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Ammo can tool kit

Supertech

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Texas


I wondered how an ammo can would work for a serviceable tool kit for my wife's car. So far this is the best i have came up with for such a small container
 
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Lassen Forge

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I had a 50 cal can that I used for numerous VW's and then a couple Unimogs. They're heavy, but they work. THe one mod I made was replacing the handle on a 3# sledge with a short (as in hand sized) hunk of steel pipe with a nut welded to the end so it would fit...

THink what you REALLY need, what you can make do other things do, and what your capabilities are. But sure it's do-able for an emergency breakdown kit...
 
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Supertech

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I had a 50 cal can that I used for numerous VW's and then a couple Unimogs. They're heavy, but they work. THe one mod I made was replacing the handle on a 3# sledge with a short (as in hand sized) hunk of steel pipe with a nut welded to the end so it would fit...

THink what you REALLY need, what you can make do other things do, and what your capabilities are. But sure it's do-able for an emergency breakdown kit...

Thanks. Went back over it and remembered her tentioner pulley uses a 1/2 inch drive ratchet to release. I would have been up a creek if we had to change a belt or something.
 

65k10

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Here's one I did for our chore tractor. I wanted to use an ammo can since this tractor does not have a cab and is primarily used in the winter and spring. Since I took these pics I removed the 8mm hex bit in favor of a hex key, and added a 15mm socket, knipex combination pliers, and a 10 inch Mayhew dominator pry bar. The wrench and socket storage are not the most space efficient, but I wanted to make sure they could not be easily lost in the snow or mud. You can also kind of see in the second picture that I added magnets to the wrench holder so that it stays attached to the side of the ammo can when taking out other items.
 
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tool_scrounge

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Southern California
I used to use a 50 cal ammo box, but found it hard to extract tools out of if you filled it over half full. You either poked your hand trying to shuffle tools around to see the one you want. Or you dumped all the tools out and that was a mess. I found a small metal tool box that was wider/deeper but not as tall.worked much better.

Regardless, gluing a piece of **** carpet to the bottom of the tool box to keep it from sliding around in the trunk works wonders.
 

dogdog

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I found those 16" tool bags are much better fitted for the purpose...
 

65k10

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I used to use a 50 cal ammo box, but found it hard to extract tools out of if you filled it over half full. You either poked your hand trying to shuffle tools around to see the one you want. Or you dumped all the tools out and that was a mess. I found a small metal tool box that was wider/deeper but not as tall.worked much better.

Regardless, gluing a piece of **** carpet to the bottom of the tool box to keep it from sliding around in the trunk works wonders.
I found using these organizing trays from MTM Case Guard help with organizing.
http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/shooting/ammocanorganizer.php

The only annoying thing is cutting out all the dividers so it can hold tools. I really wish they just made some open trays. It also makes me wish I knew how to work with sheet metal and had a small brake, then I'd start making my own metal ammo can trays.
 
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Supertech

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I found those 16" tool bags are much better fitted for the purpose...

No man that would take up way too much space. She gripes about the little ammo can and . Its half the size of a 50 cal can.

But to be honest there are a few other things floating around the back of the explorer. First aid kit, roadside kit, survival kit, tow straps etc.
 
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Supertech

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Heres vid from last winter of all the stuff i have in her car. Its grown since then.
 
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Supertech

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mc4life27

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on pirate4x4 someone took an ammo can and made a socket holder insert that you could pull out of the ammo can and it held everything in place. i will try and find a picture
 
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bdbecker

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I'm a big fan of tool rolls for putting together a vehicle or job specific tool set. They allow you to stay organized while still being able to access everything, are space efficient, and most importantly, they are quiet (no rattles from tools banging against a metal box). For $17 on Amazon, I don't think you can go wrong with that option.
 

bpjr

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If an ammo can holds what you want then use it...but you can stuff more in a soft sided canvas bag with the same dimensions because if flexes. Ammo cans also slide when bags won't. Been this route a few times and ammo cans are now used for ammo, while bags are used for tool kits in my cars.
 

QwikKotaTx

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If you aren't worried about keeping the elements out a tool bag would be better and a LOT quieter. If I had an SUV all of that rattling around would annoy the hell out of me. Would definitely have to wrap tools in rags or something.
 
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Supertech

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If you aren't worried about keeping the elements out a tool bag would be better and a LOT quieter. If I had an SUV all of that rattling around would annoy the hell out of me. Would definitely have to wrap tools in rags or something.

Its pretty tight so it doesnt rattle. But now you guys got me thinnking about it moving. Hadnt had an issue with that in the couple months its been back there, but she hasnt had a wreck either. In a crash the last thing you want is a 25 lb metal box flying around and possibly injuring a kid
 

QwikKotaTx

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Its pretty tight so it doesnt rattle. But now you guys got me thinnking about it moving. Hadnt had an issue with that in the couple months its been back there, but she hasnt had a wreck either. In a crash the last thing you want is a 25 lb metal box flying around and possibly injuring a kid

If it's up against the seat backs it's unlikely it would become a projectile but Murphy never sleeps. Not that a bag full of wrenches wouldn't kill you but it's lighter overall. I have a rigid bin in the bed of my truck under a tonneau cover for all of my tools but that thing is super heavy. Held down with ratchet straps and a 2x6 in front to keep it from sliding forward.
 

StormcrowAz

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Phoenix, AZ
My Chevy 2500 has a nice spot under the hood to hold the double-wide ammo can. Made a custom bracket to hold it down. Out of the way, yet always there if needed. It has come in handy on a few occasions. Wasn't very careful on space management and could certainly fit more in there if desired, but this should cover most things. Looks pretty close to what you have, tool-wise.

20170525_153258

20170525_153831
 

bpjr

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My Chevy 2500 has a nice spot under the hood to hold the double-wide ammo can. Made a custom bracket to hold it down. Out of the way, yet always there if needed. It has come in handy on a few occasions. Wasn't very careful on space management and could certainly fit more in there if desired, but this should cover most things. Looks pretty close to what you have, tool-wise.

20170525_153258

20170525_153831

Nice!
 
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Supertech

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Location
Texas
My Chevy 2500 has a nice spot under the hood to hold the double-wide ammo can. Made a custom bracket to hold it down. Out of the way, yet always there if needed. It has come in handy on a few occasions. Wasn't very careful on space management and could certainly fit more in there if desired, but this should cover most things. Looks pretty close to what you have, tool-wise.

20170525_153258

20170525_153831



Thats awesome!
 
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Supertech

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Location
Texas
If it's up against the seat backs it's unlikely it would become a projectile but Murphy never sleeps. Not that a bag full of wrenches wouldn't kill you but it's lighter overall. I have a rigid bin in the bed of my truck under a tonneau cover for all of my tools but that thing is super heavy. Held down with ratchet straps and a 2x6 in front to keep it from sliding forward.

Had to do something. Heres the temporary fix. I might go with ratchet straps or something.
 
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