Car tool kits

[cm_osu]

I'd like to see what some other members have put together for car tool kits. I'm thinking about buying a roll up pouch like this one... http://www.supercasuals.com/Carhart...4142_BRN_726&gclid=CMOCwK-Z-cMCFUkV7Aod2D8Awg and stocking it with the tools I'd need rather than buying an off the shelf kit. I like the idea of the roll up pouch because the tools won't rattle and move around like they would in a tool box. I'd like to see what other members have bought or put together. Thanks!

 

[RedRabbit]

I'd like to see what some other members have put together for car tool kits. I'm thinking about buying a roll up pouch like this one... http://www.supercasuals.com/Carhart...4142_BRN_726&gclid=CMOCwK-Z-cMCFUkV7Aod2D8Awg and stocking it with the tools I'd need rather than buying an off the shelf kit. I like the idea of the roll up pouch because the tools won't rattle and move around like they would in a tool box. I'd like to see what other members have bought or put together. Thanks!

My BMW has a screwdriver, and some wrenches and thats all I find I need. Throw in some duct tape and maybe some other stuff and thats all you need. But the GJ part of me says to also bring a M18 fuel impact. But the roll looks solid, but also check military surplus sites that sell tools.

 

[188slo50]

I pay $100 a year for AAA, they can tow it back to my house where I have what ever I need. I learned along time ago when I break down I never have the one tool I needed.

 

[thewatusi]

Yup, cell phone and roadside assistance via my insurance. $3 a month for all of my vehicles.

A bunch of tools for each car is a waste of space, waste of money, and unneeded extra weight.

 

[NY_treeguy]

Too cold to go out and get it but I use one of these:

It is a toiletries bag. This one is made by RICARDO, but I have a Samsonite that is the same. Lots of storage inside

I keep some wrenches, a 1/4" drive socket set, allen keys, screwdrivers, wire strip/crimp tool, test light, vise grips, and a little hardware in the car. I use it mostly for on-the-fly fixes to equipment at work, but I have had the tools to help out a friend or 2 with it.

I have another one that is set up as my firearm cleaning kit. All the brushes go in the big pocket, cleaners and oil in the little pocket, the two elastic loops hold the rods.

Best part is I never paid more than $3.50 for them at Goodwiill or Salvation Armmy and none were ever used.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Save yourself about $10, and get the CLC off Amazon. The socket pouch is very nice, and mine have held up well

 

[cm_osu]

Save yourself about $10, and get the CLC off Amazon. The socket pouch is very nice, and mine have held up well

That's exactly what I have in mind. About how big is it when rolled up?

 

[DocsMachine]

If it's a newer vehicle, all I really carry is a phone and a big Leatherman in the glove compartment. 'Cause chances are when something goes wrong, no trunk tool kit is going to work. Change an in-tank EFI pump on the side of the road? Replace a faulty throttle positions sensor?

In the older cars, though, I have an old GI canvas tool bag, with the basics- a selection of combination wrenches, both screwdrivers, a Crescent, some pliers, etc. As well as the usual extras- duct tape, baling wire, some electrical connectors and fuses, that sort of thing. (Especially fuses- nobody seems to carry the old glass fuses anymore.)

Most everything is wrapped and stuffed in old rags- both to keep them from banging around, and also to wipe/clean up afterwards. And/or to lay on if you have to crawl underneath.

Doc.

 

[Farmall 1066]

About like this.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd like to see what some other members have put together for car tool kits. I'm thinking about buying a roll up pouch like this one... http://www.supercasuals.com/Carhart...4142_BRN_726&gclid=CMOCwK-Z-cMCFUkV7Aod2D8Awg and stocking it with the tools I'd need rather than buying an off the shelf kit. I like the idea of the roll up pouch because the tools won't rattle and move around like they would in a tool box. I'd like to see what other members have bought or put together. Thanks!

I have a Home Depot Homer Box in the trunk, and the tools don't rattle around. There is too much bulk to them, and there are lighter things on top.

I keep a mostly full set of USA Craftsman metric and SAE wrenches, 5 or 6 screwdrivers, 3 kinds of pliers, utility knife, channel locks, electrical tape, tape measure, bailing wire, zip ties, torpedo level, small nail puller, putty knife, etc..

It's not just for mechanical breakdowns. I use these tools a lot when I am over at someone's house and they need help fixing something. Doesn't take up a lot of room in the trunk. If I had to use a tool roll, it wouldn't be as convenient.

 

[Farmall 1066]

I ordered the CLC and a Bucket Boss roll off Amazon last spring. Both good quality, but I like the CLC much better. Heavier fabric, and holds the sockets well. The Bucket Boss has nice pouches for tape, wire, zip ties etc.
Truth be told, I use both. CLC for metric, BB for SAE.

 

[cm_osu]

I'm thinking a pass through socket set like this one instead of conventional sockets.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000R..._1_1?colid=1ZJ4ZZXHD6JSD&coliid=I6HIUOCXQB2FE

That would eliminate the need for both standard and deep sockets. Does anybody have experience with pass through sockets they'd care to share?

Thanks for the replies so far.

 

[cm_osu]

About like this.

I like that. Thanks for the photos. That roll is on the top of my list from what I've seen so far.

 

[Farmall 1066]

Glad to help! I keep them in a Huskee tool bag, along with some other useful items for roadside emergencies. I like just being able to unroll them and get out only what I need, and it makes it easy to make sure it's all put back when done.
Quite possibly the only organized aspect of my life!

 

[Buster21]

I have a tool kit in each car. I use the Craftsman low profile box that fits behind the seat. I have used it more to help other people out than me. Last one being a elderly couple that had a loose battery cable and the car would not start, we were in a national park hours away from any tow service and they were thousand's of miles away from home. I guess it is just peace of mind knowing I can take care of the small things on my own. No I won't be rebuilding the transmission in the Wal Mart parking lot but I will be able to tighten a loose hose clamp on mine or someone else's car.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

For a road trip I took in January, I picked up a cheap tool set in a blow molded case just to have as an 'emergency' set. I already had pliers, deadblow hammer, sledge, normal hammers, and more to fit a footlocker sized travel kit. I like to be prepared. I like to be the one others ask 'Do you happen to have a-"

Today I was loading up auction winnings and spotted a black blow molded case under the center seat of the Suburban. Popped it open and- oh yeah, I bought one of these sets last year for the last road trip. Oops. Now I have two.

 

[ADSR]

About like this.

I have the same one. You can't beat it for the money.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Metric and SAE socket sets 1/4 to 1/2 inch drive, ratchets, breaker bar, metric and SAE wrenches, usual assortment of channellocks, vise grips, pliers. Hammer. Screwdrivers, bit set and driver. Multimeter and extra battery, extra fuses. Extra serpentine belt, jumper cables. Jack. Some wires and **** splices/terminals to make temporary electrical repairs if necessary. Other assorted odds and ends

My tool/scrounge bag has kept me off the hook more often than not.

 

[Mr.3-5-7]

trunk mounted kit has everything i need

 

[AmishFury]

i keep a 16" tool bag with a bunch of tools in it... never know when i might decide to drop by the junk yard while i'm out...

plus having tools and being helpful has gotten me laid once or twice

 

[Rarified27]

plus having tools and being helpful has gotten me laid once or twice

Best argument for tools in the car, ever.

I have a 12" or so bag with just about everything that's already been mentioned so far. Things that come in bow mold cases like socket sets I just put on a rail and drop in the bag. Takes up less space and nothing rattles enough for me to hear it.

This might sound silly, but none of my tool bags, boxes, etc are without a wood wedge. Yes, like the kind used as a door stop. I usually keep two, small and large, for a number of uses. They're especially good at helping out people that locked their keys in their vehicle. Usually the wedge and a wire coat hanger are enough.

The wire coat hanger is also priceless because it can become a lot of things you may need.

I'm thinking a pass through socket set like this one instead of conventional sockets.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000R..._1_1?colid=1ZJ4ZZXHD6JSD&coliid=I6HIUOCXQB2FE

That would eliminate the need for both standard and deep sockets. Does anybody have experience with pass through sockets they'd care to share?

Thanks for the replies so far.

I wouldn't keep these in the car because they're too expensive and they can't take the tougher beatings you may need them to endure on the side of a highway when you're fighting a rusted fastener. I have two of the GW sets like this and they're great for quick jobs, but not abuse.

Plus, if you have shallow/deep sockets with a breaker bar or second ratchet, you've got the ability to have someone help you or hold the opposite side of a nut/bolt without relying on an ill-fitting adjustable wrench.

 

[cm_osu]

Best argument for tools in the car, ever.

I have a 12" or so bag with just about everything that's already been mentioned so far. Things that come in bow mold cases like socket sets I just put on a rail and drop in the bag. Takes up less space and nothing rattles enough for me to hear it.

This might sound silly, but none of my tool bags, boxes, etc are without a wood wedge. Yes, like the kind used as a door stop. I usually keep two, small and large, for a number of uses. They're especially good at helping out people that locked their keys in their vehicle. Usually the wedge and a wire coat hanger are enough.

The wire coat hanger is also priceless because it can become a lot of things you may need.



I wouldn't keep these in the car because they're too expensive and they can't take the tougher beatings you may need them to endure on the side of a highway when you're fighting a rusted fastener. I have two of the GW sets like this and they're great for quick jobs, but not abuse.

Plus, if you have shallow/deep sockets with a breaker bar or second ratchet, you've got the ability to have someone help you or hold the opposite side of a nut/bolt without relying on an ill-fitting adjustable wrench.

I hadn't really considered the pass-thru design might be less durable. I've never really had my hands on a set. My step dad has an early GO set but I've never used them. Thanks for the insight. That's why I started this thread.

 

[Rarified27]

I hadn't really considered the pass-thru design might be less durable. I've never really had my hands on a set. My step dad has an early GO set but I've never used them. Thanks for the insight. That's why I started this thread.

The pass thru sets are tremendously thin-walled compared to a regular socket, but are still a great tool to have in a pinch!

 

[geojag]

A really common failure in cars is the battery terminal. So many people don't ever bother to check them. I keep a battery brush and a spare terminal end in my tool kit. You can help a lot of people get their cars started with a simple metal brush.

Aside from that, I have a basic set of metric wrenches and 3/8 sockets, regular pliers, water pump pliers, needle nose pliers, dikes, a multibit screwdriver, a chisel, and a small ball pein hammer. All of this goes in an old Pelican case that was no longer water proof. I also carry jumper cables in the truck.

I had a car that had a lot of electrical problems, when I was driving that I always had a volt meter, test leads, wire stripper/crimper, some spare wire, and a bunch of random ends/crimps. Glad I got rid of that piece.

 

[Wizzard]

DeWalt 156 piece, got it on a Black Friday sale for $75. A little much but the case stows away nicely, and I don't want to be short on tools if I have a breakdown

 

[FMC1959]

I got these a couple of months ago, they are decent quality, supposed to inhibit rust, and hard to beat the price.

I carry tools in the car less for possible car breakdown, more to have a few tools wherever I happen to be. Most of my friends and family have a set of Wal-Mart screwdrivers and a dollar store hammer....that's it!. I carry a small selection of tools to get the odd job done, which is like a hi-tech industrial shop compared to what some people have

 

[Bran Diezel]

I used to carry about 100lb worth of tools in the back of my car. I could probably rebuild most any car with what I had. I also drove 135 miles a day just to get to work and home 5 years straight.

The only thing I ever had to pull over and use was my code reader which was for a thermostat which I had been noticing my temperature hand stay slightly below half way for 6 months before it ever through the code.

 

[Rarified27]

Another thought- if you go with just a roll, you won't have anywhere for things that don't store flat like duct tape, pipe clamps, etc without another bag or box.

 

[General Geoff]

These are the tools I keep in my trunk, which also double for junk yard duty, so it might be slightly more extensive than strictly necessary.

 

[mrjaw14]

I carry in each vehicle:
flashlight, work gloves, Jumper cables, duct tape, electrical tape, zip ties, bailing wire, hose clamps, 12v inflater, tire patch kit. I also carry a poncho and sometimes a foam pad or blanket so I don't get dirty if I have to change a tire.

In my wife's vehicle I have a multi-tool and some basic screwdrivers
In the truck and the vehicle I drive I have a basic tool kit with a breaker bar, the double ended lug nut sockets, wrenches, sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, multi-meter, and a slew of other things.

yeah I know I won't be doing major mechanical on the side of the road. These kits have been used more at family and friends houses to help them with stuff.

Plan for things you're likely to encounter: jump-offs, changing tiers, patching nail or screw holes, and maybe patching a radiator hose. I would consider changing a broken belt, a thermostat if it's on a truck of something with easy access, or doing some other emergency repair to get the vehicle drivable until I can get it back to my shop.

 

[Rarified27]

Opened up the car bag to see if I missed anything- I also keep wooden matches in a sealed plastic container.

I've used them for everything from relighting a tailgate grill to heating a blade and cutting through cold plastic.

 

[rockinacummins]