Must have Parts for '05 Tundra Long Distance Trip?

Hi guys,

Details:
I'm planning a cross country trip from California to Alaska, then East Coast Canada and crossing off everything in between in my 2005 Tundra DC with 158k miles

I am in no way mechanically inclined but have been practicing in every way possible by doing all my own replacements from now on.

Previous owner has recently changed in the last 30k miles:
- belt tensioners/ pulleys
- radiator
- serpentine belt
- timing belt
- water pump
- CV front axles
- LBJ
- Lower control arms
- inner + outer tie rods

Question:
In long distance trips like these, what spare parts do you recommend I keep in my truck if the worst happens.

So far I know its a must to have an extra set of OEM lower ball joints, 1 full sized spare on my carrier and the spare tire underneath, Hi-Lift jack to do any of these repairs on the road, extra oil.
Are there any other Achilles heels I should keep spare of in my truck for such a long distance trip where it can get pretty remote in some areas?


Tips/Suggestions for me:
- Could you guys recommend me a compact tool kit that should cover everything I'd need?
- and of course any other tips in terms of on road repairs or worst case scenarios.


TLDR:
Going on an epic trip, need your advice on spare parts to keep on the truck (like OEM LBJs) and tips for a newbie who is not used to a wrench like me for on road worst case scenarios.

 

Bring a proper jack if you can (the little harbor freight aluminum ones work great, and at least 1 jack stand. last thing you want to actually do is any work under a truck supported by a high lift. theyre great for what they are, but that thing can easily get you killed.
other than that, some coolant, oil., spare axles, a little air pump to inflate tires. and your normal safety stuff for in the event of if you break down. i keep a NOCO battery jumper in my cars when im on trips and its on charge the entire time. couple flash lights (redundancy).

 

Fuses, and extra serpentine belt, radiator hoses, tire plug kit, decent 12v compressor

 

AAA / CAA membership, a fully charged mobile phone

 

Along with what everyone else has mentioned I would also bring:
Gear lubes
U-joints
Couple cans of Brakekleen
Can of MAF cleaner
Electrical repair kit
Waterless hand cleaner
Box of nitrile gloves
Couple rolls of shop towels

As far as tools there is no all inclusive kit that you can buy. You will have to piece together a kit. Besides the basic ratchets, sockets, wrenches, pliers and screw drivers don't forget punches, a ball peen hammer, torque wrench, breaker bar and torx bits.

 

Subscribed as I want to have the same information as I am outfitting my truck!

Just echoing some of the above that I have acquired/planned:

• Fuses/Relays
• Viair 12v 300p air pump - may be beneficial to get a small tank to go with as you can use this to blow off your air filter/use air tools etc
• Oils/Coolant/Gas
• Serpentine Belt/Hoses/fittings
• Zip ties - various lengths
• Tools - Wrenches/sockets (include deep sockets/pliers/knife/crimpers)
• Jack/Lift
• battery jump start

I'm sure I have more but just trying to go off the top of my head. I am developing my own list so I'll see what else I have and report back

 

I carry a few cans of black paint.

Tire plugs, a small compressor, a few good flashlights, a shovel, a solar cell phone power block, blanket, spare shoes, a good folding knife.

 

Fuses
Jumper cables
flashlight
Coolant
Engine/trans oil
small tool kit
B.O.B. bag
Glock 17 with (4) spare mags.

 

I would recommend changing your diff/transfer case oils and carrying those tools with you to inspect levels once or twice along the way.
The only oddball tool with those I believe is a 10mm allen for the front diff.
Enjoy the trip!

 

From the sounds of it he will be traveling off the beaten path where help could be few and far in between. A rental isn't going to be of any help in that situation.

 

OP, what is your travel plan? Driving in CA, OR, WA you're going to be on roads, they may be dirt or gravel, but marked roads. I'm not aware of any type of Appalachian Trail for vehicles from CA to AK where you will be going over mountains like some half baked pioneer. When you start heading east in Canada, the conditions maybe different, but I still doubt you'll be able to just turn off the highway and drive 200 miles across the landscape. Also, ball joints usually last for 100k, if your worried yours are at the end of there life-cycle, change them out before you start your trip.

If you do intend to just point your truck and drive to test your truck and your survival skills, I highly recommend you get a good GPS and map out the location of the Indian Reservations along your journey. They do not take kindly to people just driving across their land. And the Tribal Police and justice system may not be as customer friendly as you may expect.

 

This is the kind of thing that came to my mind. I know WA and OR have Back Country Discovery Routes that are mostly fire roads, less improved roads and other overlanding-ish kinds of terrain. What you need to be prepared for taking those routes is FAR different than what you'll need taking I-5 the the entire way.

 

Main destinations end points are Alaska, Baja to surf for a few weeks, tuktoyaktuk, and depending on how beat up I am, head to New York then explore eastern Canada’s edge

 

Thank you guys !

a lot of helpful stuff
I’ll take all of those into account


Appreciate all the insight

 

Sounds like a fun trip. I'd look at your trip preparations as "what would I need to get me to the next town" and "what can I fix on the side of the road, and what can't I fix" As mentioned above, contact and research the roadside assist services in far reaches of Canada and Baja. You didn't say if you'd be traveling alone or with a partner. What about kids? I'd not only bring mechanical preparations, but be prepared to shelter in place in your vehicle if needed. That means food, water, toilet items, sanitation, extra blankets, hats, change of clothes for all members in case you get wet. I'd also have small auxiliary heating source as well.

Look into a satellite phone. A little pricey, but you won't care about that if you have cause to use it. The SpotX 2 way is only a couple hundred dollars.

It sounds like a great adventure, but honestly I don't know when you'll be able to do it with the Covid19 situation. The US/Mexico boarder is closed. I think US/Canada boarder is closed to tourists. Not to mention that I'm not sure how welcoming a small town like tuktoyaktuk is going to be to outsiders given the current hysteria.

Tuktoyaktuk does look like an amazing drive though. Keep us updated if you have a chance to make the trip, especially with pictures.

 

Make sure your spare tire is good and you have the jack and tools to change it handy. Practice dropping the tire before your trip. Travel as light as possible. You could bring everything you think you need, but the thing that breaks you’ll not have.

Most people break stuff due to being too aggressive. Just take your time when driving off-road and the 1st Gen will usually handle it well.

 

did he....make it.....

 

Ball joints gave out half way cross Saskatoon, settled down there, lives a plainsman’s life now.

 

Installing newer TRD skid plates onto older Tundras.

 

Sounds pretty nice, actually....