Don't ever put more on your truck account(s) than you can readily afford. That's a lesson I never had to learn the hard way, but I know several people who have. That nice box can easily become a burden if you lose your job for whatever reason.
Find out what the experienced techs are using most frequently, and buy a quality version of whatever it is.
Don't skimp on things like screw drivers. I bought a 7 pc. Instinct set from my Snappy dealer and I used them every single day from the hour after I bought them until the hour I left my last job.
HF tools are not necessarily a bad thing. I use my 3/8" roto head quite frequently, and it didn't fail me. Make sure you have time to go and warranty things if need be. The main reason I didn't buy more tools from places like HF, Sears, and Lowes is because I knew I'd be SOL in the middle of a job if something broke.
Find a good dealer. I truly think it's safe to say that the big truck brands are pretty on par with each other in regards to quality, so find the dealer that you like most and is most willing to work with you and your schedule.
Being a relatively new person in regards to being a mechanic, that's all the advice I have to give. Good luck, OP.
