Friends have taken old junk axles and pounded them in the ground with sledgehammers to make anchor points, me, I've buried mine, requiring pulling up, and out, that was a heavy Suburban, they are much like a van, I'd expect the same, it was a 4x4.

 

Hey John, I know where there is a 1980s model extended window van with very little rust and a 6.9idi. The guy wants $800 for it.

 

Ewww window van, no privacy


And chances are...it's to far from me.

 

I'd like a diesel for my other van, but has to be small, no bigger than a 302 V8 or 300 I6.

 

Get a 300 then, it's a diesel that burns gas

 

It has a 302, I'd like more power, just so much you can do for torque, and it ain't much, would love a turbo diesel.

 

Who in there right mind would off road a van?

 

Only the brave?

Anyone can off-road a 4WD----a different sorta guy does it with only 2WD!

 

O I've done my fair share in a two wheeler. I just prefer 4x4, so when ya get stuck in 2 u can just pull a lever n keep on drivin!

 

And then there are those times we "accidently" go 4 wheelin' in a 2 wheel vehicle! Also been there, done that myself, no levers to pull just call the tow truck!

 

i didnt call the tow truck, i didnt call anybody, no cell service. i was stuck out in the desert all day in 105* heat driving up and down a wash trying every 4x4 climb to get back over the ridge. de-hydrated, trucks overheating, spinning out in the sand. there were other 4wheelers out there but nobody had a strap or rope or chain,,,,, finally i was able to get pulled out by a big f-250 diesel. he could have drug me anywhere.

 

That's kinda on you.

The bare minimum kit to keep in ANY vehicle, no matter WHERE you are going, is a set of jump cables, a tow rope, a first aid kit, a reflector, a working flashlight, and some flares. Especially when you start talking about a 5-10+ year old vehicle. If you are like me and riding in a 18+ vehicle, you need to carry a socket/wrench/screwdriver set if you are handy, or a roadside assistance membership if you aren't. Walmart sells a Justin Case roadside kit that covers these bases. It even has Velcro on its bottom so it sticks to the carpet where you set it, and has a roadside assistance program membership card. The case has room for a bottle of oil and some water for you or the engine. A resourceful redneck/country boy could find all of this for free, or even a few bucks if he has to go to a swap for flares and cables.

If you are going wheeling with friends, or even just heading out camping, you should have a case of water, a few packets of dehydrated food, a wool blanket or two, a signalling device (i like signal flares, but heat degrades them, so a whistle works), GMRS (if you are licensed) or FRS radio with decent batteries, a serious tow strap, and a good atlas. Its common sense stuff. In Nevada the back-country roads had wildlife officers that would pull over random people and make sure they had gear, and if not strongly suggested they go back on pavement and stay there until they got some.

 

yep, we should have known better,, werent at all prepared, cuz this was an accident. we werent planning on leaving the pavement... the thing that pushed us was that we saw a little subaru wagon going down there,,, so we thought,, "hey, if he can do it in a little imported car, then our american pickups outa be able to" and they did ok until it was time to leave. i still have no clue how he got out............

we carry all that stuff in our Super Duty... its the one that usually goes places..... FULL SET of tools, jack, 30,000lb tow strap, air compressor, lights, everything we'd need to do anything anywhere, but we were driving the Ranger, which hardly ever leaves the asphalt and town.

 

^^^^


X2, as you can see from my signature, I ain't driving any new Caddys


I have a mostly complete tool box in ALL my vehicles, all basic tools, booster cables, showel, chains, (fire extinguisher, only I have in my van and motorhome, but I should have one in my other trucks as well), duct tape, steel wire, rope, some spare parts, belts, hoses, fluids etc. etc.

 

I was being a bit humorous, or at least attempting it but Page 2 here does bring up a few good points the biggest one being be prepared for almost anything.

My on-board tools are a bit extensive since its my work truck. Wrench/socket wise I don't have anything over 1/2" drive but for the most part I'm equipped to do most roadside repairs. There are three tow straps, suitable jack and lug tools, jumper cables, wheel chocks and of course an ABC extinguisher, all accessible through the back doors standing on the ground.

Since I work with glass and very sharp cutting tools there are first aid items including eye wash and Q-Tips just in case----has been helpful a few times if only to not make a mess in a customers vehicle.

My practice has been when something happens I'm not equipped to deal with immediately I'll restock and be ready for the next time. Luckily most of my emergency tools have only been used to help others. For a while I even carried an extra serpentine belt---was an accident as I'd left it in the truck after changing it out.

Good advice guys----thanks for the reminder!