Tool Kit

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IME a commonly neglected maintenance item on "new to me" 80 Series is the lack of regular service (greasing) of U-joints, driveshaft slip yolks, and the steering knuckles (which lube the CV joints and spindle bushings).

So on top of (already mentioned) checking air pressure and all fluid levels you could/should grease all 4 U-joints until all air/old grease come out of all end caps then grease the slip yolks until they start to move (push apart). Also add Moly fortified grease to your steering knuckles if the swivel balls look dry. You can use Valvoline Palladium (NAPA stores sell it in the US) can be used for everything mentioned, but a Moly grease should be used at least in the knuckles and the slip yolks. Any automotive MP or wheel bearing grease for the U-joints.

Get yourself a good manual grease gun with a flexible hose that takes the standard 14 oz grease tubes. I find the long lever type easier to use, FWIW.

To get the grease coupling nozzle thingy onto a couple of the zerk fittings for the U-joints you may have to orient the driveshaft where the zerk fittings are pointing somewhat upward ie: between 10-2 O'clock so the U-joint is opened up enough to fit the nozzle inside, if that makes sense.
 
Thanks for continued advice. Maybe to help clarify, I have a full garage at home and have been built many many cars. I’m moving from a very well built TJ ((including a fabbed 4 link I did on my own) to a LC due to space needs. Once I’m home it will get a winter’s worth of maintenance. Just looking for anything LC80 specific I need to know before a long drive.
 
sgmartz said:
Thanks for continued advice. Maybe to help clarify, I have a full garage at home and have been built many many cars. I’m moving from a very well built TJ ((including a fabbed 4 link I did on my own) to a LC due to space needs. Once I’m home it will get a winter’s worth of maintenance. Just looking for anything LC80 specific I need to know before a long drive.
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What I would do depends on how I felt about the rig. If it seems reasonably solid mechanically, I wouldn't worry about anything more complicated than a jack and a spare. If it feels like it's on its last legs, same answer, but film everything and start a youtube channel. 😆

In my mind, anything beyond basic tools is more of a concern for overlanding, wheeling, etc. If you're just driving it up the highway, I would just run it. The "Dad" advice is dad advice because it's based on experience: we've all done trips like this countless times. If you bring every tool you own, you'll either need none of them, or need the one thing you forgot.
 
sgmartz said:
Thanks for continued advice. Maybe to help clarify, I have a full garage at home and have been built many many cars. I’m moving from a very well built TJ ((including a fabbed 4 link I did on my own) to a LC due to space needs. Once I’m home it will get a winter’s worth of maintenance. Just looking for anything LC80 specific I need to know before a long drive.
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I don't think this has been mentioned, and since you have mechanical ability, I would prioritize checking the front wheel bearings and the bottom knuckle studs . Make sure the latter are torqued to factory specs. Those bottom studs can leave you stranded.

Taking the front hub off is a procedure, but it would be good to know if they have been properly greased. They need to be greased much more frequently than a modern vehicle.

This is the one area where I see significant and costly mechanical damage due to lack of maintenance. Given that your knuckles might need moly grease added, it might be time to look at the front bearings.
 
I am a little surprised that most answers are to have a cell phone, AAA, and the basic toolkit that cones with the truck. That’s fine if you’re on the interstates or in more populated areas and have cell service. I’m sure that there have been plenty of times where we’re in the boonies, or a place that we don’t want to be in for a long period of time and some added tools and spares could mean leaving the area within a couple of hours or spending the night in a cold truck.

I carry the Toyota tool kit with me, but when I bought the truck, it only contained equipment to remove lug nuts. Using an old medic bag, I added some basics—screwdriver, 1/4 socket set, multi-tool/pliers, zip ties, electrical tape, and a folding hex wrench. Fuses, fusible links, extra belts, a juice pack, flash light, and an impact driver with a 21mm socket (just makes changing wheels so much faster) round out my kit.

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Tachycardic said:
I am a little surprised that most answers are to have a cell phone, AAA, and the basic toolkit that cones with the truck. That’s fine if you’re on the interstates or in more populated areas and have cell service. I’m sure that there have been plenty of times where we’re in the boonies, or a place that we don’t want to be in for a long period of time and some added tools and spares could mean leaving the area within a couple of hours or spending the night in a cold truck.

I carry the Toyota tool kit with me, but when I bought the truck, it only contained equipment to remove lug nuts. Using an old medic bag, I added some basics—screwdriver, 1/4 socket set, multi-tool/pliers, zip ties, electrical tape, and a folding hex wrench. Fuses, fusible links, extra belts, a juice pack, flash light, and an impact driver with a 21mm socket (just makes changing wheels so much faster) round out my kit.
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I mean, he is only going from LA to Denver. I10, I15, I70. He will never be off an interstate.
 
I suppose, but there have been times where you had the time to go off on the beaten path and having a little insurance is nice. He could easily check out southern Utah, middle Nevada or the far side of the Sierra Navadas. There’s like 10 national parks between western CO and LA!
 
I forgot to mention, I carry a little bit of wire. Lost my rear exhaust hanger on the highway somewhere (front was already missing) and it helped get rid of the rattle sounds for the rest of the trip.
 
Malleus said:
You will also not ever use a 13–mm or a 15–mm socket or wrench; they are not JIS automotive standard.

Ratcheting 10–, 12–, 14– and 17–mm are the most common on the truck, if you're stocking your garage toolbox. The power steering and transmission hose fittings are 14–mm and you'll need a crow's foot for them.

There's a sparkplug wrench in the toolbag.
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All true, except? When someone, repair shops typically, replace the JIS with DIN!

That sends my OCD into overdrive!
 
1100 miles?
lol, I drove my new to me 80 from Stockton to Dartmouth NS. Pretty close to 5000 miles.

I had Valley Hybrids look it over and do fluids, change a u-joint and replace rear output seal on xfer.

Had factory tool kit and a small tool roll I brought with me.

And a zero balance credit card, for gas😂
 
If you get onto trouble post here, there are plenty of good folks that will usually help out. Travel on the weekend and you will have a better chance at getting some help. Some one can bring you a fusable link or alternator.

Enjoy the adventure
 
This is a great thread. I appreciate the photos.

There are a few "tool kit" threads that I've found by searching the forum. I don't have the luxury of having the factory tool kit. Some previous owner lost it long ago, I suppose. I don't even have a factory tire iron or jack. So I was searching around for a recommendation on tools to have in the rig.

I'm not wanting to do a full rebuild in the desert, but I'd like to be able to handle most situations and lug the vehicle home or to a mechanic shop. So with that in mind, here is what I have gleaned from searching this and other threads.

You want the complete factory tool kit - it has most of what we should want/need, but if (like me) you don't have that... here's a list of what you could consider. This is what I'll be putting in my tool bag. I found a waxed canvas tool bag on Etsy that will easily hold all of this.

(Feel free to suggest any additions/changes!)

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Standard tools that replace (or to supplement) the factory tool kit for most situations:
  • Extra blade fuses
  • Extra fusible links
  • Flash light / headlight, with batteries stored in small plastic container
  • Multi-bit screwdriver including JIS bits, Phillips and Flathead (JIS bits avail on Amazon)
  • Zip ties
  • 3/8" drive standard ratchet
  • 3/8" drive 6-point shallow sockets: 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 21mm, 24mm
  • 3/8" drive 6-point deep sockets: 22mm
  • 3/8" drive extensions: 3", 6"
  • 3/8” drive wobble
  • 3/8" drive 16mm spark plug socket (5/8" is a close fit)
  • 3/8" drive breaker bar (12-18")
  • Slip joint or cobra pliers
  • In lieu or stock tire iron - you could add correct socket and use the 3/8" breaker bar - check size if you have aftermarket lug nuts
  • Bottle jack or Hi-lift or something. Make sure it will work for your size tires.
Extra Piece of Mind Stuff to Consider:
  • 3/8" drive 14mm crowfoot (PS and trans hose fittings)
  • Ratcheting flex-head combo wrenches: 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm
  • Multi-tool (like a Leatherman)
  • Small bit of duct tape, maybe 6 feet rolled up
  • Small bit of steel bailing wire
  • Electrical tape
  • Needle nose pliers (can ditch this if you added multi-tool)
  • Wire cutters (can ditch this if you added multi-tool)
  • Spare V belts for YOUR ENGINE
  • Impact driver with 3/8" drive adapter
  • 3/8" drive 10mm hex socket
  • 3/8" drive stubby ratchet
  • Dead blow hammer ~28 oz
  • JB Weld epoxy
  • Tire plug + repair kit + inflation
  • Silver paint marker
  • Black Sharpie
  • Reader glasses (I'm old!)
  • Paper funnels
  • Extra quart of motor oil (my 1FZ-FE burns oil)
 
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LLTB said:
This is a great thread. I appreciate the photos.

There are a few "tool kit" threads that I've found by searching the forum. I don't have the luxury of having the factory tool kit. Some previous owner lost it long ago, I suppose. I don't even have a factory tire iron or jack. So I was searching around for a recommendation on tools to have in the rig.

I'm not wanting to do a full rebuild in the desert, but I'd like to be able to handle most situations and lug the vehicle home or to a mechanic shop. So with that in mind, here is what I have gleaned from searching this and other threads.

You want the complete factory tool kit - it has most of what we should want/need, but if (like me) you don't have that... here's a list of what you could consider. This is what I'll be putting in my tool bag. I found a waxed canvas tool bag on Etsy that will easily hold all of this.
Click to expand...
Wise decision. Another person (or two) mentioned this so I am seconding - before you leave I'd buy some moly grease and shoot some into the knuckles on the front axle. You don't need anything special other than a grease gun to do this. I thought my 80 was well maintained and so this was on my get-around-to-it one day list. Then on a trip it started eating a spindle bearing. Made it home. Found the knuckles were 90% dry. Ouch.
 
In addition to what @LLTB said, I would include a 13 and a 15mm socket. I know you shouldn't need them, but ya never know if a bolt or nut has been swapped, and they are statistically insignificant in terms of size and weight. Also, consider any aftermarket parts. I carry some of the common SAE sizes, because some aftermarket parts are SAE.

I also really like linesman's pliers. They have cutters integrated and pack way more punch than slip-joint pliers. The leverage you can get with them is great for bending stuff.

I have a Cruza that didn't come with a tool kit. Here's a list of the tools I carry in the kit I made:

- 10,12,13,14,15,17,19 mm sockets
- 10,12,13,14,15,17,19 mm wrenches
- 3/8 ratchet and 3" extension
- Screwdriver handle and bits
- Slip joint and linesman pliers

I already had a tire iron, but the foldable 4-way from HF is awesome and compact.

I housed all this in too Klien Tool bags from Lowe's. The sockets, ratchet, extension, driver handle, and bits came from a tool set from Lowes. All in, it was about $100.

Fuses would be a good thing to add.

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