Newbie mechanic set of tools for learning to wrench on 100 series (1 Viewer)

[xplore]

A length of black iron/lead pipe makes an indestructible breaker bar that slips over ratchet handles, mine is going on 15yrs still undefeated

I used to have a pipe that I used for years... Until one day, I destroyed a 3/8" ratchet wrench from hammering on the pipe while trying to break a bolt loose. It was fun while it lasted. I took that as an opportunity to upgrade to an actual breaker bar.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that's done this, but has anyone used a big combination wrench over the end of a ratchet wrench for some additional leverage? It's a little bit of a pain, but it works in a pinch.

 

[2020 Rocks]

I used to have a pipe that I used for years... Until one day, I destroyed a 3/8" ratchet wrench from hammering on the pipe while trying to break a bolt loose. It was fun while it lasted. I took that as an opportunity to upgrade to an actual breaker bar.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that's done this, but has anyone used a big combination wrench over the end of a ratchet wrench for some additional leverage? It's a little bit of a pain, but it works in a pinch.

1/2 inch ratchet and you would not have had that problemo

 

[Ayune]

Hose clamp pliers make every job easier.

Amazon product ASIN B07C3LYZM7

 

[halbeezy]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Africaster]

I haven't gone down the Techstream rabbit hole yet because it seems like a bit of black magic or voodoo is required to get it working, lol.

Amazon, Autogrills (is the seller) … excellent support … I ended up letting them remote connect and install whilst I watched ( 3 minutes tops) … not 1 issue since, no need for VM either.

 

[watsonbug]

I'd crack a beer and start reading here:

tools — Overland Tech & Travel — Exploring Overland

www.exploringoverland.com

I just watched 3 hours of videos to learn what I need to repair everything in the field. But he didn't touch on what I'm using those snap ring pliers for. Or the punches, chisels, box cutter, or hacksaw. As far as I can tell I just need wrenches. Also while this was super interesting - does he have something that's just a field travel kit instead of the idea of being a mechanic for a long term expedition with multiple vehicles?

 

[suprarx7nut]

Back when I was ~16 my dad got me a "Mechanic's" set from Craftsman. That set has served me very well for 20 years. I've had to add some small stuff here and there. Extensions, weird sockets, universal joints, and then of course impact tools when I had a house and air setup. And then brake tools, a slew of torque wrenches, a 4 post lift.... it all escalated quickly.

I would suggest you get a Mechanics set, but not in a folding case. Get something like this: https://amzn.to/399N20l

One of the early additions I bought was a set of flex head ratcheting wrenches from Gear Wrench. I've never had one of those fail on me and they've paid themselves off 20 times over. Such a cool invention.

You’ll need a floor press and a torch if you plan to do control arm bushings.


Need torx to remove steering wheel, sunroof frame, and a few other things. So yeah, not much stuff.

Bushings are a strange thing. So simple, yet incredibly difficult without the right tools. Personally, I think they're a bit of a temptress, especially on the 100. It seems easy, the parts are cheap and shops charge a lot. So it's a fun DIY thing.... until you realize without a press you're screwed or that your wimpy floor press requires you to basically burn and cut the old one out by hand anyways and it took you 4 hours to do 2 bushings.... after you got them out of the car.


One tip: embrace the impact (for removal, at least). I spent a lot of years without a big air compressor and with the impression that impacts ruined things. As it turns out, a beefy impact gun for removal makes wrenching about twice as enjoyable and may spare a significant amount of blood. I've done my best to imitate a few crime scenes in my garage from loosening tough bolts by hand only to end up slipping off a wrench and painting the floor with red specks. Now days, if it takes more than a little effort I fire up the compressor and reach for the impact.

 

[Itsky]

I just watched 3 hours of videos to learn what I need to repair everything in the field. But he didn't touch on what I'm using those snap ring pliers for. Or the punches, chisels, box cutter, or hacksaw. As far as I can tell I just need wrenches. Also while this was super interesting - does he have something that's just a field travel kit instead of the idea of being a mechanic for a long term expedition with multiple vehicles?

What? You need those things for improvising, which is as common as what you’re thinking is common. He lays it out simply, what dont you understand?

 

[watsonbug]

What? You need those things for improvising, which is as common as what you’re thinking is common. He lays it out simply, what dont you understand?

The hacksaw, box cutters, and chisels mainly.

I’m not knocking the dude. I’m no mechanic so I legitimately don’t know. Like what am I punching out? What am I chiseling? Is there an example?

I’m primarily doing weekend trips. Maybe a week at best. Coming from the backpacking world - I’ll field repair your whisperlite but I’ve never worked on cars.

 

[JOSHD]

I just watched 3 hours of videos to learn what I need to repair everything in the field. But he didn't touch on what I'm using those snap ring pliers for. Or the punches, chisels, box cutter, or hacksaw. As far as I can tell I just need wrenches. Also while this was super interesting - does he have something that's just a field travel kit instead of the idea of being a mechanic for a long term expedition with multiple vehicles?

If you break a CV, you need the snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring holding it to the hub. You need a brass punch or a brass hammer to hit the cone washers holding the hub to the flange if you have to replace the wheel bearing. I've never really used a chisel on anything other than wood. I guess it depends on the type of chisel he is talking about. I have used an air chisel to separate rusty parts. Without a box cuter, how are you going to cut the tails off all the zip ties? A hacksaw is good if you need to cut a little off a bolt that you just boogered the threads on.

 

[watsonbug]

If you break a CV, you need the snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring holding it to the hub. You need a brass punch or a brass hammer to hit the cone washers holding the hub to the flange if you have to replace the wheel bearing. I've never really used a chisel on anything other than wood. I guess it depends on the type of chisel he is talking about. I have used an air chisel to separate rusty parts. Without a box cuter, how are you going to cut the tails off all the zip ties? A hacksaw is good if you need to cut a little off a bolt that you just boogered the threads on.

Thanks. So I'll probably add these as I gain those skills or have to fix those things. Cutting wheel bearing and probably CVs are beyond my skill level.

 

[HoffCruiser]

Does anyone use Klein tools on the toyota bolts?

 

[GerLC100]

I have one or two Klein tools for electric stuff. All my "real tools" are Gearwrench, Wuerth (German "business only" brand), Wera, Knipex, DeWalt, ...
Things I only plan on using once or twice is Harbor Freight.

Best deal: whenever I need a new tool to fix a friends car they got to buy it and I keep it :-D

 

[Tareq]

1/2 inch ratchet and you would not have had that problemo

I recently broke my 3/8 as well and plan on upgrading to TEKTON 1/2 90T ratchet, rated for over 500 ftlb, but not sure if I should get shallow or deep sockets for basic DIYs on my 100, like this set ...

 

[GerLC100]

Curious to see what the others say, but for me it would be the deep ones on the nut side (as the bolt is sometimes poking through and the short ones are too short) and it would be the short one on the bolt head
And if you'd need lets say 2x 21mm I'd use a 3/8 ratchet with adapter on the bolt side and the 1/2 ratchet on the nut side.

 

[scubadoober]

3 ton floor jack that will lift "at least" 19" high
2 X 6 ton jack stands
1/2" mectric socket set that includes 10,12,14,17,19mm deep/shallow
combination wrench set (long format) that includes 10,12,14,17,19mm
1/2" x 2' breaker bar
This would be a really good starting point, and add 22,24,27mm deep sockets as needed. 22mm swivel head ratcheting wrench for shocks. Start with cheap (Husky, Harbor Freight, etc.) and replace whatever you break with a better version. The key is just start working on it, and you will figure out the rest. Good luck.

 

[BnvS]

I recently broke my 3/8 as well and plan on upgrading to TEKTON 1/2 90T ratchet, rated for over 500 ftlb, but not sure if I should get shallow or deep sockets for basic DIYs on my 100, like this set ...

View attachment 3659941

Harbor Freight has a good kit on this.. one is a smaller kit which comes with box.. the other is one that has deep sockets that goes up to 32 or 34mm socket.. Works great for me. All are impact rated and lifetime warranty.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-12-in-drive-sae-and-metric-impact-socket-set-37-piece-68011.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/sockets/1-2-in/12-in-drive-metric-impact-deep-socket-set-13-piece-69561.html

I use the smaller kit with my tool kit which I have some good HF Pittsburg Pro ratchets. The flexi head is especially good. This kit has most all sockets that you need. And if you take the bigger one with you. You can open most things with it. Usually I go with at least 2 ratchets and this 2 kits.

 

[hysteria357]

when it comes to tools, if you're going to use it often: buy once cry once. Especially for your "main" tools like ratchet, screwdriver, power tools, floor jack, etc. Also one thing people often overlook is light. Nobody has ever complained about having too much light in their garage.

Watch Project Farm on Youtube. easily the best objective tool reviewer.

 

[BnvS]

Also forgot to mention I do have a Harbor Freight 3 ton floor jack. It's been great. Obviously get yourself good jack stands as well. For me I have Harbor Freight for those as well.