Tools - what are you using?

[BigBlue99]

Currently, my Craftsmen rolling toolboxes are housing house renovating tools but I need/want to start building a toolset that is appropriate for working on the Cruiser. I don't want to buy crappy tools, but I also don't want to pay more for the tools than I did for the vehicle so I'm looking for suggestions.

What brand tools do you use/recommend?

What are the most essential tools for working on the hundy? Obviously a metric ratchet and wrenches, butt what else do you frequently find yourself reaching for?

Finally, where have you been getting your tools from?

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

 

[davegonz]

Here are a couple that you would need:

1) Metric gear wrenches with swivel heads. Sears has these for sale from time-to-time and they work great. Make sure to get the ones with the fine ratcheting motion.

2) 24mm hub socket. Do a Google search for 24mm Hub socket from OTC. They are cheap and come in handy when working on your front end.

3) Brass drift and/or brass hammer. Used to remove cone washers from front hubs.

4) Nice snap ring pliers.

5) Floor jack and nice 6 ton or more stands.

6) ScangaugeII or other OBDII reader. Comes in handy when diagnosing CEL codes.

 

[re_guderian]

In no particular order (and it reallly depends on what kind of work you're doing - interior v. exterior, electrical, engine, suspension etc.)

torque wrench

A gazillion ratchet extensions in various lengths and wobble/straight

A 3-foot iron pipe.

FSM and EWD (a must have, IMO)

IH8MUD

a retrieval magnet

a set of dental picks

interior trim clip remover tool

basic hand tools/sockets

30mm socket to crank the t-bars. - edit -> this thread started out in 100 series tech...

Overkill jack stands

Liquid Wrench.

As far as brand for hand tools, I don't have a preference. I've broken most every brand, so as long as it has a warranty, it's good. That said, I buy them from wherever I happen to be, and what's closest. Sears, the local True Value (awesome service ) AutoZone, wherever...

 

[D'Animal]

A fist full of 12mm wrenches, sockets, etc.



The tools you need depend and what you plan on doing with your rig.

Oil/fluid Changes

Rotate Tires

Replace broken lenses

PHH

Rebuild front axle assy

DIY Head Gasket

Swap motors

Rebuild your transmission

Fix all the switches and electrical stuff, etc.

 

[davegonz]

Why was this moved? It was tech and 100 series specific.

 

[re_guderian]

Why was this moved? It was tech and 100 series specific.

The Thread Death-Panel has spoken... Thread now needs this tool...

 

[BigBlue99]

Dave - thanks for your response - exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. Obviously specific jobs require certain tools and I'll add as jobs come up but this sounds like the way to start.

 

[Lake Rat]

Let's see I have all sorts of hand tools wrenches sockets/rachets a BFH which is a very good tool for beating and banging on stuff and an excellent stress reliever, saying this it wouldn't hurt to have a 1st aide kit handy too! this will help if using hammer for relieving stress or if said hammer happens to hit thumb, knee or other parts of your body while relieving stress ( I have a wrecked 40 tub I beat on) or a cut. Also, need to be proficient in cursing (hammer helps here too!), unless you are religous, but I have known pastors that have cursed in the right situation. Sometimes things don't go as planned. LOL!!!! Really, everyone builds their tool chest as they see fit or as need arises. Over the years I have acquired everything from welders, torches to a myraid of hand/air tools. Mosyt of the time I bought the tools because of a good deal or need at the time (yes, I do have a few hammers).

 

[NMuzj100]

LED headlamp seems like it's used every time. Really beats a flashlight.

Vise grips - at least one of each kind they make. Seem to use these a lot too

A set of breaker bars - These aren't high tech so mine are Harbor Freight.

A few really big wheel chocks, the kind intended for RVs are nice. Safety First!

 

[sandcruiser]

while superduty jackstands are nice when you have the whole rig resting on them, a cheap and small set can work well for holding up the axle independent of the frame, but hardly 'needed'

there are some other tool threads out there, look around for them, lots of info

I like ACE brand tools, they make decent stuff and the sets are often low-priced. Also ACE hardware is usually a franchise and often locally-owned, fwiw.

I use my hilift jack handle as a breaker bar. double-duty.
I would be unhappy without a real 'breaker' for 1/2" sockets- the kind that is about 18" long and just has a simple swivel head.

obviously that also calls for a set of 1/2" sockets. I got a nice little stanley set some time ago that has all the metric sizes I need and some extensions. It has served me nicely.

A very large flathead screwdriver is handy for bending stuff and generally muscling things around.

I agree with whoever said "just get something with a warranty". Any name brand is probably pretty well made and unlikely to break by a typical weekend user.