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Self Reliance on the Road... What do you bring?

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Old 06-17-2014, 06:18 PM
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Self Reliance on the Road... What do you bring?

What emergency roadside service & repair parts and tools might be the most useful to have on hand to be self reliant on long trips in a 99-03 7.3L?

NOTE: Editing this list is currently in progress to incorporate your suggestions and to reorganizing into subject categories.


SAFETY & PERSONAL PROTECTION (Listed in order of perceived priority, feel free to add your suggestions)

- First Aid Kit
- Safety Goggles
- Fire Extinguisher
- Emergency Triangles Box of 3
- Known Good Flashlight
- Spare batteries for Flashlight
- Flares
- Potoble Water
- Blinking Beacon
- Blanket
- Wheel Chocks (Four)
- Jack Stand
- Nitrile Gloves
- Durable Work Gloves
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Feminine Napkins
- Garbage Bags Small and large sized
- Magic Carpet A 3' x 4' rubber backed carpeted commercial entry mat to serve as a "creeper" on dirt
- Jacket, Beanie Cap
- Tent or Portable Canopy
- Personal GPS Tracking Beacon


7.3L SPECIFIC REPAIR PARTS (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Camshaft Position Sensor
- Fuse for PCM (And while we're at it, a variety of spare fuses}
- Accessory Drive Belt Ford F8TZ-8620-GC or Motorcraft JK8-1381 (for Dual Alternators, with early 2000 model belt tensioner.)
- HPOP Oring Service Kit Ford 2C3Z-9G804-AB - Includes 3 O-rings, 1 for removable rear plug and 1 for each HP oil line, and a vial of Loctite 680 Retaining Compound.
- Fuel Bowl Oring Kit
- Turbo Oring Set Ford F81Z-9C436-AA Large Oring (one), Ford F4TZ-6N653-A Tiny Orings (two), Ford F4TZ-6N653-B Medium Orings (two).
- IPR Regulator
- ICP Sensor
- UVCH Shims
- UVCH Harness
- DeGas Bottle Cap
- HPOP Lines
- Fuel Injector
- Electric Fuel Pump
- Idler Pulley


7.3L SPECIFIC CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Fuel Additive Stanadyne Performance Formula or Motorcraft PM-22 Cetane Booster or Motorcraft PM-23 AntiGel
- Fuel Filter Ford F81Z-9N184-AA or Motorcraft FD4596 or Racor PFF4596
- Engine Oil
- Engine Oil Filter Motorcraft FL1995
- Crankcase Ventilation Filter Racor CCV55304-08 (This item is only relevant if you have the Racor CCV3550-FRD-02 Crankcase Filtration system)
- Engine Coolant Motorcraft Premium Specification VC-4-A, (the green stuff) pre-mixed 50/50 with Distilled Water AND 4 oz of FW16 additive
- Coolant Additive Motorcraft Heavy Duty FW16 Specification ESN-M99B169-A in original 1 pint container.
- Coolant Test Strips Fleetguard CC2602A 3-Way (Molybdate, Nitrate, Freezepoint)


7.3L SPECIFIC SPECIAL TOOLS (What specific tools do you use?)

- ScanTool with Enhanced Ford Diagnostics Capability
- Fuel Filter Lid Wrench KD Tools 3526, also sold under the Napa Professional brand. Requires 3/8" drive ratchet.
- Oil Filter Wrench OEM 25372
- Tools to change CPS
- HPOP Line Tool
- Breaker Bar to change Drive Belt - 25" long, 1/2" drive
- Fuel Fitting Line Tool
- IPR Removal Tool A deep well 1.125" socket, or set of "shower sockets" from a home improvement store
- Tools to R&R Turbocharger to repair O ring seal
- PC/ED Manual, Workshop Manual & Wiring Diagrams (Digital version with small form factor device to read quickly by search commands)


CHASSIS CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES (Listed in order of perceived priority, feel free to debate)

- External Inline Transmission Filter It has been found these can get restricted suddenly. Have an extra, or a straight tube to eliminate it.
- Automatic Transmission Fluid Mobile One Synthetic ATF meeting Mercon V Specs one (1) quart
- Brake Fluid Motorcraft High Performance DOT 3 Specification ESA-M6C25A in original sealed 12 oz. container.
- Wiper Blades Ford YFTZ-17528-AB or Motorcraft WW-2023 (Part numbers for original 20" rubber blades themselves ONLY, not the entire quick change blade carrier.


CHASSIS SPARE PARTS (Listed in order of perceived priority, feel free to debate)

- Caliper Slide Pins
- U-Joints


REPAIR SPECIFIC TOOLS (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- 12" Emory Cloth
- Tools to fix brakes
- Flint & Steel


GENERAL HAND TOOLS (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Basic Tool Kit
- Hammer
- Knife
- Beater Flat Head Screwdriver
- Vise Grips
- Tape Measure
- Step Stool


GENERAL DIAGNOSTICS TOOLS (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Digital Multi Meter
- Non Contact Infrared Thermometer Useful for checking brakes, trailer brakes, exhaust manifolds, etc


GENERAL POWER TOOLS (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Air Compressor
- Inverter
- Converter (Battery Charger)
- Battery Powered Tool Kit Might include a hammer drill, a recipro saw, and a flash light.
- Ready Welder


GENERAL SUPPLIES (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Silicon Self-Fusing Tape X-Treme Tape
- Wire Splicing Sets Wago 221 Series Lever Nuts, or 3M ScotchLoK IDC connectors filled with sealant
- Length of flat four trailer wiring To extend wire harnesses. Split as needed.


VEHICLE PROTECTION (Listed in order of perceived priority, feel free to debate)

- Sunshield
- Fender Apron Ford Racing Motorsports
- Inlet Caps (To cover air inlet and CAC inlets during service.)
- Seat Wipes


TIRE & WHEEL SERVICE (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Tire Inflation Tools Inflators, locking air chucks, 25' air hose, gauges, hubcap removal tool
- Tire Changing Tools (To mount a spare tire/wheel assembly) Ford 6 Ton Hydraulic Jack, Ford tire tools, wooden block for jack.
- Lug Nuts
- Wheel Changing Tools (To break tires down off of rim, and remount new tires onto rim, like a tire machine, only by hand) KenTool 33199 Tire Bars (two), KenTool 317101 Brass Bead Holder for Steel Wheels (one), KenTool 33196 Steel Bead Holder for Aluminum Wheels (one), KenTool 31810 Leather Wheel Protector, KenTool 35310 BFRM (one - Big-ahem-Rubber Mallet). I also have found I need to use my receiver hitch stinger to help seat the last bit of the bead. (Tire wheel assemblies are balanced via Centramatics.)


SELF RECOVERY EQUIPMENT (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Recovery Straps (Two 20' length 3" webbing)
- Recovery Shackles (Four)
- Recovery Hooks (Four)
- Receiver Mounted Anchors Hook, Loop, and Shackle mount
- ****** Blocks Warn 15640 (three)
- Foldable Shovel
- Line Dampener
- Snow Chains
- Lopers (to trim branches)
- Hand Saw


CARGO TIE DOWN EQUIPMENT (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Ratcheting Straps Various lengths
- Lifting Straps (two, for moving heavy items)
- Bungie Cords, Rope, Spiderweb Bed Net
- Red Flags (for long items extending past tail gate)
- Zip Ties


FUELING AIDS (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Fuel Additive Injection Tool Turkey Baster
- Fuel Containers
- Fuel Funnel Racor RF-15CC Dual Element High Flow AquaBlock filter funnel


TRAILERING EQUIPMENT (Listed in order of perceived priority)

- Trailer Towing Equipment, Weight Distributing Trunnion head, different rated spring bars, alternate height tow bars, pintle plate and hook, portable tongue weight scale, teflon lubricant, spare emergency trailer brake pull pin and cable, spare trailer chains, snap up bracket leverage bar, front stingers.
- D.O.T. Chain (various lengths)



Did I forget anything? Seriously. Sometimes, during the course of dotting every i and crossing every t, one doesn't notice the glaring obvious: the entire word is misspelled.
 
  #2  
Old 06-17-2014, 06:54 PM
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I keep an o-ring assortment, spare CPS, spare fuel filter, spare fuel pump after some unexpected fuel pump failures, small floor jack, tow strap, spare serpentine belt, road flares, and a bunch of tools. For long trips I take extra oil (most of the time).

But sometimes I'm lazy and figure, my truck only has 475,000 miles on it, I don't need to waste the time loading up extra oil. I'm only driving 8 hours from home.
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 07:04 PM
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I pack according to where I am going and how far off the main highway I might find myself. About the only long drive I do anymore is southern California to Wyoming to see the parents or southern California to Washington State. As they are both main highway drives all the way, I don't take some of the things you do but then again, it also depends on the time of year.

1. I carry a set of HPOP lines in case one of them decides to rupture. While I change them out at certain intervals, I keep the latest changed ones as spares until I change them again.

2. I don't use emergency triangles but I do have a set of flares.

3. Don't forget a small but complete first aid kit so you can repair yourself

4. I carry one 12 ton jack stand that I use as soon as the truck is lifted as I don't like big rigs flying past and the whole truck shifts about like its going to fall.

5. I use an OEM fuel filter cap but I just hand tighten it so I don't carry a wrench for it. In a pinch I could use by oil filter wrench if I have issues.

6. I don't carry extra wiper blades. I put a new set on every fall as the desert heat out here kills them every year so I just go with whats on the truck.

7. While I also carry a CPS, I actually keep 3 of them on the truck in case I run into someone who needs one.

Other than that I carry similar stuff as you.
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by F350-6
But sometimes I'm lazy and figure, my truck only has 475,000 miles on it, I don't need to waste the time loading up extra oil. I'm only driving 8 hours from home.
Well it's a 7.3, not a 2 stroke Detroit, after all
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 07:07 PM
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Caliper slide pins... A hammer and a crap flat head or equivalent. Emry cloth 12" long piece or so.

I would ditch the chain, if you can't use a strap you probably shouldn't be doing it. And if it comes to recovery ALWAYS put something on the center of the strap so if it snaps it will drop to the ground and not fly up and hit someone or your truck.

If money permits having a pump and air tank onboard is an awesome thing to have when it cones to getting a flat with no where to turn to. Plus as an added bonus if you have air tools with you you can use those to do most of yhe work and get you back on the road a little quicker and every second counts while cars are doing 80 mph 10 feet from you. Make sure your spare tire is full of air.

If you've done the hutch and harpoon mod don't forget inline filters also.

Like you said ICP but you can get by by unplugging it. IPR for sure and the deepest 1-1/8" iirc socket you can find to make it a quick job.

Maybe if you have room a step stool if you've got to get under the hood.

A gallon of water, blanket, pillow and a change of clothes.

And if you haven't upgraded your hpop lines/ swapped them out GET ON IT! That's just one thing that will strand you and there's nothing you can do about it but use that cc and cell phone. Change them and forget about them but keep your old ones as spares.
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 08:01 PM
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Wow. I feel like I need to hook up my tool trailer to keep up with you guys. I got a spare cps and a hpop line tool.
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 08:08 PM
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"Mechanics oring kit"
Spare injector
Spare fuel pump
Cps
Icp sensor
Injector wiring harness
Fuel filter
Ps gray bottle
A bottle of stanadyne (thank you again Razzi!)
A couple quarts of mercon v
A gallon of t6
Toolkit (AE included)
Toilet paper
1911 in the .45 flavor
Shovel
Flint&steel
P38
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 08:37 PM
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We were in Yellowstone a few weeks ago and I saw steam from under the Excursion. I pulled over and somehow the degas tank lid came off-??? Lucky I found it near the battery tray but I was glad I had some water jugs in the truck. Still had to put maybe 4-5 gallons in, but it never got hot. So a degas lid might go on my list haha (and h2o)
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Jmatthews
We were in Yellowstone a few weeks ago and I saw steam from under the Excursion. I pulled over and somehow the degas tank lid came off-??? Lucky I found it near the battery tray but I was glad I had some water jugs in the truck. Still had to put maybe 4-5 gallons in, but it never got hot. So a degas lid might go on my list haha (and h2o)
One of those floats around in the cab too... but only because i just i just put in a new degas bottle. Old cap was fine so i couldnt see tossing it in case someone needed it.

Oh... spare fuel bowl orings if its not already on the list
2 quarters pre-ground for the 50 cent mod for those who havent got to taking off the covers yet. If you already have them in the tool/parts box it might make for less of a scramble when all of a sudden your cruising along on your trip to Jellystone and she starts bucking and spitting...
Not a bad idea to have a ujoint handy.
Lug nuts. Because when 3 of your 8 get kicked into a muddy ditch on the side of the road next to a creepy "children of the corn" cornfield and really dont need this right now lol.

Oh... and at least 2 extra 8rounders for the 1911.
 
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Old 06-17-2014, 10:12 PM
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Good grief, if I felt the need to take all that with me when I left the house I'd get rid of the truck. That's no way to travel guys.
 
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Old 06-18-2014, 04:57 AM
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I have a roll of X-Treme Tape, a good Mag Lite, a variety of glow sticks, basic hand tools, and some WD-40.
 
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Old 06-18-2014, 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by spdmpo
Good grief, if I felt the need to take all that with me when I left the house I'd get rid of the truck. That's no way to travel guys.
There are those that don't stray far from home, or they stay on the interstate/main highways when they do travel. AAA and a charged cell can take care of the bulk of issues that would arise - leaving the driver at the mercy of the local 7.3L support system. If you've ever visited multiple mechanics with a 7.3L... you'd know that is a scary prospect. There are certified mechanics that were still braking their voice when the 7.3L was produced.

Getting all "Rambo'd up" with expedition gear is a personal choice... maybe even control-freakish - but I say that as the biggest control freak here. Pikers! You're all tip-toein' around.

First... after all that heralding of the Racor RF-15CC Dual Element High Flow AquaBlock filter funnel, I don't think you need the turkey baster. When I funnel-fill, I put the fuel additive in the funnel, then rinse thoroughly with gallons of diesel. Most of the additives I've dealt with have the measure indicator on the side of the jug, or I use an old Sta-Bil bottle for my fuel additive (clearly marked). Oh... and Riffraff Diesel has the HPOP tool.

I have enough tools on board to do a brake job, replace any sensor on the truck, or swap an injector... including the on-board 9th injector and a portable canopy for protection from the elements while I work. Like I said, biggest control freak here. That covers what's under the seat and what's in the "7.3L" box in the bed (this is where a locking bed cover is handy).

Now... the 1911 clearly does nothing to aid in getting the truck going, so we're delving into Zombie Apocalypse territory. Before we get into that, a very-well stocked first aid kit is way the hell up there on my must-have for each and every vehicle I own (including the motorcycle). "Well-stocked" doesn't mean enough bandages to cover 100 fingers - it means antacid, anti-diarrhea tablets, Anbesol (for a tooth ache), feminine napkins (very absorbent), Benadryl (for allergic reactions to things like bee stings), glucose pills, extra medicine for a condition that a person may have... you get the idea.

I don't care if you go across the street or across a continent, a survival knife is the foundation of any "kit". The first Rambo movie made survival knives look all nasty and full of goodies - they're not. A "survival knife" is a very sturdy, simple, and easy-to-sharpen knife that you can count on for survival. I carry silicone mending strap - it fixed a radiator hose leak 50 miles from home... which involved cutting the excess tape with a knife. If you get a knife, learn how to use it - because it's more harm than good without that knowledge.



I have a portable floating EPIRB. It is registered with the rescue authorities, and it works anywhere in the world. This is not something you use for a flat tire - you can get fined for that. This is an OMG tool - like something's on fire or somebody's hurt (or is in peril), and there's no cell service. There is maintenance and there are rules associated with this tool, but... short of Zombie Apocalypse, there's a warm and fuzzy feeling for anyone near this thing.



Road flares and traffic accidents - not always the best combination (spilled fuel)... and they have a very short life span. I have triangles, and a FRED (Flashing Roadside Emergency Disc). It charges from the cigarette lighter, you just have to remember to keep it charged:


I don't carry mixed antifreeze - distilled water is readily available anywhere - but our antifreeze isn't. Carrying one gallon of unmixed is carrying two gallons of what we would use.

I have a full-on survival kit in every vehicle - to keep the first-aid kit company. Anybody who backpacks knows you can get it done without taking up a lot of space or adding a lot of weight. Case in point - I even have a survival kit in the motorcycle. While it may not have a tent, it has a tarp, paracord (I love that stuff), and a knife... so I have the makings of a tent.

Armaments - I appreciated the absolute simplicity of the Glock. I can field-clean that one easier than the 1911. That's not to say I don't like the 1911, but I carry a Glock - flavor #.40. When I run out of the loud parts, see the first photo.
 
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Old 06-18-2014, 07:16 AM
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Some cash, a box of condoms, the phone number of a good lawyer, and a bottle of Jim Beam.

Any trouble that won't get you out of ain't worth getting into.
 
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Old 06-18-2014, 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by spdmpo
Good grief, if I felt the need to take all that with me when I left the house I'd get rid of the truck. That's no way to travel guys.
Yup, I agree!
 
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Old 06-18-2014, 07:25 AM
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I do carry a few tools in my travel trailer.
 

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