Car tool kit

[v1ru5879]

Tossing around the idea of getting something basic to keep in the vehicles what do you think is the best set to have? Or piece one together?

 

[stanward]

Piece one together.

1/4” Drive ratchet, shallow and deep metric, one 6” extension, screwdriver with exchange able bits, long nose pliers, diagonal cutters, pick set, DMM.

Larger set brought when off-roading or camping.


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[JerryC]

What vehicle?
A tool kit for a 60's era vehicle would be much different than one for a 2018.

Actually I don't know that a tool kit has much value for a newer car. A roadside emergency kit yes, tool kit maybe...

 

[Stuart in MN]

This is a common topic...here are some previous discussions.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388709
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282059
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347847


There are a bunch more, go to Google and do a search on the following text:

car tool kit site:www.garagejournal.com

 

[WWheeler]

For Xmas 2015 back I gave to everyone in the immediate family a heavy canvas tool bag filled with ...

- reflective roadside warning triangle
- flashlight
- a raincoat, 2 sets 9mil latex gloves, & 1 set leather gloves
- first aid kit
- decent portable 12V tire inflator (ours are VIAIR)
- Tire gauge
- tire repair kit (small t-handle, plugs, cement) & can of Fix-A-Flat
- 18" 1/2" breaker bar w/ ~18" pipe slid on it, 1/2" extension & 1/2" Thin Wall Flip Impact Socket Set
- 25' jumper cables

In the years previous I had already outfitted each with a small tool bag w/ sockets/ratchet/screwdriver/vice grips/etc and I make sure everyone has their full oem tire change kit (jack, etc).

As it turns out all of the kits been used in part multiple times, but not for any of us personally (yet), but rather for friends and friendly-looking strangers in need. For us we rely more on a AAA membership for most things, but the bag still gives piece of mind and has come in handy already.

 

[crewchief888]

wifes car only has a set of jumper cables in it.
my sierra has a set of cables, tire plug kit, 12v compressor, a hammer, long screwdriver, breaker bar/deep socket for my aftermarket lug nuts.

if i'm leaving the immediate area, i'll grab a bag and toss in a few extras.

 

[v1ru5879]

Oldest car we have is a 09 so definitely gonna be a metric set

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[WhiffySpark]

AAA card. What do you expect to be able to diagnose and replace on side of road?

 

[nelstomlinson]

Over the years, at the side of various roads, I have broken beads and patched inner tubes, rebuilt alternators, replaced the Ford power steering pressure hose, used the engine fuel pump to pump water out of the bottom of my fuel tank into a glass jar, swapped out the pumpkin in a Ford 9" rear end, bolted a rear axle back onto an old VW Rabbit, and probably a bunch of things I've forgotten.

It's surprising how much you can do with how little when help is a hundred miles away. Nowadays I try to take care of problems at home, before I go, rather than hoping it'll last. No more bald tires, no more running belts until they break, and so on. I still carry parts and tools with me, just in case. For example, on my Powerstroke, I carry a power steering pressure hose, a serpentine belt, light bulbs, a cam position sensor, and stuff to deal with broken wires, because the wiring harness is ****.

 

[v1ru5879]

Basic wear n tear items, can't see myself using AAA for a busted belt, hose or sensor. Obviously no major overhails are going to happen on the side of the road. Had a speaker go out once leaving Vegas back to New Mexico and luckily I had a screwdriver to take off the door panel n unplug the speaker. Would have been a long drive with a speaker squealing the whole way

AAA card. What do you expect to be able to diagnose and replace on side of road?

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[v1ru5879]

Over the years, at the side of various roads, I have broken beads and patched inner tubes, rebuilt alternators, replaced the Ford power steering pressure hose, used the engine fuel pump to pump water out of the bottom of my fuel tank into a glass jar, swapped out the pumpkin in a Ford 9" rear end, bolted a rear axle back onto an old VW Rabbit, and probably a bunch of things I've forgotten.

It's surprising how much you can do with how little when help is a hundred miles away. Nowadays I try to take care of problems at home, before I go, rather than hoping it'll last. No more bald tires, no more running belts until they break, and so on. I still carry parts and tools with me, just in case. For example, on my Powerstroke, I carry a power steering pressure hose, a serpentine belt, light bulbs, a cam position sensor, and stuff to deal with broken wires, because the wiring harness is ****.

Yup it's the simple things that seem to go wrong out in the middle of nowhere

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