An Emergency "Get Home Checklist" for Our GMT900s Would Be Useful, IMO

[OBSalsoNNBS]

I bring what I call my "Murphy Kit."

Jumper cables, jack, Ridgid batteries with air compressor and big ugga-dugga impact. A Klein toolbag that was my go-to for basic generator services (wrenches, ratchets, screw drivers, spark tester, multi-meter, etc - weighs about 30 lbs). Then there are spare fluids for all cavities, the last serpentine belt I took off - still usable, coveralls, blocks of wood, hammer, code reader, etc. It fills a tote and the bag sits next to it.

I tend to get eye-rolls from the females when packing for trips, but it saves my (and their) ass(es) when a joint was gonna grenade in New Orleans on spring break. I'd rather pack extra and not need it, than having to use my dashingly good looks to bum a ride........

@B-train
That's why I have a kit. If it came down to good looks I'd be screwed!! Maybe the cops would be called and I could get a ride then!

Props for the comp and impact gun! I actually don't own a sufficient one so I go the leverage and heat route. Which reminds me to find my missing cheater bar...

From your list, it looks like we think alike.
I also have a moving blanket, tarp, poncho, small butane turbo lighter/torch, gloves and hand cleaner, and on and on...also a $30 Haynes repair manual goes a long way without internet, and it fits in the cubby under the front bench seat (they exist!) very nicely.

Ball joint? Did you shade-tree it? I love the "fixed it on the side of the road" stories...

 

[Scrappycrow]

@Scrappycrow

I'm here because I want to do that exact thing you didn't; throwing a good tool set in for any trip over 1 hour. Target the common random failures, etc.

Thanks for the input, but what do you mean by "that exact thing" I didn't do?

 

[blondie70]

Remember...he said he was a "little nutty" ha ha ha ha

 

[OBSalsoNNBS]

Thanks for the input, but what do you mean by "that exact thing" I didn't do?

Hey thanks for the reply on the old thread!

You said "A proper diagnosis and fix would be out-of-scope for this checklist..."
I think that's what I was cryptically referring to. That type of list is what I was going for, to a degree. What can be/cannot be fixed on the side of the road or in a parking lot in a reasonable amount of time? Which failures strand you on the highway and which failures let you limp to a safer place? What failures are likely with good PM? Without PM? What parts are needed? Tools? GM "special" tools? Coveralls and cleanup. Seasonal considerations. Etc, etc...I've been accused of overdoing it before, and I said, "Duh, that's half the fun!"

For an easy example, the battery charge light comes on so I pull off to an AutoZone and can throw on a Duracrapts alternator (or my spare) in 15 min and finish my trip. I need a 15, 18, 10 and 8mm socket or wrench (but not a socket wrench, that's called a "ratchet")

Or the truck stalls out and I coast to the shoulder and it cranks, but no start. No fuel pressure at rail bleeder. Fuel pump issue likely, call a Tow truck and try to be thankful you are still breathing.

Or I missed an obvious crack forming in my serpentine during my last 2 monthly PM inspections. Can you believe GM recommends only INSPECTING it every 150,000 miles? That's whacked out! I reread it about 8 times in the user manual. Anyway the belt tears, I pull over immediately because something is very not OK. Pop the hood and it's obvious that there has been something catastrophic happening in between the pulleys, so I grab my 15mm socket and breaker bar and chuck in my old one (with a measley 50,000 miles on it). OR I could use the special GM belt installation tool. Is that how they get the belts to last so long?

Wow, this is therapeutic! I think I illustrated my concept. Although I am liking your original idea now, especially for those issues you can't diagnose but could bypass.

Remember...he said he was a "little nutty" ha ha ha ha

Darn auto correct...it should read a "little eccentric." which, if you read this whole post, you probably are agreeing with.

 

[blondie70]

Heck....you're doing good !!