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Going Off-Road? Here's Your 4 X 4 Checklist!

By: Gian Erguiza - July, 2008

Going Off Road? Frantik has made a list of what you need to do before you hit the dirt! You need to make sure that you have properly checked your vehicle, you have the right tools in your toolbox, right spare parts, basic first-aid supplies, survival gear, and the other things you want to bring to make the trip fun! The list will help you make the best out of your adventure, especially when you’re properly equipped when things go down!

Check your vehicle – You need to determine whether your 4WD is trail ready and capable by visually inspecting your vehicle inside and out. Here is a list of the following parts you need to check on your vehicles for strange noises:

Battery – clean and check for damaged wires
Axle and Differentials – check all lines, seals, hub, u-joints
Transmission – check shifter and case, leaks, fluids, cv joints
Brakes – check drums, rotors, caliper, fluid, hoses, leaks, brake lights
Belts & Hoses – check for leaks and bulges
Tires – check lugs, air pressure, tread wear
Suspension – check springs, shocks, alignment, bearings
AC – check for leaks, fluid lines, thermostat, radiator cap
Engine – check carburetor, spark plugs, fuel injection, pcv valve, pumps, distributor and wires, leaks and cracks
Lights – headlights, auxiliary lights, brake lights
Wipers – check for wear and tear

Once you have properly acknowledge all of these parts and have made sure they’re in working order, time to move on to the next step. Toolbox – Having the right tools are essential when going off roading. You need to make sure that you have the proper tools just in case. Your tools need to be able to aid you to repair, dismantle, replace, reassemble to help get you back on the road. Here is a list:

Air pressure gauge
Allen wrenches
Baling wire
Crescent wrench (small & medium)
Electrical tape & spare connectors
Grease (or a grease gun)
Hammer
Nuts & bolts (assorted sizes)
Open end/box wrenches (3/8" to 3/4")
Pliers - standard, needle-nose and channel lock
Pocket/utility knife
Screwdrivers - standard and phillips
Socket set (3/8") with extensions
Standard & phillips screwdrivers
Super glue/epoxy
Vise grips
Wire & wire cutters/crimpers

Safety Gear and Supplies – You just never know when you’ll be in a bad predicament. I guess its safe to say, better safe than sorry. The following safety gear and supplies will help you get out of these bad predicaments. If you’re traveling with a group, it is almost not necessary to have these supplies with everyone in the group but it’s not a bad idea, you just never know. Here is a list:

First aid kit (packed in a tight weatherproof container)
Cell phone and/or CB (Note: steel whip CB antennas can be dangerous out on the trail)
Maps
Fire extinguisher
Axe
GPS unit/compass
Blanket
Winch kit - including straps, snatch block (pulley), shackle
Bow saw
Flares
Bucket
Leather gloves
Bungee cords
Can opener
Candles
Jumper cables
Cigarette lighter
Coat hanger - don't underestimate the number of uses for the common household coat hanger!
Compass/GPS unit (remove GPS below)
Duct tape
Extra gas - enough for a round trip & in an appropriate container
Extra motor oil (1-2 quarts)
Air pump/compressor
Flashlight/lantern
Flashlight/lantern/spotlight - with extra batteries
Food (dehydrated foods take little space and last a long time)
Hydraulic/hi-lift jack
ID card, with emergency phone number contact info & medication/allergy information
Mirror
Multi-fit hose and a roll of rubber-weld tape - to repair a blown radiator hose
Paper towels
Pen & paper (a china marker writes on anything!)
Radiator Stop Leak / Tank sealant putty
Rags
Repair manual for your particular vehicle
Rope
Rubber gloves
Shovel
Spare clothes
Spare key kept on your person
T-style lug wrench
Tarp (6'x6') - to keep yourself out of the mud and to catch small parts
Tire pressure gauge & tire pump; fix a flat
Trash bags - heavy duty
Water - enough for you (to drink, clean up) and your vehicle (battery, radiator, washer fluid)
Waterless hand cleaner
Waterproof matches
WD-40/lubricant
Whistle
Zip ties/cable ties

You can bring whatever else you feel will be necessary for the trip. There are also a number of new products out on the market to simplify the painstaking process like, flat out, stop radiator leak, tank sealant putty and so on. Spare Parts – I can’t tell you how many times spare parts have come into play when off roading. I’ve almost walked out on a few occasions if not for the spare parts that my friends and I have brought. The list down below is pre y dead on but you know your truck better than anyone else so you can decide which parts is most likely to break or fail. What I’m trying to say is, you don’t have to bring everything on this list, just the things you think you need. Here is the list:

Spark plugs Air filter
U-joints
Fuel filter
Wiper blades
Hoses and several sizes of hose clamps
Tire valve stems with cores
Oil filter
Some brake line
Belts
Tires (don't forget a good full-size spare!)
Fuses
Vacuum line (a small piece)
Oil

Remember, these off roading tips are only the beginning. You still have a ways to go to make sure everything’s fine and dandy once you’re out on that dirt. A good rule of thumb why to bring these spare parts is…..If it has been broken once or twice, make sure you bring a spare for those. I hope thi helps you guys get started and I hope that this helps you out of the mud! Let’s Romp!

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