Fasteners on Pickup Trucks

[nkoziol]

Hey everyone,

I am looking into creating my own set for my pickup truck and want to create my own socket set and include any other tools that I may need in case of a roadside emergency/repair. Also, should I include both SAE & metric sockets or just metric?

Thank you!

 

[maxpat82]

depend on truck and year.
a 1970 F100 or 2018 Tundra isn't the same.

anything recent of all metric.

 

[c4cruiser]

What year is the truck? That can make a difference between SAE and Metric. Besides a socket set, consider getting a set of ratcheting wrenches. They can be a big help getting to a bolt or nut where a socket may require long extensions and possibly universals.

It may be best to look at tool kits that have a variety or pieces. You can find them in either SAE or Metric or a combination of both. Get a good ratchet and a breaker bar in both 1/2 and 3/8" drive.

 

[nkoziol]

I own a '14 F-150 but want a set that I can help repair those old Chevys on the side of the road

 

[larry_g]

One of the fallacies of this train of thought is 'What spare parts are you also going to carry?'. All the tools in the world aren't going to help if you don't have the replacement parts to get you going. I can also assume that you don't have much experience in this area if you have to ask what tools to carry. I find that a AAA membership is the way to go. It gets you out of most all problems and will haul the rig home to your shop where you can fix it there.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[garagelogician]

This is a very complete and compact set that would be a real good start to a roadside kit.

http://www.gpsocket.com/products/category.phtml/duo-socket_sets/3_8/#6_point

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I own a '14 F-150 but want a set that I can help repair those old Chevys on the side of the road

Anything newer than '77 will have both SAE and Metric fasteners.

Tommy

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

One of the fallacies of this train of thought is 'What spare parts are you also going to carry?'. All the tools in the world aren't going to help if you don't have the replacement parts to get you going. I can also assume that you don't have much experience in this area if you have to ask what tools to carry. I find that a AAA membership is the way to go. It gets you out of most all problems and will haul the rig home to your shop where you can fix it there.

lg
no neat sig line

Many repairs don't require any parts. Sometimes tightening, adjusting or even removing something will get a vehicle going again even if it's just enough to get it to a better location.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'd get one of those all in one kits from Harbor Freight, or whatever your tool source of choice is. They have a socket set, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, a hammer and some other stuff in a blow molded case that will fit behind the seat of a pickup truck. Cheap, and includes most everything you may need for an occasional on-the-road fix.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I own a '14 F-150 but want a set that I can help repair those old Chevys on the side of the road

Sounds like you want a full toolbox in the back of your truck.

Might want to think about what you're realistically going to use and what you're realistically able to do with skills and also tools.

 

[driz]

I wouldn’t carry my good tools around like that. You will lose them one by one I guarantee. That’s a good place for your secondary set stuff like decent HF , Craftsman ect. Just basic end wrenches, water pump pliersALWAYS VISE GRIPS, larger n small adjustable wrench a couple meaning Long n short #2 Phillips. Same flat heads. . Those bit set drivers ok for that. LED Flashlight preferably one with a hood that pulls up for area light. How about a small one too that you can gold between your teeth, I’ve done that a lot over the years . You don’t even need sockets as it’s emergency only stuff. Some squares of blocking are helpful especially if you have to jack in mud. So is a couple wedges to keep from rolling. All mine are scrap 4x4 16” cut on a diagonal. Paint em red they’ll last a lifetime. How about a 20’ length of chain as well as a nylon ****** line.
Ya got a truck so you’re gonna haul lumber. Make up a couple red flags for when you can’t find one at the yard. Keep some cheap rope too and maybe a few bungi cords for securing stuff. A few small ratchet straps are cheap and handy too. Electronic road flare or two. Break down on the side of road you better put em out As life insurance. Flashers ARENT ENOUGH. Morons hit cop cars with their emergency lights on all the time . Remember that if you’re on the side of the road doing anything try to face the traffic all you can and keep a hairy eyeball outback there if it’s a busy toad.

Of course you won’t need all this stuff. Sort out what pertains to your dealings. Sorry to harp on the safety stuff but bein a once traffic cop I have heard some real horror stories from beside the road. You don’t want to be that guy between a parked truck and some nitwit sending a text. They’re never right again if they manage survive.


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[dave_dj1]

I own a '14 F-150 but want a set that I can help repair those old Chevys on the side of the road

Those old Chevy's had both

 

[johnnyradiant]

I own a '14 F-150 but want a set that I can help repair those old Chevys on the side of the road

If there is a Chevy at the side of the road it's 'cause the driver is having a rest after stopping to fix so many ill equipped Fords.

 

[finn]

Bungee cords and ratchet straps, mosquito repellent, drinking water, and a first aid kit and fire extinguisher are more important than hand tools, and I have owned trucks for forty years.

The tools that I do carry are mostly used in the driveway, but it wouldn’t be too annoying to walk thirty feet to the garage when I need them. Tool boxes in or under the back sheet get in the way, and storing them in the bed is out of the question because they would turn into rusty junk after one winter, even in a crossover tool box.

 

[jubilee]

My service truck has about 4000 lbs. of tools including welder, plasma cutter, gas air compressor, jacks,pullers,chains, winches, air tools 3/8 thru 1”, sockets to above 2 1/2”, light pole, truck tire tools, about 300 lbs. of wrenches and sockets, code readers, scope, laptop, all kinds of fasteners,clamps, fabrication metal,and ect.
When I’m called out ( rarely I go, I’m trying to be retired) about half the time I don’t have preferred correct tool and have to improvise or fabricate. But, I know I’m probably going after parts and can pick up tool if I really need it. That’s how I got all the tools on the truck in the first place.

 

[njc41980]

WD-40 and Duct Tape.

 

[Bert_]

I own a '14 F-150 but want a set that I can help repair those old Chevys on the side of the road

What, are you just going to drive past all the Fords?

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

Don't forget to include bits/ tools to fit those stupid Torx fasteners.




.

 

[GMCGarage]

unless an older vehicle, I can fathom what you can fix on the fly. No carb, no distributor, no accessable fuel pump, etc.

 

[zkdiesel]

New piclup trucks you need a cell phone for the wrecker
Pre 98 you can do some, pre 86ish you ca do a lot more.... we are full repair service, we don’t do road service on cars/light trucks when customer doesn’t know what’s wrong, we just tow it in, to much time wasted
Semis and equipment that’s a per basis assessment depending on where it’s at and what happened if the semi wrecker or service truck goes out

 

[Trock03]

+1 for the AAA suggestion above. Without a computer you probably won't be able to diagnose/fix much whether you've got the tools or not.
I keep tools in my truck box but they're more to work on things at the ranch or at any of my buddies places. I keep a good assortment of tools in there but they're all either free/found or harbor freight just in case my box gets broken in to.
I also keep a 20 ton bottle jack and lots of zip ties. For some reason the zip ties get used all the time so I keep a lot.
Oh, I also keep a 20v Ingersoll Rand impact in there as well to make tire changes more pleasant. I won it in a raffle so if it walks off I'll be irritated with society but won't be out any cash.

TC

 

[slip knot]

Jumper cables a tow strap, long breaker with a socket to fit the lugnuts. Anything else needs AAA and a tow truck.

 

[555]

I carry one of these in my truck. If someone steals it, I'm only out $100. It has served me well with trucks from 1991 to 2017. https://www.sears.com/craftsman-230...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[bwringer]

What, no one else carries tire plugs and a decent 12V compressor?

https://www.nealeytirerepairkit.com/
https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-psi-high-volume-air-compressor-69284.html

With these and a pair of pliers on hand, you can often entirely avoid the need to fart around with jacks, lug wrenches, etc. Find the offending object, yank it out, stuff a plug in, pump it up, continue on your way.

I generally carry some metric tools, a flashlight, a multimeter, and a good multitool -- pretty much the same kit I carry on motorcycle rides.

The problem with most prepackaged tool kits is that they include a bunch of useless inch ****. Unless you're driving something so old you should damn well already know every square inch of it, passenger vehicles and light to medium duty trucks have all been metric for decades, so the kits waste a lot of space on stuff you'll never need, like 11/16" sockets.

As to the electronicals, I often carry a wee Bluetooth ODBII adaptor widget in the glovebox. With the Torque app on my phone, it's come in very handy several times. As with all my road tools, 90% of the time, it's used for someone else's heap... I maintain my own stuff pretty well.

 

[driz]

Tiny compressor is a great idea. So too is the plug kit. I just use the wallmart kits and have been plugging all my own tires since the early 80s. I never even take them off the car . Often don’t even jack it. Just plug, snip and go. Only had one real leaker in all those years and some Tire Slime the green stuff did the trick there.


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[JamesW84]

If it's truly for emergencies then I'll agree to forgo the extensive tool list and get the basics:

Extra fuses (my truck died on the highway one time pulling a trailer and it was a fuse)
Breaker bar, socket, and cheater pipe to get your lug nuts off.
Spare Tire and Fix-A-Flat or Plug kit
Screwdrivers
Battery terminal ratchet/wrench
Fire Extinguisher

optional:
electrical tape
duct tape
I have a compact tool set in a plastic box. It's metric and standard up to like 5/8 or something like that. It's real compact and can fit under the seat.

 

[csp]

Those old Chevy's had both

Depends on what you're calling "old".

 

[PNWguy]

I own a '14 F-150 but want a set that I can help repair those old Chevys on the side of the road

Not trying to be snarky, but if you're planning to fix broken trucks on the side of the road and don't know what tools it takes... I kind of wonder about your skill set. Are you able to fix broken Chevys?

In reality, there's enough SAE & metric to carry both, unless you have a bias against (or for) old American vehicles or anything produced in the rest of the world.

 

[speed bump]

I carry more than any normal person should and it has bailed me out dozens of times.

Lost a unit bearing outside of Fairview Montana trying to nurse the truck into town. Called carquest and the gal delivered to me on the side of the road.

Had a serpentine belt tensioner fail 10 miles out of 10. Called a wrecker, pulled it, and had them drop me off in the AutoZone parking lot where I installed a new one.

Had an EGT sensor fail and put my truck into limp mode 250 miles from home. Used the torque app to diagnose and walked the 1/2 mile to the parts store to get a new one.

My truck spends a significant amount of time on rough dirt roads so having the tools to chase down rattles is nice.

I can't tell you the number of times I have pulled out a tool to help someone else out.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My travel box has both SAE and Metric combination wrenches and 1/4" and 3/8" sockets.

Much of it is used Craftsman or bought off of eBay. I have a medium sized Craftsman hand box, no drawer. To organize things, I have related tools in extra HD zipper lock bags. One for screwdrivers, one for pliers, one for 1/4" sockets, one for 3/8" sockets, etc. I have some marine heat shrink tubing, stainless steel safety wire, some 5 minute epoxy, 18 gauge "hook up" wire, a cheap DMM and leads plus extra alligator clips. For a small box, it ways a ton.

Saved my **** a few time on vacation !

 

[driz]

The important thing here in the Great White North, AKA “The Rust Belt”is a ****** strap 20’ Long and a piece of chain with close fitting ( over a link) hooks at both ends. Those come in handy especially up North or off in the Bush.
Don’t go running off half cocked rescuing damsels in the ditch though. Remember many of the cars today are so flimsy ( spelled ******) and sit so low that you can easily severely damage them badly just pulling one out of a tiny mud rut. The worst of the many I ever dragged out was my own car that the wife hi centered lightly on the side of the driveway. No hooks and absolutely nothing to hook to much stronger than a toothpick under the back end of a 13 Sonata. I wouldn’t go near anyone else’s car like that, no way!
Just be real careful if you decide to help somebody and preferably let them set the hook on their own car and be aware of where that strap is going to rub when it gets tension. Bumper covers split and tear off with so much as a dirty look and not pulling or rubbing on the can be a challenge.
Besides the chain and ****** strap are mainly for yourself when you bury it anyways. Every second truck going by stops to see if they can help and almost none ( on the highway) ever seem to have a to strap.


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