Car/truck everyday supplies

[JohnTRourke]

don't forget a hammer
I've used a hammer way more (except band aids I suppose) than most anything. (hit a fender and jam it into a tire, a little manual adjustment and away you go)

[rockhound]

best tools to add to your vehicle

first a rear locker in the differential, the lock right is cheap, simple to install, nearly invisible in everyday driving and will turn any vehicle into a much more capable back country, survival vehicle.

driving in off road situations with one locked axle will be a game changer in any driving situation. there are more expensive options, but this one can be installed in your garage, i have had one in nearly everyone of my off road and daily driven vehicle for the last ten years. you will be able to drive out of situations that would normally strand most people.

second a winch, front or rear, hard mounted or multi mount. all the survival gear in the world is useless if you cannot recover your own vehicle, or those with you. and recovery gear

add ground clearance, and good tires. a mechanically sound and capable vehicle can keep you from needing the survival gear.

one pet peeve is those that drive around with an unprepared rig. i dont care if it is a subaru, a jeep, pickup or a honda, a decent set of tires should be part of your annual budget. have an extra $150 this month, put it in savings toward a decent set of rubber.

[hurley842002]

best tools to add to your vehicle

first a rear locker in the differential, the lock right is cheap, simple to install, nearly invisible in everyday driving and will turn any vehicle into a much more capable back country, survival vehicle.

Well if we are including these types of items, my list has only just begun

[jerrymrc]

Well if we are including these types of items, my list has only just begun

And I will agree. I have turned my dodge into a snowplow once. I will say that I am always amazed the number of people that think that 4X4 sticker means four wheel drive.

[hurley842002]

I will say that I am always amazed the number of people that think that 4X4 sticker means four wheel drive.

X2 and most find out otherwise, the first time they decide they want to actually use that "4x4" for what it was meant for. I was only a week or so into my 16th birthday when I found out that 4x4 wasn't really four wheel drive. It is truly amazing what you can do in 2 wheel drive with a locker, throw it in 4 wheel drive, and it's night and day, add a front locker, and you are entering a whole new ball game. I won't own a rig that see's any amount of trail time, without throwing at least a rear locker in it.

[jerrymrc]

Besides the hand warmers I also carry one more thing. The military used to have a chemical heating pad that was good for 8 uses. It does get hot (143 tested today) and it lasts for 8 hours each application.

I did a little searching and they are not available as a set but you can still buy the refill surplus here http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/...g-pad-3749.cfm

These are not a toy but having one could be a lifesaver in the winter. Since they are activated by water you need to store it in a waterproof bag. The ones I have are from 83-88. My cheap tip for my friends.

[thecatsfan]

I have had ARB air lockers in several vehicles. Had front and rears in my Wrangler TJ. That Jeep was a beast. RE long arm kit with 35" Pro Comps, 12K winch, roller bumpers, aircraft lights, and on and on. Wife hated it so it is long gone.

Richmond doesn't make a lock-rite for my truck and I have never owned one. I only know what I have seen from other owners. I have heard other wheelers we used to run with complain that the axle will sometimes bind and remain locked when it should differentiate freeley. I definitely would not want a ratcheting locker in a front axle. A selectable locker like an Ox Locker or ARB would be my preference. If a front axle locks when you don't want it, you will almost certainly lose steering control of the vehicle.

Lockers are great equipment, but I would suggest a manual locker for the front axle - and somecareful practice. Honestly, if you don't have experience with them, front lockers can be dangerous. More than a few Rubicons have been wrecked by first time 4 wheelers thinking lockers made their $25K Wranglers invincible. I also got to watch a Grand Cherokee with lockers rollover backwards down the quarry at Moody Hill because the vehicle had all the traction in the world and the driver again felt invincible. Traction is not always your friend, especially if you start rolling backwards.

Like many tools, lockers are great, but can be used incorrectly and have equally negative effects.