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TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR6 - Emergency Tool Kit

Since it's road trip season how about sharing your thoughts on what should be in the ESSENTIAL TR6 TOOL KIT for those day trips, the overnighters, you know... when we take her off the leash and just go.

I admit to going for short spins with nothing but a jack and lug wrench at times so I should assemble a kit of necessities and leave 'em in the boot. Would love to see your suggestions, especially from the seasoned ones - other than a jug of single malt or a cooler of cold beer ;).

And, if you have neat looking tool boxes, picnic goodies, or other Brit paraphernalia that belongs in an LBC boot for those lunches & layovers show us a pic!

Anyone going to Brits-In-The-Park on Sunday in Lindsay, Ontario?

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Charged cel phone.
JT White

I can't help myself...it was just too easy.......


Rod Nichols

That would solve just about any problem (or at least make you forget about it)
JT White

Ken

Your CAA or AAA card.

But I like Rod's kit better.

In being serious,

I have a jack, lug wrench, 2 adjustable wrenches, pliers, an interchangable screwdriver and a liter of oil. These will get the minor road side repairs done. If it's major you'll want the cell phone and CAA card cause you won't have the tool you need anyway. A LED flashlight in the glove box.

I have nothing fancy to hold it- I tuck it all in around the spare tire.

For an overnight stay we don't pack a cooler since we pack the duffel bag. Snacks find their way into the passenger compartment for the drive. We also have a car blanket for the cooler nights and Triumph rain jackets rolled up under the seats for the inclement weather

And to prevent easy theft, I remove the distributor rotor at night when I park it at a motel.

We went to the Lindsay show last year but couldn't make the commitment this year. Are you going?
Michael Petryschuk

I have a nice wooden old style tool box in the boot with a pair of work gloves, zip ties, loop of electrcal wire, electrical tape, pliers, reversable screw drive (phillips/straight) box of fuses, stop/tail bulbs, cheap wrench set, socket/rachet set, can of marvel mystery oil, cap, points, condersor, rotor, jumper cables, mini mag light. I was serious about the cel phone...best roadside tool kit ever invented.
JT White

Mike... yep, we're going. It's my first event where the car is involved... that is if I get in. A few weeks ago I went to the Bracebridge show and they were full by 9am. Otherwise we've been gawkers in past, including Bronte... "just looking, thanks". I showed my 56 Chevy in 1974 at CNE's Speed Sport but that's a lifetime ago.

Rod... love it. Booz IS the answer. What's the question again?
Ken Shaddock

Okay, on the serious side...I did get a tool set from NAPA, sealed up in a plastic case. Ratchet, sockets, end wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and more. Slick little kit, and it saved the day a couple of times. A few small spares, like a small elec. fuel pump, cap & rotor, plugs, fuel filter. Plus the jack, and there was still room for beer!
I guess it's whatever quells your fear at the moment. Berry Price confessed that he carries a spare rear hub....I don't think I'll go that far. Time to grab the cell, right JT?????
Rod
Rod Nichols

Rod-Even though I used to have visions of broken axles dancing in my head, I have never actually packed a spare. I sprung for the RG hubs and haven't obsessed about hubs since.
As far as spares, I think we tend to re- fight the last battle-whatever broke in the past, we carry in the future. Of course that part will never fail again.
I think if you drive the car often, inspect&maintain it, and are "in tune" with unusual noises or behavior, it will be reliable. Having said that, my car will probably let me down on the way to the store.
Berry
BTP Price

The beauty of these cars is their simplicity and usually fairly easy to "fashion" some sort of remedy to make it to the next stop.
JT White

The first two things I put into each car I've ever owned including the 68 TR250 I purchased new in 68 and now my TR6 (which is still in parts) are a well equipped first aid kit and a fire extinguisher and am a bit surprised that none of you included these items among your "Must Haves". I also have a really neat tool bag from Jeff Zorn at LBC.COM with TR6 and the Triumph Wreath emblazoned on the side that I recommend to all of you.

Minimum tools for me are heavy gloves, the jack, lug wrench, adjustable wrench, selected box/open ended wrenches, selected set of sockets and rachet, #2 phillips and straight screwdrivers and maybe a posidrive bit if you still have original fasteners, needle nose pliers and channel lock pliers or vise grips, tape to repair a radiator hose, a large heavy mil plastic bag for protection from crawling around on the ground, 2 road flares, a reflective triangle, 2 space blankets, swiss army knife to include the ever needed cork screw, several hand wipes for clean up and a small shop towel. Also recommended to have a roll of toilet paper or a couple of the backpacking "rolls" and never leave home without the number tool of all time, ranking right up there with the proverbial BIG F Rock on the side of the road...DUCT TAPE!! My $.02!!!

And Rod, Don...yes you can get all that in the little TR6 Tool Bag even with jumper cables. Not including the fire extinuisher, of course. That goes in the cockpit. Oh, and a fashlight with extra batteries or torch if so inclined.
db
Doug Baker

Doug's right...I admit to having the fire extinguisher and jumper cables!
Rod
Rod Nichols

If it's on fire leave it. If it won't start leave it.
I guess the only thing in the tool kit you need is the AAA #
DON KELLY

Don, no AAA...USAA!!
db
Doug Baker

What's the diff, Oh yea, I;ll get back to you on the wiring stuff.
DON KELLY

My fire extinguisher is behind the seat...doesn't do much good in the boot...the fire extinguisher is a MUST in an XJS!
JT White

This is great guys... for me and for the archives and the next rookie who's gone blank on what to pack. I overlooked the fire extinguisher too and a few other items.

Doug... I checked LBC Co's website and see 4 tool bag listings. Do you know which one you bought?

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Ken,
Large canvas/cloth bag 15"X7". $24.95 USD with logo. I have one for both Little and Large British Cars (Triumph and Land Rover). Great Christmas gift for my daughter & S-I-L for their LR.
db
Doug Baker

Thx Doug... I'll check that out. For those here in Ontario who are familiar with "Brits-In-The-Park" in Lindsay here are some pics. Combined with "Classics-on-Kent" an American car show on the main drag in town at the same time as BITP it was a good day.

Ken

PS. No need for the tools today but thanks for helping me to be prepared. I noticed some stuff I have to work on but no breakdowns.

http://picasaweb.google.ca/smokeysson/BritsInThePark2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCKW8me_ZztiN0AE#
Ken Shaddock

Ken,

Nice meeting you yesterday. Thanks for sharing your pictures, #44 is actually a great picture of my car. Taken from the right distance to make the car look good.

BITP is always a great day and yesterday was no exception.

Cheers

Syl
S Demers

Ken some guys are not carrying spare tires anymore, but are carrying that fix a flat in a can stuff. Thought of doing it myself but havn't heard how well it works. It might be a good idea when you think about the amount of space and weight freed up. Also I've heard a 90's something Honda accord donut spare will work. Once again, space and weight.

Rob
rw loftus

Hey Syl... good meeting you also. I'd like to make the BITP an annual for Nadine and I. The Vic Brit Club did a great job and the setting with big old shade trees helped on a hot day.

Ken

Meeting Frank D after 50 years was pretty cool also. That TR3 of his is a sweet car.
Ken Shaddock

Ken

When I was young I use to panic about making sure I had "the right stuff". Now...who gives a s#%&. I am feeling luck to be alive and enjoy life as much as I can. I use to have the big tool box in the boot now it is collecting dust in the garage. I have no jumper cables and the only thing in the back shelf is 2 big speakers. I drive my TR6 as much as possible...I use to baby her now I drive her like she should be driven...HARD and fast( no dirty comments intended or needed her). I love the sound she makes going up through the gears.
Now the only things I carry are my dark glasses, good driving gloves, My family tarten cap, a fire extinguisher..in the boot , a cell phone, a VISA card, and my CAA card.


Now DAMN, you know what is going to happen to me............:)


Hey Rod, I remember that pic from a long time ago.


Rick
Rick Crawford

Great job Rick!! I too used to baby my car. Now, I drive the heck out of it trying to squeeze out all that money I put into it!! By the way, if your not using that big tool box in the boot, you can always donate to me!!
benji

Hey Rick... without all those tools you may be a bit quicker too. Seriously, I'll strike a compromise but being truthful... I have broken down twice. In neither situation would tools have helped me. I used my CAA card.

Driving hard... that's another issue. I tend to be a bit on the wimpy side and I hate that. I too love the sound of the car as I go through the gears but my tach rarely gets past 3500 rpm. Once I get more confident that I have safe, strong car I'll enjoy it more fully.

OD. When and how do you shift into OD? Once I'm in 4th, I let off the throttle - say at around 50 to 60 mph - and pull that lever down. There's a noticeable bump and then comes smooth sailing at about 600 rpms lower. What's your OD MO?
Ken Shaddock

In my Wedge, Ken ,I just shift into 5th.
DON KELLY

DK... So you have a 5 speed gear box or are you saying you use electric overdrive as though it were another manually shifted gear in the gear box... clutch and all?
Ken Shaddock

5 speed
DON KELLY

Ken
I remember 3500...now just a tad over 4G.

I use to clutch into OD now, like you, I get off the throttle and pull the lever down..slides in then back on the throttle. I have no "noticeable bump " at all. If you have a bump maybe you should clutch. there should be no bump at all.

Rick
Rick Crawford

Will try the clutch with an OD shift. That bump always seems harsh to me unless I'm below 50 mph which brings lugging, a no-no.

I gotta get out more ;)... whereby someone with tons of TR6 experience and an optimized car drives mine and then tells me what's right, what's not. Most car nights / cruise nights over my way involve American muscle cars.

Maybe a plan for the next LBC event.

Ken
Ken Shaddock

Okay RC... I took it out on 11 and Bob's Your Uncle. Using the clutch made the difference... a no-bump seamless shift into OD. That was sweet.

Previously I had made no mental connection between that column mounted electric OD tranny switch to another gear and the need to clutch. Call me dumb as mud. Thanks Dad!
Ken Shaddock

No problem son...
Rick Crawford

Sounds like you got problems with the OD to me.
DON KELLY

Don/Rick... I checked with the fellow who rebuilt my tranny and here is his reply... I had also asked him if he had rebuilt the OD:

"Yes the overdrive was rebuilt with new bearing and seals. The pump body which can be accessed on the plate under the overdrive (6 bolts) determines how fast it will shift. As the pump bodies wear they will shift more gently. When there is little wear and minimal clearance they shift faster and harder. People who race like this. I prefer a more gentle shift as I always baby my mechanical items. I do not think it is anything to worry about. There may be something in the differential or the halfshaft axles. Overdrives would typically whine or not work at all when failing. If you give it a bit of throttle (gently) when shifting the overdrive clutch will slip slightly going in and make for a more gentle shift."

Sunny and warm... time for another spin.

K


Ken Shaddock

If your happy,I'm happy :)
DON KELLY

I love it when a thread goes off into lala land.
Ken Shaddock

What were we talking about?
DON KELLY

So I guess my pump body is worn out.....

I have a semi spare OD...maybe that should be my Emergency Kit:)

Going to be a great day for a od long driv.


Rick
Rick Crawford

If anyone is still interested in a tool bag, check this one out on EBAY # 250674643495
spj steve

Tool bag, what's that about :)
DON KELLY

This thread was discussed between 16/07/2010 and 01/08/2010

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