The Ultimate Mobile Mechanic Setup

[StahlBenz]

Figured you the guys here on Garage Journal could appreciate this. I am currently working night and day setting up a retired Snap-On truck for my mobile mechanic shop. This is the "completed" wrench drawer in my U.S. General 72" Roll Cab - aside from wrapping up the numbering labels. I'll continue posting different elements of the mobile shop if you guys are interested. I am going big on this - doing it right.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How tall is the interior of that drawer? My snap-ons have a "wrench drawer" below the main socket drawer, it's sort of sold as the de-facto wrench area. Anyway it's around 2" deep so anything above 32 mm is probably not going to fit standing up, looks like your 32mm has room to spare. Maybe my Sunex 32mm is just fat? Or maybe it's the angle?


Post everything you got. Tekton organizers?

 

[StahlBenz]

Thanks for the comment. This is the second drawer of the U.S. General box, and I believe it is intended to be the wrench drawer. Its height is 2 3/8". The width of the head of the ICON 32mm is 2 1/2" and in the organizer its height is 2 1/4". Yes, they are Tekton/Ernst organizers.

 

[StahlBenz]

Renamed the thread so I can continue posting the setup. Here is my socket/ratchet drawer. Waiting on Tekton to have their 3/8" dr. universal impact sockets back in stock as well as a few missing 1/2" dr. 12 points. I will have to reorganize it and find some way to fit my VIM tools master extension sets that are on the way as well.

 

[richfinn]

I've worked out of a van (roadside technician) for twenty years, if you need any advice

 

[StahlBenz]

I've worked out of a van (roadside technician) for twenty years, if you need any advice

Thank you I appreciate it!

 

[shoggoth80]

Looking good!

 

[rust in the eye]

Figured you the guys here on Garage Journal could appreciate this. I am currently working night and day setting up a retired Snap-On truck for my mobile mechanic shop. This is the "completed" wrench drawer in my U.S. General 72" Roll Cab - aside from wrapping up the numbering labels. I'll continue posting different elements of the mobile shop if you guys are interested. I am going big on this - doing it right.

Oh, the humiliation

 

[bcradio]

I love those wrench dividers! You are making me want to get some

 

[username2]

So what do the wrenches do when you hit the brakes? It's a situation (besides FOD) where you can make a case for foam, admittedly at the cost of density. I tend to poke fun at them, but those great big Gearwrench sets look like just the thing for a truck if a person didn't want to spend a jillion dollars.

I do have to wonder if a filled-up drawer can handle the constant shaking of driving.

 

[AJHD]

Nice. I'm jealous already. Absolutely looking forward to seeing more.

I'd like to see the overall truck as well. A tool truck sounds like a great idea for a mobile shop.

 

[StahlBenz]

So what do the wrenches do when you hit the brakes? It's a situation (besides FOD) where you can make a case for foam, admittedly at the cost of density. I tend to poke fun at them, but those great big Gearwrench sets look like just the thing for a truck if a person didn't want to spend a jillion dollars.

I do have to wonder if a filled-up drawer can handle the constant shaking of driving.

I have tested this and they all stay in place while driving. The weight of the wrenches in the dividers holds them down. As a precaution I am going to replace the stock tool liner with one from NSI materials which has a bit more tack. If you are curious the roll cab has been bolted down though the steel plate Snap-On had installed for tool carts, into the chassis of the truck. To do so I replaced the casters with these spacers from 123Fab.

 

[StahlBenz]

Nice. I'm jealous already. Absolutely looking forward to seeing more.

I'd like to see the overall truck as well. A tool truck sounds like a great idea for a mobile shop.

I will be posting more and more shortly. The truck is great. $18,000 for a 2015 Freightliner MT45 with 100,000 miles. LDV does a great job with these trucks. Full overhead and shelf lighting, AC/fan unit and diesel furnace with thermostat which both run on vehicle power, another AC unit runs off shore power, and tons of outlets. Today I am picking up four new house batteries and two new vehicle batteries. The truck came with water filled batteries which I am replacing with Duracell AGMS. I will also be replacing the 1500w pure sine wave with a 5000w unit. There will be two 32” monitors on arm mounts attached to the wall over the roll cab. This is where I run my shop management software. Two screens are so I can have parts diagrams and suppliers on one side and shop management on the other. On top of the roll cab is where my computer, keyboard, mouse, printer, Square terminal, and oil change sticker printer will be located. I will also do my ECU reprogramming/cloning/immobilizer work on here as well. I have a 5G router coming in with roof antenna so I have connectivity wherever I go. Verizon LTE landline conference phone will also be with this setup.

I have made a custom diagnostic cart from a US General 6 bank. Cut out a section of the front so I can use a keyboard and mouse, 32” monitor hard mounted, HAVIS docking station for my Dell Latitude 7230 rugged tablet with all dealership OEM diagnostic software ie Xentry, INPA/ISTA, etc. I removed the bottom four drawer so there is space for two batteries, inverter, TOPDON 120000 power supply, diagnostic tools, 12v air compressor, etc.

Also there is a general maintenance cart with all tools needed for any European oil change, brake change, air filter, or spark plug. That way I just roll right out for those most performed jobs.

MAHLE FluidPro ATF, coolant, and brake fluid exchangers are all on the way.

Tons and tons of stuff to be posted. Stay tuned!

 

[StahlBenz]

Forgot to mention my favorite part of the tool truck, the lift gate! I just roll whatever cart I need to the back of the truck and lower it right down and roll it over to the customers car.

 

[Meursault74]

I was wondering if you're going to use your forum name as the business name. The homonym struck me. May be memorable or harmful by word of mouth. I don't know, just spit balling.

Stahl Motors.............. Stall Motors and by Stall I mean like an engine stalling, not a bathroom fixture.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

 

[StahlBenz]

I was wondering if you're going to use your forum name as the business name. The homonym struck me. May be memorable or harmful by word of mouth. I don't know, just spit balling.

Stahl Motors.............. Stall Motors and by Stall I mean like an engine stalling, not a bathroom fixture.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

Haha yeah I realized that myself as well. Obviously it’s supposed to be Stahl as in steel in German - since I do only European and primarily German vehicles.

I have thought about changing it to Kaiser Motors, luckily the van has not been painted with the name and logo yet. It would be a bit of a hassle to change business registration and insurance etc over to a new DBA but I will sort that all out once the van is complete.

 

[username2]

I have tested this and they all stay in place while driving. The weight of the wrenches in the dividers holds them down. As a precaution I am going to replace the stock tool liner with one from NSI materials which has a bit more tack. If you are curious the roll cab has been bolted down though the steel plate Snap-On had installed for tool carts, into the chassis of the truck.

Using an ex-Snap-on truck is genius here. They've solved a lot of the problems of carrying this kind of load already I imagine. No doubt there's some sort of bulkhead. I cringe every time I see a campervan, particularly homemade, that allows the contents to shoot through the driver's head in a collision.

I suppose that the drawer slide lifetime remains to be seen, and they are replaceable after all. I didn't see this above, but is there any thought to latching the drawers shut with a bar, etc.?

Making things mobile is tricky, but people have solved all of this 1000 times before. My own work was partly designing products for trucks with stuff that's way more expensive than tools, and you really have to admire the amount of thought that goes into packing it all in and making it reliable.

 

[StahlBenz]

Using an ex-Snap-on truck is genius here. They've solved a lot of the problems of carrying this kind of load already I imagine. No doubt there's some sort of bulkhead. I cringe every time I see a campervan, particularly homemade, that allows the contents to shoot through the driver's head in a collision.

I suppose that the drawer slide lifetime remains to be seen, and they are replaceable after all. I didn't see this above, but is there any thought to latching the drawers shut with a bar, etc.?

Making things mobile is tricky, but people have solved all of this 1000 times before. My own work was partly designing products for trucks with stuff that's way more expensive than tools, and you really have to admire the amount of thought that goes into packing it all in and making it reliable.

The US General Gen 3 has plastic latches that lock the drawers shut, plus it is locked with the key which secures the drawers further. The truck rides well and I do not foresee any major issue with the drawer slides. Worse comes to worse I will replace them.

Also yes it has a very robust door to close the bulkhead.

 

[mikey03]

I will be posting more and more shortly. The truck is great. $18,000 for a 2015 Freightliner MT45 with 100,000 miles.

what kind of gas mileage you going to get once it’s loaded up with your tools like 4 mpg?

 

[Kurt4440]

I have tested this and they all stay in place while driving. The weight of the wrenches in the dividers holds them down. As a precaution I am going to replace the stock tool liner with one from NSI materials which has a bit more tack. If you are curious the roll cab has been bolted down though the steel plate Snap-On had installed for tool carts, into the chassis of the truck. To do so I replaced the casters with these spacers from 123Fab.

First, good luck, I hope this works out well for you.

I am surprised that an anti vibration mount wasn't used in place of those fabricated steel spacers.



Are all of these tools new? In addition to a home base set?

Where is your work territory?

 

[StahlBenz]

First, good luck, I hope this works out well for you.

I am surprised that an anti vibration mount wasn't used in place of those fabricated steel spacers.



Are all of these tools new? In addition to a home base set?

Where is your work territory?

Kurt I had not even thought of those…I might have to go that route. Any suggestions for them? Thank you I really appreciate it. These tools are all new, my old tools have been moved to the garage for my personal vehicles and for van maintenance. I am in Rhode Island so I do not have to drive much as we are the 2nd most densely populated state in the Union.

 

[Odd-job]

Following. What part of the country are you in by chance? Could really use a mobile Mercedes mechanic in my area with Xentry for diagnostic and trouble shooting help as I have been chasing an Airmatic issue for a while.

 

[StahlBenz]

Following. What part of the country are you in by chance? Could really use a mobile Mercedes mechanic in my area with Xentry for diagnostic and trouble shooting help as I have been chasing an Airmatic issue for a while.

I am in Rhode Island. What is your issue with airmatic? I just did the entire front and rear suspension of my W211 including front air struts and rear air springs. All OEM Bilstien not that Arnott junk.

 

[StahlBenz]

Some new VIM bit sets have arrived…

 

[Kurt4440]

Kurt I had not even thought of those…I might have to go that route. Any suggestions for them? Thank you I really appreciate it. These tools are all new, my old tools have been moved to the garage for my personal vehicles and for van maintenance. I am in Rhode Island so I do not have to drive much as we are the 2nd most densely populated state in the Union.

No suggestions off the top of my head for anti vibration mounts.

I grew up in NYC, then lived and worked in New Jersey for a stint, so I appreciate the population density. As long as you are financially compensated for the travel time, aggravation and services provided you should have a descent market.

At 60 years old I still think new sets of tools evoke the same sense of excitement as a childhood birthday and Christmas rolled into one. The possibilities are endless with more tools.

 

[AJHD]

Obviously you're buying new tools, but I'm curious is everything new or are you just expanding your capabilities?

What did you do before? I also assume your focus is on automotive repair?

 

[StahlBenz]

I definitely ripped open those boxes like it was Christmas morning opening up a new Red Rider!

Just got back from Home Depot with all new M18 tools. I have rocked M12 tools for years but I used Bauer for their 20v tools. Four free batteries and 18 months financing on my HD card - if now wasn’t the time I don’t know when was!

 

[StahlBenz]

Obviously you're buying new tools, but I'm curious is everything new or are you just expanding your capabilities?

What did you do before? I also assume your focus is on automotive repair?

I am a project manager for my father’s residential development company. I have done mobile mechanic work on European makes for about ten years now but it was always out of a small truck and I just had ads up on Craigslist and FB. Automotive work is what I love so I decided that it was time to become a literal shop on wheels. Certainly I am expanding my capabilities, for example having all the Mahle FluidPro tools - no more manually pumping fluids.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

So is the primary goal diag/programing/keys or repair/maintenance? Do you deal primarily with other businesses, or the public?

 

[StahlBenz]

So is the primary goal diag/programing/keys or repair/maintenance? Do you deal primarily with other businesses, or the public?

All of the above. I deal with the public but I am moving from lower end clientele on Facebook and Craigslist to higher end clientele.

For years I have had customers with immobilizer and control module issues but I have simply not had the tools to help them. So that area is a new capability as well.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

All of the above. I deal with the public but I am moving from lower end clientele on Facebook and Craigslist to higher end clientele.

For years I have had customers with immobilizer and control module issues but I have simply not had the tools to help them. So that area is a new capability as well.

Gotcha, I saw Xentry and figured you were quite confident in your ROI potential.

I don't even have a J2534 setup where I work, so I feel the frustration. Usually when the signs point that direction I just pull the plug and ship the car. Now if it's one of the rare plug-n-play modules, I just diagnose and repair as normal.

 

[StahlBenz]

Gotcha, I saw Xentry and figured you were quite confident in your ROI potential.

I don't even have a J2534 setup where I work, so I feel the frustration. Usually when the signs point that direction I just pull the plug and ship the car. Now if it's one of the rare plug-n-play modules, I just diagnose and repair as normal.

If you’re looking for a multiplexer I recommend the Tabscan T6 Pro. It’s compatible with any OEM software, and not only pass thru, for example Xentry OpenShell works with it.

As for ROI - Euro dealerships in my area are at $275+ an hour and independents are not far behind, in fact one prominent one is at $300 an hour.

 

[StahlBenz]

To bring some humor to the thread, I posted the photo of the wrench drawer on r/tools and someone told me that wrenches are unnecessary and that he has used a wrench only a handful of times. He apparently “does a lot of automotive work”.

 

[Basskiller]

^

What are Deep Sockets For? I've Never Needed One

I'm sure this is going to be super basic of a question, but I've never needed deep sockets before, ever. My home gamer car repair work has been limited to inside the engine bay and the trans/oil drain plugs. I'm going to start adventuring more onto the drive train of the vehicle this year. I'm...

www.garagejournal.com

well, we have a thread about deep sockets.

 

[StahlBenz]

^

What are Deep Sockets For? I've Never Needed One

I'm sure this is going to be super basic of a question, but I've never needed deep sockets before, ever. My home gamer car repair work has been limited to inside the engine bay and the trans/oil drain plugs. I'm going to start adventuring more onto the drive train of the vehicle this year. I'm...

www.garagejournal.com

well, we have a thread about deep sockets.

Some other guy also posted on my socket picture saying that I could fit all the sockets I need on one rail….bizarro world

 

[2ndGearRubber]

If you’re looking for a multiplexer I recommend the Tabscan T6 Pro. It’s compatible with any OEM software, and not only pass thru, for example Xentry OpenShell works with it.

As for ROI - Euro dealerships in my area are at $275+ an hour and independents are not far behind, in fact one prominent one is at $300 an hour.

Statistically most of my need would be domestic. Honesty at my use level the easy bitton would be RAP or similar. Hook up the power supply, connect to OPUS, done. Make it their problem. How many modules do you have to program. not just code, a month? I get that Xentry is the service info, parts, etc all in one so the ROI is a little easier to pay for versus in the aftermarket having 3 scan tools, a J2534 interface, and paying for service info.

 

[StahlBenz]

Statistically most of my need would be domestic. Honesty at my use level the easy bitton would be RAP or similar. Hook up the power supply, connect to OPUS, done. Make it their problem. How many modules do you have to program. not just code, a month? I get that Xentry is the service info, parts, etc all in one so the ROI is a little easier to pay for versus in the aftermarket having 3 scan tools, a J2534 interface, and paying for service info.

On my latitude 7230 I have the drive partitioned into 5 boots, each installed respectively with software for Benz, BMW, VW/Audi, Porsche. Let’s just say the price was very reasonable…

 

[mikey03]

Some other guy also posted on my socket picture saying that I could fit all the sockets I need on one rail….bizarro world

I mean he’s not wrong you could fit them on one rail but that rail might be a hundred foot long

 

[NUTTSGT]

Forgot to mention my favorite part of the tool truck, the lift gate! I just roll whatever cart I need to the back of the truck and lower it right down and roll it over to the customers car.

Just a thought for side work.

Get your name out there as a guy that can help fellow mechanics move their boxes from shop to shop, shop to home or wherever.

Might help getting some work sent your way as well.

 

[StahlBenz]

Just a thought for side work.

Get your name out there as a guy that can help fellow mechanics move their boxes from shop to shop, shop to home or wherever.

Might help getting some work sent your way as well.

That’s a great idea actually