Spare Belts for Trail Runs: What do I need?

[MattJ]

Apologies if this topic has been covered before - I searched "belts" on the forum and couldn't find an answer. I'm upgrading my trail kit based on the guide that Kurt handed out at the Jeep 101 session. Besides a spare serpentine belt, are there any other belts I should add to my emergency kit?

[JeepAddict]

One to keep your pants up? Dropping trow on a run could be embarrassing....

[pirahnah3]

I thought that is why we kept some rope around....Just gotta redneck it once and a while.

[BlackNBlue-ISH]

how many belts do you have on the jeep?

[Frank]

I have 2 belts on my CJ . Ive gone like forever and never gave it a thought . Two consecutive runs , one at a time they broke. Had changed them over the 15 yrs. but both times it sucked. I think the power steering belt was worse than the alt. belt. Hyd. assist and over size tires reminded me I havent been to a gym lately . Well , like in forever ! I have a spare for both. As for other spares , it depends on what kind / year rig you drive. One thing for sure with this group ---- you wont be left behind ! FjR68

[MattJ]

Thanks - so it sounds like I need to figure out how many belts the JKU has, and then carry a spare for each one? Or are some belts a universal size, so only need a couple extras? When I try to figure this out online, all of the search results point to pages about seat belts.

I already carry oil, tranny fluid, brake fluid and a u-joint press with me. I bought a pack of flares yesterday. There's a LOT of stuff on Kurt's list!

And yes, "rope" is on the list. Now I know why . . .

[MDSRACING398]

Don't forget power steering fluid, gear lube, and blinker fluid. Have the u Joints too? or just the tool? All these are great to carry but if you don't have something to stop the reason there leaking ( unless of course you were upside down and the gear lube leak out all over you) there kind of a mute point to have. Should be checking all your fluids before each run anyways.

[MattJ]

Yes - I do carry spare u-joints. I’ll add those additional items to Kurt’s list. A lot of the tools and gear that I carry are for the purpose of lending them to others who might need help with a trail recovery or repair. I figure it’s impossible to carry everything, but with enough BSJ members on a run together, we should have all the bases covered.

By the way, I found a group coupon for 50% off blinker fluid if I can get five other BSJ members to join the group buy. Any takers?

[Frank]

Mine didnt come with Blinkers . Most late models only have one serpentine belt that powers everything. Find out if you jeep share u-joint size front and rear , then you only need to carry one. Ball joint , one upper , one lower. Things like that so you dont have a hundred things onboard. Then you need some kind of storage box for all the stuff as you dont want it flopping around . Bunjee cords stretch , Some kind of tiedown is better to hold it unless you bolt it in. Go wheelin , Have fun , worry later ! FjR68

[MattJ]

Thanks, Frank! I bought a serpentine belt for my kit. And I hope I never have to figure out how to install it. Kurt's list also includes "a bucket", so I decided to buy one of those 5-gallon buckets at Home Depot that I can fill with all this recovery and repair gear (flares, rope, fluids, etc). I have a bungie cargo net that holds everything down.

[JeepAddict]

Just my two cents but, much like recovery gear, I would think you may way to learn how to do the belt before you " need it". Its a pretty easy process and only takes a few min to release the tensioner and route the belt. You said you had the u joint press for so you can do the front axle joint. Do you have the 36mm socket for the axle nut? That may be worth investing in.

[MattJ]

Here is a photo of the kit that I carry. It's a ball joint press with an extra u-joint. I don't know how to use it, but I figure that someday on a trail run someone will be glad that "some other guy had a ball joint press we could use". Then I can watch and learn how to use it. Part of what makes BSJ great is that none of us have to be expert at everything or carry every piece of recovery and repair gear since we all work together! As a newer member, I try to contribute by carrying as much of the recommended gear on Kurt's list as I can fit.

Looks like I need to spend another $160 to add spare ball joints to this kit, too!

[ZAEDOCK]

A ball joint tool is pretty heavy. Even when I owned a shop, I found the hammer and socket method better for u-joints.

[BlackNBlue-ISH]

might want to secure the caps on the ujoint, if cap comes off, bearings go everywhere, ujoint=useless.

[MattJ]

Thanks - I only took it out of the packaging for the picture. When I did, I noticed it is also pre-lubricated, too!