Base Kit — All Vehicles
These tools belong in every rig. If you're missing them, you're working with your hands tied.
- 3/8" drive socket set — 8mm through 19mm metric, 5/16" through 3/4" SAE
- 1/2" drive socket set — 17mm through 36mm metric, 1/2" through 1-1/4" SAE
- Breaker bar (18" or 24")
- 3/8" drive ratchet + extensions — 3", 6"
- Torque wrench, 1/2" drive — 20–150 ft-lb range
- Combination wrenches — 8mm through 22mm metric, 3/8" through 7/8" SAE
- Allen/hex key set — metric + SAE, L-key and T-handle
- Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers — multiple sizes
- Needle-nose pliers, standard pliers, channel-lock pliers
- Diagonal cutters
- Pry bar (18")
- Dead-blow hammer
- Utility knife + extra blades
- Wire strippers/crimpers
- Multimeter
- Assorted fuses — blade style, 5A through 40A; include the locker solenoid fuse rating
- Electrical tape + self-fusing silicone tape
- Crimp connectors assortment + spare wire — 14 AWG, 12 AWG
- Zip ties — assorted sizes
- JB Weld — two-part epoxy
- Hose clamps — assorted sizes, 4–8 pack
- Duct tape
- Recovery strap — 20', 20,000 lb rated (the winch handles most self-recovery)
- Rated D-shackles — 2×, 3/4" rated, for winch rigging
- Snatch block — rated to at least 12,000 lb; doubles effective winch pull on heavy recoveries
- Tree trunk protector — 2" x 8' minimum for winch anchor rigging
- Tire plug kit — string plugs + insertion tool + rasp
- Portable air compressor — 12V, capable of 35+ PSI; onboard airing-up after airing down
- Tire pressure gauge
- Jumper cables (20') or lithium jump starter
- Fire extinguisher — ABC, 2.5 lb minimum, vehicle-mounted
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Work gloves + nitrile disposable gloves
- First aid kit
- Penetrating oil — PB Blaster
- Anti-seize compound
- Blue Loctite (#243)
- Dielectric grease — for electrical connectors, winch contactors
- RTV silicone sealant — Permatex Ultra Black
- Shop rags / blue shop towels
Power Wagon-Specific Additions
The Power Wagon's specific failure modes and fastener sizes require additions that the base kit doesn't cover.
- 32mm socket (1/2" drive) — The Power Wagon's factory lug nuts require a 32mm socket. Most base socket sets top out at 27mm or 30mm. Verify yours reaches 32mm before leaving.
- OBD scanner with Ram-specific PID support — Generic OBD readers don't access the locker control module, Smart Bar, or TIPM-level codes. A Ram-compatible bidirectional scanner (such as an Autel or Foxwell with Ram protocol support) is the difference between a 10-minute field diagnosis and a guess. This belongs in the truck, not at home.
- Sway bar manual reconnect tool (per your year's procedure) — If the Smart Bar actuator fails with the bar disconnected, you need to manually reconnect it before driving at any speed. The procedure varies by year; confirm yours beforehand and carry the specific wrench or hex key needed to actuate the manual pin.
- Spare locker solenoid fuse (correct amperage for your year) — A blown locker fuse kills both lockers in some configurations. Check your PDC diagram before leaving and confirm which fuse covers the locker solenoids. Carry two spares.
- Winch remote control lead (wired) — The factory wireless remote is convenient until it isn't. A wired remote as backup ensures you can operate the winch if the wireless unit fails or loses battery.
- Extra synthetic rope anchor (soft shackle) — If the rope has to be cut in a recovery that goes wrong, a soft shackle lets you rig the shortened rope back to the drum without a hardware connector. Carry two.
Pack Strategy
The OBD scanner belongs in the cab, not the cargo area — locker solenoid codes show up before you get on the trail, not after. The wired winch remote goes on top of the recovery bag. The 32mm lug socket lives with the spare tire gear, not in the main tool roll. Everything else follows standard layout: tool roll for hand tools, sealed case for high-value recovery gear.
The Power Wagon has its own winch, so the recovery rigging setup shifts: you're primarily rigging the winch to an anchor, not rigging from a running vehicle. Your D-shackles and snatch block should be sized for 12,000 lb loads, not the lighter ratings that work for strap-to-bumper pulls.