When I drove to Mississippi and return from Colorado and later drove out here to Oregon, I packed a complete set of Harbor Freight metric wrenches, sockets, my good digital VOM, fuses, most of my electronics hand tools from when I was in the industry, small jumper wires with alligator clips, two shorter jack stands I managed to arm wrestle into the trunk and a good, sturdy short four ton bottle jack pluss as set of good jumper cables.
My fuel pump bit the dust in Corinth, MS and I bought a set of cheap but good ramps from Autozone as well as the fuel pump, some rubber fuel line and a bottle of beer on the way back to the car. (I no longer drink but it was HOT that day) I found a cheap five gallon gas can too and helped a friend to some of my fuel.
The car would start and run enough for me to back onto the ramps and I jacked up the front enough for me to take off the bolts holding the gas tank. The jack stands and ramp gave me enough confidence to drop the tank. The VOM helped me trace a broken ground wire and the tools enabled me to do the work. I am sure there are other things i'd need in another situation but these worked for me.
The car has run great since then and I haven't needed any repairs but I keep my "pick and pay" tool set in the trunk just in case.
Edit: Now I wish I had used my Triple-A card in Corinth but for some reason, I didn't consider it. That card has helped me at least four times.
[This message has been edited by starlightcoupe (edited 09-06-2013).]
