Basic spare parts for outback trip

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Heading from Brisbane to Birdsville, (Big Red!!), Bedourie, Boulia, Winton, Longreach etc in July, accompanied by Bidla and another mate in a Hilux. Already have recovery gear, 2nd spare tyre, belt, hoses and clamps. Any suggestions about what else could be useful?

Jim

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

dont forget the plugga kit for ya tyres as well as cable ties and 100 mph tape :wink:

[QUICKY Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close QUICKY]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

Buy your self some 1lt containers of oil ( atf engine coolant etc) they don't take up a lot of space. ATF if is the one i needed on a trip last year when the winch valve block started to leak. Had all the filters and belts etc and only needed the oil

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

Wheel studs are known to break and are not too expensive. Different part numbers front and rear.

Has anyone mentioned zip ties yet?

Michael

[mersenne Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mersenne]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

I read you've got spare hoses, but I'd still recommend some Self-Fusing Silicone Rubber Electrical Tape. If you have a crack or split in hose that you don't have, use a softdrink can cut out as a splint, wrap with lecky tape, then cover with the self fusing tape. It's high temperature too.

spare light globes and bug wash, these are far too expensive if bought along a trip from a servo

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

I read you've got spare hoses, but I'd still recommend some Self-Fusing Silicone Rubber Electrical Tape. If you have a crack or split in hose that you don't have, use a softdrink can cut out as a splint, wrap with lecky tape, then cover with the self fusing tape. It's high temperature too.

Anybody used this tape for emergency hose repairs? Extreme Tape or Rescue Tape?
Murphy's Law would dictate that the hose that goes is the hose you haven't got!

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

What about a set of MaxTrax? I'm surprised no one else, especially those headed to the GTG have mentioned these.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

You can only carry so much stuff. The way some people talk they would have to tow a trailer and in that trailer they would have every spare part to completely rebuild a car. And when you consider that the majority of trips that most people undertake are not epic journies such as the Canning Stock Route but to reasonably accessible places you have to wonder what sort of heap are they driving if they need to carry 200kg of spares.

Never in over 30 years of owning cars have I had a hose burst. Never have I ever had a fan belt let go. I've never broken a wheel stud, snapped an axle or broken a con - rod.

I have blown the bottom seal on my radiator (98 Prado). I have blown various bulbs and a couple of minor fuses. I have cracked a head gasket. The fuel pump (2nd hand) in my Cobra failed.

Three things will help you out. (1) regular servicing and maintenance - get under the car and under the bonnet and have a good look every now and again. Listen for the sounds and feel the difference when driving when some component is about to let go. Don't just rely on the service monkeys to keep your rig in top nick. (2) drive to the conditions. How does a tour bus roll-over on the Mitchell Plateau track? It has to be speed and inattention or fatigue. You have to drive that track slowly. If you hammer across the corrugations, it isn't going to matter if you have original suspension components or trick after-market stuff - something is going to break eventually. (3) learn how to improvise. Basic electronics knowledge and basic mechanical knowledge is a must. If you are travelling with a group then get the right mix of abilities and skills and that way everyone will learn a new trick or two during your journey.

If you bust an axle there isn't much you can do about it. Same for blown head gasket. Radiator leaks can be fixed relatively easily enough to get you to civilisation. Under-bonnet fires, blown gearbox or transfer cases = bad news if you are travelling alone. A broken shock won't necessarily stop the car from moving.

I carry additional spare tyres, puncture repair kit including plugs, tyre pliers, recovery gear, tape, heavy duty zip ties, assorted fuzes, electrical and fencing wire, soldering gear, basic tools, communications. And these will depend on how far from home I am actually travelling.

Oh by the way, if you see me broken down during your travels please stop and give me a hand!

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

I'ts interesting Bushbasher to see the different approaches that people take and the advice they give. I always think that a good dose of common sense is the key to any trip. I endorse your remarks about going too fast for the conditions, surely the idea is to see the outback not speed through it.
No worries about giving a helping hand I've always stopped for fellow travellers and have found that it has been reciprocated.

Cheers

Jim

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

Common sense is not so common under pressure!

I don't advocate taking no spares at all. That would be pushing the envelope too far.

We recently had a couple of incidents in our remote WA outback that resulted in the deaths of several "experienced bushmen" and I am refering to the aboriginal kind. In two incidents their vehicles broke down. One blew a hole in his radiator and lost all the coolant. No problem, they had around 20 litres of drinking water which they then proceeded to pour into the radiator. And yes, you guessed correctly, the water simply poured straight out of the hole and dissappeared into the desert sand. One chap stayed by the car and was found barely alive, the other 2 walked off and perished. Another 2 in a separate incident had sheared all the studs from the right rear axle of their 80 series cruiser. No problem for bush mechanics, just pull the axles from the diff, knock some studs out of one axle and hammer them into the other. All the other 3 axles were missing studs as well. It was too much work and their tools were not up to the task. Old fella died probably from lack of diabetic medicine and lack of water. Young fella took off because of the bad kharma surrounding the death of the old bloke. He siphoned the fuel and set fire to the bush but nobody saw it. They were 60km from nearest station. 50km from trans Australia rail line. 400km from their destination and travelling on little used side tracks instead of the main dirt road. Looked like he drained the radiator for the water. He walked 5 kilometres, took off his clothes and laid down and died. They had no food for the trip other than some bush tucker in the form of some red seeds. There were no water carriers and on the information we gleaned they didn't have enough fuel to even get to their destination.

So there are some basic rules to follow including letting people know where you are going and when you are expected to arrive. Your route could be important too. Have a contact plan where you call home at every opportunity or buy a "SPOT". Stay by the car. It's easier to spot from a plane than your boney backside if you decide to walk. Carry the basics to last a couple of days at least. Apparently a snickers bar will keep you alive for a week.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

Got to say that in all my travelling i have never lost a hose or a fan belt either.
I carry the basic sand so far touch wood I have never needed any of them. Have a good look at your vehicle before and as you go is the best way to work out what you do and don't need.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

I carry the basic sand so far touch wood I have never needed any of them.

What do you use the basic sand for? :shock: :lol: :lol:

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Re: Basic spare parts for outback trip

My guess its "the basics and ..."

Jim