Gonna Buy Some Tools, Which Ones to Get??

[TriniFJ]

Aright guys, quick post to find out what's the most recommended tools to buy for a new FJ40 owner. Have pretty good mechanical knowledge so I'll be doing all the light to moderate mechanical work myself [don't have an engine jack ] but lost all my tools when my pops moved out of the country a few years back.

So what do you guys recommend?? I want to be able to take any body part off without a problem as I'm gonna be stripping her down to her frame to do some body work and don't want to have to pay anyone to do it [even though the tools will probably be more expensive, but it feels better to do it yourself, and i'll have them for the future!].

Gimme some feedback, I'm heading to the hardware this weekend to pick up a set of sockets, spanners, wrenches etc.

Cheers

 

[kurtnkegger]

PB Blaster or Kroil if you can find it. Don't forget the BFH!! Invalueable for getting some of the fasteners loose....

 

[77TLCFJ40]

My short list:
Metric Socket Set
Metric Wrench Set
No regular pliers - nobody likes teeth marks on their nuts!
Vice Grips
Needle Nose Pliers
Rubber/Dead Blow Hammer
Hammer (BFH), Brass Drift, Punches
Big Adjustable Wrench - for the big ones
Drill, center punch, and bits - for broken bolts, etc
Screw Drivers
Pry Bar
Angle Grinder with cutting and grinding discs and wire wheels
Penetrating Oil like PB Blaster, Kroil, etc - lots of it!
Heat Source like a Propane torch
Simple Green Degreaser
Plastic and metal flat scrapers
Bench Vise
I'm sure I've left something out???

 

[bikersmurf]

Snap ring pliers, hub socket, 30 mm socket for pinion, pickle fork for tre, multiple meter and ???

Not all necessary but will eventually be needed.


Note: i read it was 30mm or 1 3/16", check your pinion nut size... 30mm wouldn't get on mine. 1 1/16" worked great though.

 

[kurtnkegger]

Search Craigs for a torque wrench. Don't know how deep you are going to go, but I use mine often.

 

[numby]

Search Craigs for a torque wrench. Don't know how deep you are going to go, but I use mine often.

X2

Just about every Toyota nut and bolt has a specific torque setting. I have a good Snap-on model for the lower torque wrench settings on the more sensitive stuff like the intake/exhaust bolts, etc and a big cheap model for high torque suspension/chassis stuff.

 

[Falco80]

Good ideas have been thrown up so far. I lashed out on a quality Sidchrome torque wrench a couple of years ago and it's been a great investment. Definately a metric socket set and combination spanner set. A decent trolley/floor jack and at least one pair of heavy duty axle stands is a must i reckon to make life easier.

My advice is to buy the best tools you can afford. IMHO, you should think of them as an investment. You will no doubt be using them for years and years, so you'd much rather be working with quality gear, instead of cheap, nasty crap.
It's taken me a couple of years to accumulate my tools and there is still more to buy.

If I do a job on the cruiser that i haven' done before and it requires a tool, or tools, that i don't have....well thats just an excuse to go tool shopping!

 

[davegonz]

Metric gear wrench set for those hard to reach places.

 

[Leaping Deer]

4 1/2" grinder. One of the most used tools in my garage.

Also if you get a welder buy the biggest one you can afford.

 

[gwalt584]

bench grinder

get a 6" or 8" bench grinder, put a stone grinder on on wheel and a wire wheel on the other side. I use the wire wheel side to clean parts, polish, take off rust, etc.
Don't forget the safety glasses. a must when running the bench grinder and using the wire wheel.
Good luck
Gary

 

[camcruiser13]

a welder

 

[TriniFJ]

My short list:
Metric Socket Set
Metric Wrench Set
No regular pliers - nobody likes teeth marks on their nuts!
Vice Grips
Needle Nose Pliers
Rubber/Dead Blow Hammer
Hammer (BFH), Brass Drift, Punches
Big Adjustable Wrench - for the big ones
Drill, center punch, and bits - for broken bolts, etc
Screw Drivers
Pry Bar
Angle Grinder with cutting and grinding discs and wire wheels
Penetrating Oil like PB Blaster, Kroil, etc - lots of it!
Heat Source like a Propane torch
Simple Green Degreaser
Plastic and metal flat scrapers
Bench Vise
I'm sure I've left something out???

You did:

...credit card

Definitely gonna pick up a socket and wrench set, vice grips and a pry bar. Have some of the other things you mentioned (drill, drivers, scrapers, pliers, grinder) but think i'll hold back on some of the others until I get a bit more into breaking her down.

Thanks for the info guys. I'll be sure to post pics to document the tear down, and the re-build

 

[77TLCFJ40]

Brakeline/Clutchline Wrench (AKA Boxed End Wrench?) Cant remember if its a 10 or 12 mm.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

you don't need a full metric set, buy as you need them

combo wrenches and six point sockets in 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 17mm, 19mm
a stubby 12mm combo ratcheting and box end pivoting wrench comes in handy too

six point socket in 24mm

deep well socket in 9mm for carb

assorted pliers

japanese cross slot screwdrivers(different from phillips heads)

multimeter

soldering iron, assorted wire, crimping tool and assorted connectors

allen wrenches in metric

breaker bar

and your choice of beverage. These vehicles are built to be simple, you don't need too many tools.

 

[Rigger]

Someone's gota say it . . .

AAA card!



***

creeper, jackstands, floor jack, rags, oil dry, fluorescent task light, box of disposable rubber gloves, & gasket scrapers.

 

[madinal]

Can't emphasize the SAFETY GLASSES enough.

Do you have an etcher for your new tools? Not a good idea anymore to put your SSN on them but putting your VIN on the tools will help you identify them if stolen and recovered or found at a pawn shop.

 

[Coolerman]

A good set of metric screwdrivers helps...

 

[skidplate]

...............and metric allen wrenches

 

[FJforty]

C-clamp Vise grips for fab work, it's like having another helper that doesn't have an opinion. If you are looking for an arc welder then get AC/DC, some are just AC. If you looking for a wire feed welder then try to get one with gas. Plasma cutters are very cool and can reduce labor time but these tend to be a luxury item.

 

[Bodean]

Catch Sears with a big sale and buy a good set of Craftsman tools. As mentioned above, a set of metric gear wrenchs can come in awful handy! If you have a compressor then some "quality" air tools are great too!

Later,