Critical Spares Kit?

[veebs]

Hi all

There is a sticky thread that talks about an ideal 'kit' of spare parts to take along with you, should you go proper bush... We're planning a Gibb River Road trip in 2023, so this is now on my planning list.

Land Rover in Cannington (Perth) previously had a kit they would lend out on a 'return or pay' basis, but no longer. Calling them, they did offer to refund any stocked items on return (ie, you buy them now, knowing you can return for a refund if not needed), however wheel speed sensors and height sensors for D4s are no longer a stocked item (!!), so that deal won't work.

Does anyone know of any other place, maybe an indy, that has a spares kit available? Buying the various parts runs up quite a bill (even ex UK), and given you ideally don't need any of them, it feels a bit wasteful to purchase...

I'm not thinking anything too crazy mind you - just front and rear speed sensor and height sensors really. I'll buy a fuel filter too, but that WILL eventually get used, so no dramas on that one, plus a fuse kit, which is cheap and useful elsewhere.

[BradC]

I've given a lot of thought to carrying height sensors. I figure if one fails I can pump the thing up level using the GAP test mode and pull the suspension fuse.

For LR specific I carry a spare brake switch, set of fuses (mini & standard blade, plus one of each fusible link), 2 brake light bulbs, a few 5W wedge bulbs and a couple of each external moulding fastener. I never thought the fasteners would come in handy until I hit a shrub and tore a wheel arch off. Used the contents of the kit plus a few cable ties.

If going further than a couple of tanks of fuel I'll chuck a fuel, oil and air filter into the Van.

I do carry enough tools to do an entire engine rebuild on the side of the road though. If I have them, I won't need them.
Edit: I've never documented these before, so I figure photos will help.

Spares :
https://www.fnarfbargle.com/private/221219-221219-D3Tools/IMG_2450.jpg
Glovebox tool kit (ex Hospital tool kit) :
https://www.fnarfbargle.com/private/221219-221219-D3Tools/IMG_2451.jpg

Tailgate / Boot tool kit :
https://www.fnarfbargle.com/private/221219-221219-D3Tools/IMG_2452.jpg
Under rear drivers side passenger seat kit :
https://www.fnarfbargle.com/private/221219-221219-D3Tools/IMG_2453.jpg
https://www.fnarfbargle.com/private/221219-221219-D3Tools/IMG_2456.jpg

[DiscoJeffster]

Much like Brad, I’ll use the GAP for most suspension issues.
I do have a front and rear wheel sensor - OEM versions that I hope will work when I need them. A few spare bolts here and there, plus a brake switch. I need to get myself a fuse kit. Being a D4 I don’t bother with bulbs - rear is LED and front is xenon. Anything else that goes can be sorted - it’s just a bulb.

I should add a fuel filter to my kit. I don’t bother with an air filter.

Touch wood, all I’ve ever needed is tyres as I used to like taking out the sidewalls. I find it’s always something plastic on the engine that splits and fails on me, whether it’s a throttle body or manifold. Murphy’s law.

[350RRC]

What about a wallet with lots of plastic, for those small issues and a jerry of petrol and a box of matches for the biggies?

[josh.huber]

I have a few odds and ends, but the bigger items, wheel bearings etc, alternator. I leave here in a parts box, I figure by the time I find a workshop they will arrive by post. I have plenty of people who can come and grab them and mail them to me. Just a thought to keep weight down. For me.

Multi metre, soldering iron and a bit of wire (mainly for the camper), basic tools, fuse kit, fuel filter, belt, gap tool. Manual, brake switch. I basically take really light petty stuff so I don't get stuck for something silly. If I fall a wheel bearing, alternator etc. I'll happily just wait for it to arrive

I need to add height sensors and abs sensors to my at home stock. If I had them at home. I'd take them too.

I keep an eye on gumtree, my wheel bearings And a few other spares where another man's traveling kit, got em cheap!

[veebs]

What about a wallet with lots of plastic, for those small issues and a jerry of petrol and a box of matches for the biggies?

I have that, but i don't always have time to burn - waiting a week or more for a silly part like an ABS sensor will still make a dent in a roving trip like the Gibb...

[veebs]

Thanks for the responses all,

I do also have a GAP tool, which will get us out of big trouble, but i'd prefer to be able to fix the problem, rather than 'MacGyvering' a solution that needs to last a month or more of rough terrain.

I'll bolster the spare supplies with some electrical repair stuff, and see if I can order a few spares. That is one serious toolkit BradC!

Are there many on here that have had a 'simple' part like height sensor or ABS sensor fail out in the bush?

[loanrangie]

GAP tool for those you can diagnose and or tackle yourself, good phone coverage for the rest.

[Tins]

What about a wallet with lots of plastic, for those small issues and a jerry of petrol and a box of matches for the biggies?

Something less extreme perhaps?

182597

[Tombie]

Here’s the spares kit I’m taking for the next 2,200km trip…

As laid out on the floor… [emoji56]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221220/a3dc1a8f94689472d8b82ed1186f1a1b.jpg

[gavinwibrow]

Here’s the spares kit I’m taking for the next 2,200km trip…

As laid out on the floor… [emoji56]



Is the pop rivet for cleaning your teeth?

[DazzaTD5]

I normally offer customers to take with them:

*a genuine fuel filter
*top turbo hose (2.7 or the 3.0) although I tend to say suck it up and change it before they go.
*a cheap **** diagnostic tool for clearing codes.
*I prey and give a sacrifice to the engine gods.

*Everything else your mechanic should have changed or recommended changing before you go (oh god putting myself in it now).

*make no mistake there is a degree of... anticipation... I dunno, there is something going on in my brain when customers say "we are off into the middle of the wild blue yonda"

[gavinwibrow]

*Everything else your mechanic should have changed or recommended changing before you go (oh god putting myself in it now).

*make no mistake there is a degree of... anticipation... I dunno, there is something going on in my brain when customers say "we are off into the middle of the wild blue yonda"



And yep, we are off again in about 7-8 weeks for a trip to the Vic high country - yes, taking the brick.

[Tombie]

Is the pop rivet for cleaning your teeth?

That’s a piece of grass carried in by the Samoyed….

[Tombie]

I find it interesting…

People will drive their car a couple of hundred km a day without thought.

Put a weeks worth of driving in a day on the table and they start to panic about spares.

I trust my vehicle to go fine between servicing. So why panic about a trip in between those intervals.

Only stuff to solve life threatening situations is necessary.

[BradC]

I trust my vehicle to go fine between servicing. So why panic about a trip in between those intervals.

No panic, but the difference between being able to fix it on the side of the road or a 1000km flat bed trip can influence ones mood. If my wife happened to be in the car when the flat bed was required, that could be life threatening.

You might have got a Wednesday car, but mine was built at 8am on a Monday morning after the entire factory went out on a 2 day weekend bender. **** breaks. Being able to fix it and carry on is one of lifes little pleasures. Admittedly the tools spend more time fixing other peoples stuff, but the consequential free food and booze is another of lifes little pleasures.

[Tombie]

Indeed, I’m just wary carrying the weight as it’s a bigger contributor to breakdowns…

[BradC]

Indeed, I’m just wary carrying the weight as it’s a bigger contributor to breakdowns…

Sorry sweetie, you'll have to sit this one out. Your extra weight is making the Disco less reliable.
I might up my private health before I try that one.

[Tombie]

Sorry sweetie, you'll have to sit this one out. Your extra weight is making the Disco less reliable.
I might up my private health before I try that one.

That would be a brave move indeed [bigrolf]

[veebs]

I find it interesting…

People will drive their car a couple of hundred km a day without thought.

Put a weeks worth of driving in a day on the table and they start to panic about spares.

I trust my vehicle to go fine between servicing. So why panic about a trip in between those intervals.

Only stuff to solve life threatening situations is necessary.

I trust mine too - The difference is location, location, location.

Around town I don't sweat, as should there be an issue i can catch a cab/uber where i'm going (or get in the backup car), and get it fixed nearby with parts already here. I also don't have a family in the back, with a limited hard-earned holiday leave window to work in.

I agree the urban cycle is 'arduous' in the servicing context, however to then take it through hundreds of km of corrugations, mud, water, loaded and towing, it is obviously a higher duty cycle again. If something was just 'hanging on' around town, it will fail on a trip like that. The car is wildly over-serviced, but it is also pushing 13 years old, with 230k km on the clock.

So, I think spending a few hundred $ to carry known vulnerable light-weight parts isn't that silly? Prematurely ending the trip will cost a LOT more than that...

[haydent]

a few meters of 6mm air line, a couple each of joiners, T pieces and Schrader valves to fit 6mm tube.

[gavinwibrow]

a few meters of 6mm air line, a couple each of joiners, T pieces and Schrader valves to fit 6mm tube.


Or the GOE EAS kit that was recently posted (by Graeme, if memory serves?)

[haydent]

Or the GOE EAS kit that was recently posted (by Graeme, if memory serves?)

afaik not available anymore

[gavinwibrow]

afaik not available anymore


Correct, but its easy enough to source the parts, and the instructions are pretty clear, even for a numpty like me.

[ScottLS]

Correct, but its easy enough to source the parts, and the instructions are pretty clear, even for a numpty like me.

I'll be the numpty today...please suggest where to get the parts in Vic. I'm not familiar with air fittings and the nomenclature of same. I assume I need to go to a specialist supplier IRL or online?

Here's the list suggested by haydent above: a few meters of 6mm air line, a couple each of joiners, T pieces and Schrader valves to fit 6mm tube.

Here's the list from the GOE kit - which is not much use without dimensions or some identifiers:
quick*interconnects, air adaptors, front air connects, rear air connects, shraeder valves with quick*fit interconnects, 12m of 6mm high*pressure air*line.

Thanks for help making these purchases. :)

[gavinwibrow]

I'll be the numpty today...please suggest where to get the parts in Vic. I'm not familiar with air fittings and the nomenclature of same. I assume I need to go to a specialist supplier IRL or online?

Here's the list suggested by haydent above: a few meters of 6mm air line, a couple each of joiners, T pieces and Schrader valves to fit 6mm tube.

Here's the list from the GOE kit - which is not much use without dimensions or some identifiers:
quick*interconnects, air adaptors, front air connects, rear air connects, shraeder valves with quick*fit interconnects, 12m of 6mm high*pressure air*line.

Thanks for help making these purchases. :)

Living in Fremantle, WA, I'm not conversant with Vic suppliers, but Pirtek is my go to shop here for anything air related, and I think you have them over your way. Any good air shop should do as there's nothing highly specialised in the kits.

[BradC]

There's 6mm air fittings, then there's 6mm air fittings. The general push fit fittings are rated to 10 bar, but the EAS can under the right circumstances subject those to 17bar (16.8 bar compressor cut off). Make sure the fittings you get are appropriately rated.

[rocket rod]

The biggest requirement for the GRR is tyres, tyres, and tyres. If you have half worn or no name brand you will suffer. Take two plus a decent plug kit.

[ATH]

We've only ever had 1 spare and have travelled the GRR 3 times once with a tent and twice in our then camper. Although thinking back we may have used our small van on the last run but it was about 10 years ago.
Good condition mostly and not had any punctures.
Yes to a plug kit though just in case, plus patches .... if you can get the damn tyres off the rim. :)
Happy travels.
AlanH.

PS. Most important is keeping speed down.

[Bulletman]

Well i have the fun job of transporting many broken cars, trailers and caravans from Derby to Perth and many of them break on the GRR.. i cant comment on why they break but from what i have seen with my own eyes travelling the GRR is the main contributing factor is speed.. yes even the unbreakable hilux breaks on the GRR and i usually shake my head when the owner tells me they were only doing 90 for most of the day..

Anyway as to answer 1 of your questions , i have a full set of D3 height sensors and carried them on every trip i have done including the GRR 3 times and all thru tassie and many thousands of highway kms and the only time i changed 1 was towing our caravan down from Darwin earlier this year.. and i think that was a false diagnosis.
I know the D3 has a different sensor part number for each corner but believe the D4 both rears are the same as are both fronts..
For me a spare alternator plus a code reader are the 2 main things. These cars are so reliant on battery power and the chance of getting 1 outside suburbia is worse odds than winning powerball i would guess.

Cheers Bulletman

[DieselLSE]

the D3 has a different sensor part number for each corner but believe the D4 both rears are the same as are both fronts.
Correct Bulletman. D4 owners need only carry one front and one rear height sensor.

[Bulletman]

182922

You may want to take a snorkle and flippers plus a shovel.. thats the fitzroy river this morning ..

Should mean plenty of waterfalls running late into the season if the rain continues..

Cheers Bulletman

[Dagilmo]

182922

You may want to take a snorkle and flippers plus a shovel.. thats the fitzroy river this morning ..

Should mean plenty of waterfalls running late into the season if the rain continues..

Cheers Bulletman

The rabbit! Now that's funny...

[Bulletman]

The rabbit! Now that's funny...


Its a small kangaroo but i can see how you thought it was a rabbit.

Cheers Bulletman

[Dagilmo]

Its a small kangaroo but i can see how you thought it was a rabbit.

Cheers Bulletman

Haha, so it is!

[veebs]

That’s one destructive cow.

[cripesamighty]

I have had some pics and vids sent from some family members stuck in the floods. A couple are doing a slight detour from Halls Creek and driving back to Perth via Darwin and Adelaide as they can't wait for the flood waters to recede before they need to start work. Another one is hopefully flying back via Kununurra and Darwin and then to Perth this weekend. Flights are being canceled all over the place. The others are staying till late Jan. Interesting times ahead!

[BradC]

i cant comment on why they break but from what i have seen with my own eyes travelling the GRR is the main contributing factor is speed..

My grandfather did the GRR both ways in a 2WD naturally aspirated 4 cyl Diesel Mazda ute with road tyres, towing a 1963 14ft Baravan with road tyres and didn't damage a wheel. He did crack the chassis in the van on the way over, but no issues coming back.

That was 30 years ago. Recently having seen some guys spending $100K+ on "building a vehicle to do the GRR" I asked him how he went and he simply said "I drove to the conditions".

[DiscoJeffster]

My grandfather did the GRR both ways in a 2WD naturally aspirated 4 cyl Diesel Mazda ute with road tyres, towing a 1963 14ft Baravan with road tyres and didn't damage a wheel. He did crack the chassis in the van on the way over, but no issues coming back.

That was 30 years ago. Recently having seen some guys spending $100K+ on "building a vehicle to do the GRR" I asked him how he went and he simply said "I drove to the conditions".

I find there are three speeds of travel in the Disco.

1. Slow and roll over the ruts. Takes forever to get anywhere but you will get somewhere eventually.

2. Mid pace. This is your 45-60kph speed where the car is shaking itself to bits because you’re hitting every rut right at the wrong time. Slower speed so easy to control but will kill the car in no time.

3. Fast pace. Generally this is in the 80-90kph mark on wide dirt tracks. The Disco glides over the ruts like they’re not there, because they’re effectively skirted over the top of. Downside is less control as less contact patch - love a good high speed drift, and also less time to slow for that unexpected washout or unexpected event. I don’t find this wears on the vehicle at all, but it’s a risky proposition in heavily trafficked areas.

[Bulletman]

I find there are three speeds of travel in the Disco.

1. Slow and roll over the ruts. Takes forever to get anywhere but you will get somewhere eventually.

2. Mid pace. This is your 45-60kph speed where the car is shaking itself to bits because you’re hitting every rut right at the wrong time. Slower speed so easy to control but will kill the car in no time.

3. Fast pace. Generally this is in the 80-90kph mark on wide dirt tracks. The Disco glides over the ruts like they’re not there, because they’re effectively skirted over the top of. Downside is less control as less contact patch - love a good high speed drift, and also less time to slow for that unexpected washout or unexpected event. I don’t find this wears on the vehicle at all, but it’s a risky proposition in heavily trafficked areas.

I envisage option 3 to keep me nice and busy again this tourist season... if there is 1..
I think option 3 is possible in places but not everywhere .. As has been stated.. driving to the conditions .. everyone just seems to be in a hurry these days which doesnt make alot of sense if your going somewhere to enjoy what it has to offer..

Cheers Bulletman

[Bulletman]

My grandfather did the GRR both ways in a 2WD naturally aspirated 4 cyl Diesel Mazda ute with road tyres, towing a 1963 14ft Baravan with road tyres and didn't damage a wheel. He did crack the chassis in the van on the way over, but no issues coming back.

That was 30 years ago. Recently having seen some guys spending $100K+ on "building a vehicle to do the GRR" I asked him how he went and he simply said "I drove to the conditions".


When we did the Canningg Stock Route in 2010 we passed a 2wd that had all but completed it with a D1 as his support and travel companion..
We also met people at derba springs who had sent a vehicle travelling with them to Newman to pick up new suspension parts for their 4wd.. then again we also met people who has sold their LR and bought Toyotas because everyone told them the disco and defender wouldnt make it..

Cheers Bulletman

[jwb]

Did the GRR in 1994 in a rented 80 series.
Didn't think it was a real remote drive at the time as we had no other experience - nothing broke except a water jerry.
We thought we were roughing it until we met a couple on mountain bikes coming the other way. They'd traveled from Brisbane and made it to Perth.
Don't remember them carrying much in the way of spares.

[Narangga]

Did the GRR in 1994 in a rented 80 series.
Didn't think it was a real remote drive at the time as we had no other experience - nothing broke except a water jerry.
We thought we were roughing it until we met a couple on mountain bikes coming the other way. They'd traveled from Brisbane and made it to Perth.
Don't remember them carrying much in the way of spares.

Likewise last year when we were driving out from the Wolfe Creek crater and met this guy for the second time. We had first met him three days earlier a bit north of The Granites. Totally self sufficient, he'd left his gear near the Tanami Road to ride into the crater for a day trip just to have a look''! So much for a D3, fridge and camper trailer braving the wilderness...

183032

[Tins]

Sorry sweetie, you'll have to sit this one out. Your extra weight is making the Disco less reliable.


One of the more interesting "failed to proceed" reasons I've heard.

[Tins]

182922

You may want to take a snorkle and flippers plus a shovel.. thats the fitzroy river this morning ..

Should mean plenty of waterfalls running late into the season if the rain continues..

Cheers Bulletman

I didn't realize roos were amphibious. I reckon it's Joey who needs the snorkel.

[Tins]

I envisage option 3 to keep me nice and busy again this tourist season... if there is 1..
I think option 3 is possible in places but not everywhere .. As has been stated.. driving to the conditions .. everyone just seems to be in a hurry these days which doesnt make alot of sense if your going somewhere to enjoy what it has to offer..

Cheers Bulletman

This bloke went option 3. Sure, Tanami not GRR. Also sure, leaf not air. But also sure, not LR.

Nobody carries spares to fix this.


https://youtu.be/w7Mn8X4HnYo

[discomatt69]

Yep don't need any critical spares for the unbreakable mighty Toyota!!
You just need to throw away half the car and replace it with overpriced aftermarket crap before you go and every 70,000km after that[bigwhistle]

[SimmAus]

Yep don't need any critical spares for the unbreakable mighty Toyota!!
You just need to throw away half the car and replace it with overpriced aftermarket crap before you go and every 70,000km after that[bigwhistle]

Say it’s not so…I thought there was a fairy behind each and every bush with a full spares kit for every Toyo ever made….either that or the spare parts were just hanging on trees…waiting for someone to never break down.