Mechanics Tool Set for the car.

[alohavw]

I don't know if this was covered but if it hasn't been, what would be a good Mechanic Tool Set for the car? Something to take to the salvage/junk yard and any other thing that may come up.

 

[jay50]

Just pick up some horror freight ****; if you happen to loose it, not big deal.

 

[wilbilt]

I carry old Craftsman stuff in the vehicles for the most part.

 

[gainera2582]

husky would be my choice for a cheap tool kit!!!

 

[T56 Impala]

I would buy a big set of HF tools for that job. Like it was said, no biggie if you lose it. You might step up and buy the HF impact sockes to replace the standard sockets you will break. This is a real good idea thinking about it. You can get the 105 pc set for $39.00 right now with its own case. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=165&pricetype=

Hey, you could even build your own with those pretty coloured socket and wrench sets they have!

 

[eschoendorff]

I have pieced together kits for each car from tools taht I have upgraded... ie: tools that are not completely crapy, but that I do not need to keep in my garage tool boxes.

Craftsman extras

Taiwanese ratchets

Sears Companion **** that I got free

Decent Chinese pliers tah I could care less if I lost...

you get the idea....


BTW.... why is it okay to purchase cheap Chinese tools for mobile tool sets, but if you purchase them for your garage, then you are considered the devil????? Seriously... they are still getting your money....

 

[grillmasterp]

Usually the main limiting factors for a vehicle tool set are the addtl weight & space they occupy.
For junkyarding you will want both SAE & metric- For your personal vehicle you can get by with only the necessary standard.

Pay attn to the range of socket sizes included if you buy a kit.
I prefer 1/2" and 3/8" drive sockets & ratchets in 6 pt flavor

I have been most impressed with the 76 or 77 pc tool set as a basic vehicle set
I have managed to pick up older versions of this set for $35 from Sears
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935077000P?keyword=77+tool - Add a set of wrenches & a few pliers and your pretty much covered

For my 4wd Tacoma that serves as a daily driver and offroad weekend warrior- I keep a fully stocked set of tools- You have to be prepared for trail fixes. I ditch the blow molded cases for tool rolls & tool bags (take up less space) -
I am talking 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drives, as well as certain specialty tools required for my specific truck.

For my wifes daily driver- I keep a more basic/stripped down tool set - just in case


Great additions to Junk yard scavenging-
Cordless impact wrench, breaker bars, BFH, & PB blaster

 

[eschoendorff]

I have managed to pick up older versions of this set for $35 from Sears
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935077000

Uhh... file not found. Which one of these sets are you getting for $35?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Tool+Sets_Mechanics+Tool+Sets

 

[grillmasterp]

Uhh... file not found. Which one of these sets are you getting for $35?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Tool+Sets_Mechanics+Tool+Sets

corrected link in my thread
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935077000P?keyword=77+tool

I managed to get the original 76 pc version without the laser etching on clearance a few years back for $30-35.

Also, Right before christmas, I managed to get 2 of the 76 laser etched versions for $35 ea.

The link shows the current 77 pc set laser-etched- they just tossed in a bottle opener.

I like this set because the case is relatively small- and it has a pretty comprehensive range of tools-
10-19mm 3/8" drive and 18-24mm 1/2" drive in addition to the 1/4" drive-
THe 24mm is the rear diff drain/fill plug size for my vehicle.
the 3/8" drive ratchet is also the long version.
Don't be fooled by the lower tool count- this set also does not have the 40 pc of hex key fillers like most other sets.

-GrillmasterP

 

[wrenchr]

Watch that laser etching it will rust!!!

 

[grillmasterp]

Watch that laser etching it will rust!!!

Yeah - I am not a fan of the laser etching unless its in addition to the stamped markings.
The only laser etched tools I own are those recently acquired sets which I bought for vehicle only sets- So I am not really concerned. One of the sets is replacing a wally-world Popular Mechanics brand set in my wife's daily driver-
The only time I used that set in 4 years was to replace her battery or change a tail-light bulb.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I carry a small tool set in each vehicle I guess as a throw-back to when I used to drive cars that NEEDED a roadside repair on a semi-regular basis. I have never used the small Craftsman sets in our new vehicles, but I carry a more complete set in my old truck.

My junkyard box is totally different from these sets. It is full of tools that I inhereted, received as gifts, or tools from my garage box that got replaced by better pieces over the years. I have found multi-purpose tools like my multi tool, Gator Grips, adjustable wrench, etc quite useful in the U-Pull It yards. I usually walk the yard with only pocket tools to see what they have. Then, if needed, fill an empty tool box with only the tools which I might need for the parts I am after that day. If I need anything else, I walk out to the car and get it. I hate carrying a 50lb toolbox, even in a wheelbarrow, because I never know what to do with it when I inevitably have to use the Port-A-Potty.

 

[mulepackin]

I'm pretty much like esch. The backbone of my grab and go box is a 155 piece Craftsman set I got on Ebay for about $65. Its newer Craftsman, so I don't like it as well as my vintage stuff, but plenty adequate for this purpose. The rest is stuff I've found, picked up cheap etc.

 

[Galadrium]

BTW.... why is it okay to purchase cheap Chinese tools for mobile tool sets, but if you purchase them for your garage, then you are considered the devil????? Seriously... they are still getting your money....

I guess they feel embarrassed if they didn't fix stuff with name brand tools.

 

[Senorpablo]

I've got the Crescent set that's available from Costco, and other places in my car. It's got a nice assortment of tools, and a nice, compact plastic case.

 

[cambell]

Just another tool to think about that I carry and I really like. I bought the gearwrench quad box wrenches, two wrenches that cover eight sizes I love them and they have already come in very handy. Just something to think about, add a hundred pounds of tools to your trunk and your gas mileage in gonna go down. I'm putting together a small toolbag for the car right now from some old tools and some really useful tools that I have been picking up. So far some permanent tools are the quad boxes, a gerber multi tool, a cheap black and decker screwdriver with every bit I will ever need, a mag light, and some duct tape. I have others in there, (cheap socket set, lug wrench) but I'm looking for replacements.

 

[timgr]

My approach to what I carry in the car is very different from what I would carry to the junkyard. For the junkyard, I'd agree - the HF kit would be fine. Since I've driven a CJ-5/CJ-6 for many years, reducing the amount of junk I carry sort of mirrors the backpacking approach ... if you need something, take it, and pare away relentlessly at the weight of every item. In the Jeep, weight is important, but there's not a lot of storage room. And if you need a tool that you don't have, you could be stranded a long way from the highway. So I have put a lot of effort into optimization of the carry-along tool kit for field repairs.

I like multi-purpose tools, like the Leatherman tool, Knipex Cobra pliers (those are cool - but I don't have any... yet), those orange screwdrivers with multiple bits, and so forth. That kind of stuff plus the usual socket set, but I'd carry something that I could rely on, not the import junk.

 

[eschoendorff]

My approach to what I carry in the car is very different from what I would carry to the junkyard. For the junkyard, I'd agree - the HF kit would be fine. Since I've driven a CJ-5/CJ-6 for many years, reducing the amount of junk I carry sort of mirrors the backpacking approach ... if you need something, take it, and pare away relentlessly at the weight of every item. In the Jeep, weight is important, but there's not a lot of storage room. And if you need a tool that you don't have, you could be stranded a long way from the highway. So I have put a lot of effort into optimization of the carry-along tool kit for field repairs.

I like multi-purpose tools, like the Leatherman tool, Knipex Cobra pliers (those are cool - but I don't have any... yet), those orange screwdrivers with multiple bits, and so forth. That kind of stuff plus the usual socket set, but I'd carry something that I could rely on, not the import junk.

See, right there is why I won't own a Jeep. Plus, you just look so much cooler in a Corvette!

 

[timgr]

Heh. I like Corvettes, but a Jeep is so much more fun to drive!