What tools do you keep in the vehicle?

[fm2176]

A while back I organized my truck box, prettying everything up in storage containers and throwing my Kobalt 26" Hammer Box in it filled with tools. Now I should have everything I need for a roadside emergency, to help a stranger in need, or even to do a spur-of-the-moment project away from home. Here's some of the stuff I keep in the truck:

E-tool
Foot pump (I'm too cheap to buy a good plug-in, and don't trust the inexpensive ones)
Husky tool set - contains a few wrenches and a fair selection of 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" sockets
Miscellaneous punches and chisels
Framing hammer
4 lb engineer hammer
Tape measure
Hand saw
Assorted pliers
Assorted wrenches
Bolt cutters
Assorted hardware (bolts, hose clamps, etc)
Tire plugs

There's a lot more than just that, but none of it is especially expensive (in case someone breaks into the box). Granted, I might get better gas mileage if I reduced my tool load, but it seems that every day I am using something out of the box. About the only thing I want to get now is a tow strap and/or tow chain.

Does anyone else keep more than a basic tool set in their vehicles?

 

[HandyManny]

I don't bother with the hammers, punches or chisles, no need for me to have in the truck

I keep the following:

3/8th drive ratchet socket set
Jumper cables
Flashlight (Maglite 2D LED)
Gerber NATO folding shovel
Recovery Strap
12" Channellock #440 pliers
15" Adjustable Wrench
a few shop rags
Small funnel

In a short plastic ammo drybox:
Channellock Pliers
-10" Linemans
-6" battery pliers
-7" long nose
-10" TongueGroove
-8" diagonal cutters
Lisle snap-ring pliers
10 inch Kipex Alligator pliers
6 inch Irwin slipjoint pliers
10 inch Craftsman adjustable wrench
Stanley screwdrivers (2 flat, 2 phillips)
Irwin 9-in-1 screwdriver
Battery Terminal Puller (KD Tools)
Various length ratchet extention bars
various socket adapters adapters
folding hex and torx wrenches
telescoping inspections mirror
telescoping magnetic pick-up tool
tire valve-stem tool
small combo wrench sized for battery nut (5/16ths)
a few other tools I forget now

In center console:
Gerber Diesel multi-tool
Stockman pocket knife
Parker Jotter pen
mechanical pencil
Small note pad
Mini-maglite with LED conversion
Carhartt stocking cap
headlamp

 

[JMcFly]

My Mercedes has a basic tool kit in it but I'm going to pick up a cantilever box from amazon to keep more tools in it for those sporadic junkyard runs.

3/8 ratchet
Metric socket set
Multi bit screw driver
1/2 ratchet with adapter to 3/8
Extensions
Wire cutters
Vice grips
Channel lock pliers
Needle nose pliers
Hammer


In my spare tire storage bin plus around the spare

Zip ties
Duct tape
Tire plugs
Heavy duty jumper cables
Tow strap
Reflective vest
Trunk lid mounted oem safety triangle
Clean microfiber towels(prefer over the red hand cloths)
Regular beach towel. You never know when you will need to hail an inter galaxy transport.
Gallon of oil for my car to use as fuel or top it off.
3D mag light in the cabin


My car also has a factory first aid kit I have put all fresh items in.

Band aids
Gauze
Aspirin
Sting cream
Space blanket
Tourniquet
Medical tape
First aid booklet
Medical scissors
Forceps

I'd like to somehow store at least 2-3 gallons of potable water somewhere but that's not an issue unless I go on long drives

I'd say I'm ready for the zombie apocalypse.

 

[volunteers]

Why you guys put so many tools in your car? Are you a constructor or your job is wrenching?

 

[jasonreck71]

I keep it simple. I have a gerger multi tool, a five in one screwdriver, and a flashlight if that counts. I do have a 200+ piece portable Craftsman set if I am traveling or junk yarding that I toss in the trunk

 

[uart]

Since most of my driving is around town I usually just keep the basic kit to change a flat. It saves me space and weight in a small car.

When I'm going out of town or on a longer road trip however, then I've got a small box that I throw in. It contains a socket set, a basic combo wrench set and a 12" shifting spanner, a few screw drivers, a pair of electrician and channel lock pliers, a knife, a flashlight and a cheap multimeter. This kit is all fairly cheap tools, all stuff that could be replaced easily.

 

[JMcFly]

Why you guys put so many tools in your car? Are you a constructor or your job is wrenching?

It's not a lot . I'm just prepared.

 

[iroc409]

I have a Companion tool set that I keep in my truck in a tool bag, with other miscellaneous parts and accessories. I used it once when I drove home a Cherokee I used to have. I had to replace a leaky fuel injector.

Thanks to some of my dad's "gentle help", I ended up installing two more. Not faulting him LOL, he just didn't quite understand that installing the fuel rail did not require a bigger hammer.

For what I typically find the need for though, I'd really probably be fairly well-served with a multi-tool pliers, a 10-in-1 screwdriver, and a tape measure. I've never done a roadside emergency repair (and I've had some cars that have needed it). Mostly it just gets used for random tasks wherever.

Last time I used it was changing out a dryer cord at someone's house I sold a washer and dryer to.

 

[rayh91]

Honestly, nothing. Just the tools to change out a spare. Maybe my Gerber multi if I'm carrying it.

 

[Regnar]

I have most of the stuff mentioned but just wanted to add a clamptite tool and .041 304 SS saftey wire. I have used the tool on my RV and other little projects and it
has saved the day a few times.

http://www.clamptitetools.com/

 

[adamsredlines]

154 piece Craftsman tool kit in each of my cars, and each have a few added extensions, a set of pliers and zipties. Basic roadside kit (jumpers, reflective triangle, batteries, etc). And a maglite.

One of them, in my daily driver, has a Matco stubby ratchet also for anyone who would need it on a roadside repair.

 

[expfcwintergreen]

Jumper cables
Inflator, plugs, tire tools
PB Blaster
Carb cleaner
Tarp
Shop towels

6 pt. 3/8 sockets, 6-19mm; ratchet; extensions
12 pt. combination wrenches, 6-19
Channel locks & needle nose pliers
1,2,3 phillips
1/8, 3/16, 1/4 slotted screw drivers
8 inch adjustable wrench
3/8 (?) hex socket for break caliper
torx 50 socket
Magnet
Battery brush

This is all in a small Klein tool bag under the hood. These are mostly Craftsman's basic tools. I have some other tools in bags under and around the front seats and under the spare tire in the trunk but almost never have to use them.

I would love to have a list of every size that is used and where it is used on a 2006 Impala because I am sure I could carry many fewer tools and some you need two of a size on wrenches.

 

[jeffmoss26]

5 in 1 screwdriver
Maglite
Knife

 

[plinker]

Why you guys put so many tools in your car? Are you a constructor or your job is wrenching?

Never a boy scout huh? (dont worry I wasnt either)

I carry alot of stuff, more then I care to type as I'll be at it for a while. But here's the short version.

complete 1/4 drive set
3/8 drive set
small set of 1/2 drive
short prybar
any vehicle specfic tools (like a 12pt 12mm for ford driveshafts, por dist module socket)
various pliers and screwdrivers, vise grips, wiring tools included
cheaper set of metric & inch combo wrenches + adjustable wrenches
serp. belt tool
Brake fluid
ATF
coolant
motor oil
full size spare tire (for the car)
semi truck size (2lb?) fire ext.
battery brush, jumper cables, plano box with fuzes terminals, bulbs and such, Small shovel, larger small shovel in winter, asst. of bungee cords, 1" nylon straps 4x, cable ties, Maglite AA LED, paper towel, spray oil, brake cleaner, and other **** I'm likely forgetting.

Usually I use these tools when going to the junkyard if I happen to take the notion, I havent had the occasion to need them on the road for anything serious (yet).

 

[chadster1]

I carry a few tools in my truck.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That's cheating! haha

 

[GRX]

Only the essentials ...

left handed screw driver
metric crescent wrench
water hammer
sky hook
hose stretcher
dehydrated water
blinker fluid
muffler bearing

 

[woody 73]

I used to keep a lot of tools in my car (always breaking down with old cars),but because of space and not having a such an old car I do keep a flaslight.

Now the crazy thing that I do not understand (maybe someone can give me some insight); is whenever I need the flashlight the batteries have ruptured destroying the flaslight. This is not a long time but maybe 4 months so now I just leave the batteries out of the flashlight. Perhaps because the batteries are somehow exposed to the heat /cold of the year that make them leak so bad???

As everyone else have pointed out things like a first-aid kit along with jumper cables and a 3/8 metric tool kit, road flares and a bottle of water.

 

[chadster1]

I used to keep a lot of tools in my car (always breaking down with old cars),but because of space and not having a such an old car I do keep a flaslight.

Now the crazy thing that I do not understand (maybe someone can give me some insight); is whenever I need the flashlight the batteries have ruptured destroying the flaslight. This is not a long time but maybe 4 months so now I just leave the batteries out of the flashlight. Perhaps because the batteries are somehow exposed to the heat /cold of the year that make them leak so bad???

As everyone else have pointed out things like a first-aid kit along with jumper cables and a 3/8 metric tool kit, road flares and a bottle of water.

Streamlight Strion, rechargeable LED light. I have had one in my truck for years and it still works.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Flashlight
1/4'' SAE/Metric Sockets
3/8'' SAE/Metric Sockets
3/8'' Duralast Ratchet
Set of Combo Wrenches
Pliers
Screwdrivers
Jumper Cables
Extra Quart of Oil
25'' Breaker Bar w/ 19mm Socket

 

[HandyManny]

Why you guys put so many tools in your car? Are you a constructor or your job is wrenching?

It may seem like a lot, but what I carry mostly firts into a short plastic ammo drybox with the rest sitting under the rear seat well organized. They really don't take up a lot of room under the back seat of an F-150 SuperCrew cab truck.

Truth be told, it's a great idea to be prepared to fix what you can if it breaks. Granted you won't be able to fix everything, but tools for common things are a good thing to have. Another truth be told, those tools and equipment I keep in my truck have been used to help out others on the roadside, in parking lots, and in campgrounds many more times than they have ever been used to help myself. You don't need to be a contractor or tech to carry tools in your vehicle.

 

[wave180]

Car #1
-Gearwrench pass thru socket set
-Jumper cable
-scissor jack
-Ideal 9-in1 screwdriver
-Craftsman pro slip joint plier
-Stanley long nose plier
-3d Maglite
-some tapes and zip ties
-tire inflator

Car #2
-Craftsman 12pt combination wrench set
-Ideal linesman plier
-Husky pro screwdrivers
-Craftsman multitester
-Jumper cable
-scissor jack
-2d Maglite led
-tire inflator

 

[HandyManny]

I used to keep a lot of tools in my car (always breaking down with old cars),but because of space and not having a such an old car I do keep a flaslight.

Now the crazy thing that I do not understand (maybe someone can give me some insight); is whenever I need the flashlight the batteries have ruptured destroying the flaslight. This is not a long time but maybe 4 months so now I just leave the batteries out of the flashlight. Perhaps because the batteries are somehow exposed to the heat /cold of the year that make them leak so bad???

As everyone else have pointed out things like a first-aid kit along with jumper cables and a 3/8 metric tool kit, road flares and a bottle of water.

I've gotten into the habit over the years of swaping out the batteries in my vehicle flashlights and installing fresh ones at the beginning of each hot and cold season. That way I always have a flashlight that works. It does take some mental conditioning to develop that habit, all too easy to forget, but it does and has saved the night a few times.

 

[losabio]

Lithium batteries (Energizer Ultimate L91/L92, etc.) don't leak. A lot of the digitally regulated LED type flashlights seem to do better with run time on lithiums as well.

 

[HandyManny]

Lithium batteries (Energizer Ultimate L91/L92, etc.) don't leak. A lot of the digitally regulated LED type flashlights seem to do better with run time on lithiums as well.

And they tend to withstand cold temperature much better too.

 

[CISO1969]

Only the essentials ...

left handed screw driver
metric crescent wrench
water hammer
sky hook
hose stretcher
dehydrated water
blinker fluid
muffler bearing

what about 710 oil?

 

[fm2176]

Why you guys put so many tools in your car? Are you a constructor or your job is wrenching?

I'm an Infantryman in the Army, so I like to have the right tool whenever possible (though my Gerber, 550 cord, and 100-mph tape can fix almost anything).

It may seem like a lot, but what I carry mostly firts into a short plastic ammo drybox with the rest sitting under the rear seat well organized. They really don't take up a lot of room under the back seat of an F-150 SuperCrew cab truck.

Truth be told, it's a great idea to be prepared to fix what you can if it breaks. Granted you won't be able to fix everything, but tools for common things are a good thing to have. Another truth be told, those tools and equipment I keep in my truck have been used to help out others on the roadside, in parking lots, and in campgrounds many more times than they have ever been used to help myself. You don't need to be a contractor or tech to carry tools in your vehicle.

+1 I don't carry it around anymore, but my Matco Grand Master Super-Duper Get Someone Out of a Bind Lockout Set (or whatever it's called) has helped a few people in the past, including one family that had locked their keys in their trunk at the hospital while my wife was in labor (I didn't tell her I helped them out). I've used my tools far more to help a coworker or stranger than for myself.

My initial post only included some of the tools I keep in the toolbox. Being a redneck at heart who was thrilled to finally get a truck (upgraded from a Sentra), one of my first actions was to but a box for the bed. Ever since, I've been filling it up. Inside my cab I keep a few other tools:

Fire extinguisher
Multi-tool (or two)
Sure-Fire lights with spare bulbs and batteries
Cheap LED flashlights with spare batteries
OBD-II scanner (I don't like check engine lights)
S&W Model 19 with two speedloaders (an amazing tool that hopefully will never see serious use)
Automotive first aid kit
IFAK (Army-issue Improved First Aid Kit
CRKT MAK-1 1st Responder tool

 

[Everett]

For me its just the basic, pliers, screwdrivers, duct tape, some wire, hey its a ford after all, a porta jump starter pack, and some sockets and racthet, thinking about buying that sears tool kit , then i just carry that, but for sockets , what i do is i buy some extra heater hose, throw that in back, but one time i didnt have a spare hose for heater, so i cut the break in half , slip a socket in, raided two hose clamps off the emision tubes, and limped it home, so after that i carry spare hoses and clamps, and my 12 volt trouble light, and the parts thats seams too break, pulls a fast one on you and breaks some wear were you cant reach at easy, grrrrrrrrrrrrr then you need a few these too figure it out,

 

[Matt472]

Probably too many. I haven't gone through it in awhile but I'm guessing I need to clean it out.
154 Craftsman tool kit.
Assortment of screw drivers
Breaker bar
Jumper cables
Ratchet straps
Bungee cords
2 or 3 Tow straps
Tarp
Duct tape
Maglite that needs new batteries
Speaker wire
A quart of oil
A spare air filter
Towel
An electric grinder that I need to pull out of there.
A bag full of an assortment of wrenches.

I'm sure there's more in there I'm forgetting. Hell there's an old Volvo engine wiring harness under the toolbox I've been meaning to scrap.

 

[vga]

All craftsmen wrecches 4-19
CRAFTSMAN SOCKETS 3/8, 4-19.
1 3/8 ratchet . 3 3/38 extensions
1 roll blk elect tape.
1 allen hex metric set.
1 fluke meter.
1 flat blade screwdriver, 1 PH screwdriver.
3 flash lights.
All in 1 small green army utility bag.
Has saved me many times over the years.

 

[donald73d]

I have one of those vehicle emergency kits I got at Sams Club that seems to be pretty good. I also carry a 10BC rated fire extinguisher and a small first aid kit and a cheap poncho and warm work gloves. In the winter I also carry a marine tool kit from my boat. I got a combo red/amber flasher light a few years back and when my Jeep died I left it blinking behind my Jeep at 11:00 PM and the tow guy said it was still blinking when he got the Jeep first thing in the morning. Pelican xenon flashlights are in each of my vehicles.

 

[greasemonkey44]

a flashlight and a multitool
thats it; enough to change a battery if you have to
my other truck has a trunk i slide in full of tools and goodies; for when i break down in the middle of no where

 

[canuckian]

I used to keep a fairly complete set of tools in my vehicles but as time wears on, the most I have in either vehicle is a flashlight, tools to change a flat, multi tipped screwdriver, knife or multitool and maybe a small compact 1/4 socket/bit set. The most important tool I have in either vehicle is my cell phone. All the vehicles are Fairly new and have free roadside assistance so, if I'm stranded, I call a tow truck and get a rental!

 

[Stuart in MN]

My old BMW has one of these toolkits built into the trunk lid, plus there's a factory rechargeable flashlight in the glove box (it's not a very big flashlight but it does the job.)

 

[crewchief888]

i'm in my service truck most of the time, so most of my "working" tools are in the truck

'00 sierra
breaker bar and socket (for aftermarket lug nuts)
set of jumper cables
6" adjustable wrench
'07 saturn
jumper cables

wife and kid dont leave the house without a cell phone, help is a speed dial away.

if we do leave town, the truck is usually towing a trailer, i load up parts, and enough tools to do almost any repair i'd want to to the sierra or the s-10 blazer.
i'll grab a few tools & supplies to make an emergency repair to the saturn if i need to.

couple years ago, we were out wheeling, and a friend broke a steering knuckle and rf axle shaft on his FS blazer on 39's.
he was in 4 feet of mud and water.
used his own winch, ****** block and the tree he was jammed agaist to lift himself up high enough.
we got the tie rod off, removed the knuckle, and 1 ball joint with a screwdriver, pair of vice grips, and a hammer. the knuckle broke at the ball joint. we took it all back to the parking lot, fired up the generator & welder, and welded the ball joint back into the knuckle
he still needed a tow to get through some tight spots, but at least he was on all 4 wheels.

 

[uart]

Only the essentials ...

left handed screw driver
metric crescent wrench
water hammer
sky hook
hose stretcher
dehydrated water
blinker fluid
muffler bearing

LOL

Some of those I've heard of but others are new to me. Come to think of it, my muffler has been making a bit of a rumbling noise lately, must time for a new muffler bearing.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I don't carry much of anything in any of my three rigs unless I'm traveling. Each one does have the following items in it:
1) Multi-Tool
2) Tarp
3) Rope
4) Blanket or two
5) Extra sweatshirt
6) Working jack and lug wrench
7) Duct tape
8) Cigarette lighter
9) 1 extra loaded mag for my carry gun plus a full 50 round box of ammunition.
10) Jumper cables.

I figure with these items I can sort out most any reasonable problem. If I need more tools, I will either be towing the rig back or calling a buddy to come take me to get what I need. Longer trips I bring more tools.

 

[gringowillie]

Glock 27

 

[aussiek2000]

The only thing I keep in my car is a flaslight. I always have a phone, knife, and leatherman on me. That's about all I need.