Car tool kit

[eyeball]

12v compressor (good one)
DeWALT DCF899 1/2" impact wrench
10pc torque stick set

I am curious about a few items on your extensive list.

Is it an electric impact? If not, what 12v compressor have you found that will keep up with your 1/2 impact? Even the higher cost and performance ones is have seen (ARB, Vair, etc) in the offroad world when equipped with a 2 gallon tank are not much good for more that one lug-nut before having to wait for the tank to refill.


I find the torque stick set an interesting choice. Other than maybe one calibrated for the lugs, what use do you envision for the others? Do you carry a FSM with torque specs for roadside repairs?


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[Lassen Forge]

1/2" (or 3/4") Breaker bar with an extension and the appropriate sized socket for the lugs. And/or a decent 1/2" socket set. NOT one of those $29.99 Taiwanic specials.

I had a tool kit that went EVERYWHERE with me, everything from a 2# striking hammer to allen wrenches, in a 50 cal ammo can. It was full to the top, but with it and a pair of good scissors jacks (thank you, junkyard Toyotas) I could rebuild a VW motor (and almost the transmission) on the side of the road.

Now I have my dad's old cantilever Kennedy box on a tow-around dolly... and I can handle 99 44/100# of what hits me. All I need is a code puller and maybe a power probe, and, well...

The real question is how mechanically inclined is your kid? Think about it seriously, as if he doesn't know his leftie-loosie from his rightie-tightie, no tools in the world short of a tow truck will save him. (and BTW - back cantilever, left side, lower is my auto club card - because, damnit, there is **** out there that will even stump me.)

 

[eyeball]

Tow strap definitely. A winch would be an awesome addition. But just a small winch that fits in a receiver hitch to go on the rear would be way more useful for what he'll run into than one on a front bumper.

I think a rear receiver mounted winch may come in handy for situations where you simply need to tug yourself out of a snow bank, a ditch or up an embankment.

However, if you are truly stuck off road, I would take a hard look at the rating on any off the shelf receiver.

You will most likely find it does not match; much less exceed the weight of the vehicle. Add to the weight of the vehicle the suction force of mud, rolling resistance of rocks, sand, etc then add the force of any side loading and you will see how woefully underrated they are for vehicle recovery.

I am a firm believer that as adults we can all calculate the risks and decide which ones we are willing to assume. However, given this thread is about the OPs teenage son who may not have yet experienced enough of life to always recognize the dangers of a given situation I thought this would be good food for thought.

Front or rear..if you do put a winch on your son’s vehicle spend some time to help him understand proper technique. A broken winch-line can be extremely dangerous to him, his vehicle, and bystanders.

Just my two cents.




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