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  1. #1
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Default Mustang self rescue kit

    List of things that fit in a corner of the trunk or backend of a mustang in a gym bag that over the years either were or would have been instrumental in self rescue in the event of a breakdown

    Jump box or jumper cables or both
    fire extinguisher (maybe in plain sight)
    Code scanner and spare 9v battery!
    test light or spare 12v light with socket and wire
    Basic set of metric and sae sockets and wrenches
    vise grip
    hammer
    screw drivers
    small bolt cutter (cuts stuck ebrake cables)
    Rebar tie wire- works great to wire stuff up
    zip ties - same
    electrical tape - well, you know
    20-30' 14 gauge wire and misc connectors - well you know
    butane solder pencil and butane and rosin solder - obvious
    1/4" vacuum line - insulator or other uses
    spare brake line hoses
    spare brake pad or two (crappy glued on junk these days!)
    extra inner and outer wheel bearing and seal
    high temp gease
    misc hose clamps - obvious
    spare fuses
    spare fusible link
    starter relay - has lots of uses, even running headlights in a pinch
    headlight switch and dimmer switch if you want
    spare belt - your old one is fine
    distributor to coil wire - saves needing the OL hose and wire trick
    distrubutor rotor - obvious
    WD40 in case under the cap gets wet plus other purposes
    86 and up - ignition module and correct sized socket
    fuel pump and screen
    fuel inertia switch
    fuel pump relay - obvious
    fuel filter
    greasable U joint and grease gun
    flexible universal radiator hose and clamps
    metal heater hose sized male/male nipple - "heater core bypass kit"
    Wheel blocks - aka 2x4's unless you're fancy
    Consider 1-2 jack stands
    consider floor jack
    1 liter bottle of gas stored inside larger insulated container
    extra oil
    radiator stop leak
    50/50 antifreeze
    Old 2 liter bottle smashed flat for just in case
    10w90 gear lube
    brake fluid
    ATF and suction gun (for ps and trans)
    rear transmission seal
    radiator cap
    thermostat and high tack and gasket
    properly inflated spare tire
    a few misc bolts and nuts
    lug wrench
    Consider extra clutch cable
    consider extra throttle cable, especially if automatic (manuals can crank up idle)
    Spare ECU that matches yours or will "work"

    In over 25 years and nearly 400K miles of motoring I've personally done in my Mustang that list encompasses everything I can think of that I've ever needed to fix minor breakdowns beside the road.

    It's not and end all list
    - I had a transmission fully fail which still would have required a tow.
    - I've had a clutch disc break in the center hub or explode which would have required a tow.
    - I've limped home with broken motor mounts
    - I've limped home a leaking water pump
    - head gaskets sometimes let go
    - engines on rare occasion give up the gusto
    - rear diffs sometimes just explode instead of getting noisy

    Some of this crap is getting hard to find. You can't just walk into the parts store and ask for the parts

    Please contribute.

    The goal is a pack that shouldn't take up more than a bag used for football helmet and pads and save your bacon without a phone a friend 99% of the time
    Last edited by erratic50; 02-14-2017 at 08:38 PM.

  2. #2
    FEP Supporter
    qikgts's Avatar
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    How about a c clamp? Could work as a makeshift press. Don't forget a flashlight or headlamp and as cheap as cordless impact guns are these days I'd toss one of those in too.

    Oh, and a AAA card... lol
    '85 GT

  3. #3
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    AAA - lol.

    You bring up a good point - clamps are handy. A pipe clamp is useful for both the cheater bar handle and the squeezing force it's able to apply. The big vise grip C's I use while welding have their place too but careful, before we know it this poor old pony isn't going to move under its own power. Bring on the super charger or twins, lol.
    Last edited by erratic50; 02-15-2017 at 12:54 AM.

  4. #4

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    That must be one big-ass gym bag!
    Brad

    '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5
    '17 Ford Focus ST
    '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual

  5. #5
    FEP Super Member 84StangSVT's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ZephyrEFI View Post
    That must be one big-ass gym bag!
    It's all in the way you pack the luggage.

    Example how most people pack for a vacation. Most everyone folds their clothes and packs it into the suitcase. While it looks nice, it's a inefficient use of space. You can almost double the items in a suitcase if you roll everything up instead of folding. Of course, that means you will more than likely have to use the iron in the hotel.
    Brock
    1984 Mustang LX Convertible 3.8L V-6/Auto (SOLD)
    1984 Mustang GT Hatchback 5.0 V-8/5 Speed

    I'm an FEP Supporter and proud of it. Are you?

  6. #6
    FEP Power Member vintageracer's Avatar
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    Chevrolet Rollback!
    Mike
    Remember, "Drive Fast, Turn Heads, Break Hearts!"

    1995 Ford Powerstroke F350 "Centurion" STRETCHED Crew Cab Dually

    I like "Cut & Coach Built" vehicles!

    www.musclecardeals.com


  7. #7

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    WOW! Thats a big list!

    Around here there are cars driving around on the street that could use some of the parts in your gym bag right now!! LOL

    MOST people would never be able to carry that much stuff around with them.
    1. The price??
    2. The room
    3. the weight

    I surely wouldnt do it. Thats just insanity.

    2 jack stands, fuel pump and screen.. a gallon of gas, and a spare ECU?? LOL really lol

  8. #8
    FEP Power Member 4-barrel Mike's Avatar
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    AAA membership. "Don't leave home without it."

    Mike

  9. #9
    FEP Super Member 84StangSVT's Avatar
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    It depends on where I'm going. My list changes at times due to the distance traveled.

    Most of the time I carry the following:
    SAE and Metric Sockets and wrench
    Torque Wrench
    SAE/Metric Wrenches
    Extensions
    Various screwdrivers
    Pliers - needlenose/channel locks/linesmen/side cutters
    Vise Grips
    Hammer
    Electrical strippers/crimpers
    Electrical tape
    Self adhesive silicone tape - makes a good hose patch believe it or not
    Some heat shrink
    Various electrical connectors
    Various gauges of wire
    Various hose clamps
    Various nuts and bolts/screws
    Spare voltage regulator
    Spare Duraspark module
    Spare fuses
    Electrical meter
    Spare belt
    Rags
    Jumper cables
    Fire extinguisher
    1 qt of oil
    Gallon of premixed antifreeze

    All of this fits in a small bag that doesn't take up much room. If I need anything else then I'm SOL lol.
    Brock
    1984 Mustang LX Convertible 3.8L V-6/Auto (SOLD)
    1984 Mustang GT Hatchback 5.0 V-8/5 Speed

    I'm an FEP Supporter and proud of it. Are you?

  10. #10
    FEP Power Member dagenham's Avatar
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    A good double check of the whole car and routine maintenance before a trip is always first on my list.

  11. #11
    FEP Member brianj's Avatar
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    Honestly, i carry a roll of black tape, a phillips and flathead screwdriver, a small coil of wire, a pair of channel locks, an adjustable and a rock from the side of the road. I've been able to fix every breakdown I've had with that, except the time I twisted my driveshaft in two.
    1983 Mustang G.T. No-option stripper- I like strippers.
    5.0, GT40P heads, Comp Cams XE270HR-12 on 1.6 rockers, TFI spring kit, Weiand 174 blower, Holley 750 mechanical secondarys, Mishimoto radiator, Edelbrock street performer mechanical pump, BBK shortys, T-5 conversion, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, carbon fiber clutches, SS Machine lowers, Maximum Motorsport XL subframes, "B" springs.

  12. #12
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Great discussion - now we are talking about priority too.

    Several of the parts I mentioned I've only ever needed once in 400K.

    But if you are getting up there in miles certain things just make sense. Hopefully we will save one friends bacon for having read the list. I'd call that a win!

  13. #13

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    Standard load out...
    Basic tools, bailing wire, cable ties, fuses, flashlight
    All the various fluids. (well, except manual transmission fluid)
    Good spare, jack(s), crossbar, block of wood.
    Radiator hose repair tape.
    A foot of 1/4" ID & 5/16" ID radiator hose (2nd generation Integra owners know why).
    The old parts changed at the last tune up (at least until the new parts prove themselves)

    If going camping or long trip, add "the whole" tool box.

  14. #14

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    And some rope !!

  15. #15
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Default some 38y/million miles/multi car ownership notes

    The best thing is maintenance to keep a car/truck in a state of readiness to scramble for a long road trip 24/7.
    Try to foresee 1000-5000+ miles out from now what its gonna be like.
    A DD with high miles will provide surprises no matter what.

    In addition to the obvious items:

    reliable work light(s) for those night repairs
    inspection mirror or spare sun visor mirror
    rubber bungees - holds up broken exhaust pipe/clamps
    4 pack interlocking foam mats to lay on
    metal hook nylon tie down strap(s)
    Gorilla tape
    large ball peen hammer
    long shank Phillips and regular sized screwdrivers
    larger 1' regular screwdriver and or prybar, tire iron.
    walnut paste hand cleaner and old towels
    jump box w/compressor
    GPS or phone with menu for finding nearby auto parts stores, 24 hour walmart, service, party store for goodies to lighten up the mood.
    canvas and or Mechanix type gloves
    couple large sheet metal screws
    JB Weld epoxy putty
    plastic or paper funnel
    camera to document the fun and memorable event

    Be prepared with a comeback for the "buy a chevy, mopar" drive-by heckler.
    Be resourceful. Use nearby environmental items for wheel chock, etc.
    Hard wire those vice grips to whatever so they wont be lost if they come loose splicing that broken clutch cable.
    Last edited by gr79; 02-16-2017 at 10:44 AM.

  16. #16
    Venomous Moderator Hissing Cobra's Avatar
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    Excellent list! I bring a lot of this in a spare small tool box when I go drag racing in New Hampshire, which is a 2-1/2 hour drive each way. Since I drive my car there and back, this stuff comes in handy. I also carry a triple AAA gold card which gives me 100 mile tows without a charge. It's 120 miles to the track so if I break something really bad and I can't drive the car home, I'll only have to pay for 20 miles or so, unless I have it towed to my brother's house, which is 103 miles from the track. That triple AAA card has already saved me on three tows with my daughter's two cars and it's well worth the money! One, hour long tow costs the same as it does to sign up for it! It's another good "tool" to have in your arsenal.
    Pete Slaney

    1979 Mustang Cobra

    347/T-5/4.30's
    420 rwhp/380 rwt (New Motor)
    11.49 @ 121.86

    306/T-5/4.30's (Old Motor)
    307 rwhp/278 rwt
    12.38 @ 111.38

  17. #17
    FEP Member Mgino757's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gr79 View Post
    The best thing is maintenance to keep a car/truck in a state of readiness to scramble for a long road trip 24/7.
    Try to foresee 1000-5000+ miles out from now what its gonna be like.
    A DD with high miles will provide surprises no matter what.
    This right here. This will 9/10 times keep you out of a bind. Every time I do an oil change, I give everything a good visual inspection and take mental note of any problem areas that could bite me in the butt down the road.

    On my fox, I've replaced anything I can think of that would leave me stranded. I've had the old style starter kill a starter relay while I was away from home. Swapped it out for the mini starter so that wouldn't happen again. Thank goodness for clutch dump starting! lol
    1985 Mustang GT conv. modified 4180C, Weiand Street Warrior intake, equal length headers, true dual exhaust, 3.55:1 8.8'' rear end, 2003 V6 T5, Ford Racing 10.5" clutch.

    1998 Mustang GT auto. PI swapped. Daily beater

  18. #18
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Lol- yea. I had a bad starter solenoid catch and continue craning my motor once. I pulled the wires off but not before it overheated the starter. I replace the solenoid but then the starter failed a few days later. It was December and that winter it seemed to stay well below zero every day until end of February and I did not have a garage to work on it inside at the time. You learn lots of tricks about roll starting a Mustang.

    2nd gear rolling forward or reverse rolling backwards works best with a 2.73:1 rear gear. 3rd is probably right with lower rear gears like 4.10:1, etc.

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