emergency spares for a trip

[isuzumate]

Hi All,

First time I am posting on your excellent forum.

I have a 2.8 4JB1T Rodeo truck which I have owned since new. I am planning some extended trips to remote areas and would like your advice on what spares to carry along. I would like to try to cover all possible failures that would stop my truck.

I would therefore appreciate it if anyone knows of any failure that they have experienced or have heard that has stopped the vehicle dead in the field.

I am excluding all large items like the motor, gearbox, and diffs which I cannot carry as spares anyway. One would assume that if these items are regularly maintained and are good at the start of the trip they should not fail along the way. I would like to include bolt-ons like the alternator (and vacuum pump), water pump etc.

This sounds like a huge task at first but when you break it down it is not that bad. It is also very much easier to do this for the Rodeo diesel which is a very simple and reliable vehicle with a minimum of electronics on board.

Any help would be appreciated as I do not have as much experience or knowledge of Isuzu's as your members certainly do. My vehicle has never stopped on the road in 10 years. Every possibility catered for could be the difference between a costly recovery or a very long wait for spares.

All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[mudgrip4]

You could carry spare belts and a length of radiator hosing and extra clips. Also if getting serious go to a wrecker and get a spare cv joint and tie rod. Secondhand genuine isuzu cv is far better quality than crapmetal ones available from some auto shops and should only cost $50-60.

Mike

[isuzumate]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info. I think I am going to start from the front of the truck and work my way back and try and cover each section as I go.

1. The radiator hoses and clamps are essential and don't take up much space at all. Should I worry about the viscous coupling on the fan or is that not something that gives trouble? If it fails can one make a bush repair or will it stop the vehicle?
2. CV's or as you suggest a rebuilt shaft are good to have a spare of anyway so that is also quite easy to justify taking along on a long trip.

Thank you for your input.

Boet.

[geeves]

Definatly hoses and belts and filters. With the hoses you can cheat a little bit and just carry a top and bottom hose and a couple of metters of 18 and 12 mm water hose. CV and tie rods are a good idea if doing a lot of off road. As you are considering the alternator you should also consider a power steer pump and wheel bearing kit.
viscos fan Ive only heard of one failure in the last 10 years.

[fly3r]

It depends a bit on what mods have been done to your vechile, if its all stock CV's aight going to b that much of a problem, even if you do break one , it woun't stop you driving as u will have rear wheel drive still. But if you are going dirt tracks every where then a CV is a very good suggestion, especialy if you hae larger size tyres or suspension lift.

With my MU, I have broken 1 tie rod and 3 Cv's (all left side for some reason) replaced my alternator a week ago, too much mudy water.
I wouldn't go bush wih out a tie rod. if you do it makes for a very, very slow trip!
a few other little things like zip ties and wire and a club hamer can be worth there weight in gold when your stuck sometimes.

hope it help,

[isuzumate]

Hi Alan and Fly3r,

I have taken note your comments and thanks for them.

3. The fan coupling does not seem to be an item that is prone to failure and can maybe be disregarded?

4. I've included a water pump, hoses, belts, radiator cap and some quickset epoxy in case of a radiator/sump leak.

5. I also have an alternator and now a power steering pump on my list. What about the HP hoses for this - maybe also get them with the pump from a breakers yard.

6. Fuel filters for a bad diesel experience are essential. What about a spare injector nozzle or won't this stop the vehicle?

7. What is vulnerable on the brakes? A master and slave kit maybe? These are very small and light so no problem to carry.

8. Wheel bearings and seals definitely. This could even be a set that has been changed during routine maintenance to be used in an emergency.

9. Anything that one needs to worry about on a freewheeling hub?

Thanks again and I really appreciate the time spent answering my questions.

[geeves]

9 If you asin hubs I think only one has ever broken although they do wear out. A clean and grease normaly fixes them most times.
7 brakes and clutch master cylinders yes front brake kit yes but back depending on the setup might not be replaceable in a field

[nig]

Something else to consider is a set of universal joints for the driveshafts - they can be a bit painfull if they give up the ghost in the middle of no-where.

Having had 2 power steering hoses go in the last 4 years I would also make sure I had either a replacement, or enough hose clamps and rubber tube to effect a repair.

Otherwise, a second spare wheel and all the stuff listed above should see you pretty right.

[isuzumate]

Hi Alan and Nig,

Thanks again for the info.

7. I note you say the rear brakes possibly can't be field repaired? My truck has drums at the back with slave cylinders - maybe pack a complete slave cylinder and not a kit? Also, if one starts to leak badly, I would assume there is a dual system and the truck would still be brakes from the second circuit?

6. What about an injector nozzle? Maybe this is not a problem in NZ or Aus but around our way (Africa), we have very much higher sulphur contents in our fuels which reduces nozzle life at the best of times. We also often get diesel contaminated with dirt and water from the bulk tanks. Filters are critical and if not 100%, the a nozzle is affected. Also by the way, more and more outlets mix illuminating paraffin with the diesel (because it is cheaper and they make more profit that way)so there also is this problem to contend with.

10. I have recently changed all the

[isuzumate]

The gremins did their bit so I'll try again...

10. I have recently changed all the UJ's and the centre bearing in the propshaft so I will definitely be carrying a spare UJ on any future trip. To loose one would put a sure stop to any trip.

11. A general question - what happens if the turbo fails - can one carry on driving but with a lot less power to get back home? Should the turbo be disabled/removed? Would anything else be damaged by doing this?

If anyone else has had or heard of any other failures that have stopped their truck please feel free to add this info to this thread - it would be much appreciated.

[geeves]

I assumed you had the same horrible rear disc as most of the rest of us. Cylinders for drum brackes are cheap and easy Why bother with a kit.
Injectors under the conditions described might not be a bad idea. Over here we seem to get 200000km + from the injectors.
Turbos generaly fail one of 2 ways A: siezed This causes serious loss of power but not much else. B seal failure pours oil into the exhaust causeing oil loss and smoke. A will get you home but B might not.

[isuzumate]

Thanks again for the info Alan. I do not think it is worth it to worry about the turbo unless I can pick one up at a reasonable price.

I am going to make up my final list and visit a few breaker's yards for the items I need.

I will also need to add some general items like some spare nuts and bolts, self tappers, wire, gasket sealers and oils, brake fluid etc.

I will then need to sort out a toolbox of spanners to take along and I should be done.

If anymore failures come to mind, please just add them and the list can be continually updated. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

[geeves]

Your obviously planing a major trip. Is it just South Africa or the whole continent?

[isuzumate]

Hi Alan,

Yes, the ultimate trip we are planning for is around 8 000km from SA to the Serengeti to see the Wildebeest migration which is one of the true wildlife wonders of the world.
Other trips neighboring countries are just as challenging if you happen to break down. There is virtually no backup or spares available and recovery as problematic and personally dangerous if one has family to consider. You can never afford to leave a vehicle that has broken down next to the road unattended - it will be stripped bare by the time you return. Africa is not for sissies or vehicles with ECU modules!

Having said this, there are the most awe inspiring places to visit en route like the Victoria Falls, a unspoilt Eastern coastline with miles and miles of beaches and people along the way that you would miss if you did not do the trip overland in a 4x4. Some areas are very remote and if you happen to encounter the rainy season progress could be down to as little as 80km in a day. Great fun!

[terravistawombat]

Hi
Sounds like an outstanding trip, and obviously spares are a necessity, but are you sure you are not passing the paranoid stage?
I assume there is a shortage of service stations, and carrying tools, fuel, water, personal equipment and all your spares will be adding a lot of excess weight which in itself, could cause more problems than it is worth.
Worst case, couldn't you train an elephant to tow you to safety?
Anyway, good luck, and I hope it turns out to be a trip of a lifetime.
Cheers

[isuzumate]

You raise a valid point twwombat but for me this is the best option avalable including yours of the elephant which is easier than mine but a bit heavier than the spares to carry with us.

If I could do like most people and just climb into my vehicle (some even into Landrovers) and head into Africa having faith that all would be well it would be a lot easier. There are a lot of fools who have tried this and failed dismally. The roads are just too bad and the support an unknown factor to rely on it.

So what are the options?
1. Take the minimum of spares and a handful of tools and hope that is enough?
2. Take all the spares that you can (excluding big items) and know you have done everything you could to ensure a 95% chance of getting yourself back home which is what I

[isuzumate]

not sure why this happens - looks like when you touch the shift or control keys it posts ready or not!

as I was saying - I want to to do.

Looking at the list is is actually very short and I will summarize it in a later post. I presume the spares will fit into one full length pullout draw in the load bin of the rodeo. The largest item being the spare alternator.

This for the peace of mind is well worth the effort for me.

[mudgrip4]

Couple of other things I'd take in my truck for wandering through darkest Africa, would be a good 12 guage and lots of buckshot and solids - you can borrow mine - and a large .450 cal express or similar to deal with surprises on those short but necessary bush walks....

Mike

[isuzumate]

Hi Mike,

You're my kind of man. If I was one of you and not a pale African no longer able to do or say anything that is adjudged politically incorrect, is many times difficult to get one's mind around. I do have a Westley Richards 12 gauge dbl (no 45 express though - best I can do is a 7x61S&H) to help me out at home but unfortunately these are taboo when traveling. All only for recreational use of course.

If I could carry them instead of the spares I would feel a lot better for it I'm sure!

Boet.

[rookie]

8,000 kms. is a looong trip!

May i suggest that you check your battery's condition and/or service life, may be good time to seek a replacement.

Am sure the following is already on your list, well just as a reminder: 12v air compressor, tire plugs, spare headlamp bulbs, fuses.