Special tools or anything especially helpful for a starting out Toyota Tech.

[mreisner]

My stepson is entering a new field of work, he comes from a construction background but due to an injury he is transitioning into being an automotive tech. He has a fair amount of mechanical experience and some tools, but he's going to be at a Toyota dealership starting out as a beginning Tech and it may very likely lead into an apprenticeship. I'm going to help him with some tools that he doesn't have but I'm not real familiar with Toyota stuff so hoping somebody here can give me some ideas of things that you might not think of off the top of your head.

 

[mikedodge]

Wait till he starts the job and gets to know what he needs. He'll be more grateful to get the tools he needs rather then the tools someone else thinks he needs.

 

[Wrench97]

Toyoda filter wrench.

https://www.jbtools.com/cta-tools-1726-toyota-oil-filter-wrench/?wi=off

@BlakeTheCarGuy will have better input.

 

[bwringer]

Honestly, one of the neato things about working on Toyotas is that they tend to need far fewer weird special tools than any other brand. A decent set of metric wrenches and 1/4" and 3/8" drive sockets and he's good to go for the vast majority of jobs.

All I can think of are things that any auto tech would need. An M12 Milwaukee 1/4" drive ratchet, for example, will save a lot of time. Cool flashlights; again, Milwaukee M12 has a couple of great lights with a really useful full spectrum LED that makes it easy to perceive colors. A lot of other M12 stuff is really useful too. 1/4 drive screwdriver, impact, drill, etc.

And for suspension work and such, a really good brushless battery impact in the battery system of choice is a game-changer.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Congratulations to your stepson from a Toyota tech. I originally started with my dealerships Subaru franchise and then moved to Toyota when they asked if I would.

Starting out I would recommend the following tools (aside from basic hand tools) :

1. Toyota oil filter tool like Wrench97 listed or there are many others too. I have the Blue Point but there are so many different styles and brands. I recommend getting one without the teeth, one that just grips the bottom of the filter housings. It will take a 24mm socket or fit the end of a 1/2 extension or ratchet. Some dealerships may provide it but most don’t. Mine did and all the express techs took them with them so they didn’t provide them after that.

2. Full set of metric sockets especially 8, 10,12 and 14. He will need 17,19,21,22,24. Once he moves up to doing more he will most likely need a 27 and 30mm and 39mm 12 point. I recommend impact over chrome starting out but chrome is fine just make sure he has a deep impact 19, 21 and 22mm starting out for lug nuts.

3. Make sure if the dealership doesn’t provide a tread depth gauge and an inflator that he has those because Toyota multi points want the tread depths and air pressures. Also make sure he has the Toyota oil funnel if they don’t provide that. Some dealerships do and some don’t.

4. I strongly strongly recommend him having half size sockets for swollen lug nuts especially seeing you are in the rust belt that will be a very important tool. I recommend having a 23mm socket too for the 22mm lug nuts that swell so much that the 22.5 won’t work either. Even down south we have that issue with them sometimes. Lug nut extractors are highly advised too. Keep in mind he will be doing a **** ton of tire rotations as an express tech so these tools are very important and most dealerships do not provide them.

5. A good battery powered 1/2 impact or even air impact for tire rotations.

 

[mreisner]

Congratulations to your stepson from a Toyota tech. I originally started with my dealerships Subaru franchise and then moved to Toyota when they asked if I would.

Starting out I would recommend the following tools (aside from basic hand tools) :

1. Toyota oil filter tool like Wrench97 listed or there are many others too. I have the Blue Point but there are so many different styles and brands. I recommend getting one without the teeth, one that just grips the bottom of the filter housings. It will take a 24mm socket or fit the end of a 1/2 extension or ratchet. Some dealerships may provide it but most don’t. Mine did and all the express techs took them with them so they didn’t provide them after that.

2. Full set of metric sockets especially 8, 10,12 and 14. He will need 17,19,21,22,24. Once he moves up to doing more he will most likely need a 27 and 30mm and 39mm 12 point. I recommend impact over chrome starting out but chrome is fine just make sure he has a deep impact 19, 21 and 22mm starting out for lug nuts.

3. Make sure if the dealership doesn’t provide a tread depth gauge and an inflator that he has those because Toyota multi points want the tread depths and air pressures. Also make sure he has the Toyota oil funnel if they don’t provide that. Some dealerships do and some don’t.

4. I strongly strongly recommend him having half size sockets for swollen lug nuts especially seeing you are in the rust belt that will be a very important tool. I recommend having a 23mm socket too for the 22mm lug nuts that swell so much that the 22.5 won’t work either. Even down south we have that issue with them sometimes. Lug nut extractors are highly advised too. Keep in mind he will be doing a **** ton of tire rotations as an express tech so these tools are very important and most dealerships do not provide them.

5. A good battery powered 1/2 impact or even air impact for tire rotations.

He's actually in Ontario, so the salt problem is a little bit less but yet definitely was thinking a half size set and going to give them a 3/8 Milwaukee impact and he said they also recommend a half inch air impact I've got one that's good but I haven't used literally in 20 years so I'll get him that and the Toyota filter wrenches but he has a lot of tools of his home but I'll give them a good set of 3/8 metric sockets like Snap On or something I've got an extra set of. Thanks for the replies everybody.

 

[Wine-o1]

Definitely get an oil filter cup with the slots for the ears on the housing. They work better when some monkey over tightens it. I would recommend a large soft face dead blow hammer for knocking off wheels that get corroded on.
8 1/2 years of Toyota dealer experience.

 

[Chipm]

Definitely get an oil filter cup with the slots for the ears on the housing. They work better when some monkey over tightens it.

I disagree, the new Motivx that works off the flats is amazing. The ones that grab the ears would break overtightened oil filter caps more often than not - they crack where the ears meet the cup. I have not broken a single one since I switched to the newer style Motivx.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XTAGHU0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[AEAdam]

A friends nephew is a Toyota dealership mechanic. He said he never touches 1/2” drive chrome.

I don’t love the new Toyotas or Hondas I’ve worked on. They aren’t as bullet proof as they used to be and building cheap seems to be a high priority for them. I still see sheet metal brackets that weren’t deburred and stuff packed in that could have been better designed, made easier to access.

My advice is to have:
Good 1/4” drive, including a full set of 1/4” wobble extensions and good long 1/4” ratchets. He will probably find himself using 1/4” drive a lot.

I think all three socket depths or at least a shallow and semi deep is a necessity. Snap on/williams/icon shallows are pretty shallow. I’d wouldn’t go with beefier/bigger sockets. Get good 1/4” and 3/8” sockets. Don’t mess around.

Shallow swivel sockets
Shallow 3/8 drive impact swivel sockets. Snap on are the best at this, tho some here like Mac.

”hi performance“ double box end wrenches. Pretty sure I have 10-12, 12-14 specifically for Asian cars. They can be game changers. Probably don’t need a full set of these. The 2 I have are pretty perfect for Toyota. I think there’s a 17-19. Again, I think I bought these as individuals.

Good ratcheting combination wrenches. I have both 12 degree and 0 degree and both are helpful. Or even just 0 degree box ends are nice.

hood prop clamp

good small led lights with strong magnets (so they stick on round objects)

hose clamp pliers

metric thread restorer kit

 

[Mr_B]

The right oil filter tools and additional things like funnels along with decent lug nut socket options and torque wrench will be super handy in making a lot of initial work he does complete smoother .
Might be worth getting an Astro 1822 V2 air impact as very capable all round compact tool at sensible cost but probably not a priority to start off and how useful it is depends on quality of compressed air setup where he working .
Don't know what he got in terms of tool box but either likes of a US General 5 drawer cart or the 42" roller cab can be good start off options if don't have anything already or no good used options found ( I really like roller cabs as that top surface makes great work surface and light workbench area that comes right to you job spot and it yours not shared workbench space .
The best scenario will be grabbing few obvious required tools then be on standby sort what needs as he discovers what needed and do research buy good options at budget that suits you both .
You spoilt for choice on tools these days so take time look at all options available .
Don't get too trapped on warranty, on some thing it benefit but for more basic tools it no big deal and best warranty for life and your satisfaction will be self warranty so don't overlook the real value in that option ...

 

[bwringer]

...”hi performance“ double box end wrenches. Pretty sure I have 10-12, 12-14 specifically for Asian cars. They can be game changers...

metric thread restorer kit

Especially agree with the above!

I have a set of those double-end flex "Mountain" ratcheting wrenches that gets called into action a lot; look for the set with 8-10, 12-14, and 17-19 wrenches, and put the 13-15 and 16-18 you'll never use somewhere else out of your way. It can be a little subtle, but when buying sets like this some are designed to make life easier for folks working on Asian machinery. And some sets are badly designed in this regard, or skip sizes you'll need.

Since everything I work on is Japanese brand motorcycles and cars, I do the same with my socket and wrench sets. My main drawer contains 8-10-12-14-17-19-21-22-24-27 and all the other sizes are in a secondary location in case a Ford or something weird like that shows up. If I'm working on a Toyota or Subaru or Yamaha, I can pretty much grab the size I need without looking.

As to metric threads, make sure you have the thread file and thread tools needed for JIS threads, which are normally finer pitch than American or Euro brands in larger sizes. M10x1.25, M12x1.25, M14x1.25. (Toyota wheel studs are mostly M12x1.5, Subaru is famed for M12x1.25 studs that strip when overtorqued or banged on with an impact by impatient techs.)

And on a related note, building a small stock of OEM Toyota nuts and bolts will come in handy quite often, especially in M6 and M8. Nothing looks and feels more like glaring hack work than a hardware store M8 bolt with the incorrect 13mm hex head and cheesy looking insta-rust zinc coating.

The advice above to acquire the half-size sockets needed to deal with swollen lug nuts is gold. I'd also add that make sure you have or have access to the tools needed to deal with locking lug nuts. A new tech is probably going to be dealing with a lot of rotations and suchlike.

 

[rooster59]

Don't go into debt with a tool truck. Craftsman overdrive CMMT99284, Icon stuff, etc. Good quality flex or roto ratchet, start with 3/8. Harbor Fright General tool box as needed. Start making money, not payments.

 

[Chipm]

And on a related note, building a small stock of OEM Toyota nuts and bolts will come in handy quite often, especially in M6 and M8. Nothing looks and feels more like glaring hack work than a hardware store M8 bolt with the incorrect 13mm hex head and cheesy looking insta-rust zinc coating.

Metric Class 10.9 JIS Hex Flange Bolts & Nuts Assortment - 248 PCS

Shop High Quality Fasteners Hardware Assortment Kits at BoltsandNuts.com. Metric Grade 10.9 JIS Hex Flange Bolts & Nuts Assortment with Locking Storage Bin

boltsandnuts.com

 

[KnurledNut]

I am not a Toyota tech, but I do maintain some in our fleet at work.

Some common use items...

Body/trim clip tool or set.

Heavy duty mechanic gloves. The shop will probably provide disposable nitrile gloves.

Wide range 3/8 torque wrench. One that does 10/20/30 lbf for oil changes would be beneficial. I’m using a 10-100.

I used to just pull filter housings without draining but after a few nasty messes, I purchased the dedicated drain tool. It takes a little longer, but I’ll usually work on something else while its draining.

Plastic scraper. The Toyota OEM blue/black/silver drain plug washers will stick to the pan or bolt depending on which way they are turned. Prevents marring the pan surface.

Putty knife. To clear muck, grease, etc.

Wingless oil filter socket.

Threaded oil fill funnels. The shop may already provide these.

Double brake pad spreader for four piston calipers.
Wire brushes/bore brushes.
M8’s for pushing brake rotors off.

Slotted screwdriver to beat on and some high quality reasonable cost crosspoints like Vessel.

Pocket screwdriver, picks, air nozzle.

A locking extension helps with recessed fasteners in Toyota skid plates.

Any consumables the shop may not provide but could be beneficial. For instance, I use O-ring lube instead of just oil.

Grease gun for prop shafts if not provided.

Pliers. For general use I grab my 45° needle nose.

Magnetic parts tray.

 

[KnurledNut]

Combined to initial post.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Seeing the wrench in KnurledNut photo made me remember make sure he has a set of stubby wrenches as he works his way up. He will eventually have to replace Tacoma steering racks and a 17mm stubby is your best friend in a few spots. He won’t need this right off but when he starts the apprenticeship he might. I have two at work just to make sure I’m covered. And a 35mm deep impact socket for Tacoma and 4Runner axle nuts.

 

[KnurledNut]

Combined to initial post.

 

[GeoRoss]

I also recommend a set of Vessel screwdrivers or the like. They work better on JIS and JIS-like screws.

 

[BWWgarage]

YouTube search “toyota tech tool box” for a few good videos on this

 

[ecotec]

YouTube search “toyota tech tool box” for a few good videos on this

You beat me to this. I would watch every single video on YouTube in the “what tools do I need to be a Toyota/Lexus tech” genre.

I would do the same thing with any brand.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Hopefully this isn't too much of a derail, but are the dedicated Toy/Lexus funnels that much of an advantage?
I recently grabbed a FloTool QuickFill 5062 for my 5VZ-FE and it seems to work well for around 5 bucks.
I'm not afraid to spend the extra $$, but is the thread on style that much better?

 

[BWWgarage]

Hopefully this isn't too much of a derail, but are the dedicated Toy/Lexus funnels that much of an advantage?
I recently grabbed a FloTool QuickFill 5062 for my 5VZ-FE and it seems to work well for around 5 bucks.
I'm not afraid to spend the extra $$, but is the thread on style that much better?

I had similar questions and googled to see if it was that great vs a funnel. ‍♂

 

[terrific]

It might be better to not go all in upfront in case the job isn't a good fit. If he doesn't have the basics, sure, but you could instead check in with him at intervals to see if he needs anything.

 

[Wrench97]

Hopefully this isn't too much of a derail, but are the dedicated Toy/Lexus funnels that much of an advantage?
I recently grabbed a FloTool QuickFill 5062 for my 5VZ-FE and it seems to work well for around 5 bucks.
I'm not afraid to spend the extra $$, but is the thread on style that much better?

used 10-15 times a day yes.

 

[JoeMcGov]

Hopefully this isn't too much of a derail, but are the dedicated Toy/Lexus funnels that much of an advantage?
I recently grabbed a FloTool QuickFill 5062 for my 5VZ-FE and it seems to work well for around 5 bucks.
I'm not afraid to spend the extra $$, but is the thread on style that much better?

Short answer: YES. I'm not a tech just a shade tree mechanic. Being able to securely thread the funnel onto the fill port means I get both hands to pour the oil jug. Which for the 5 quart jugs I use helps greatly for the first 2/3rds of he pour.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

The Toyota oil funnel is definitely worth every penny. I couldn’t do without it. I think I paid like $12 for mine on eBay and it’s done just fine.

 

[drokihazan]

I disagree, the new Motivx that works off the flats is amazing. The ones that grab the ears would break overtightened oil filter caps more often than not - they crack where the ears meet the cup. I have not broken a single one since I switched to the newer style Motivx.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XTAGHU0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Literally just changed the oil on my fiance's Rav4 this morning, and my Matco filter socket kept slipping and I had to remove it with Knipex Cobras - and I was the one who put it on before, so I know it wasn't overtight. I'll try this Motivx one, thanks.

 

[KnurledNut]

Hopefully this isn't too much of a derail, but are the dedicated Toy/Lexus funnels that much of an advantage?
I recently grabbed a FloTool QuickFill 5062 for my 5VZ-FE and it seems to work well for around 5 bucks.
I'm not afraid to spend the extra $$, but is the thread on style that much better?

Some funnels don’t work well due to the shallow port. Your’s looks like it would be fine.
It just makes the job easier and less messy. Fast filling. It will hold the jug after pouring to let it finish draining. Cheap tool that works. Just don’t use brake cleaner on the clear plastic. It melted mine.

Before getting one, I used a Mobil 1 quart bottle with the bottom cut off.

Like this (not my video):

 

[ecotec]

The Assenmacher FUN19 kit has a Toyota/Lexus adapter.

It is a better version than the Snap-on because of price point and because the Assenmacher has a tray and the Snap-on has a blow molded case.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I agree with KnurledNut’s suggestion of trim tools. Him showing the plastic clip remover/pry bar. I’d add some plastic pry bars. Harbor freight has a good set for removing interior panels, but they work for any prying jobs.

Next, since he will probably be working under a lift for the first time, get him a Panther Vision lighted baseball style cap. And get several bump cap inserts. This will reduce the loud swearing, blood letting and sore scalp. What’s nice about these is wherever you look the light goes there and no weird elastic bands “head lamps” use to keep it on your head.

 

[KnurledNut]

The Assenmacher FUN19 kit has a Toyota/Lexus adapter.

It is a better version than the Snap-on because of price point and because the Assenmacher has a tray and the Snap-on has a blow molded case.

Thats a nice kit and I looked at it when shopping for one. But I like being able to see the oil pouring in through the clear ones. Its especially helpful on full size trucks where its hard to see the top of the funnel.
After buying and using the dedicated Toyota funnel I ended up getting the MAC SD1270S8 multi-vehicle set.

 

[Blind1]

Th

He's actually in Ontario, so the salt problem is a little bit less but yet definitely was thinking a half size set and going to give them a 3/8 Milwaukee impact and he said they also recommend a half inch air impact I've got one that's good but I haven't used literally in 20 years so I'll get him that and the Toyota filter wrenches but he has a lot of tools of his home but I'll give them a good set of 3/8 metric sockets like Snap On or something I've got an extra set of. Thanks for the replies everybody.

Those lug nuts swell no matter where you are.

Half sizes help.

Also, 35mm and 36mm 6 points impacts for axle nuts.

30mm 12 point for axle nuts.

 

[mikey03]

Those lug nuts swell no matter where you are.

Half sizes help.

I only seent Astro make half size lug nut sockets. Anyone else make them or are they the best on the market?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I only seent Astro make half size lug nut sockets. Anyone else make them or are they the best on the market?

I have the CTA set. Had them going on 5 years now and no issues at all. Blue Point also has some which are probably rebranded. Other brands do as well.

 

[ecotec]

I only seent Astro make half size lug nut sockets. Anyone else make them or are they the best on the market?

Mine are Grey Pneumatic. They have been great.

 

[drokihazan]

I only seent Astro make half size lug nut sockets. Anyone else make them or are they the best on the market?

Lots of brands make them, but I do have the Astro 3/8 9.5-19.5 ones and they've been great - I mostly use them for fasteners that have corroded to the point of being a 1/2 size smaller, they're very good for that. For swollen lug nuts I have a Matco set I bought used, probably made by CTA or someone similar, and I've only needed one of those once but it worked fine.