well, if you're gonna carry a lot of stuff and want to lose the back seat check this tool box out

http://www.thejeep.com/onlinecatalog/jeepbox.htm#chest

BigJim,
Car roads through state parks isn't exactly the type of four-wheeling I suspect Christian is planning to do, BJ! It would be interesting to know what Jeep Trails you've been on in Utah and Colorado (have you got any credentials?); anyway, from your lack of understanding about being prepared for what can possibly happen to your rig when rockcrawling, it's obvious you've never been on a difficult trail. Christian's approach to four wheeling is the proper approach, and obviously demonstrates some experience rockcrawling in mountain trails. With time, he will add and remove stuff from his boonie box the more time he wheels his Wrangler . . . we all do this with our own rigs.
I've never met a mechanic that carrys sufficient tools on any trail ride. Superdawg and Sunder remind me of several mechanics I have gone on trail rides with, they carried no tools. They usually are the first to have problems, and they usually need the tools the most. They commonly bring their rigs to the trailhead with a long lists of mods undone! Mechanics ***** and moan about helping novices out on the trail without getting paid, but ain't afraid of begging tools from everyone else when they break stuff doing stupid things a long the trail.
I have a good jeep friend who has taught me a lot about jeeps and four wheeling, he has been four wheeling for a long time . . . probably approaching 30 years. He's a BigDawg, his TJ is a superior rockcrawler. His boonie box is one of those Tuffy slideout drawers in his rear cargo area. It's always filled to the brim with tools he suspects he may need. Christian's list wouldn't fill my buddies boonie box. Some of you are negatively reacting to what is the right thing to do when wheeling on difficult mountain rockcrawling trails . . . either out of ignorance of the possible trail repairs that commonly occur, or b/c you're a "mechanic"; or even worse, you're a "flatlander"! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> If what Christian is putting together is a Rookie type behavior, then I am an eleven-year veteran Rookie! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />
Most four wheelers have a good idea of their rig's "weak-links" and hit the trail with parts and tools to fix the most likely things that will break. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

It's obvious we all have different approaches, and it's impossible to compare where we all go and with whom we go. Some of us go alone, some of us go with Johnny Toolbox. Some mild, some gnarly. I'm sure glad *someone* has the correct tool in my group when there's a breakdown. There's no sense everyone carrying a complete set, that's for sure.

I try to carry some tools, but I like what SD said about taking only the necessary tools. I used to take my whole toolbox, but I discovered (even with my half-SAE, half-Metric XJ) that I only used a handful. Which ones? I forget. I suppose it would be a good idea to keep track, but I'm too lazy. Now I just make sure someone else has tools. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Anecdote: Years ago, one guy in our group broke a tierod, and we didn't have a picklefork to fix it. We got it done without, of course, but I've been carrying around a picklefork ever since then. I suppose I'll need it the first time I leave it home! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

On several rides I (and others) have been glad I had brake fluid, motor oil, power steering fluid, gear oil, water, pickle fork, well stocked tool box, and spare tie rod ends, (I carry a tie rod and drag link assembly). When I changed over to a CV drive shaft I put the old one complete with U joints and a yoke (which will fit any position on my Jeep) in the Box. That means I added a puller to ease the removal of other yokes. I haven't broke or bent one yet but I've seen it happen a couple of times. All the stuff I carry weighs less than the hard top and full steel doors I usually leave at home. I like how SD tells us we dont need a high lift jack then tells us how to use it to help fix a bent tie rod! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Different strokes for different folks I reckon. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Fred, I carry tools, and rarely if ever need to borrow one, I just avoid redundancy and overkill, I have wheeled rigs that have no storage area compared to you luxury jeep limo guys in your cj7s and Yjs and Tjs and the ultra stretched limo the XJ. I have to get dogs, daughter and wife into (until my current xj) my cj3a and Cj5 on every trip.
Then in my old suburban tow wagon I carried a few extra parts.

Suburban:
Under the back seat, one long side one short side front axle shafts with u joints.
A jack stand.
big breaker bar.
Camping gear.

Jeep:
On my 51 willys, the most modern parts are 1971 rear d44.
and a narrowed 1978 wag d44 both with ARBs and 5.89 gears.
The engine swapped in in 1966 by Mile high jeep in Denver was a 63 buick 225 odd fire, that the only thing I did to it was 4bbl intake and Holley injection (for a while I ran point ignition with the EFI). This part of the list goes on... The point is you guys are wheeling stuff that was built within the last 10-20 years or newer with far less likelyhood of failure simply due to being later model.
Most of what you guys are driving have service manuals to figure it out too.

My tools were selected for what bolts are on it.
I did not carry extra tools to fit others rigs or just throw sets in for lazyness, I had no room.
Two bolted in ammo cans and what fit in the under the passenger seat tool box. In those compartments...
Under the seat...
welding rod and cables for my on board welder
starter (with an automatic tranny)
spare rear driveshaft
pry bar
hammer
breaker bar with socket for wheel lugs on it.
110 drill and bits (worked on my welder)
Tool box A:
in the bottom
a length of 16g wire and a few butt connectors
nuts and bolts
shorty end wrenches just to fit what I run so like 4-5
Sockets and extentions in zip lock bags.
two pair vise grips.
one multi bit screwdriver.
allen wrench to fit hubs
snap ring plier
hub socket

other ammo box
u joints
one spare Holley injector
tire plug kit/tools
tire gauge
shop rags
flash light
snatch block and clevis
remote for winch

under the back seat
scissor jack.

Bungied to roll cage tow strap and tree strap


All of this was stowed so none would move in roll overs.
Nothing except a can of peanuts ever fell out in any of the 6-7 roll overs that jeep survived.

"Rookie" may been too harsh and I'm sorry for that.
When I was a rookie I used to carry too much, I learned not to.

Fred, I've never been the guy that needs to borrow tools or holds up a group, don't lump me in with other "mechanics".

True, I could not go camping out of my willys because there was no room for anything.

When I ran the Rubicon in 91' I had all of my gear, tent sleeping bags, tools under the wheelwell level of my cj5 and a plywood board with shag carpet over that for the dog and the cooler. No roof racks or jambos. ultra light.

I have used just about everything except that starter on my trail rides. If not for me, someone else happily.

I just got the xj, and installed a 3.5 RE lift on it and "wow" 31 x10.50 BFG ATs. I'm just now figuring out what I need to carry in it.
The front ARB is going in this weekend, and the rear axle is in the works, something cool like a HP 44 or shaved d60.

SD

Superdawg,

First, I want to say what great fun it was to visit your shop, yesterday! I want to thank you and Jerrime(sp?) for taking the time to explain differential gears and limited slips to me; I now have a better understanding. The stuff you guys are doing to those rigs in the shop is fantastic! I guess it's true, all you need is money and a mechanic like you to have a super-rig! That Cherokee you're building is going to be great. I really like how you've added the frame to address the unitbody twisting and bending offroad. I wouldn't have guessed how simple it is to beef up the Cherokee for rockcrawling!
Yeah, I thought I would get your attention with the post above! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Actually, I have great respect for mechanics, probably because it's something I have an interest in and know so little about. So, don't take my comments about "mechanics" too seriously. But, it does seem to be true in general that mechanics never carry tools, never finish upgrades on their own rigs, and always need trail repairs on rides! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
You made my point about boonie box gear perfectly: "I'm just now figuring out what I need to carry in it." Let's see . . . you've been wheeling almost all your life, so . . . you've been wheeling for 20 to 25 years! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> I agree, that over time we get better at packing our rig's boonie box and almost everyone attempts to go prepared the best that they can. No one knows what will break, and even if a break will occur. But, over time, we all learn what is more likely to occur on certain type trails.


Jeepete, I'm glad you made that point about fluids for the rig. Over the past ten years, I would say that tranny, diff, brake, and engine fluids have been the more common needs on the trail. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />


Christain, I certainly would encourage you to carry a pair of vise-clamp type pliers in the tool box, so many applications for this item, such as, clamping off the torn brake line, etc. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

You know I've only been wheeling for 5-6 years, and I have already learned not to carry redunate materials. The top lessons I have learned is to maintain the vehicle well, and don't go places it can't. If you check your belts and hoses and u-joints regularly and before outings, and while you are out don't take your near stock jeep with 31's through the boulders, everything is just fine.

Sunder,

"and while you are out don't take your near stock jeep with 31's through the boulders"

If four-wheelers in the mountain areas went by this suggestion, they'd never have any fun with their Jeeps! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Honestly, Sunder, Jeep owners have been traversing washed-out mining and logging roads for 5 decades with 28" tires and a lot of finese. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> One four-wheel magazine writer has recently suggested that you shouldn't jump over sand dunes with your near stock Jeep, either! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I 100% completely agree. I destroyed my jeep in the dunes, the only thing I havenÆt broken is my front axle and frame(not to sure about the frame either).I have broken more parts in the dunes than I will ever be able to on the trails. In retrospect, I should have just saved for my dirt bike, and never pounded the jeep in the dunes.




When I had my home made shackle lift and was out hitting the trails with my 28's, I went everywhere the guys with SOA and 35's went, but I took the switch backs and bypasses.
On one trip there was this stuck up guy with a new 02 TJ. Saying how with his coil sprung jeep he could go where everybody else could. On the third obstacle after adding some nice new dents to his new jeep he gunned it over a rock smashed his left rear lower control arm on a rock and snapped the left axle shaft in half. Some people just donÆt have enough finesse.

In any case this has been a good discussion, I am going to leave the entire list up, so that people can use it to base thier needs off of it. There might be a few things that others didn't think about.

I have broken out a spare parts category, agian, base your needs off of the list, I am not going to carry every item on the list but it has given me a couple ideas of things to carry that I didn't originally think of.