Thinking about assembling a tool set to live in my daily driver

[Wcs6363]

Add Duct tape has saved me a few times with leaky radiator hose and the two brats in the back seat!

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[paulsomlo]

With my daily driver turning 21 this month, I think about this more and more. I keep a set of used hoses and belts in the car, ones that I've changed out during routine maintenance. But I don't keep any tools in the car. I go back and forth on this - with a '96 BMW, the odds of getting parts when broke down somewhere is not great. Even a dealership, if nearby or even open, might have to order them. So, I maintain the heck out of it, probably over maintain it, and carry AAA plus w/100 mile towing. If I have to take a longer trip, I have a 2001 Civic with 34,000 miles that's a safer bet.

 

[bigarmzz]

http://www.toptul.com/en/2-2179-58008/product/150PCS-1-4-inch-1-2-inch-DR-Tool-Kit-id350078.html

How much is this kit and where can a guy get em at?

 

[Rarified27]

How much is this kit and where can a guy get em at?

I'm also curious to know- as someone said above, there's much better thought with this than a lot of others.

 

[Fender1325]

How much is this kit and where can a guy get em at?

That kit looks like it'd be great for someone who owns NO tools. For every one else on GJ, that's a lot of filler with unknown quality to be buying

 

[KnurledNut]

It's nice to have something on-hand when you're in a pinch. Nothing impressive, mostly just extras of stuff I had laying around, and nothing close to high quality. It's already come in handy a couple times.

Shoved all into an old ammo can and secured to what I'm guessing is the spare battery tray in my Silverado.

If i get time, ill post some pics of my ammo can setup.

 

[speed bump]

I carry a ton of tools in my truck but I also use most of them on a weekly basis for other things.

Metric wrenches 7-20 something
Metric and sae socket set from 3/16 up to 1 inch and 4mm to 30mm or so.
Torx sockets
Metric and SAE Allen sockets
Extensions, adapters, and U joints
Various pliers including fencing, linesman, and vice grips.
Screwdrivers
Medium size 3 jaw puller
Punches and chisels
Floor jack
Square point shovel and broom
Pipe strapping tools (33 ft tape, ID and OD calipers, ETC)
Adjustable wrenches
A couple of hammers
Multi meter
OBD 2 dongle
24 inch breaker bar
Sometimes an electric impact and drill
Pipe wrench
C clip pliers
Picks
Ratchet straps
Tow strap and clevises
Tow hook for hitch
Bunch of other stuff I forgot

Personally I have seen a lot of value in having tools in my rig.
Little sisters alternator dies 60 miles away? Grab an alternator and go all of the tools are in the pickup.

I had a clamp fail on the intercooler boot on my 7.3 PSD one time. Clamped it with a chain vise grip and drove down the mountain to the parts store.

Lost an idler pulley suddenly one time 30 miles out of town. Called a tow, pulled the old one while waiting, and had them drop me at the parts store where I installed the new one so I could be on my way.

Had a unit bearing go outside of Fairview Montana. Called the parts store and had them deliver a new one that I installed on the side of the road.

I have unlocked a few co-workers trucks with a plastic wedge and some bailing wire.

Not to mention all the non vehicle related repairs and adjustments I end up using my tools for.

I suppose if all I ever did was drive across town I wouldn't keep as many tools in my vehicle (I could see not having tire changing gear)but until then it's much easier to be prepared​.

As far as brands, pick decent quality tools and ignore the brands. Most of my sockets are Napa because I bought the set for $40 used, my wrenches are Proto because the set was $25 used, my torx sockets are Lisle because I needed them and that's what the store had, my screwdrivers are a hodgepodge based on a set of Husky, I have a pile of random HF tools because they are close to the house.

 

[paulsomlo]

How much is this kit and where can a guy get em at?

You could send a PM to forum member dnschmidt; he sells some Toptul from time to time.

 

[BK13]

Does anybody know if Wright makes an all-in-one kit? I looked around their website but didn't see anything...


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[ducksface]

It is seldom that I do not read an entire thread before posting and if I do skip, I acknowledge that I did.
I've seen so many of the
Kit posts
that I skipped reading this one.

All I have to say is;
My kit is not all about me.
My kit is for others who break down far more than it is for me.

 

[ultgar]

If your daily driver is a boat, you could do one of these.... wonder if it floats??

 

[kb1luo]

It's nice to have something on-hand when you're in a pinch. Nothing impressive, mostly just extras of stuff I had laying around, and nothing close to high quality. It's already come in handy a couple times.

Shoved all into an old ammo can and secured to what I'm guessing is the spare battery tray in my Silverado.







Out of sight and out of mind unless it's needed.

What a great idea! I will be using this idea on my new truck as it is just a regular cab with not much room. Thanks!!

 

[kctyphoon]

Thanks for the input all.

This set is not only for the random emergencies but more so when Im out helping friends/relatives fix things and I'm stuck with the wrong tool or no tool at all, and I also do various odd jobs for money.

Anyhow heres where Im at now.

I have looked at SK, Williams, Tekton, Gearwrench, Craftsman, Duralast and Carlyle.
The more I look at sets the more I realize you end up buying a lot of what you dont need, just to get what you DO need. I dont want to pay for allen keys (I have 10k of them from all kinds of stuff laying around), I dont want to pay for the set to include 5 low quality wrenches, I dont want to pay for screw drivers and crappy little bits, or a bunch of 12 point stuff that nobody ever needs. I opened my craftsman 94 piece mechanics set (USA) and realize how well its served me over the years, and the random things I needed like extensions, specific deep sockets, U joints, turns out theyre duralast brand. I really quite like the knurling on them, and the accuracy to how they attach to the detent ball on the ratchet.

My biggest pain is on my craftsman 3/8 ratchet is accidental flipping of the direction switch into "neutral", and theyre not all that comfy.

So what ive decided to do is actually piece together a better quality set that will live at home and downgrade my trusty craftsman set to live in the truck.

We'll see what unfolds. Tekton, Duralast, and Crafstman Pro are in my targets right now.

Not reading all the other responses right now, but what I found when I was looking- the ABSOLUTE best "most for your money deal" on socket sets was the gearwrench promo I've had posted in the hot deals forum for a long time now. You get their COMPLETE 3/8" and COMPLETE 1/4" sets for a little over $100. All sockets and ratchets and extensions. All 6 point. No skipped sizes.. there is not ONE piece of junk included in the set to up the tool count.

Those sets, and another $60 will buy you 22 wrenches from Tekton online from the hd site.. for another $20 or so, you can get pliers and screwdrivers from HF. $200 will get you almost everything you'd need to "survive" as a tool set, WITHOUT wasting $1 on something you don't need.

Here is my under $200 "complete" tool set list.
1-
Gearwrench sockets sets here (with pics on page 2) - $108 for all
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321931

2 -
22 combo wrenchs from Tekton (on sale now) for $59 , metric and sae.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-1-4-7-8-in-8-19-mm-Combination-Wrench-Set-22-Piece-90186/205730867

OR -

26 Tekton wrenches (13 each) for $65. (Also on sale now)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-1-4-7-8-in-Combination-Wrench-Set-13-Piece-18769/205730827
And
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-7-19-mm-Combination-Wrench-Set-13-Piece-18789/205730841

3-
Harbor freight 5 piece pliers set (not the best, but they work) $9 before coupon.
https://t.harborfreight.com/5-pc-pliers-set-62598.html

4-
Best HF screwdriver set, $10 before coupon.
https://t.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

Add another $4 for HF wrench rings, buy a $10 husky tool bag or flat zipper tote bag to through everything in. You're at about $220 and you'll have a very respectable socket set, a good wrench and screwdriver set, and decent enough pliers to get you through anything.. you could probably upgrade the pliers for like $60 and get a basic channellock set. That would give you a very well rounded, and respectable tool set you can rely on anywhere. Just about everyone can tell you those HF screwdrivers are on of the hidden gems in the store. I have like 4 sets of those..

Here's another option from Dewalt for $200. No pliers or screwdrivers, so figure add another $20 for the HF stuff to fill in.. this is a great set with 1/2" sockets too. It MIGHT be cheaper somewhere else if you search.

http://www.sears.com/dewalt-socket-...=11042411&utm_medium=2470763_6147012_11042411

Some Craftsman deals -
http://www.sears.com/tools-mechanics-auto-tools-mechanics-tool-sets/b-1021318?adcell=ToolsVMulti1P2

 

[48548]

Thats a nicely thought out kit

I agree, I am asking for a price on that....

 

[Fender1325]

Not reading all the other responses right now, but what I found when I was looking- the ABSOLUTE best "most for your money deal" on socket sets was the gearwrench promo I've had posted in the hot deals forum for a long time now. You get their COMPLETE 3/8" and COMPLETE 1/4" sets for a little over $100. All sockets and ratchets and extensions. All 6 point. No skipped sizes.. there is not ONE piece of junk included in the set to up the tool count.

Those sets, and another $60 will buy you 22 wrenches from Tekton online from the hd site.. for another $20 or so, you can get pliers and screwdrivers from HF. $200 will get you almost everything you'd need to "survive" as a tool set, WITHOUT wasting $1 on something you don't need.

Here is my under $200 "complete" tool set list.
1-
Gearwrench sockets sets here (with pics on page 2) - $108 for all
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321931

2 -
22 combo wrenchs from Tekton (on sale now) for $59 , metric and sae.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-1-4-7-8-in-8-19-mm-Combination-Wrench-Set-22-Piece-90186/205730867

OR -

26 Tekton wrenches (13 each) for $65. (Also on sale now)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-1-4-7-8-in-Combination-Wrench-Set-13-Piece-18769/205730827
And
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-7-19-mm-Combination-Wrench-Set-13-Piece-18789/205730841

3-
Harbor freight 5 piece pliers set (not the best, but they work) $9 before coupon.
https://t.harborfreight.com/5-pc-pliers-set-62598.html

4-
Best HF screwdriver set, $10 before coupon.
https://t.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

Add another $4 for HF wrench rings, buy a $10 husky tool bag or flat zipper tote bag to through everything in. You're at about $220 and you'll have a very respectable socket set, a good wrench and screwdriver set, and decent enough pliers to get you through anything.. you could probably upgrade the pliers for like $60 and get a basic channellock set. That would give you a very well rounded, and respectable tool set you can rely on anywhere. Just about everyone can tell you those HF screwdrivers are on of the hidden gems in the store. I have like 4 sets of those..

Here's another option from Dewalt for $200. No pliers or screwdrivers, so figure add another $20 for the HF stuff to fill in.. this is a great set with 1/2" sockets too. It MIGHT be cheaper somewhere else if you search.

http://www.sears.com/dewalt-socket-...=11042411&utm_medium=2470763_6147012_11042411

Some Craftsman deals -
http://www.sears.com/tools-mechanics-auto-tools-mechanics-tool-sets/b-1021318?adcell=ToolsVMulti1P2

Nice

 

[thatguysb]

Some must haves for me are-
Spare fuel line, spare hoseclamps, wire brush, quick set epoxy, gloves ,joop hand cleaner and a towel

 

[anurag1990]

I agree, I am asking for a price on that....

$280ish( Toptul 150pcs set). Similar sets available from Teng tools, but maybe bit more expensive.

 

[48548]

Dennis is getting me a price.....

 

[themiller]

The thing I always keep in mind when I equip one of my vehicles is that I often need tools for non-automotive stuff. If I go over to my mom's house for example, I may be asked to hang a picture or look at the garbage disposal etc., and I carry enough to handle to...

Same. Although now I have my chest from 20 years ago there and have slowly been stocking it. "Car tools" are used by me for fixing my pedal bike at the trailhead mostly, and maybe a hitch bolt or something equally minor. On the motorcycle I carry all sorts of tools - exactly what is required to service anything I could on the side of the road or in the garage. E torx, security bits, MM sockets, etc... I expect to break down in some backwater town where the mechanic shop thinks fuel injection is the devils work.

 

[JuliusPepperwood]

I have a duralast socket set and a AAA membership.

I've used both when out and about but neither for my own car lol

 

[306guy]

I keep, among others, a few rags, screwdrivers, hammer, prybar, channel locks x 2, wire, random nuts and bolts (small bag), bungee cords x 4, ratchet straps x 2, full set of sockets, full set of wrenches and some JB weld.

Everything fits in a CM 13" tool bag and the sockets I keep in a roll up pouch.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-13-in-tool-bag/p-00937535000P

http://www.socketroll.com/productsr-blue/

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-14-pocket-wrench-roll-tools-not-included

Small and compact space and pretty durable stuff, at least for the back of the XJ.

 

[bigarmzz]

Dennis is getting me a price.....

would you mind posting how much that set is? pretty well thought out for a vehicle

 

[48548]

would you mind posting how much that set is? pretty well thought out for a vehicle[emoji106]

Still waiting on the price, but sure once I get it.

 

[jwsia]

As I have said before I am a mismatch brand guy. When we are fixing equipment in the field stuff tends to get lost (usually found later in the year) but there no use having nice matching sets in the back of the truck. Most all the sockets are mistmatch from pawn shops and farm auctions but all the sizes are there and most are very good quality. This is mine and it all fits in that Craftsman box. This thread got me thinking about what else I could do with the box. Ive changed out the ratchets, had a couple MIA sockets that I filled in and need to add a bigger hammer (might not have room) and some 3/8 torx sockets. Its hard to say for sure what I have in this but my guess would be between 75-100$ (but a good amount of time at auctions is worth some money too)

1/4 sockets deep shallow metric and SAE 6pt
3/8 sockets Deep shallow metric and SAE 6pt
1/2 sockets SAE up to 1 1/4 deep and shallow 12pt
SAE and Metric wrench rolls up to 1 1/4
Pliers, vice grips wire cutter and strippers
Punches Hammer tape measure Cresent wrenches
hex keys and torx screwdrivers, pipe wrench

The box is mostly for work on the farm equipment as we drive Toyotas Enjoy

 

[petee_c]

2006 vw jetta tdi - small all in one toolset (mine's made by jobmate - Cdn tire cheap brand - shallow sockets, ratchet, wrenches, couple pliers, multi screwdriver etc), haven't need to use it for the vehicle yet.

2001 boxster s - just what comes in the toolbag, minus the wheel hanger.

2011 audi q7 tdi - wife - factory toolkit minus wheel hanger, plyers, tiny socket set, multiscrewdriver...

We both have CAA roadside assistance, she also has Audi roadside assistance.

 

[48548]

I decided I am tired of going to people's houses without tools... building this....

 

[tool_scrounge]

As others have said, you will probably use the tool kit more for other things than auto repair.

I am a fan of blow molded cases, as you can easily see what is missing instead of discovering the 10mm socket is gone when you desperately need it.

The one in the photo is GM brand (mostly Taiwanese made from o'reilly auto parts) courtesy of the Garage Journal Hot Deals section. They were $20/set.

This gets supplemented with a good quality volt meter + leads, wire stripper, electrical tape, vise grips, pliers, screw driver, and a 1/2 breaker bar with a deep socket for wheel lugs.

Used craftsman is also a good option. Just replace the current %$#$! 3/8" ratchet with a better quality one. The 1/4" works fine when cleaned and lubricated. I think I have $25 in this socket set.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I used to carry a ton of tools with me but never needed them to fix my car. Now I just carry an assortment of basic tools for when someone asks me to look at something when over their house. My last two break downs were a clutch on my sons car, I'm not doing a clutch on the side of the road! My car would not start, I found a small rock on the side of the parking lot, opened the hood and tapped on the starter, started car and rebuilt starter when I got home. AAA is relatively inexpensive if you have ever had to pay for a tow truck out of pocket.

 

[KnurledNut]

58548, thats a great looking box.

 

[48548]

How much is this kit and where can a guy get em at?

He said about 325...... No shipping as I am local. It will be close to the end of the year, if I order it. Still thinking about it.

 

[tonyciambrone]

In my Forester:
Toolbox with comprehensive set of hand tools
Bag with nylon cord, ratchet straps, bungees, zip ties
Emergency bag, knife, lighters, flashlight emergency blanket etc etc.
Jumper cables- pretty much exclusively for other people's cars

The toolbox is rarely used for my car but very often to help friends, family, at work etc. Saves me from having to grab stuff out of the garage constantly.

 

[DFB]

I have never been a big fan of HF but some of their stuff has a place. Anyhow I picked up one of these 64 pc ratchet sets about 10 days ago. so I will give my review of it here


https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...-12-in-drive-sae-metric-socket-set-69261.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...-12-in-drive-sae-metric-socket-set-67995.html

The set I got from my local store was the 69261


I bought it for resale and for just $30 bucks (with coupon) for the more occasional user its not a bad set at all. Especially for someone looking to purchase something on the cheap.

It has 3 drive sizes, all 6pt sockets, and includes both SAE and Metric. shallow and SAE deep. Has 3 sizes of 8pt sockets and also has three ratchets and two 3 inch extension bars. one 1/4, and one 3/8 drive but nothing in 1/2"

If it had a 1/4 driver handle included that would be even better yet.

I took all the ratchet heads apart and greased them too, they aren't lubed at all. No push button retention but they do hold the sockets decently for what they are and the design is very similar to the "Pittsburgh Professional" labeled tool sets. I also torqued a 1/2" bolt to 50 ft lbs in the vice and then slapped a 3/4" socket on the 1/2" drive ratchet to remove it. I did not detect any slippage or got any other indication the ratchet wasn't up to the task

I also have picked up a couple of the PRO 3/8" sets so I can easily compare them to each other. Those regularly sell for $21.99 although also cost less with a coupon.

The ratchets in the 64 pc set don't say "PRO" on them but on the other hand the DEEP 6 pt. sockets in both sets have the exact same stampings, the exact same part numbers and do all say PRO on them...go figure. Though the 6 pt. shallow sockets in the 64 pc are different with no pro markings but note all the shallow sockets in the 20pc 3/8" pro sets are also 12 point sockets.


Other positives besides the large assortment of sizes is that the sockets lock tightly in place in the carry case and won't fall out. Those in the pro set fits loose (if the case opened accidently they could all spill out) And except for that fact and the wording on the storage cases they seem to be of the same build quality too.


Cons: no spark plug sockets, limited deep socket sizing, no breaker bars, reducers or adapters and there are no markings on the shallow sockets except for the size. All Pro series sockets are stamped CRV. Though the website description does say all the sockets in the 64 pc sets are also chrome vanadium

Also take note here about the Pittsburgh Pro 20 pc 3/8" metric set, it has no 12mm sockets at all and that may be important depending on what you work on.

(Like my Yanmar built John Deere tractor )

HF website reviews on both 64 pc sets are slightly better than a 4 star rating for either part # the list and in one of the worst review someone complained that they cracked two sockets Hmmm