We spend most of our off road time running solo. Our solo expeditions take us a long ways from civilization and assisted recovery or rescue. With this in mind I have customized our recovery kit to help facilitate self recovery.

The main tool in my recovery kit is common sense. If possible, I avoid situations where I might get stuck. I am VERY careful to take things with caution and finesse so as to treat the FJ with kid gloves. I try to avoid large impacts and if the FJ becomes hung up I will use our extraction tools so as to stress the FJ the least amount possible. I also practice using all the tools so I know how to put them into practice should the need arise.

So what is in my kit:

Winch – The winch is a core component of the recovery tools. I utilize a Superwinch EP9000 with synthetic winch line and a Safety Thimble on the end. However, the winch itself is only a core component that must be supplemented by other accessories to be fully functional.

Winch Accessories:

– Snatch Block. The snatch block provides for the ability to either redirect the winch line or provide for a 2-1 mechanical advantage.

When running solo, redirection serves 3 main functions; first it allows the winch to be un-spooled down to the last wrap by attaching the line to a further anchor after redirection, second it allows the winch to be used with a 2-1 reduction and third it is very useful when removing trees and other stuff from the trail.

– Tree Strap. The tree strap is a heavy duty low stretch strap that is used to anchor to a tree. With out the strap the winch line will dig into the bark on the tree and damage both the tree and the line. The tree strap I carry is 5′ long and will work for most trees in Colorado.

– Winch Line Extension. There can be nothing more discouraging finding that the anchor you need to use for extraction is 20′ beyond the end of the winch line. Enter the Winch Line Extension. I carry an extra 50′ of synthetic winch line. The allows me to reach far beyond the end of my main line. The extension can also be used as a replacement line if the primary winch line fails. The extension is also used as a part of the Hi-Lift winching kit.

– Shackles. I carry 4 shackles in my kit. I run a winch line with no hook so shackles must be used to attach all winch accessories.

– Chain. I carry 20′ of high quality chain. When using rocks as anchors chain can be used to supplement the tree strap. When using synthetic line you always want to keep the line way from rocks and other stuff. The chain is also used as a part of the Hi-Lift winch.

– Line Protection. I carry a 6′ segment of old fire hose to use as protection for the winch line should it need to run over a rock or some other surface.

– Pull-Pal winch anchor. We spend lots of time in the desert southwest. In many sandy locations there is no anchor to be seen. Enter the Pull-Pal. The Pull-Pal can be deployed as a synthetic anchor when no other is available.

Hi-Lift Jack – The Hi-Lift jack has been around for years and is one of the best off road recovery tools you can own. Calling the Hi-Lift a jack ignores many of its other uses.

– Lift (jack) the FJ from bumpers, rock rails and wheels
– Use as a winch to pull the FJ or other items
– Use to bend or straiten items
– Use as a accident victim extraction tool

The following items facilitate the use of the Hi-Lift for the above uses;

– The Jack Base allows the Hi-Lift to be used on soft soil or sand with out sinking.

– The Lift-Mate allows the jack to lift the FJ at the wheel. If the jack if being used to lift the FJ for rock stacking, lifting at the wheel is the best option. IF you lift the FJ from a body mount point you fully extend the suspension before the wheel starts lifting off the ground.

– The Rock Slider Hi-Lift mount is an attachment that cradles the rock rail in a half round cup while lifting.

– The Hi-Lift Off-Road Kit is what turns the Hi-Lift into a winch. When we are solo on the trail the Hi-Lift winch is the only way that we can pull the FJ out backwards.

– I would never go anywhere with out the Fix It Kit for the Hi-Lift. The kit contains all the parts to be able to rebuild the Hi-Lift should it fail on the the trail. It also contains the Shear Bolt which will fail if the jack is overloaded.

– I also use the JackMate which was recommended by Chris Nelson. The JackMate functions as a part of the winch kit and also extends the function of the jack into a number of other areas. When used as the base the JackMate becomes a positive connection when used on rock. The JackMate also is used when the Hi-Lift is being used for spreading for victim extraction from a vehicle.

There are a few other items that I also carry in my kit:

– A shovel and axe.

– A 30′ snatch strap to use for extraction of others.

– A Receiver shackle attachment.
The is a very good attachment point when using the FJ Cruiser and a snatch strap to extract another vehicle.