Offroad-Express

Next year I'm hoping to join a club and do some trips etc in a XJ. Nothing hard core and I won't have a winch but would like to eventually do more then basic "shiny" trips. To this end what do you guys recommend I equip the jeep with?

Rear recovery point: I already have 10000lbs rated tow hooks mounted in the front and am thinking of adding a Hayman Reece fitting in the tow bar with either a hook or shackle. I figure a hook would be preferred but a shackle won't interfere with the departure angle as much.

Fire extinguisher: From what I have picked up a 2kg extinguisher is necessary for club runs, would 2 x 1kg'ers do or does it have to be a single 2kg bottle?

Hi-lift Jack: I am on the look out for one of these anyway since the Heep has rocksliders and I can use one on it. For solo extractions I want to use one as a winch and have looked at the winch kits that you can get for them. Is the chain long enough for the majority of situations or do I also need extra chain, steel cable, synthetic rope?

Tool kits: Recommended minimum tools and spare parts?

Compressor: Any value brands out there that are worthwhile looking at?

Anything else I should be looking at?

I would join the club first. Most clubs have basic rules and then you will know what is required. I belong and associate with a number of clubs and for most 4 wheeling you dont need much recovery gear at all because everyone helps each other.

Just join and have fun and it will become apparent what you want to buy

Cheers Richard

you can use two one kg ones , hilift and chain winch kit ,4wdbits, a socket set 1/2" plyiers screw drivers , something to remove body bit that break, water, oil, brake fluid,tow strap a 6m and 9m , no need to rush out a buy a lot of gear at once buy when you can ,or think you need ,soon you can have a ton of gear.

Bulletproof wrote:I would join the club first. Most clubs have basic rules and then you will know what is required. I belong and associate with a number of clubs and for most 4 wheeling you dont need much recovery gear at all because everyone helps each other.

Just join and have fun and it will become apparent what you want to buy

Cheers Richard

Yep x2, you'll work it all out from there

Go and get a first aid kit, it will be on the essential list of all clubs then do a first aid course so you know how to use it. So many people have one but don't have the fasintest idea on what to use it for.
Al

A couple of things if you join a club or go places with mates you will not need all the gear as it will be available in other trucks, as you go along you will find what you need and what you don't and if they break anything getting you out buy two one to replace what they broke and one for you.

So far my Highlift winch has never recovered me but pulled a stump, a pergola and clothes line out of the ground.
Depending on what you will be driving on most club's suggest the following

One tow hook at each end of the vehicle
Shovel (used more than the highlift and chain)
Fire extinguisher (also a spark arrester on the exhaust)
First-aid kit (just fairly basic patch someone up and get them out)
Basic tool kit (for your vehicle no use taking only a metric set to find you need imperial)
Tow rope or strop.

the tow rope can be a kinetic energy strop or a rope if the vehicles are similar weight the rope is fine or if you are in rivers the rope is better if not there are advantages in the strop I have both.

One thing not mentioned is a PRS Radio some clubs still use AM CB's but they are not used as much as they once were, they are much better when you need to talk to the guy in the other 4wd getting pulled by or pulling you.

There is a lot of other stuff you want and collect over trips like mats (to get under the 4wd), change of clothes, matches, chainsaw, CV's, spare hubs, Grease, Oils, Water etc but that is up to you and how far you want to go and how far from home you are going.

Thanks guys,
Will take the advice and join a club 1st before spending up on too much gear. Although I might still grab some gear for solo extraction as I know I am going to be tempted when on holiday....

Good reminder about the first aid kit and course. Its one of those things that slip of the list and the one I currently have consists of little more then a few band-aids.

A normal tow strap and rope I already have since the most 4wding I see at the moment is pulling works courier vans out of tricky situations.

This question is probably like asking who to vote for, but suggestions for a good Auckland based club? I live on Waiheke so although I can go on weekend drives and events I won't be able to attend evening meetings etc.

auckland 4x4 club , manukau 4wd club,!

Sorry to drag this out again, still n00bie to this, I've read through afew of the threads on recovery points now and the main bits I've gotten are rated and rated. Bolts, hooks and mounts to be specific..

Have an 88 Hilux Surf and a std hook attached to the nudge bar but got a Snatch Master 10,000lb Rated chrome bastard from trademe on the way to replace this. However from what I've read tonight the nudge bar mounting..

isn't up to the job, so planning on moving these from below the bar mounting to above it, will this be okay?

Ive also gotten a couple of green pin shackles and was trying to figure a way to place these for rear recovery, i can go from the tow bar mounting if i remove the ball but would rather proper mounts for strength and practicality. So far through my searchers I've heard that it is a prick to do but not much of how it was done.. Can anyone guide me? / Point me in the Direction of a good 4wd engineer in Aucks?

I figured recovery gear was the first thing i should be doing so am getting this sussed before trying out the 4wd Training at Jeep Woodhill

Any help greatly appreciated!
Cheers
Alex.

If you can, get rid of the spacers and mount a hook on the chassis itself for strength.