Overland Sourcebook 2018 EAST

Outback—approximately 500 miles
from the nearest tool store—and
Graham filed the tips of a pair of
needle-nosed pliers to do the job.
Adequate, but only just. Knipex to
the rescue again: They make a plier
with flat scored tips to grip the ends
of the ring. I’ll be adding those to
the kit.
I have a tool designed to pry off
radiator and heater hoses that have
welded themselves on, and it is a
Godsend for that use; however, its
sharp point is also good for cleaning
out grooves in other parts.
Many vehicles require factory
special tools to do certain
procedures. It’s worth talking to a
mechanic to find out if any are worth
ordering for your specific model.
10. OBD-II Scanner
Lastly, of course, a tool well
worth considering for any modern
vehicle is an OBD-II scanner, and
the appropriate app to diagnose
your vehicle’s fault codes. I have a
Bluetooth-enabled wireless Foseal
that plugs in to the OBD port and
send signals to my iPhone. It cost
less than $20.
Now, when that pesky “Check
Engine” light comes on, I can
determine if I have a serious
problem.
Or if it’s something I can fix with a
matchbook cover.
The author and Graham Jackson
used nearly every tool in this list
fixing problems on their vehicles —
nearly all caused by shoddy work
by urban mechanics—during a
recent 2000-mile remote Australian
outback crossing: leaking radiator,
loose hub requiring adjustment,
broken ignition wire, missing
exhaust-mounting bolts . . .
www.OverlandExpo.com
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