In-vehicle tool kits

[ahab]

I grew up always having a few tools handy on farm trucks and tractors, and I still can't stand to be without now.

I've been eyeballing the Craftsman 192 piece set for a while and I picked it up since it is on sale.

Problem is this set is half metric and half SAE, so that is a ton of extra space taken up.

Are there any equivalent sets that are metric only?

Or just any other suggestions for a tool kit to carry...

 

[NotSoSimple]

If I am heading on a longer than usual road trip I will back some stuff in my tool bag. Both vehicles use Metric, so that is primary for wrenches/sockets. I try to limit myself to my small 13" bag due to weight and cargo size. There is not really a 'kit' that will fix everything you would want to, only knowing what you will need and packing that will help in my opinion.

 

[Flatintoone]

Road tool kit philosophy is an entire subject unto itself, but like the OP I like to have tools for my car on hand. i discovered recently during a roadside repair that I somehow needed a 1/4" socket for one bolt (maybe it was 6.5mm, but I didnt have one, and neither did the Menard's I got the 1/4 at). the point is, maybe don't ditch the SAE stuff so quickly. perhaps you can organize it into a smaller package? (does your car need 16 or 18mm? does your set come with them?)

 

[2mJps]

I have some basic stuff in all my vehicles but one thing that you need to remember is if you have very much go wrong you wont get it fixed with out some new parts and thats were you can also get tools that you dont have.

 

[Askme42]

I recently bought the dewalt set 1/4,3/8,1/2 can't recommend it enough. This is for my truck. Junk yard off road park and stuff. Eventually ill get the 1/4,3/8 for the wife's car

 

[panknuckshovel]

Nothing but this

 

[UserNameAttempt3]

I have a couple tool kits I toss in my Jeep when going out wheeling.

One of which is a Husky Mechanics set (195pcs) that I got on sale a couple years ago for like $65. The other tools are ones that I've come to find as useful, like large vice grips, large spanner wrench, hand full of screwdrivers, prybars etc.

But for the majority of stuff, a decently sized "mechanics" set should be fine. Just find one that doesn't come with a TON of allen keys or driver bits, and a good span of sockets and wrenches that you know are common on your vehicle.

 

[bobbycos]

Nothing but this

AAA plus FTW !!!!!!

 

[SMKS]

I have a pretty complete set of tools in a small bag in my trunk. I assembled it from extras I had laying around.

The claims about needing parts are accurate, to a degree. But there are still times I'm on the road and need the tools. Especially when I'm visiting my mother. It seems there's always a few things that need fixing when I'm there.

 

[bulletpruf]

The Sears kit listed is similar to what I keep in my Yukon. I toss in a pair of pliers and a crescent wrench in the box and that's my kit for the road. Other necessities that I keep in a larger plastic locker in the back - tow rope, chain, bungees, fan belt, jumper cables, bottle jack, gloves, rags.

 

[Askme42]

Duplicate

 

[OHMS LAW]

I used the AMERICAN MADE 192 piece set to get me started when I started wrenching a few years ago. Great set to build from. I gave a the short 3/8 metrics to my brother as a gift once I got some snappys but I use the 1/4 set from this kit daily.

 

[chiz1180]

I have never thought of a tool kit as being solely for MY vehicle broken down away from home....
If you're going to carry tools make sure they're useful to every circumstance.

I agree with this, I keep basic half metric, half SAE kit in my car and my car is all metric. The way I look at it is simple, just cause my car is metric,but a friends car could be SAE. There have been several occasions when I have been helping a friend and grabbing a socket or a wrench out of my kit saved a ton of time looking for a socket that was misplaced.

chiz1180

 

[panknuckshovel]

AAA plus FTW !!!!!!

Yah, really got fed up with the work on the side of the road thing, so for 100 a year unlimited towing calls/miles i figured why the hell not.

 

[davethorik]

I agree with this, I keep basic half metric, half SAE kit in my car and my car is all metric. The way I look at it is simple, just cause my car is metric,but a friends car could be SAE. There have been several occasions when I have been helping a friend and grabbing a socket or a wrench out of my kit saved a ton of time looking for a socket that was misplaced.

chiz1180

x3 I have a Crescent tool kit in a plastic organizer box. It has 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 rats, shallow and deep metric and sae sockets, wrenches, extensions, screwdrivers, allen keys, etc. handy for so so so many things. It stays in my trunk.

 

[txbonds]

I made up two of these and gave one to my Dad for his birthday and kept other. Combination of hot buy section purchases and cleaning out my older or China tools. Other than a few items like tape, wire ties and tape measure it is a pretty complete setup to keep in the trunk.

Dads bag has the following:
16" tool bag from Lowes
14 craftsman usa 6 point SAE wrenches (thanks to hot buys section) in HF tool roll
14 craftsman usa 6 point metric wrenches (thanks to hot buys) in HF tool roll
14 piece Channellock screwdriver set
12" and 6" no name brand adjustable wrenches (China made)
Husky needle nose pliers (older set Taiwan made I think)
Husky dikes (new China made I received as warranty replacement)
Klein wire stripper tool (I think Dad gave me in first tool box 20 years ago)
Crescent slip pliers (USA made from my Dad 20 years ago)
Channellock 9.5 and 12 inch pliers (new)
12 oz cheapie hammer - no name brand
Klutch Folding SAE and Metric hex key sets - from northern tool set
Klutch 3/8 ratchet, 3 extensions, and metric and SAE sockets - from northern tool set

 

[cgv69]

I too have a tool bag made up of extra tools or tools found cheap on clearance. It has basics such as some sockets & wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, etc.. Yes I take it with me on road trips but find it convenient for many other purposes like going over to someones else's place helping out, when some one asks to borrow tools, whatever.

Now my primary tools always stay where they belong and I always have a tool "go bag" ready to go. it's also a great excuse to buy more tools!

 

[IFMJohn]

I'm going on a 2,000 mile road trip in a few weeks and staying there for 3 months. I'll be bringing my metric 1/4" set, metric 3/8" set, ratchets, extensions, some pliers and screwdrivers, metric wenches, and if I have room in my small toolbox my 1/2 drive ratchet with sockets and extensions.

My car is a toyota so I'm not bringing SAE.

 

[bonneyman]

My personal truck kit is a hodge-podge of S-K metric sockets, Bonney SAE sockets, and Thorsen ratchets and drive accessories. Plus the assorted, Crescent wrenches, Channelock liers, Enderes 6-in-1 driver, etc.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I bought a USA made Crapsman 250pc set from Sears Outlet for $160 OTD, added a 4pc Channellock set, $10 USA Crapsman torx set, 1/2" braker bar, a pick set, snap ring pliers, wire stripper/crimper, pry bar, alignment bar, punch set, crescent wrench, headlight, duct tape, pressure gauge, and a razor knife. Sounds like a lot of stuff (which it is), but I drive a large truck with both MM and SAE fittings, and I can basically rebuild my whole race car with it, so it serves as a remote pit box. Best part is it all fits in the plastic tool box that came with the 250pc set, so I just grab it and go.