If hes never been to a third world country, save the money on tools and simply buy him a coffin. If either of you have to ask what he should take, he shouldn't be going. If he cant be talked out of it, buy him an airline ticket.
The most foolish people I have ever met are "adventure seekers" that go on trips like these, then think they know enough about how the world works to do it again.
Couldn't agree more. I travel all over the world on business including countries where we are moved in sealed transport with machine gun equipped escorts in lead and chase vehicles. This is not a most "excellent adventure" to make by yourself.
1. He should make the Ranger as mechanically sound as possible, but the outside and interior should look like it is a useless POS. I've been to more than one "new car party" where the guests took turns bashing a new car (sometimes very expensive) with bats and chains to make it less of an optical target.
2. I would invest in a good set of run flat tires (zero pressure with a spare). There are times when you can not stop to fix a tire (like when four people with knives tied to the end of long sticks run out of the bushes to puncture your tires).
3. He should carry as little as possible and it should not be of much value. Tools should be limited to those needed for general maintenance (very minor on a mechanically sound Ranger - I have owned one for 10 years) and they should be functional and cheap. Basic 3/8-drive metric socket set with drive bar (for serpentine belt), spare belt, a few smaller wrenches, a couple of screw drivers, a tube of silicon seal, JB Weld and a roll of duct tape. With clean synthetic fluids it won't need servicing on the trip. Absolutely, do NOT pack like he is on a National Geographic field trip. The Ranger won't be his main problem.
4. Don't stand out from the crowed. U.S. plates and registration stick out like a sore thumb.
5. Have funds and supplies wired/shipped to you at safe locations as needed along the route.
6. Do not wear jewelry or anything of value. I know of someone who had his hand cut off by a passerby with a machete to steal a watch (Nigeria).
7. Never allow your car to be trapped from behind by getting too close to the car ahead. You should always be able to quickly swing around an obstacle.
8. Avoid changing currencies at local markets when possible, especially if you are alone.
9. Don't get sick. Start taking required shots and prophylaxis at least three weeks before leaving (malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis, etc.). You do not want to be incapacitated in a remote area or receive local medical treatment if possible. We sometimes carry syringes in case medical treatment is needed (traffic accidents) and always have a small first aid kit with chemicals to sterilize cuts and drinking water and medicines to treat diarrhea.
10. Keep your hands clean. Local currencies and other objects you might touch often contain every form of parasite, bacteria and virus known to mankind.
11. Don't drink before you eat (or immediately after eating). You don't want to dilute stomach acids before ingesting questionable food.
12. Don't do stupid things. One team member was a runner and he continued to run during a trip to a less than desirable country. He tripped one morning and fell into a ditch/sewer, cutting himself badly and pushing feces up his nose. As above, that ditch contained every form of parasite, bacteria and virus known to mankind.
We lost five people in less than 10 years due to sickness or violence. Two from malaria (some forms lie dormant and then the cysts rupture and the released spores kill you very quickly), one from staph and two from gunshots. During that period one person also contracted a form of TB that can be controlled, but not cured.
Much of this could have been prevented if the people involved had taken care of themselves and stayed alert.
I trust your friend knows what he is doing?
