Essential Spare Parts List FAQ

[phip]

I'm trying to make a list of parts to carry in a bus that'll be traveling far from home. I realize this is very subjective but I'd like to hear what everyone thinks. Routine maintenence and breakdown repair. Any Suggestions?

- Crush Washers for Oil
- Oil Filters
- Fuel Filter
- Oil
- Clutch/Accelerator Cables (how often do these break?)
- Jerry Can
- Alternator Belt

[agreendaya]

From experience and stories i've heard I'd add points, cap, condenser, plugs, perhaps a coil...

[Karl]

A AAA card....

[Tri-Bus]

-"loaded" distributor ( point,condensor, cap, rotor) with bracket pre timed: think plug and play
-fuel line and clamps
-fuses
-spare bulbs ( assorted )
-

[visibleink]

Cash.
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[autiger78]

There was a time I really wished I had a piece of 1x8 to sit my jack on (very uneven, muddy roadside, the jack kept trying to slip). Now I carry one in the back of every car I own.

I'll probably never need one again, but who knows...
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[agreendaya]

That's a good idea, I forgot to mention. I, too usually carry a couple bricks & a big rock. Not only is it good to have when jacking the car on dirt, but the big rock makes for an interesting conversation piece.
"Why the hell do you have a big rock in your car?!?"
"It's not a car. It's a bus. Call it a car, and I may have to kill you..."

[heerojyuy]

[Brown_Bus]

Accelerator Cable...

or, at least a safety pin a beetle spin fishing lure-got me home 100+ miles one time when the cable broke.

Air Filter if you will be on some dusty/dirty roads.
a 2nd Spare tire, if possible.

[visibleink]

[deschutestrout]

[Jody '71]

All of the above mentioned, but to unclude:

Your Bentley Manual
Some jumper cables
A small floor jack, don't use a bottle jack
Some short pieces of 2X6 pine or pressure treated
1 gallon of "Rebel Yell"
Flares
All necessary tools
Emergency inflatable blow up doll
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'66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring

[CHARLES JETT]

common sense-----------

[Brown_Bus]

[Traveling Writer]

Right! This former boyscout carries:

A printout of the AIRS members in the states through which you are planning to travel. Look on Type2.com, AIRS
Tow strap.
Multimeter with dwell and tach functions
Timing light
AAA membership is great, cellphone and charger too.
Tarp to lay on / put over the back hatch in rain
Points points points... (i just had the rubbing block break on mine 300 miles out)
Fix a flat kit (rubber band shooter thingy), plus a spare tire. Maybe put some Slime Never-flat stuff in the tires beforehand, too. 12V compressor.
If you have electronic ignition, then take points and condensor
Flashlights, flashlights, flashlights, lanterns, gas and battery. There is never enough light when you're trying to diagnose a problem or swap a part!
A spare injector maybe (30 bucks, not bad to have, esp in mexico)
Misc: coil, plugs, clutch cable and clovis pin, accelerator cable, fuel filter, fuel clamps, electrical tape, wire, variety of bolts and nuts, fuses.
A little food and water is always good. Mr. Heater buddy with a few cans of fuel.
Blankets and a spare heavy coat.
Wife


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Davi

1977 2.0 FI Westy
2011 1200cc Yamaha Super Tenere
1976 Feet (they work surprisingly well)

[Patrick199]

comfortable shoes.
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[hazetguy]

[fusername]

every tool you own in ai bag. you may think i am kidding, but as long as youl eave out the odd big and specialty tools, like pullers, you can easily fit one of everything in a good size tool bag. its what i do. as apposed to adding, i will make a culmative list of what i think is most necassary:

-good jack
-something to put under it 2X6 etc
-spare tire
-electrical goodies (splice connectors, 50ft wire, bulbs, fuses, etc)
-test light
-all those tools (wrenches, sockets, knives, strippers, hamnmer, screwdrivers etc)
-throttle cable/clutch
-compression fitting for brake lines
-brake fluid
-gas
-Spare dist, with cap and rotor
-old set of spark plug wires
-FOOD and water MREs are nice, last forever, small, and 2 days food is smaller than the printout of the airs list
-AIRS list
-Cell
-lighter
-flashligh, hand crank ones are ideal, they make a mean LED version
-cash
-blanket
-oil
-fuel filter
-as much engine electrical as you can (coil, dual relay, resitor pack, etc)
-alt belt
-jumper cables

now thats the stuff i wouldnt travel w/o. things that are nice to have

-cardboard or tarp to lay on
-a buddy
-firestarting stuff, small baggie of birtch or something
-metal tin, or even a small mess kit
-road flares
-extra jacket (once you go under ther and get wet, youll know why)
-extra cloths
-tow strap
-couple spare lug nuts
-grease
-fuel pump
-a buddy
-enough oil for a full change
-oil filter
-fuel line
-fix a flat
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[phip]

Thanks everyone! One thing- Several people have mentioned jumper cables, I've always heard jumping busses will fry the electrical. What's the correct way to jump them then?

[agreendaya]

I've read that as well, but have been told by several VW people-including an ex-vw mechanic-that it's fine to jump them just like any other car. I find sometimes that it's just as easy to just push start it, I can even start my bus by myself, as long as I'm not pointed uphill.