Planning a trip to the Grand Staircase in Utah at the end of Q1. This will be my first long trip with the Disco (and family) and I want to be prepared. I am not planning on anything too extreme but do want to do some off-roading along the way. I am expecting our trip to take about 2 weeks: some in hotels - some in tents. I think I have done a lot to prepare the rig to be more reliable but would like folks to chime in if they have some other thoughts on what they would do if they were doing a similar trip with a 2004 Disco. I am specifically interested in reliability improvements and required recovery gear without throwing the kitchen sink at it. I've already got $18k in this rig - here's what I have done so far in no particular order

• Replaced the block and professionally rebuilt engine with Kent H180 Performance Camshaft - all new gaskets and seals, rods, tappets. bearings and resurfaced heads
• New water pump, oil pump gears, timing chain
• O2 sensors replaced
• 2" terrafima lift and coils with new front shock towers and steering damper
• Replaced front and rear stock bumpers with custom ones
• Five new Cooper Adventurer AT LT275/65/18 tires, balanced and aligned
• New front driveshaft - greased rear driveshaft
• New AGM battery, iridium spark plugs and magnecor wires and coil packs
• New Radiator, low temp thermostat and serpentine belt & HAYDEN 6352 Radiator Fan Clutch
• New rotors and brake pads, flush and bled brakes
• New idler and tensioner pulleys
• PCV mod, purge valve replaced and SAI pump repaired
• Flushed and filled power steering
• Transmission filter replaced and new transmission fluid
• Cleaned out and refilled front and rear diffs
• New extended sway bar links

Currently using this as a daily drive putting 50 miles a day on it in highway and street driving and it has been doing well. Any thoughts on what gear I need for the trip or what remaining items you would repair or replace before heading out?​​​​​​​

 

Small kit with a spare CPS, MAF, fuses, spare lug nut or two, maybe a spare spark plug lead (longest one), and a a spare quart of oil, gallon of water, and an air pump.

Check all fluids, check tires (air & tread), check battery, and head off on the trip.

 

Thanks @Best4x4 ! Does it make sense to proactively replace the CPS or do you only need to replace when it fails? Was also going to bring a spare rotoflex.

 

I just carry a spare & when it acts up I replace it. I then take the dead one to the nearest Auto Zone & get a free replacement (I verify it’s a Bosch unit before I leave).

Rotoflex is also a good thing to carry as it’s small and can be stored easily.

 

Disable superlock
Walmart sells a cheap jumpbox+air compressor for $60 so that covers tires (maybe a patch kit) and battery
Spare fuel tank jerry can mounted on spare wheel
Stick a spare serpentine belt on your underhood tray below windshield wipers
Hose tape in case of split hose
Mosquito netting and tape in case you want to leave your windows down overnight
Hide a spare key outside the vehicle
First aid kit + survival blanket and small fishing kit
Road flares
Water
VHF/UHF radio
Add some TurboMaxx to your diffs, transfer case, and engine oil (but NOT into transmission!)

 

Thanks @No Doubt ! Guess I need to contact @Brandon318 about renting his nanocom so I can disable the superlock. I recently refilled the transfer case and diffs with Mobile 1 gear oil. What does the TurboMaxx do for me? I am assuming I would need to makes some room for the TurboMaxx if I added it.

 

From the picture, it looks like you've got a winch bumper with no winch on it. I would probably fix that. I run a Harbor Freight 9000 lb winch with a ****** block; their latest series of winches were designed by engineers they stole from Smittybilt, so I've found them generally reliable. I've never been to Grand Staircase, so I can't speak to the offroad conditions, but a winch is something it's better to have and not need than need and not have...

 

Was hinted at above, but make sure you have a tire plug kit to go with that air compressor.
The air compressor is somewhat useless without a way to repair the tire

I also found this tape - Seems it could have a million and one uses - even split coolant hose....... Cheap and easy to pack

If you like the idea of window screen as mentioned above, check these out -

 

Thanks Jason. I go back and forth on the winch. They are definitely cheap but with so many Jeepsters around with untouched hi-lift jacks and winches and I don't want to be another poser with a mall crawler. Interested in the collective wisdom on this. I agree with the general sentiment of "better to have and not need than need and not have" but the same can be said for all recovery gear.

So: Do you have a winch on your truck and if so, how many times have you used it?

 

My philosophy is you should have whatever equipment you need for the worst case scenario of whatever you plan on doing with your vehicle. I've never used my winch, but that's because I've only gone offroading with a group of people who all also have winches. From the sounds of things, you're going offroading solo, so you don't have that luxury. If there's no real chance of you getting stuck on whatever trails you're planning for, that's great. If there's any chance of you getting stuck, the last thing you want is to have to wait three hours for someone to pull you out.

The high-lift jack I would avoid. They're not necessary in most circumstances, and can be downright dangerous in others.