Looking for a long handle 3/8 drive ratchet - Snap-On, Matco, or something else?

[kdeboy]

I'm looking for a long handled, 3/8 drive flex head ratchet with a head thin enough to fit in tight spaces and strong enough to take a good amount of torque. Usually when I want to get a "nice" tool I go with Snap-On (I guess you could call me a Snap-On fanboy), but when I changed the serpentine belt on my wife's Honda over the weekend, the space between the frame and the tensioner nut was too tight for a standard depth socket on my Snap-On ratchet. My neighbor let me borrow his Husky ratchet and it (barely) fit but it has a short handle so I had to put a pipe over the handle. Is the head on the Matco slimmer than the Snap-On? What else would you recommend (I want a 17" to 18" handle). Thanks

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Matco is slightly slimmer. You want a serp-belt tool for that application, or XL flex head wrenches.

 

[kdeboy]

Matco is slightly slimmer. You want a serp-belt tool for that application, or XL flex head wrenches.

I tried a serp-belt tool, but the crows foot it came with spread a minute amount and slipped on the tensioner just before i could get it turned enough to slip the belt on. As for the XL flex head wrenches, do you mean the ones made by Gearwrench? Thanks

 

[assassin10000]

I tried a serp-belt tool, but the crows foot it came with spread a minute amount and slipped on the tensioner just before i could get it turned enough to slip the belt on. As for the XL flex head wrenches, do you mean the ones made by Gearwrench? Thanks

Kabo made with the offset ends may also work.

Sold as: Mountain, matco, platinum, etc.


I really like my xl matco 3/8 flex head. It is definitely thinner than snap on dual 80 heads.

I'd probably use it with my astro nano sockets for belt tensioners (shorter than 'standard' sockets).

 

[mhejl]

A longer ratchet isn't the answer here. A dedicated serpentine belt tool like the Gear Wrench is. They have flex and fixed-head versions. But, I HATE the stupid o-ring between the wrench section and the extension section; I use a velcro wire wrapper to keep it from separating. I'd never use the included crowfoots for this application.

I also have a SO FHLLX80 and the lowest profile sockets that fit my cars are 14mm Koken Zeal. Not low profile but preferred unless it doesn't fit.

the Kabo-style are too short for this, IMHO.

 

[plinker]

What I use depends on what vehicle is in is question regarding belts, The GW belt tool is decent, I use better crowfeet socket then what it comes with, as needed. Though I prefer the 18" matco ratchet or one of the Kabo or GW 0* long box wrenches with the flex head if I can get away with them.

https://www.jbtools.com/gearwrench-...ting/?refSrc=103923&nosto=productpage-nosto-1
IMO the Kabo are better, but quite a bit more money. These are decent though.

 

[CGarage]

I think Gearwrench locking flex head 3/8 long handle ratchet is thinner and lower profile than the Matco!

 

[dnschmidt]

The ICON Kabo made flex head wrenches are the tool for this job.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I tried a serp-belt tool, but the crows foot it came with spread a minute amount and slipped on the tensioner just before i could get it turned enough to slip the belt on. As for the XL flex head wrenches, do you mean the ones made by Gearwrench? Thanks

For a belt tool youre looking for something like GEARWRENCH 3680D. I have no idea why they include the crowsfeet.

Gearwrench makes xl flex ratchets, but you really want the reversable style with the little nub that sticks out like a low profile socket. Mountain, platinum, icon all sell them. Great belt tool.

 

[yellowbox]

Gearwrench extra long 3/8 ratchet , slim head design , 18 inch length , bout $50
I have 2 of em , it's my first choice

 

[Mr_B]

The ICON set when got a coupon going is great easy option .
other tool I use fair bit on belt area type work is extendable version of high five super-ten compact flex head 3/8 ratchet mixed with stubby sockets .

 

[joel_400]

My favorite ratchet for this I actually had the Snap on man make for me, as at the time, they didn't produce it from the factory. They may now. We took the longest flex head 1/4 inch ratchet they make and put the 3/8x1/4 inch conversion kit in it. It's super low profile and works amazingly well for belt tensioners on some of the manlifts I work on. Most guys remove the radiator on these to get to the belts, but I've eliminated the need for that with that ratchet! Makes the common waterpump job much quicker! Even my boss at the time was amazed by how much time that ratchet saved on that job! May want to check into that if cost doesn't bother you. I can't remember what I paid, but it wasn't cheap. But when your addicted to tools that make your life easier it's well worth it in my eyes!
Joel

 

[setfocus]

I've got the lisle serp belt tool, kabo wrenches, and long and XLong ratchets

Only belt I've not been able to do is the gm front drive 5.3L. When I did a power steering pump on one, I had to fish a pry bar through the wheel well and pry back the tensioner and strap the pry bar around the fender to hold it there. Then barricaded the area around the pry bar cause I knew I'd be F'd if it slipped off from someone bumping it. There's a specific belt tool just for those 5.3s

 

[Zewnten]

If you want a XL long ratchet I like matco. For the job you described I'm with everyone else specialty tool.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

To change the drive belt fortunate to have room PU truck used 24 inch1/ drive breaker and shallow socket, did not even break a sweat.

 

[turninwrenches396]

I've tried all tool truck and Amazon ratchets my budget would allow and for an extra long 3/8 the snap on just cant be beat

 

[assassin10000]

@kdeboy ever make a decision?

If you want, I can grab the dimensions of the matco 3/8 flex head with and without an astro nano socket to give you an idea of the combined thickness.

 

[WWheeler]

For a belt tool youre looking for something like GEARWRENCH 3680D. I have no idea why they include the crowsfeet.

I'd suggest getting the newer flex head version instead (89000), for about the same price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSMUUCS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[seber]

The smallest 3/8 flex head I have is Koken. If you can put up with the reversed lever, it is a superb ratchet.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I'd suggest getting the newer flex head version instead (89000), for about the same price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSMUUCS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They'll also sell you just the flex head piece to upgrade an older kit, which is what I did.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I used a Craftsman 3/8 drive long handle flex head ratchet quick release from Lowes, made overseas.

 

[WWheeler]

They'll also sell you just the flex head piece to upgrade an older kit, which is what I did.

Yeah that's exactly what I did too, but I did so with the regret that they didn't have the flex version option back when I bought my set in the first place. It's been a right handy tool, but would like it even better if the flex ratchet fit in the case with the rest of my set, and buying just that part cost more than half of what the whole set with the flex costs, so it's one of those 'if I had it to do all over' kind of things.

That's why I suggested anyone else looking into getting that tool just get the better version in the first place.

 

[demarpaint]

Yeah that's exactly what I did too, but I did so with the regret that they didn't have the flex version option back when I bought my set in the first place. It's been a right handy tool, but would like it even better if the flex ratchet fit in the case with the rest of my set, and buying just that part cost more than half of what the whole set with the flex costs, so it's one of those 'if I had it to do all over' kind of things.

That's why I suggested anyone else looking into getting that tool just get the better version in the first place.

Thanks- I just bought the GW 89042 to upgrade my older GW belt removal tool set. For under $30 shipped, well worth it imo.

 

[kdeboy]

@kdeboy ever make a decision?

If you want, I can grab the dimensions of the matco 3/8 flex head with and without an astro nano socket to give you an idea of the combined thickness.

I decided to get the Matco long handled flex ratchet. The dedicated belt tool looks nice too, but my garage is too crowded to get a tool I'm going to use once every 5 years or so.

 

[assassin10000]

I decided to get the Matco long handled flex ratchet. The dedicated belt tool looks nice too, but my garage is too crowded to get a tool I'm going to use once every 5 years or so.

Cool.


Well for anyone else that comes across this thread and wants to know, the Matco 3/8" flex head measures at approx.:
12.2mm head thickness
24.5mm thick with anvil

With a 23.9mm tall socket total thickness is 37.9mm, due to ball detent.
If shoved all the way down it is 36.9mm

Or in other words add 13mm to socket height for minimum thickness for clearance.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Has GearWrench fixed their "jiggly" locking flex head ratchets?

The Matco is definitely the way to go for 3/8". With super shallow sockets, I've been amazed at the places that it can get.

-Ryan