Posted: 8/11/2009 10:34:06 PM EDT
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I've been slowly getting everything together for my SHTF toolbox.
Here's what I got: -Fluids and other essentials for the truck (oil, antifreeze, PS, ATF, etc), roadside emergency kit, zip ties, OD krylon 8 bungee cords, sleeping bag, woobie, duct tape, axe, shovel, gloves, ratchet straps, small 2 person tent, 9x12 tarp, first aid kit, 24 pack of water, padlock and cable, survival manual, and then my get home bag filled with all the necessary equipment to survive in the wilderness. Anything major that I might have overlooked please tell me! My biggest concern is keeping food inside for months. Surprisingly it doesn't get that hot inside as I would think. It was around 90 degrees today and I was still able to grab and drink a bottled water that was somewhat cool. How would instant potatoes, rice, beans, oatmeal, powdered eggs and milk hold up? MRE's? 
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First what is the purpose (more specific shtf covers everything from power outage to unemployment to hurricane evac). I would look at adding the following:
5 or 7 gallon water jug in the back(ok just noticed MO so might not be as important as where I am) Tow cable/chain and rope saw come along airfilter or two (or not. probably not a huge issue where you are but I remember reading about a guy having to swap out/clean an airfilter multiple times after MT St Helens erupted) Dry food might last better (beans rice oatmeal) but is not as convenient and requires water. A way to boil water if it is not in your GHB |
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You call it a "toolbox" but it contains precious few tools.
This will all fit in a tool roll up about 5" in dia and 12" long. Multi bit screwdriver 8 or 10 inch adjustable wrench 10 inch channel locks (pump pliers) needle nose pliers dikes (wire cutting pliers) this is optional if needle nose have cutters on them, they usually do. sparkplug re and re tool. Hollow tube type is OK if it works on your vehicle "coin" type sparkplug gage sm piece of steel wool (can also be used as a fire starter) or a little plumbers tape or sand paper All that fits in a small roll up. Additional stuff for sure Survival saw (collapsible bow saw) In many instances this is more useful than an axe. baling wire (a spool of the stainless steel safety wire from Harbor Freight stores well and contains a lot of wire) 550 cord hank of rope set of sparkplugs would be good. a siphon hose |
| I'd add a can of fix a flat (or 12V compressor), a real lug wrench (4 way or 1/2 socket, breakdown handle, and cheater bar), flashlight, safety vest with retro reflective stripes, spare fuses and critical bulbs, more tools, jumper cables, roll of paper towels, leather gloves, plywood square (to go under jack), tire repair kit, WD-40, tow strap |
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Let there be LIGHT!
An LED headlamp would come in real handy between dusk and dawn and allow use of both hands while doing a repair or collecting firewood. A good stout fixed blade carbon steel knife & sheath. Ontario, Becker, Kabar...along those lines. It should never leave your side. If you lose everything, at least you still have your knife with you. |
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Universal sill cock valve tool. (A "+" shaped tool with four sizes of wrench to open hose valves outside buildings.)
Compass and maps? I would go with typical camping/MRE type food over rice, beans, or oatmeal. All that stuff requires stay-put pot to cook. For the vehicle, a couple of milk crates to hold it all and a bag for the personal stuff. Extra ammo (you have the weight capacity, might as well add a magazine or two). Flashlight? Head light (very useful for nigh time car repairs or setting up the tent) |
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I like having a metric and english socket set, ratchet, breaker bar, recovery straps (not to be confused with tow straps), 2" receiver hitch bracket and shackle, jump cables, spray teflon.
I also carry a real jack, torque wrench, DC electric pump, and patch set because I tend to get flats often. Those $8 walmart patch kits work surprisingly well. |
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I do have tools that are already in the box as we speak, I should of said to begin with. I have sets of 8mm-19mm metric and 1/4-1 1/8 SAE flat wrenches, along with deep and shallow sockets (3/8 and some 1/4), short and long socket wrenches, 18in adjustable crescent, as well as a breakover, pliers, channellocks, needle noses, snap ring pliers, and quite a few screwdrivers. I also have an electrical set with some 12 and 14 gauge wire spools, 3 rolls of shop towels, and a 20' 5/16" chain.
BRONZ- good call on the bolt cutters, never even crossed my mind My get home bag has the following inside- Tomahawk, SOG seal pup with sharpener, 100oz water bladder, signal mirror, smoke grenade (sounds cool), 5 light sticks, walther P22 with 3 mags and 250 rds, mess kit, small med kit, emergency blanket, leatherman, victornox swiss champ, 100' hank of 550, folding shovel, poncho, 1 set of clothes with extra socks and boxers, shemagh, small packtowel, deck of cards, weatherproof matches, magnesium, firesteel, cotton balls in petroleum jelly, 9v battery with steel wool, 2 lighters, small bible, compass, roadmap of missouri (beats nothing), purifying tablets, rite in the rain tablet with pen, fishing line/ lures/ hooks, trip wire, thermometer, surefire G2L, a cheapo LED headlamp, small binoculars and a luminox watch. ETA: I forgot a roll of TP! Things to look into- Hi-lift jack, survival saw, rope, 12v compressor, tire repair kit, maybe a battery self jumper, safety vest, extra set of plugs and various bulbs. I carry a 1911 with 2 spare mags at all times inside the glove box, and the p22, should I add an AR? I was thinking of building the cheapest AR I could ( lots of used parts) for this purpose. Add 7 USGI mags or so to the mix as well? |
I put together a specialized kit for my BOV by measuring the fasteners that I would be working on. BOVs often need a tool that is not included in the $69.99 craftsmankitintheblowmoldedcase, or a tool that is only available by ordering. An example is the oil cooler line on my BOV; to tighten it is a 5 minute job if you have a 20mm crowfoot wrench on a 6 inch extension. Hint Snap On is the place to find a 20mm crowfoot. If the fitting is not tight your oil will be pumped onto the ground .
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