So most everyone here drives their cars - a lot - and I always carry a bevvy of items in my trunk just in case, and I thought it would be cool if we got a little tech going with a good, basic list of "don't strand me" items. Mine generally includes: - 1-2 quarts oil - Antifreze already mixed 50/50 - wire tester and some wire - spare bits that I took off the car (old belts, points, cap rotor, etc) - portable floor jack - useable, inflated spare - various tools: Hammer, screwdrivers (flat + phillips) and basic socket set - rags, blanket etc.. gloves, hat (for cold).
My list is a bit more comprehensive...you can't just find parts for a 235 anywhere...along with most of your list, I've got a spare water pump, fuel pump, extra hoses, belts, wheel bearings, and who knows what else all tossed in my "first aid kit". Only been stranded once...Middle of August in Lonoke, Arkansas, thought my electronic ignition had failed, turned out my coil was bad, as well as my spare...thinking it was the ignition, I converted it back to points...dropped a nut in the distributor, had to pull it, then retime it...then I didn't have a condenser..it was a long hot afternoon in Arkansas. Brian
I'm more like Brian, paranoid is the word! I keep a bunch of tools. Don't forget to add VISE GRIPS, tie wire or zip ties, A hammer, not only spare fluids but whatever you need to put them into the car (funnels or tubes for hard to reach places), spare fuses and bulbs, RAGS, a bunch of spare bolts of various sizes. Jumper cables are good to have. Spare "workin'" clothes. A good length of chain is a good idea, too. If you go off the road, someone might pull you out with it. If you need to pull an axle and you don't have a slide hammer, you can bolt it to the axle with the lug bolts and use your hammer (or any other heavy item) to pull on the chain. Extra blankets if you live in a cold area. The big joke is that none of the trunks in my cars are useable because I'm such a freak. In my late model car, I keep a spare computer in the trunk- just in case.
let's see..in the trunk of my chevy i got a full size spare that takes up a lot of room cuz i'm runnin 15s and the spare tire spot is for 14s, a bumper jack that's half out of a chevy II and half out of a nova,i believe 2 tire irons,a jug for gas (no workin gas gauge)some antifreeze,some oil,maguires car glaze and rags (no,i'm not a guy with a lawn chair glued to his butt,my buddy passed me his during our last show and i forgot to unload em ) car show flyers and other various parts and peices i either carry in case or just havent gotten around to putting on my car. ~Creepy
fire extinguisher (in a panel truck there is no trunk, so it's in the front where i can actually get to it) 12v wallyworld type air compressor a really cool "creeper" that a friend gave me. it's vinyl covered foam that folds 4 times like an accordion. is about 30" x 60" when laying out flat and about 30" x 15" when folded. when clarence was flat black i always carried a rattle can of paint for touch ups. for those of you who are running flat black a magic marker or sharpie works for quick touch ups, too.
i carry a fire extinguisher,a spare tire,and a jump start gizmo with a full charge.i usually have a jug of water and a quart of oil and ATF too.other than that i don't carry tools or spare parts except for the 4" crescent and multi-tool i always carry.WHY? because when i actually break something it's always nothing i would have anticipated!
My '34 coupe has a real small trunk,so I carry only the essentials: Toolbox,two cans of oil one of tranny fluid;two cans of fix a flat(no spare); bottle jack;fuses;fan belt; jumper wires and jumper cables;wire tester and wire;beer (cold).
After reading about the "Fonze" and his floor board full of parts you could say alot for keeping stuff like a fuel pump ignition parts spare battery, a case of beer, dc powered pizza oven, oven mits, crow bar, a lenth of chain, a carton of cigerettes, four hub caps, extra wheel(no rubber), lots of condoms (sheep skin,agian no rubber), a smurf, cake mix, 3 apples, a metal trash can (for gas siphoning of course), a lenth of hose, a yard rake, some ediable under shorts, and a chetlin pony. but where the fuck could i store the beer so that the pony won't drink it?
Greg and I were just talking about this, cause we were making a list of things to take on the road to MOKAN in August... We decided it would be best to have one of anything that could fail. Belts, hoses, clamps, starter, generator, carburator, waterpump, fuel pump, etc. That way, you basically have an "engine in the trunk". But, like we said, the only thing that'll ever fail, is the one piece you don't bring. Jay
I can't believe my eyes. I've scanned through each of your posts and nowhere is a mention of the hot rodder's faithful roadside friend; duct tape. You can even get it in clear, now! Traditional silver does have a certain class all its own, though. Jester has a point. The smurf could be quite an asset. Just think, crawling underneath to safety-wire that broken exhuast hanger, or even holding the flashlight in one spot better than the ol' lady could.
*trolley jack *spare wheel/tyre *tool box (spanners, sockets, pliers, drivers...etc.) with wire, screws, bolts, ties, etc. *water, oil, brake fluid, trans fluid....rags & funnel. *push-rods!
Tech tip, straight to Techomatic: Before your disaster, unreel your new clear duct tape in the driveway sticky side up. Sprinkle with glitter. You can even fog on color of choice. Presto! Metalflake duct tape! Your repairs will now be period correct foe 1962!
for those of you running sbc keeping a rocker arm in the toolbox is a pretty good idea, too. long story, but i assure you it's a good idea.
I have tools, lubricants (non sexual kind), cables, shop rags, gloves, cold water surf wax (4 bars), bungee cords, spare wet suit, towel, spare surf leash, flip flops, rubbermaid jug full of water, jack, flashlight, skateboard, blanket, sunscreen, funnel, umbrella, first aid kit. Some of it car essential, some of it surf essential. I also keep some items in the trunk that i'd have to kill you if I told you they were in there. Oh man, I almost forgot....a big ass roll of Duct Tape....the fix all!
On long trips, carry any special tools that are hard to find out in the world, like rear hub puller and valve bar for Fords. Most old cars will have some such requirements that you just aren't going to find in the average repair shop. Don't try to prepare for every possible failure by dragging along 500 pounds of spares--have some faith and enjoy yourself. If it blows up in East Overshoe, you'll likely meet interesting people and find interesting solutions. Old cars give you a good introduction to strangers, and you'll be treated much better than if you broke down in a Datsun.
[ QUOTE ] On long trips, carry any special tools that are hard to find out in the world, like rear hub puller and valve bar for Fords. [/ QUOTE ] Plus, the valve bar comes in handy when you've got road rage, but not enough road rage for a tire iron.
Deuce owners handle road rage by calm discussion of vehicular depreciation with people they dislike... What??? Your car is worth LESS than when it was new??? Mine... Hurts MUCH more than the tire iron...
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