Trail fix tool kit

[Doubeleive]

I learned the hard way that D rings won’t work on the tow hooks because of the bumper recess. I added a soft shackle to my gear after that.

the tow strap I have has loops on the ends, I carry the d-ring's just as a connector if needed, the tow hooks on the nbs are weak by the way they are soft metal and will bend fairly easily, the soft shackle is a good idea for sure. this may be why GM went with a D ring style tow connector on the nnbs and up.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

just one or two that could be critical
a hammer and a crow bar, if you hit a rock or something and it pushes a fender or bumper into a wheel or tire or effects the turn radius enough you are stuck like chuck.
other things that could be critical a couple D-rings and tow strap. (this a 2-way thing for you to help others stranded or for others to help you)
water, you can go a good long time without food.

Excellent point! I have a tow strap and d-ring on back. Really want to put D rings on front in place of hooks but not sure how with bumper the way it is.

I learned the hard way that D rings won’t work on the tow hooks because of the bumper recess. I added a soft shackle to my gear after that.

Did you ever figure anything out for D-rings on the front? I wonder if anybody makes an adapter. I hate to say, I really don't like looks of aftermarket bumpers so hope to keep the stock bumper.

 

[Doubeleive]

I looked online when I had mine and I don't think I ever found anything that would work without modification, a machine shop could make you something for sure, you could pull the hooks off and take them to a shop and tell them what you want, then they could use the original's as a template

 

[Sparksalot]

@Matthew Jeschke @Doubeleive The tow hooks work fine, just with a soft shackle instead of d rings to attach.

I just realized I hadn’t looked since adding push bumper. Doing that required removing the trim around the hook. I tried the d ring again, but no it still doesn’t.

 

[Doubeleive]

@Matthew Jeschke @Doubeleive The tow hooks work fine, just with a soft shackle instead of d rings to attach.

I just realized I hadn’t looked since adding push bumper. Doing that required removing the trim around the hook. I tried the d ring again, but no it still doesn’t.

ya that would be in the way in which case I would just attach to the brush guard nearest the mount

 

[Tozan]

You might want the socket for the front axle nut in case you break a CV and need to remove it.

I thought on some of these if you remove the axle and nut wont the hub come off somewhere down the road?

@swathdiver excellent advice.

I should get an extra tie rod. Thought about snagging one at junk yard next time I am there. That said, I have sleeves on my tie rods so hopefully they don't break, would be one heck of a hit to break them.

I should throw that brake caliper socket into my kit. I should probably also remove the factory lug nut tool and replace it with a socket and breaker bar.

@Dantheman1540 AWESOME, seriously there's a direct swap 14 bolt? I didn't realize that. I'll keep an eye out for Denali one and swap that in. That's a no brainer. I have 3.73 gears. Eventually I want a taller tire but not a lift. Not sure how big I can fit but at that point, idk if I should get higher gears. 6.0L is a beast though, I'm LOVING it off road. It gets even better mileage than 5.3 offroad too.

@Sparksalot not yet, I'd love to though. @Tozan are you in southern Arizona?

I live about 75 miles north of Phoenix off the 93..

 

[Bill 1960]

I thought on some of these if you remove the axle and nut wont the hub come off somewhere down the road?

I used to think that was a universal rule coming as I did from Jeep. Then I read the reports on here of the 2WD trucks using the same unit bearing we are. Perhaps some of those guys with direct experience will chip in and comment. My understanding is there’s only one part used in 2WD and 4x4 front ends.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

@Tozan I believe you are correct about the Axle nut and hub coming apart. I've not tested that theory though haha. Sucks that's a ways away. I need to learn some trails up there too. I bet there's some awesome places to explore by Prescott? I also want to go do some hiking by Yarnell

@Bill 1960 would be nice to know if is fact as you mention. Anybody know if our 4wd hubs fly apart if axle is removed?

 

[Doubeleive]

@Tozan I believe you are correct about the Axle nut and hub coming apart. I've not tested that theory though haha. Sucks that's a ways away. I need to learn some trails up there too. I bet there's some awesome places to explore by Prescott? I also want to go do some hiking by Yarnell

@Bill 1960 would be nice to know if is fact as you mention. Anybody know if our 4wd hubs fly apart if axle is removed?

I have seen post's and photo's of some that were reported to have come apart, it may depend on the design and year, on the nbs the 2wd front hubs do not have a hole in them and at the same time I have seen photos of the nnbs ssv/ppv's 2wd using 4wd front hubs so ...................?

 

[OR VietVet]

The hub is bolted in to place on the spindle and at that point, if a tire and wheel is attached, the only thing holding that all together is the wheel stud plate pressed in to the bearing.
When the axle is added, the front of that cv joint is stepped in such a way that it seats into the back of that bearing race and then the nut on the front presses that wheel stud plate into the bearing and does not allow the hub wheel stud plate to "walk out" of the assembly.

I don't think the "wheel stud plate" is the correct name but you get my drift. If a 2wd hub is used, I believe the plate is held in place, at the back side, by something along the lines of a big thick c-clip or cir-clip or whatever.

It makes sense that if a 4wd hub CAN BE USED in place of a 2wd hub, that there is likely a clip at the back of it as well to hold the wheel stud plate and keep from walking out. The size and thickness of the clips for both hub assemblies may be different for each application.

Or, I am completely wrong.

 

[Sparksalot]

I used to think that was a universal rule coming as I did from Jeep. Then I read the reports on here of the 2WD trucks using the same unit bearing we are. Perhaps some of those guys with direct experience will chip in and comment. My understanding is there’s only one part used in 2WD and 4x4 front ends.

Both of the twins had 4wd fronts hubs originally, and still do after I replaced them.

 

[Tozan]

@Tozan I believe you are correct about the Axle nut and hub coming apart. I've not tested that theory though haha. Sucks that's a ways away. I need to learn some trails up there too. I bet there's some awesome places to explore by Prescott? I also want to go do some hiking by Yarnell

@Bill 1960 would be nice to know if is fact as you mention. Anybody know if our 4wd hubs fly apart if axle is removed?

I am only 10 miles from Yarnell and 45 from Prescott. You can see the radio towers in Yarnell from my back yard.

 

[afpj]

@PNW VietVet that sounds like real adventure! You're making a problem for me. You make me want to buy more stuff! I love idea of 9.5 ring gear. I need to rebuild my rear end as I'm running a cheepo junkyard special open diff after I blew up original (long story). I had also thought in the least when I build new one I could reinforce case with some gussets.

@afpj interesting, self sticking stretch tape? Is it better than gorilla tape? I'm not familiar.

Oh gosh, I just thought:

- I should also have a test light & possibly small DMM
- I carry a blue tooth OBDII code reader.

Rescue tape.

https://www.amazon.com/Rescue-Tape-...ocphy=9030751&hvtargid=pla-403299950047&psc=1

several different makes, versions, I just picked this as an example.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

I'm making a shopping list linked below of everything that's shared with me:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sRuc0olYoUaZdb-3VgYTjC-ftxgPwwTI7AthRTGbvGg/edit?usp=sharing

@PNW VietVet I believe your thinking is along the right lines. I'd LOVE to chat with GM engineer who designed these. I'd have a hard time believing the hubs aren't much different as makes it cheaper to make them if they can use the same / similar assembly process. But I have no definitive answer otherwise. I should have kept the ones I took off and tore them apart somehow.

@Matthew Jeschke @Doubeleive The tow hooks work fine, just with a soft shackle instead of d rings to attach.

I just realized I hadn’t looked since adding push bumper. Doing that required removing the trim around the hook. I tried the d ring again, but no it still doesn’t.

I'm not for sure if is the case with C/K Trucks as mine was made in USA / Texas. However, some cars and trucks have loops on the frame. My buddy's Land Cruiser has them. They are designed to strap them down on the container when they are shipped. They won't hold a tow force / will break if used to pull the vehicle out. Long story short, if they're hidden up behind the bumper, double check what they are.

 

[OR VietVet]

@PNW VietVet I believe your thinking is along the right lines. I'd LOVE to chat with GM engineer who designed these. I'd have a hard time believing the hubs aren't much different as makes it cheaper to make them if they can use the same / similar assembly process. But I have no definitive answer otherwise. I should have kept the ones I took off and tore them apart somehow.

It was the best I could describe what I was seeing in my head. If is just pressed in and has no axle on one side and a nut on the other, and without a snap ring of some sort, I would not trust it. Almost like a rear axle shaft with a missing c-clip. Something has to give.

 

[Fless]

Timken roll-formed bearing.

 

[houstontaylor]

I carry tools on the trail. My truck is a 2001 Z71 Tahoe. I was thinking though. I probably don't need a complete set of sockets. I think all most of the engine and things I could trail fix use:

8mm - battery cable
10mm - body bolts
13mm - engine accesspry brackets
15mm - oil pan drain?
18mm suspention parts

I don't recall any other sizes.... Other than 7mm for dash.

Additionally I have:

Tire plug kit
Multi-tool
Crecant wrench
Vice grips
wrachet
multi screwdriver
3 extensions
flashlight

Then goes in a gymbag with medical kit, duct tape (or gorilla is best), transmission fluid, jumper cables, and a tire pump.

Any additional ideas for trail fix kit?

A small 12 volt air compressor.

 

[RottsRoc]

I carry tools on the trail. My truck is a 2001 Z71 Tahoe. I was thinking though. I probably don't need a complete set of sockets. I think all most of the engine and things I could trail fix use:

8mm - battery cable
10mm - body bolts
13mm - engine accesspry brackets
15mm - oil pan drain?
18mm suspention parts

I don't recall any other sizes.... Other than 7mm for dash.

Additionally I have:

Tire plug kit
Multi-tool
Crecant wrench
Vice grips
wrachet
multi screwdriver
3 extensions
flashlight

Then goes in a gymbag with medical kit, duct tape (or gorilla is best), transmission fluid, jumper cables, and a tire pump.

Any additional ideas for trail fix kit?

Good kit. I see a medical kit but a true trauma kit is a must (stop the bleed), kinetic recovery rope, tow rope, soft shackle, flares (led &/or igniteable, etc.

 

[Tozan]

This is an old photo of my tool kit. Since then I have added a 1/2 inch impact wrench, a Fluke multi-meter, a small plastic box with extra bulbs for every light in the truck and a lot of elect repair and misc repair items, a few larger sockets. I have onboard Air two ways CO2 tank and compressor. I can hook up all four 35's at once to air up or down in under 5 minutes. 7 Gal water. extra motor and trans oil. The camo pads on top black out the windows there are enough to cover all side and the rear window.

All of this fits under my rear rack system along with 7 days of food and other comfort gear. I have a much larger trauma bag now too. This is my daily driver and at anytime it is good for at least a week in the wilderness... Other stuff not shown is ammo and a few firearms and my cooking kit.

Here is a video with a little more detail of what I carry...

 

[Tozan]

This is a video while out camping.For camping trips we have a 5 inch memory foam mattress you can see it in the video. Also 7 gallons of water with an electric pump.