I've wheeled for years in my 98 Ranger (sold now
) and I'll reiterate the first rule of wheeling:
NEVER WHEEL ALONE!
However, as most of us can't help but do this sometimes (rules are meant to be broken,right
) u need, at a minimum:
High Lift jack - first thing a wheeler should have, IMHO
flat board/plate for staging said jack (recommend thick piece of aluminum/steel)
Multiple tow straps, enough to reach at least 100' away (you never know, and heres a story: while wheeling in the Imperial Sand Dunes (also known as Glamis) in California, we came across a guy in a sand rail stuck at the bottom of a bowl. If you don't know what a bowl is in the desert, think of a deep hole in the sand, kind of like that place in Star Wars that has the monster in it). Then imagine being at the bottom, trying to get out of the STEEP sides. Doesn't work. What we did is string about 200' of tow straps together (cause that sucker was steep and deep) and then tug him a few feet up the bowl. Then stop, unhook a section of tow strap, and repeat about a dozen times. That is why you need a 100' of tow straps.
Gas - mostly to keep the truck running while you are waiting all night for your buddies to get their trucks fixed/gassed up/sober etc.... and then come find you and pull you out. Gets cold most nights.
Tools - amazed at what will break on a truck as soon as you are at least 10 miles from any main road. I've held a pack of leaf springs together with tie wraps, duct tape, and prayer. Also I've held the front coil of a Bronco II in the mount when the retaining ring snapped with tie wraps.......very important, tie wraps. Seriously, every tool you think you will need to fix anything that could break that is essential to your truck running (hoses, exhaust, tires (TIRES), suspension, alternators, starters, skid plates, TIRES, etc...), you will prob need some type of tool to fix it. A full toolbox is in order.
Spare parts - see above section, but at a minimum bring a spare set of belts/hoses, a spare alternator/starter, spare hubs (you do have the manual type right? if not switch them....automatics suck and like to pop as soon as you are on the other side of the mud hole from home), gas, food, water, plugs/wires, a spare coil, solenoids, fuel pump......prob leaving something out. Point is: anything that is essential to your vehicle running (can't run without xxxxxxx), make sure you have a spare xxxxxxx with you.
Since you go along (refer to first section) a winch is also a must. You should have one that can pull at least twice your vehicles' weight. Also you must have a tree-strap, as trees are often willing to hold your strap but a metal cable will quickly cut them down and they get mad and fall on you. A ground anchor is also nice when you are without friendly trees around. This will allow you to pound the anchor into the ground and use the ground to pull you out. At least the ground can't fall on you.
Spare tire - no brainer, but should be a full size tire on a good rim
Can of ether/lighter fluid - useful for re-setting beads on tires and if that doesn't work at least you will feel good until you are rescued
CB radio - absolute must when you are wheeling. Cell phones are finicky, but every sherrif in the country monitors good old channel 9
Lights - u seem to have that covered
Battery - would recommend a dual battery setup, especially if you have off-road lights on the truck. Reminds me of a funny story when my battery was dead and had to push-start the truck (in total darkness) down a rock strewn hill and pop the clutch....fun
If no dual battery, be aware of running the lights without the truck running (see above for essential things to keep truck running....battery is one)
Lets see, what else.....
Camera - nothing is so great about a funny off-road story (Hey man, you would't believe how high the mud was in my truck!) without pictures/video
Since you are going alone (see first section) I also would recommend some sort of traction aiding differential. In other words you should have at least a limited-slip rear end, and most ideally a locker. This allows you to provide power to both wheels at ths same time, even when one is off the ground. Nothing is sillier than a bad-*** off road truck stuck because both the front and rear drive wheels are off the ground and can't move (very likely when navigating deep ruts/rocks)
That's all I can think of right now.....I love off-roading, and soon plan to acquire a nother truck. Be safe, plan ahead, and you won't be walking home 10 miles in a rainstorm because your alternator quit after you forded that stream at 15mph (yes, I've done this also)
Be safe and have fun!
dragoman