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Mechanic Advice

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Just The Tip! Just The Necessities (somewhat) edition: WhaCHU GONNA DOOO?!?! (self.mechanicadvice)
submitted 1 year ago by BallsInTheShredder to c/mechanicadvice
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Preparedness. This is a big one, guys!

I'm a huge stickler on this, not just regarding vehicles but in every way. Life has caught me lacking in this area too many times and for every instance of it, I've added something else to my bag so it won't happen again.

What emergency tools/supplies do you carry with you? I'd love to know as I'm sure I'm missing a few things and am a firm believer that we can never really be too prepared. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it, right?

Here's what I personally have in my vehicle at any given time:

Spare tires. Yep, I carry 2 just in case.

Tire kit. Plugs, patches, glue, reaming tools etc.

Air pressure gauges

DC plugin air compressor

Bike pump in case DC compressor fails

Gas air compressor if you don't want to pump the bike pump like a child, for all to see.

Lug wrenches

1/2 & 3/4, 1 inch. Etc. pull bars. Sometimes the lug wrenches just won't get it, nor will a 1/2 in. Pull bar.

"Cheater" pipe, a short 1 1/2 foot one & 4foot one for bitch lugs and otherwise.

Regular socket sets, standard & metric

Deep-well socket sets

Spare battery

Power pack to jump with in case spare won't do it, aim for at least 800 cca (cold cranking amps) with these!

Jumper cables

Hammer, never know when your fuel pump might go out.

Gas container with gas ofc. Sometimes your fuel gauge can lie to you!

Bailing/regular wire, never know when you have to wire something up to get home, whether a jumper or just using the bailing wire to keep your old fuel pump from shutting down due to lack of power there's a story or two behind this. If anyone would like to know.

Oil

Power steering fluid

Transmission fluid

Antifreeze/water in case of radiator leak

Radiator sealant in case of above. Ya know, in a super bind you can use self rising (iirc?) Flour to stop a radiator leak? Don't do it unless you're ready to trash the radiator, but it can get you home. Story behind that as well ofc, I pissed in a radiator once!

Spare tail light/headlight bulbs when applicable

Flares/road light kit in case of a wreck

Water, for thirst. I also carry some Gatorade mix, potassium etc. In case I'm getting dehydrated.

Portable umbrella & stand. Nice to have if you're stuck on the side of the road working on something. Also works for fields!

A couple jacks. I'd at LEAST recommend a few portable jacks but really a small shop jack imo makes it so much easier. Personally I also carry a few hydraulic jacks that can be worked by hand or via air compressor

Blocks. Few 6's, 4's,2's and 1's. They're for work but really come in handy and I use them in lieu of ramps as well.

Cooler, because it's always nice to have a cold beverage handy.

That's basically it for the somewhat bare necessities (imo) though I'm sure I've probably missed a few.

That's it for necessities, since this is Mechanic's Advice, if anyone would be interested in a "Mechanic's edition" including the necessities for most small jobs,

I'd be glad to share what I bring and would love to hear what some of you have in stock as well!

This is it for today's JTT, anything I'm missing? What do you carry or deem essential? Doesn't have to be life saving, just something you bring for emergencies, even small ones?

Anyway, until next time. Remember:

You are beautiful, no matter what they say and words can't bring you down - Christina Aguilera

And,

Kudos!

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[–] ikidd 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Umm, wow.

As a farmer, I do carry a bit more than most. Usually an extra group 31 battery, jumper cables, all sorts of tools. I have air tanks where my rocker panels used to be but I only turn on the compressor under the hood if I plan on needing them for air tools or pumping up a tire. I carry a number of chains and tow straps, ratchet straps, etc.

Tree strap, shovel, truck axe, spotlight.

But I think you have me beat.

[–] BallsInTheShredder 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I love the air tank rocker panel substitute idea and have thought about it myself so you have me beat on that, Kudos!

The chains are a good point! Forgot to mention mine but you're absolutely on point with those. Tow straps, come-alongs etc. Are also very handy and vital when in a bind. I used to carry shovels, rakes etc but have been slacking on them, altogether, between all that, your axe and spotlight I think you might have me beat depending on the situation, taking notes for sure.

Regarding the rest, I'm a mobile mechanic, coincidentally for a farm, I do have other customers but the farm is absolutely the most consistent and it's a beautiful trade off. I help keep their equipment and vehicles running, they keep me up on fresh vegetables! The stuff I find at the grocery store is one thing, but fresh vegetables? Priceless! Nothing in the world like it. I usually do a couple gardens each year but have nothing on a pro farmer, I love learning from y'all and trying out what new you have to offer.

Thanks for being here and I appreciate you!

What kind of farming are you into, if you don't mind my asking?

[–] ikidd 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Grain and cows in Canolastan.

The winch on my truck has seen far more use unplugging combines and lifting/aligning heavy parts while I weld or bolt them back together than it's ever seen pulling out vehicles. And I'm not sure that the axe has ever chopped wood, it's usually for breaking ice so cows can drink or I can get an auger into a grain bin.

[–] BallsInTheShredder 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Never heard of Canolastan and web search won't pull it up, never seen that before! Wish my geography wasn't so rusty but hope it's nice

I'm with you on the winch. Farm equipment isn't in the habit of needing a pull very much in my experience and regarding vehicles, people will usually call a tow service for that so if my chains/come-alongs/boon etc. Come out it's often for hoisting cabs, engines, trans, heaviness in general

Must often be cold out there to need to break the ice so often, I can't fathom that! Kudos for living in it, I'm great with the heat but don't do well when it's below freezing.

[–] ikidd 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Canada :) We grow a lot of canola in Canada, so it's a nickname we use in farming circles.

It's all what you're used to, I guess. I'm dying above 20C, but at -40 I'm outside with no issues (unless it's windy too). We've gotten smarter about using solar to keep waterbowls open, I didn't have to chop out a bowl at all last winter.

[–] BallsInTheShredder 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Now it makes sense! Something told me it was probably Canada haha.

You're right about that, 20C is actually considered a cool day here lol. I'm fine at 40 just bring extra water but am extremely cold at 0, couldn't even fathom -40 and am actually terrified of it! I guess you get used to it and this warm area has me spoiled haha. What type of gear do you even wear in combatting that temperature? In my warmest coat I'm still freezing at 0!

[–] ikidd 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Actually, I don't even own long underwear. If it's windy, I'll put on a set of coveralls, that's about it. You learn to keep 2 sets of gloves so you can swap out every 30 minutes or so if you're working on something outside. It's the fiddly shit where I have to take off gloves to drain a carb or something that might get me. Gas on bare fingers at -30 is bloody cold.

We get +40 once in a while, and I'd rather have the cold. I can always put more clothes on, but when it's hot, there's only so many clothes I can take off before I start getting funny looks.

[–] BallsInTheShredder 1 points 1 year ago

The contrast here is so intriguing to me lol, not even long johns? That's something else, agree with the glove advice though. I feel your pain with the carbs in the cold! I keep a pair of thin gloves for intricate things like carbs but usually end up having to go bare handed as well and that gas is no fun at 0, couldn't imagine 40 and can't believe you still even have fingers.

This is another contrast! In the hot summer around here if you work in direct sunlight, a t shirt and shorts will have you blistered all over in no time. So to combat the heat you'll see outdoor workers covered from heat to toe like it's winter time. Face masks, neck covering, long sleeves etc. It's wild.

I still can't get over the lack of "long johns" (as we call them in the south) and can't recall ever knowing someone that didn't wear them even in our mild winters

[–] dual_sport_dork 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Unless you are overlanding or something, your list is excessive for road travel anywhere in the developed world. Do you have any space left to carry passengers or cargo?

I carry a plug kit which comes with an inflator, my car's factory spare tire, and a cross lug wrench because the OEM lug wrench sucks. I have some basic first aid stuff in that otherwise useless pocket on the back of the passenger seat: A box of band aids, an Ace wrap, and a satchel of Bleed Stop. That sort of thing. Since my main ride is a Subaru, I have one quart of oil each in both of the rear door cup holders, which otherwise go unused. There's always a flashlight or two and probably an old Leatherman tool kicking around in my center console somewhere. I have a socket wrench and a couple of sockets in the glove box that fit all the common stuff on the car, and I have that goofy OEM Torx screwdriver for the screws on the roof rails. That's it.

I've been meaning to buy one of those little lithium battery jump starter packs, but I haven't bothered to shell out for it. I actually don't even have a set of jumper cables in my car, but I do have a pair sloshing around behind the seat in my truck someplace, I'm sure. My car is a manual, so I can always bump start the stupid thing if I really have to. Once I stopped driving a piece of shit about a decade and a half ago, I haven't had to...

All that's enough to keep me going in any situation I'd care to mess with in the field. I'm not going to be plugging a radiator or swapping batteries or fuel pumps or any of that shit on the side of the road. Fuck all that noise. If I can't bodge it with what I have on me plus a Leatherman, I'm either calling a tow truck or calling someone to come get me, so I can come back with parts and proper tools. Lugging all shit around is going to cost me more in lost gas mileage than one tow truck ride every couple of decades.

[–] BallsInTheShredder 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Awesome, your gear is concise and I absolutely get why you'd want to go minimal! Also, thanks for mentioning the first aid stuff because I am lacking in that area!

The lithium ion battery backs are great, I've seen some wonderful ones and some shit ones, just don't skimp out, I've been left stranded with some crappy ones.

Regarding my list, to clarify I'm a mobile mechanic if that explains anything. I need this stuff, often lol. Yes, I do have room for 4 more passengers and plenty of space left in the bed and toolbox. Great on gas too 12mpg on average