I didnt hear you say this but fuses are an important thing to have as well. In addition to that bottle jack i carry a 4x4 piece of wood to place under it. Not only does it stabilize the jack, it gives you an xtra 4 inches of height to play with.
Your truck comes with spare fuses. Just take it out of a non necessary part radio/ windows/ac. And drop that wood man. You’re telling me you can’t find a rock flat enough to give you that lift?
Great video, learning about your rig is a huge process to over-landing. I carry a bottle jack and a old block of railroad tie. High lift jacks (farm jacks) are so dangerous. Got a flat coming home from Moab last year in the middle of no where solo. Handle popped and smacked me right in side of face. Barely missed my eye and knocked me out for a good few seconds. Luckily a motor cyclist came by and helped me out. Got home and sold the jack never again will use one
Abs sensor.. $24 is cheap insurance.. if you snag abs sensor wire, gladiator loses 4wd, traction control, abs, lockers, and basically ends up being one wheel drive. 5 minutes trail side repair.
Incredibly helpful and easy to follow for a newbie. I watched Brad's video of you explaining your Gladiator buildout in New Mexico and, coupled with this one, both of you are very easy to follow and you're both detailed in your explanations and pnractical in your reasoning. Takes loads of experience coupled with the right personality to provide the kind of information you and Brad do. I, for one, appreciate both. Thanks again Matt!
I think another good point is go to with friends. We all have tools that we share (and Knowledge). This last trip we worked well together and used each other's tools to make it home.
I have one of those big trailer jack blocks for my trailer and I can say that there is some steel in there as there is a piece visible but otherwise the weight is definitely in the plastic having dealt with plastic as a machinist. I love it as it gives the height needed to be able to get the trailer tongue off the ball without maxing the jack and is sturdy enough to use as part of the leveling of the trailer. I stuff it in with the chocks and other stuff when not in use. And for reference the trailer is a A frame pop up with the outdoors or whatever they called it package so it sits quite a bit taller than the normal pop ups and is sitting on 27" all terrain trailer tires. Even with the lift on my Sequoia I had to have a 2" positive ball hitch on the thing to make it almost level when going down the road, otherwise it sits nose down.
Some traction boards have a spot for a jack base as well, can use them when stacked. Good to find multiple purposes/uses for individual items, helps reduce clutter.
Another part to bring with you is a spare serpentine belt. I had one recently that got some coolant on it (squeals) and was replaced with a new one. Old one while otherwise in good shape goes with the oem jack area as an easy spare (4runner).
In regards to fire extinguishers, every so often the extinguisher (dry chemical types) should be removed, then invert them and tap (with hand) up and down the cylinder to loosen the powder. It can become compacted (over a period of time) due to vibrations from vehicle while in motion.
Great video and info. Only two things I would add to the list for the Gladiator. First is a jumper wire to go from post 1 to post 2 on the main fuse box (front two posts) for when the aux battery dies and it won't start. This will get ya home. 2. Just under these posts is the fuse array. If you manage to pop that when jumping the vehicle or whatever, it's dead and you're stranded (happened on my son's car). I carry a jumper wire I made up and that fuse array just in case.
The only thing I don’t like about mounting a first aid kit on a molle panel is that they’re (typically) a pain to take off. A firm mounted first aid kit is fine when you do first aid at your rig, but one with a quick release that you can grab and go lets you go to the injured person. Outer Limits Supply has a couple different waterproof kits that mount to a plate you can bolt to a molle panel with a quick release that are great.
Refuge medical makes an awesome kit that has a quick rip away function and can handle almost any trauma medicine needs. I've carried one for a long while now. On every vehicle and at work.
i pack an axe and a chainsaw but you can get by with a large hand pruning saw. Bow saws limit the diameter of tree you can cut. Pruning saws cut great and with a bit of determination you can get through some pretty thick wood. Thanks for the great videos.
"Chainsaw" Yeah you can get something like a Dewalt battery operated chain saw- hack saw - generator - drill and driver set that all use the same batteries. SO you can charge your battery on the road if you have an A/C plug for the charger unit. I also include a radio and flash light that operates of the same batteries. I don't know it may be overkill but >>>> who knows.
Second the ZOLEO. It is one of the most economical and practical communication tools. For about $20/month it is almost foolish nowadays to go into the back country without it. I use it also when I am on the ocean fishing.
Just a little add on to mention for redundancy would be to carry more than one tourniquet. Preferably one for each person you are traveling with. Also maybe a "go" bag with bare survival essentials just in case you ever need to leave your vehicle and travel on foot to reach help.
if you can afford it, that ARB hydraulic jack is NICE. It is compatible with a number of highlift accessories, so a wheel lift adapter is advisable. One CAN use a tree saver to make a sling for the wheel, BUT you still have to be able to get blocks or similar under the axles. I absolutely agree with you on the dangers of a highlift. Even using one PROPERLY, they are potentially dangerous. It is still a good thing if SOMEONE in your group has one. As for your trailer block, I might advise a piece of 3/4 plywood to fit the top of it to spread the weight of the jack and vehicle over more area. Your TPMS will pitch a fit if you rip a valve stem and replace it with a basic stem. Amazon has some of those QR mounts for about $25... they are surprisingly decent quality... The one I got... Well worth the money I keep one on the floorboard in front of the driver seat and a larger (5 pound) one in the bed of the truck. I would like to have 2 or more in the cab and a larger one in the bed than I currently have (I would like a 20 pounder in the bed). my goal, 2 on QD in front, 2 in molle panels on back of front seats in pouches. Plus if I build a trailer, the trailer will get a 20 pounder. Regardless of your mounting choices, ALWAYS have at least one full ABC rated extinguisher with you. I would LOVE to replace my front extinguishers with Halgard in the QRs on the front floorboard and my 1A-BC in the back seat pouches. I have had to use one when someone parked in too tall grass at a camping event and their hot exhaust ignited the grass under their vehicle. lucky for them the damage was minor. Print or buy a hard copy of your maps and put them in a binder. Ye never know when some electronic device is going to buy the farm. Map and compass is STILL a valuable skill set in our digital age when going into the middle of nowhere. Keep that binder someplace that will stay dry even if you flood your vehicle... it would not due to have it shoved under the seats when, as some of Matt's friends have done, you discover the drain plugs are not in your floor pan. :) Being a HAM has its advantages when it comes to emergency communications I CAN contact sources outside the range of VHF or UHF radios. I can get a phone patch to emergency services via radio... with APRS, I have access to both SMS and email, plus it can beacon my GPS position, and coverage is good.... but IF you can fit it in your budget, a satcom unit is ABSOLUTELY worth it. having 2 means of communications is advisable... redundancy is a lifesaver. I am not positive, but I THINK from the look of the package, the item you were having trouble identifying was a chest seal. you should always have at least one in your first aid kit... knowing how to use it is advisable :) I personally like to keep a basic first aid kit in my cab in the back seat floorboard (when I get my molle panels on the back of the front seats I will mount it there. then in the bed I have a more extensive first aid kit (not as overkill as I would like, but loaded with much more than the basic kit up front) again all life support should be redundant. fire extinguishers... first aid kits... communications... recovery... spare parts. having more than one of anything that is needed to keep you alive is vital.
One thing on the fire extinguisher is to flip upside down a few times every month or couple of months to make sure the materials inside the bottle doesn’t settle and stay on the bottom. It will not be very effective when that occurs. Great video!
I got one also, just set it up yesterday and going out on a 6day solo 1000miles from home. Hopefully won’t have to use it but gives wife much reassurance
I don't carry many spare parts, the u-joint for driveshafts is a good idea, assuming you've got the correct snapring plyers on hand too! I always carry a spare serpentine belt..if that breaks, there is no band-aid to get you off the mountain, other than a tow rope...if you are by yourself you are SOL.
Great video. The tire repair kit is a real gamble. Any respectable tire store won’t touch that for a good repair with a plug in it. Gaia is great but I’m too much of a dummy to know how to use it correctly. I’ve heard OnX is easier but I don’t know.
I lost a bead once and my tail buddy suggested a ratchet strap around the tire sucked tight. It worked. I was able to air up just fine. I should mention that changing to my spare want an option because I forgot the key to my locking lug nuts.
Another informative video Matt! Thank You. With the tire repair kit another add on to consider for "OFF ROAD USE Only"...would be the Glue Tread. This is designed for repairing sidewall damage. Suitable for 4x4, side x sides or ag. Some really great info both in your video along with your viewers comments. Love It! You have an amazing YT community. 🙂 Mark (& Teresa) Maryland
Matt the one thing I would add is a 2 meter 70 cm ham radio. Repeaters are your best bet to get quick help to your group if you don't have cell service. Most of my wheeling is in the Appalachian mountains and I have every repeater tower in Tennessee, North Carolina, and north Georgia programed into my mobile and handheld radios and shown in Gaia (with the programming data in notes). If you want long distance real time coms there is no better solution. I also have GMRS for trail riding but good luck finding a repeater.
@@BladePressure Problem is the monthly fee's. And they are expensive. There is some hope that cell phones will have sat service like the new iPhone. Maybe ham will die out but where I live it is still king.
Lol. Ya we went there 🤪. But good point on the jacks. . Toilet paper, battery jumper is also part of our must have along with extra water and warm clothing just in case you have to hike out of a spot because of a broken rig
A video I would like to see is gear that you no longer carry due to space, inconvenience, etc... I try to minimalize my loud out but I do notice myself carrying things I never use.
Good info! I was so impressed with your Pangolin roll-up tool bag that I didn't even make any jokes about your hairdo this time. 😎 Unfortunately, the bags are sold out. Thanks for your content!
With the bottle jack don’t forget that you need to safely support the vehicle on the jack - the nub of the jack is not going to do that when things are not aligned just right.
The more advanced version of this is using a software like Trello or TickTick. I use Trello for my Jeep because it’s a rolling dumpster fire and just always needs something. It’s free and you can put in checklists, links to parts, and keep track of progress on multi-weekend projects. 10/10 would recommend with garbage 4x4’s
Hey thanks for the great info! Another heavy-duty, high CFM twin compressor that I use is the Wolo 880 for under $200. 2 questions for you. I’ve never seen anyone use a tire repair kit in the wild, but I’ve seen several change out with their full-size spare, so wouldn’t that be the preferred way to go? On the brake lines, you didn’t mention brake fluid, am I missing something or is a spare line pointless without plenty of new fluid (and a buddy to help you bleed them)? I do like the vice-grips hack you mentioned, seems sufficient to drive on 3 remaining brakes to an auto parts store or back home. The details, context, and commentary you include is super helpful when deciding what to bring, what to leave behind, and when to buy something new! Thanks again!
Thanks!! I'll try and use a tire repair kit before changing my spare. Did it a few months ago when a nail punctured my tire. I did forget to mention the brake fluid.
Another great video! A suggestion on the first-aid stuff, a 36” or longer Sam Splint. Breaks and sprains happen often when walking around trails of slippery rocks and mud pits. Especially if your concentrating on the video your shooting and not watching your step.
Hey Matt. I am buying a JLU on Monday coming from a 3rd gen Tacoma. How about a video on the most common tools (socket sizes, etc.) needed in your tool bag for JK/JL/JT. I have one from my Tacoma. Just curious what will carry over
Omg I laughed...don't go there!! I love your channel cause I just bought a teardrop trailer and your videos help me soo much. And always look for more tips cause I'm a beginner in this.
As far as the Garmin not working until you send the first message, you could initiate the conversation when you leave the house and then it would be open to a reply. Just an idea, not sure if it would work like that or not.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures it has a dedicated phone number look on your account. but its far superior with tracking dropping wave points, navigation and a whole lot more than the others. It caters to hikers more but it's multipurpose.
I’d seriously reconsider the placement of your in cab fire extinguisher if you have passengers that ride in that seat. In the event of a roll over or getting into a collision involving that side, the passenger could suffer some serious injuries from making contact with it.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures not trying to call you out. Just some food for thought. I use to be a fire fighter and have responded to my fair share of accidents. So please don’t think I’m just being a snarky. I absolutely love your build and share the same opinions you do on storing stuff. Especially having fire extinguishers on board. You never know when they could save property or life.
Hey Matt, y’all coming to Hot Springs for the Jamboree? I’ll be a trail guide this year. I don’t know what trail I’ll be guiding yet, but we’d love to meet y’all. Hope to see y’all there!
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Based on several things. Their kits are 100% made in American, warranted for life and if you use the components to save someone’s life they will replace the components for free. The kits has been extensively designed with input from military and medical professionals. They also offer some or the best training on using the kit you can find.
How do you find trails? I don't think Gaia does that well and OnX has a great feature for that. Do you pay for both and use OnX to discover new places. Or how else would you go about that if you just pay for gaia services?
Check out tonight’s video. Gaia is great for finding trails. If you want trails that have names and ratings and all that then TrailsOffroad.com is great for that
Both types have pros and cons. The biggest con for an Element is the range - they only have ~2 ft of range. If you can get to a fire before it really gets going and spreads, they’re great. But if they fire has already spread, it might too hot for you to get close enough to use it effectively. I keep an Element in my glove box that I can grab in as little time as possible and a quick-release mounted traditional extinguisher in the back that takes longer to get (from the driver’s seat) but has a much better range for fighting larger fires.
@@Oilbleak5453 You are correct in that both have their pros and cons. Bulk/weight are the nemesis for the CO2's and they both suffer in high wind conditions. 90+ % of the fires on off-road treks are in the engine compartment and or cabin so the areas are usually confined. Having fired an Element twice in anger, it worked very well for putting out engine bay fires. You do have to get up close and personal with the fire. Some folks who have never trained with a CO2 extinguisher and have difficulty using them correctly in the heat of battle. So to speak :-)
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Maybe youtube did. It was a polite message, just noted that people in fact can message an inreach subscriber using the persons account username.
@@TheGeorgiaMediaGroup I had no idea you were a RU-vid expert. My channel and my audience disagrees with you. My longer videos perform much better and my audience likes me being detailed. You may not and that’s fine. But I find it lame to just give a list of stuff without telling why. Good luck with your own channel.