van spare parts list??

**LDB** · 10-15-2009, 10:55 PM

What do you guys carry in your gasoline powered van in the way of spares? Does it change depending on season or do you carry the same extras year round?

**Moot** · 10-15-2009, 11:26 PM

I keep it simple. Spare tire, extra light bulbs including headlamp bulbs, assorted fuses, socks and underwear.

**LDB** · 10-15-2009, 11:36 PM

I've got 30 pairs of underwear and 20 of socks. You think that's enough? On the serious side, I was thinking of spare headlight and spare of all signal/brake bulbs, spare serp belt, one air and oil filter and 2 qts oil plus a jumper box (not sure what you call them but they have a battery and jumper cables so you can jump start without needing another vehicle to help you).

**Moot** · 10-16-2009, 08:46 AM

No need to carry spare parts that you are not willing or capable of installing yourself on the road. I replace my serpentine belt every 100,000 miles at tune-up time. Never had one break. I did recently replace one after it got contaminated with coolant from a broken hose. Had to drive into a shop to get the hose replaced.

A portable jumper battery to me seems like extra weight and wasted space. I do carry a quality set of jumper cables. If I needed a jump and nobody was available, I would remove one of my deep cycles and jump the main battery from that.

Operating a van is really not much different from operating a truck.

**greg334** · 10-16-2009, 09:31 AM

Lamps - yes
Headlight - yes
Belts - yes because not everyone will have that right belt but can change it on the road
Fuel filter - yes
Oil filter and oil - only if you are going to change your own oil

These are things that you have if you have a used van, buying new I would just get the lamps and headlight.

**ebsprintin** · 10-16-2009, 10:04 AM

If you decide to go with the "jumper box", make sure it is rated for your vehicle. Most of the ones I saw on the shelf aren't rated to start our size vehicles. The walmart techs tried to give me a jump with one they had in their shop, and it didn't work. No use in carrying something that only helps you sleep at night, but doesn't work. The one that will work is probably going to be bigger and heavier, so then you may as well go the auxiliary battery route like Moot mentioned.

eb

**chefdennis** · 10-16-2009, 11:47 AM

1 headlamp, more then a few turnsignal, runnng, and brakelights, a mess of fuses, serp belt (the take off from when the waterpump was repalced at over 100,000 miles, idler pully assembly (the take off from when water pump was replaced), 1 gallon of coolant, 6 quarts of oil, 1 oil filter, 2 quatrs atf, and a tool box with enough tools to do most repairs because i can do most repairs myself.

Wire of different gauge and wire terminals, I installed all of my accesory batteries, isolator and i continue t add lights and other hard wired interior volt volt stuff.

**pellgrn** · 10-16-2009, 01:03 PM

I bought a alt after 150,000,while the one on the trk was stil good my exp with ford and gm's is they go about 250,000 so i bought a new one with a lifetime warranty put that one on the van and used the old one as a spare.This has save my drivers and i many problems,if you can't do the alt yourself you at least have the parts.I had a driver in sub zero temps on a load,get it switched at a T/A [ Birch Run M.I i think] for 40$.They say they only wk on big trks,but i've got them to help me out more then a couple times at various locations.Now ya take the core back to [Napa,pep boys,advance,ect] and they give ya a new one [life time warranty] and you put that one on when you get a chance.I have spare egr valves to,if ya got a diesel they need cleaning and most part stores don't carry them so you can be stuck for days waiting on the part.

**pellgrn** · 10-16-2009, 01:50 PM

I also keep some kitty litter for traction,got me rollin a couple times.A panther driver,kitty litter,to keep trk rollin.There's a joke in there somewhere.

**Turtle** · 10-16-2009, 02:03 PM

I always carry at least two spare bulbs of every bulb. Not so much for emergencies as for easy and quickness of replacement. A couple of times I have noticed a tail light out when at the shipper or consignee, and I've replaced it right there. Whenever I replace a bulb, I never toss the packaging until I've bought a replacement.

A spare serpentine belt should be carried, if for no other reason, in most cases, you can order it online much cheaper than you will get it at a dealer or repair shop.

I carry a gallon (or less if I've used any of it) of coolant. Mine's undiluted, so I also carry a quart or two of distilled water. If I need more than that, it's a more serious problem than I could solve by carrying extra coolant.

I carry a plethora of fuses and one each of the type of relays that will strand me on the road (starter relay, couple of others). Likewise a couple of critical sensors that will stand me, such as the intake air temp sensor. Cheap and easy to replace on the side of the road.

I carry at least one spare of every filter, oil, air, cabin and fuel. Again, mainly for ease of replacement. I carry extra oil, but that's because I change my own. It takes 9.5 quarts, but I don't always carry 9.5 with me. After I do an oil change, randomly, when I pass by an AutoZone, I run in and grab three quarts, which costs more than $20, and each $20 purchase is one-point ($20 or $200, it's just one point per purchase), and when I get 5-points I get a $20 credit that be used on any future purchase. So, I don't buy oil, windshield wipers and headlight bulbs all at the same time. I buy everything as close to $20 chunks at a time as I can.

**LDB** · 10-16-2009, 02:11 PM

That's a good idea. My van didn't come with the G80 unfortunately so a bag is probably a good thing to have along.

**jaminjim** · 10-16-2009, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by LDB

That's a good idea. My van didn't come with the G80 unfortunately so a bag is probably a good thing to have along.

What's a G80?

**Moot** · 10-16-2009, 06:11 PM

A locking differential. (I think?)

**LDB** · 10-16-2009, 06:37 PM

Yes, it's the limited slip differential. I saw a segment comparing pickups. They had Ford/Chev/Dodge both with and without their LS differential options. Of the 6 trucks the Chevy with the G80 just walked all over and around the rest of them.

**miguy1957** · 10-17-2009, 01:24 AM

I just had a starter go out so i will be getting one of those in the near future to carry with me. With the tow bill $572.00. If I would of had one with me I could have changed it in about half an hour and it would of only cost me $179. Ill get my hands dirty for $393 to take out 2 bolts and switch the wires. Im still slim enough to get it done without jacking up the truck. So I think a starter would be a good thing to add to your list.