4wd Vehicle tools and spare parts for safe 4×4 driving

In this article we will cover some basic tips on how to prepare for your 4×4 driving with the proper tools and spare parts.

Deciding what tools and spares to take depends on where you are going and for how long. The quantity of tools and spares required for a day trip is vastly different to that required for an extended expedition into the remote areas of the Kalahari or the Mopani woods of Savuti. A common problem with a long distance 4×4 trip is overloading of vehicles.

4×4 Overloading

Some 4×4’s are so overloaded that when the suspension breaks, the driver congratulates himself for having a spare spring, along with a spare axle, shock absorber, clutch plate etc. The overloading of the vehicle is in many cases the reason why various components break. By the same token, venturing into the Kalahari with just the vehicle’s original toolkit is inviting disaster.

What is needed is a common sense approach. If your vehicle is getting on in years, then chances are more components are near the end of their working life. This will necessitate carrying more spares; however it is not a license to overload the vehicle.

Carrying spares for your 4wd trip

For example, all vehicles should always carry some method of repairing a blown radiator hose. It doesn’t mean you have to carry every hose the vehicle has, but perhaps a multi-fit hose and a roll of rubber-weld tape would be sufficient,

A spare fan belt is critical to keep the engine running, but a spare air-conditioner belt will not stop you. However, the amount of room a spare a/c belt takes up is minimal and some may say an air conditioner can be considered vital on a hot African 4X4 Safari.

Another common sense area is the amount of spare oil you carry. A TD5 Land Rover Defender needs nearly 10 litres of engine oil, along with diff, gearbox and transfer case oils. Each of these oils is a different grade. To carry enough oil would mean around 20 litres in five different containers. In a break down situation engine oil can be used in all of these areas to allow you to get to civilization. It doesn’t mean you can continue your trip indefinitely without obtaining the right oil as soon as practical. An exception to this is an automatic transmission. It needs the correct grade of oil to function.