Tried this question in the 87-96 forum and it went unaswered.

Putting together my off-road emergency recovery toolkit.

Don't really want to get into a discussion for what goes into a general recovery bag or toolkit. That's covered lots of places in lots of threads. I've got straps, wrenches, pliers, hammers, etc...

But I want to know about any truck-specific tools I should get.

Say I bash in the rear pumpkin on a rock, and need to disconnect the rear driveshaft to get back to a paved road where I can call AAA for a tow home. Are there any specific tools required for that?

Or mangle some of the front steering/suspension components, and need to disconnect so I can straighten 'em out with my BFH just enough to get back to the road. Do I need a pickle fork? Which one?

Etc...
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i know this will sound hillbilly, but in all seriousness, bailing wire, various length zip ties, duct tape, some form of silicone sealer/gasket maker, and a hi-lift jack will do a lot more than people expect. about the only truck specific parts i can think of are the correct lock-nut spindle socket for you axles.

 

There any repairs you could make with that if you weren't also carrying either a welder or a spare axle?

 

I never wheeled on rocks, chopped a few up back in the day, mud and sand hills only so a friend could pull me to the street most of the time. Busted a few front U-joints(44ttb,go figure) and wont going to fix that in the mud. Blew radiator hoses on the sand hills so maybe extra hoses if its hot where your at. I never really prepaired for off road excursions other than the basic tools and buddy system for a pull.

 

maybe repair seized bearings, but that is about it. once again, a tool that is only useful for repairs when you have a spare. the only truly truck specific tool i can think about is a hi-lift jack. between what i've seen and read online and in magazines, it is the most versatile tools in the world of offroading.

 

Yeah, you can use it as a jack, a prypar, a sledge hammer, or something to lean on while you watch someone else fix there brokedown rig...... (I'm only kidding, you should be helping him fix his broken rig, thats what wheeling is about)

 

a come-along, and ratchet/cam buckle straps, and bungee cords, and yes of course, nobody should be caught dead without a BFH, or at least a good sized rock.