Getting serious about tools (1 Viewer)

[AndrewHadji]

So part of my xmas gift this year from the wife is a few tool sets. Im building a tool kit for the troopy to handle most issues.

I know i want another craftsman maxx axess set, my 5 year old set has served me well with both the nissan and the troopy, and comes in a slim carrying case.

Any other sets that people love, think are required? I will have a compliment of screwdrivers/prybars/hammers/breaker bar/needle nose/adjustable/vicegrips etc ....

Also, any neat soft sided tool carriers that people have?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Leatherman Tool, duct tape, and an assortment of wood shims.

 

[jblueridge]

For my month in Colorado and Wyoming I bought some flat plastic "truck boxes" from Sears.
I put them where passengers feet are. Minimal disruption.

Welcome to Sears.com - Sears

 

[clintnz]

I have a little powerbuilt 1/4" drive metric socket & bit set, but for larger stuff I think more tool sets is the wrong way to approach things as you will probably end up carrying a lot of stuff that doesn't fit anything on your truck or you won't need. Get just the items you need & whenever you are working on the truck in the garage, think about how likely it is that you would have to do the job on the trail, & if you have, or should have the necessary tools in the vehicle's kit.

I've recently moved my cruiser tools from a tool bag into custom tool rolls which has made things a lot more compact but not quite as quick to access.

Cheers
Clint

 

[SNLC]

Are you talking specifically to carry in the truck or general tools to work on it in the shop?

Cheers

 

[bjowett]

I've been eyeing some of the Asahi Lightool wrenches.

 

[colby1979]

I keep one of the Crescent 170 piece kits in each of my cruisers. They contain metric and sae 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive sockets, wrenches, screwdriver s, plires, allen wrenches, channel lock and plires. The only other tools I have really added is a hammer, 19mm wrench, 24mm socket, 1/2 braker bar, fencing plires, vice grips and a piece of pipe for a cheater bar. The crescent set is of good quality and they come in a nice storage case.

 

[Tapage]

your cruiser it's mostly 10mm, 12mm, 14mm and important 54mm ..

 

[cruiserpilot]

Got to have a pair of these plyers for removing the snap rings.

 

[OGBeno]

Find Snapon truck, pull out Amex card and be done with it.

 

[JohnVee]

You can cut your tool count in half by making damn sure that you never put in an SAE bolt...but you'll save the day for some other schmuck if you carry metric AND SAE.

 

[clintnz]

Find Snapon truck, pull out Amex card and be done with it.

Bugger that. I like having nice shiny tools in my workshop but my cruiser tools are just mid range & basic stuff that will get the job done. I don't want to be crying cos I lost my $200 ratchet out on the trail somewhere. Plus the trail tools sometimes have to be abused or sacrificed to get the job done.

Don't forget to grind the lead-in off your 24mm socket so it will remove your bungs without wrecking them.

Cheers
Clint

 

[WanderinWhitlows]

Softsided tool carriers you say?

I'm using Blue Ridge tool bags now but the new Atlas 46 toolbag is interesting as well. As to tools, think I'm going to start gradually switching over to Grey Pneumatic Duo sockets since I carry a 20lb CO2 tank and a rattle gun with me and have already cracked a few chrome sockets.

 

[peterb]

Some folks consider Charles a "serious tool". <smile>

 

[Burbot]

10/12/14mm. takes the whole thing apart. Open end/ combos 3/8 drive 10/12/14 sockets. Throw in Phillips driver or two and your wheel wrench n jack. Also add 2 -1/2 inch for battery clamps. Blade driver for clamps

 

[Cruiserdrew]

In the end, you'll need a lot of trail tools. Sure you need the usual sockets and wrenches, but you'll need a lot of other tools too.

I'd recommend for trail tools you go to Harbor Freight. Buy everything they have that comes in sets with the associated driver. Sockets, wrenches, 3/8, 1/2 inch drive. Impact, swivel what ever buy it because you'll eventually want it. Flare wrenches, a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, gear wrenches, Allen wrenches, brass drifts, etc. Go crazy. Buy it all with a $300 budget in mind. Anytime one doesn't measure up, get a better version when you get home. But the HF stuff is fine for almost all trail repairs. And when you lend out tools, you won't feel bad when they don't come back, which they won't. Buy more.

For your home shop, pretty much avoid HF tools. Better tools are better. Snap On is the best. But, Snap On is serious $$$$$$$ for even basic tools. If you're a pro, worth it. If not, buy the best you can that doesn't break your budget.

I know on my FJ40 there is a huge assortment of hardware. Toyota OEM, SAE, 13mm it's crazy town. You you will need more than the 12mm, 14mm, and 17mm that your Toyota was built with.

Here is the best trail tool for a Land Cruiser you will ever purchase:
VIM Tools Double Box Wrench-EXTRA LONG 14mm 17mm-Oil Change Drain Plug DPW1417 | eBay

This tool will allow you to keep your Knuckle nuts tight, which will prevent more heart ache than almost any other thing you can do to your Land Cruiser. And you get a 14mm wrench as a bonus.

 

[SNLC]

your cruiser it's mostly 10mm, 12mm, 14mm and important 54mm ..

True that but also 17mm and 19mm.

Besides the snap ring pliers above I suggest a brass hammer, brass punch, bearing/seal driving kit and a good voltage meter. Oh and a torque wrench that goes up to 150ftlbs.

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Oh and if you are working on brake lines a set of line wrenches. For interior a set of plastic interior pries and a few hooks used to pull things like clips for window crank handles. Along with a few two/three jaw pullers you should be set up to do most jobs.

Once you have the right shop tools you can decide what you fell is important to carry on the trail.

Cheers

 

[gkanai]

The one tool that has really impressed me in the past decade is the Knipex Plier Wrench. It is a revelation. I added one to my motorcycle tool roll and plan to add one to my Cruiser tool set as well. It is an amazing tool!

 

[John McVicker]

I go back & forth regarding HF tools for in the truck and field repairs. I'm not a HF snob by any means as I have plenty in the garage. My thinking for field repairs is that's when you want to have your best at your disposal.

In the field I certainly don't want a ratchet or a socket to break because I happen to give it too much torque. Or the socket or wrench to be too thick to get into a tight space. I love Gear Wrench wrenches, use them all the time at home but the heads are often too large to fit in tight spaces, so in the field I make sure I have both. Same thing for HF universal joints for socket wrenches. They are much larger and consume more space in tight quarters that a similar Craftsman U-joint. I'm sure others can come up with more examples, my point I guess, is carry what you need...and carry what will work.

Just some random thoughts.