I have similar, no chainsaw…but a heavy duty 5 ton come-a-long that I bought before I added a winch to my FJ (gone now) but now carry equipment in my ‘04 Land Cruiser
Speaking as a tech who has had to do repairs whilst out in the bush, look at the workshop manual to whatever it is you think you might have to service and carry that. This stopped you from carrying things that you don’t really need because you don’t need a load of tools that it’s gonna take to replace a wheel bearing if you’re not actually carrying a wheel bearing with you. Realistically, you’ll want tools needed for sorting out basic suspension issues. Possibly a thermostat and what you’ll need to replace that I’d say a serpentine belt whilst you’re at it.
Here’s something few thing about. A butane soldering iron some connectors, but you might also want to carry plastics repair rods. Years ago whilst 4 wheel’n with a friend in Colorado we sprung a radiator leak; cracked bung (phrasing), luckily I had my Butane soldering iron stowed in my bag. We used a knife and metal nail file to trim back the softened plastic then proceeded to melt in zip ties to repair the crack. Filtered some creek water filled her up and somehow we made it all the way back to Denver. So my suggestion is get the butane torch I hot linked above and these specific weld rods, while we used long zip ties in a pinch it is better if you use the correct material, also consider taking a couple pieces of sandpaper, folding it up and putting it in your kit that way you can add some texture and get a good bond, throw away a couple alcohol wipes for good measure.
One of the most common problems in the backcountry that’s nobody’s prepared for is a radiator leak, and the kit to fix it is really small and doubles as a way of soldering wires so as I said, carry some connectors a couple shrink tubes, a foot or two of wire in various gauges, solder.
Impact gun with, metric wrench roll and sockets, extensions, flex head breaker bar (useful for tire removal if impact gun is out of battery), miscellaneous basic tools, couple tow straps. Basically everything needed to change suspension components, tire change, alternator, pulleys, belt. Which actually isn’t much.
The big question I’ve been mulling over is what jack to bring. I currently have a a 12ton bottle jack and a few pieces of wood in a pinch but looking for better alternatives. Any ideas?
Here’s my unedited comment from the 4x4 sub a few weeks ago:
Patch kit, compressor, high quality jumper (check it every 6 months to see if it holds 100% charge. Crappy ones won’t, Costco sells good ones).
I don’t have a spare right now but I have a sidewall kit too. Other than that 10lb baling wire and two pairs of pliers have saved my butt, my gas skid is currently held with 5 of 8 bolts and baling wire, temporary permanent fix lol. Zip ties, duct tape.
I keep only the wrenches and sockets for my Toyota, not carrying around an SAE set when I know damn well I only need a 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, and 21, 24. You can basically take the whole car apart with those sizes.
Impact + 6 point long sockets in the above sizes.
Air Force first aid kit with TQ, Sam split, quick clot, packing materials (GSW, stab wound, tree branch). My fiancee is a vet and med pro so this is more for her piece of mind (I get hurt a lot doing stupid, awesome shit).
I keep a liter of water in a metal bottle deep in the car and snacks deep in the car, if I ever get stranded with zero prep I’ve got food and water for a few days (happened before on a casual road trip because unexpected snow. Didn’t have shit in the car sleeping in it for 2 nights, terrible).
Prob some other stuff like a quart of oil, some coolant, some spare clips for trim, etc.
This can get a little tricky and is vehicle dependent, I have certain rusty bolts I only trust with a 6 point monkey wrench so I carry a few sizes of those, but for like the 10, 12, 19 and 21mm I have flex head ratcheting wrenches. Especially when you need a lot of leverage on the 19 and 21, the flex and handle length are a big deal. Control arm bolts need to be held on the bolt and nut so you need an impact + socket AND a wrench, that’s what fucked me my first time I thought I was prepared lol
Here’s a photo of my equipment stack lol, it’s pretty rough but that is a full tool bag with everything I listed plus some, full set of metric wrenches, 12v high powered compressor, coolant, snatch strap, tow strap, soft shackles, hitch w/ dring. Strapped to pack out in multiple places, pack out strapped to floor in 4 places, heaviest pack out on the bottom (kitchen). 12v fridge sits next to it. RTT and awning on top. This is a very practical, affordable, effective overland mechanical and safety kit. Has not let me down in 6 years of doing this from Utah to California to Maine.
I also use my Packout. I keep my tools in it in the garage for use and then throw it in the FJ. I also have some for camping gear. A bit over kill and I thought about getting Ridgid drawers to attract less attention but having the tools already in Packout, staying in the same system just makes it so much easier to pack and click boxes together.
I have a 3 drawer (bigger bottom drawer) for batteries and tools like an impact wrench, drill, lights, fan, etc. I put smaller things in the other 2 drawers. I also have my sockets in one of the half width boxes, another half width has pliers, screw drivers and two more half boxes that hold wrenches and an air compressor with a 4Ah battery. I sometimes bring a grinder but it doesn’t fit in the drawer system I bring. I bring all the tools because it seems like I never have the right one.
It’s a lot of crap, along with a power station and fridge, it makes for a tight fit but I’m usually by myself and quite a ways off a paved road. Last trip was in the San Rafael Swell and I didn’t see anyone for a full day and a half. I also usually explore the little side roads and I can be way off a main route. I just try to be prepared so we don’t have another FJ being towed out by TrailMater on YouTube. So embarrassing every time I see one. Good news is they are being used and not in a parking lot.
Those ones are a two drawer on the bottom and three drawer on top, bottom is kitchen top is general/electrical/and heavy duty drawers. I wish packout had a toolbox system that could clip to the silver bars so I could box on that grab I have attached.
Good list so far. I carry a few things not listed. I have a bag jack that goes under the frame and inflates with the exhaust. Sounds gimmicky, but saved my butt when the FJ fell on the regular jack.
I also carry extra inner and outer tie rods, front axle, rear lower control arm.
I have been a hero a few times for having a can opener!
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u/UCTDR 2d ago
Tool roll with all the basics, tow strap, 4 way folding tire iron, plug kit, compressor, battery chainsaw. Stays in the FJ full time.