning once with about 6-8 other E-bodies through southeastern Washington state on our way to a show in Spokane. We were motoring thru the rural farmlands when one of the guys blew that little 90 degree bypass hose that goes from the water pump to the intake manifold on a small block. We were out in the middle of no-where and it looked like he was screwed. :1zhelp: Fortunately for him I happened to have a spare with me and was able to save the day. :woo: So if you have a small block, carry a spare bypass hose, because unlike the radiator hoses, that little bugger is near impossible to temp fix with duct tape so that you can limp it on into the next place with a parts store. :thumbsup:
Cheers!
Tom
St Louis, MO

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Offline slsc98

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2013 - 08:29:55 PM »
Thanks to everyone for the replies thus far; and yah, we got AAA just as soon as the ill lady got her 66 GTO and they've already pulled my bacon outta the fire once!

Offline slsc98

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2013 - 08:33:56 PM »
I was caravaning once with about 6-8 other E-bodies through southeastern Washington state on our way to a show in Spokane. We were motoring thru the rural farmlands when one of the guys blew that little 90 degree bypass hose that goes from the water pump to the intake manifold on a small block. We were out in the middle of no-where and it looked like he was screwed. :1zhelp: Fortunately for him I happened to have a spare with me and was able to save the day. :woo: So if you have a small block, carry a spare bypass hose, because unlike the radiator hoses, that little bugger is near impossible to temp fix with duct tape so that you can limp it on into the next place with a parts store. :thumbsup:

HOT d*mn!  Now see, this is exactly the kind of thing that would've kept me up at night so, Thank YOU!

I remember reading (IIRC) Brads70 motored all the way down to Carlisle from Canada so, I am hoping any who have not yet posted who also take (have taken) longgggggg cruises can add anything they "don't leave home without"

Happy Cruisn', everyone!

Offline jimynick

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2013 - 11:20:57 PM »
Well, it'll be a long time before mine is ready for a long drive, but, having owned lots of shall we say- not so new cars in the past, my list would include a 4 way tire wrench, magnetic-bit screwdriver with a good selection of bits, needle nose and adjustable pliers, sidecutters, 2ft of quality baling wire, a few cable ties, the ever useful duct tape, aforementioned ballast resistor, fan/alternator belt, a few decent screw clamps in heater and rad hose sizes, a 2lb hammer, Johnson bar and selection of sockets and wrenches, qt of oil and brake and trans fluid. DON'T  forget the rabbit's foot, either!  ;)

Offline RzeroB

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2013 - 02:04:41 AM »
my list would include ... 2ft of quality baling wire ... 2lb hammer ... etc

The reference to baling wire and the hammer made me chuckle - I knew a "shade tree mechanic" who use to joke about temporarily fixing things with "bubble gum and baling wire" or by making "a percussionary adjustment" with a hammer  :biggrin:
Cheers!
Tom
St Louis, MO

Former owner of 16 classic Mopars. "It is better to have owned (Mopars) and lost then to have never owned at all" (apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson)

Offline ToxicWolf

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2013 - 03:27:34 AM »
There is one more thing I always carry. A two foot piece of 2 by 4 and a small hand saw to cut it into various shapes and sizes ... to go along with the hammer. Fixed a lot of stuff with a hammer and a block of wood.

Offline JayBee

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Re: Suggestions for the 'best' spare parts / road trip kit?
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2013 - 07:07:14 AM »
Along with most of the things mentioned already I also carry spare wiper blade refills, a scissor jack out of an old Neon and a little 12v volt compressor (or make sure the spare has air and holds it).
John

1970 Barracuda convertible
2014 Toyota Avalon