Beginner mechanic help

Ya absolutely I was agreeing with you. Like you, I realize not everyone is comfortable with working on their own stuff, mostly for fear of messing something up. And ya combination wrenches for sure, that's what I had in mind when I said open ended. (Though they are two different things)
I think craftsman for me is a personal preference thing. Not the best, not the worst. I just like the way they feel in hand.

 

I understand. I have a ton of mostly Craftsman handtools. Using some dad had from the 40's. Have all my own from the 60's when they became my defacto BD/Christmas presents, and many more bought over the years since. I have duplicates of everything in the box in the garage, a full set in each vehicle, and still have given lots to my boys.

My point was Sears has sold Craftsman, as shown in the link. Sears will probably roll over soon, so the warranty bit may go away.

 

http://4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/

 

Ya I just checked your link, that's unfortunate man.
That's funny, I have been getting craftsman tools as Christmas gifts for the past few years. Ace always has awesome sales around that time. I got a combination set from 8mm to 19mm for $20!

 

A few of my favorite YouTube channels for this kind of stuff:

https://m.youtube.com/user/PaintballOO7

https://m.youtube.com/user/EricTheCarGuy

https://m.youtube.com/user/mtbtim65

Now it almost goes without saying, but I'll make it clear that I research a lot on top of watching these videos on different Tacoma and related forums when I'm going to attempt something new and ask around on this site as well if there's something I'm still not sure of. I'll watch the videos multiple times too.

That said I've gone from never doing an oil change to doing spark plugs, new pads and rotors, all drivetrain fluids, axle shims, and a lot of cosmetic (new headlights, body work, full aux light installation & wiring, and paint) on my 2nd gen. Now that I've been doing that for 2 years I feel like the more in depth work required on my first gen. I've already done some electrical diagnostics on it.

 

Honestly this forum has been the biggest source of help for me. One of the very first mechanical things I did to my truck was flush the power steering system with new fluid because the truck had the turning radius of 2 football fields. I didn't really know what I was doing, so when I had the front jacked up, the P/S reservoir open, and turning the wheel lock to lock, the ATF came rushing out of the reservoir and spilled all over my alternator, into engine bay, and all over my driveway.

It's really all trial and error, and learning from your mistakes. Do simple things like changing the oil, the air filter, changing the brake pads, and eventually things like your spark plugs, ignition wires, fluids (rear differential, transmission, brake, etc.), water pump, etc etc. Electrical too! I've had to do more electrical work than mechanical work on my truck (which shows you how reliable these trucks are). Thing like changing your radio, speakers, adding a CB, fog lights, backup camera, etc. is pretty straightforward.

Before I came on this forum, I didn't know a single thing about this truck or anything about cars at all. I didn't even think the truck had power steering at first. With the help from everyone here I've done things I would have not even begun to think about doing before. I retrofitted power locks, mirrors, and windows into my manual doors using OEM parts with a completely custom wiring harness and relay/power system. It all started as a crazy idea I had back in October and posted on here, but now it's a reality thanks to you guys. Shoutout to @mechanicjon for answering every single electrical question that I have and basically making my power door project possible.

 

Pawn shops are a great place to look for deals on good tools. Most of the time tools don't wear out..and if they do, you can go to sears or whatever and get a replacement.

Get yourself a good socket set with metric and standard. Also get some PB blaster/WD 40 for those stubborn bolts.

I have a 2014, gen2, from what I've read it's not a heck of a lot different to work on then a gen1. I just changed the oil in it last night and it always makes my day at how freaking EASY Toyota made it to do an oil changes on the 4.0 V6. These trucks are pretty easy to work on compared to most other vehicles made in this century. I think it's a great idea to wrench on your old truck and learn how to do it. Best of luck to you!

 

If I remember right..... Home Depot will honor craftsman warranty. Let me check into that more.

 

Harbor Freight hand tools (socket sets, open and boxed wrenches, pliers, some screw driver sets, and torque wrenches) are all acceptable quality. They offer a lifetime warranty as well, so if you break the part then just return it and pick up another. Considering you're just starting out, I would save your money on the name brand tools. This way you can make sure it's what you're really interested in before splurging on some expensive equipment. This is just my $0.02. Now, I'd buy quality tools if you ever plan on rebuilding an engine or tearing down critical components.

 

I saw a car insurance commercial had a mom and her "teen" son and how she had to call someone to fix her sons flat tire... How pathetic is that? then I thought it must be hard not having a father figure in his life...

 

oh and to the OP get a Haynes manual, buy a set of basic tools, and get a lift kit for whatever you buy...you'll either learn or have a bunch of parts for sale Im kidding of course about diving in on a lift kit but get one of these for your oil filter...works great and on many different oil filters.

 

I have a good set of craftsman tools with standard up to 1" and metric to 21mm 1/4-1/2" drive. It is a great set with damn near everything you need and I believe I paid around 100$ for it. I also have a set of grey pneumatic impact sockets that go from 10mm to 30 and they come in very handy as well but that set runs 200$ or more. I would stick with a beginner tool set and buy other things as you need them.
I also have a metric and stand set of gear wrenches that go from 1/4" to 1" and 10mm to 19mm and they have paid for themselves over and over.

 

i use to think the same thing about "china" freight hand tools,,, (HF),,,,,,, till I needed some specialty stuff working on my wifes honda. I've got a butt load of craftsman that i bought in the 60's,, but,,, and I mean but,,, when i started breaking their "fine" click ratchets and they wouldn't replace in kind and I had to go to their course click ratchet, that sucked. I was in tight place where you had to have a fine click ratchet because of room.
So then I went to harbor freight and looked at their "Pro" line series of hand tools, ratchets, thumb ratchets, sockets, impact swivel sockets,,,, I'm very impressed with them,, the fine click ratchet worked great, sockets also,,, now some of their combination wrenches are still a little rough, but the ones i bought worked fine. I know their made in china, but guess what, so is craftsman and most of the other manufacturer's.
Don't get wrong, their not Snap-On by any means, but for the driveway mech.. their fine, I've even bought their earthquake impact because my fine craftsman impact couldn't cut the mustard, not even close.
So in my opinion as long as you stick with their "Pro" line you'll be fine,,,get them on sale, you can't never have enough tools.
'

 

Geeeeez this thread blew up. You guys are so much more helpful than I could have imagined, and I really appreciate all the encouragement. I guess it's silly to say that I have no experience. I've changed several flat tires, wiper blades, and bulbs. I just replaced the rear bumper on my Rubicon, and I've obviously done basic oil and washer fluid top offs. I just haven't done a full oil change or anything past that. I suppose I'll start there.

I inherited an old set of Craftsmen combination wrenches and a socket set that both seem to be in fine condition. Sounds like I might not be as far behind as I thought. Now if everyone can just send up some prayers or good juju or whatever that I find the right truck ASAP. I'm so excited to join the club.

 

Yeah, that kinda sucks. What bothers me so much is that my dad used to fix up old Datsun Zs, but right when I was about the appropriate age to start helping, he started working 2 hours from home and we never did the whole car thing together. Whatever. I guess that's what YouTube is for.

 

I was quite serious !1

I asked the age because I wanted to know .

When I grew up in the country even the women could change oil and change tires

If you did not fix what you drove you walked or road your bicycle and got laughed at quite often

To this day I hate working on vehicles if I have to

I lived in a house with no indoor plumbing and one 15 amp circuit run to the house from the barn

 

I think this is my new favorite thread....lots of good advice and vibes here.

 

you see a lot of downfalls of society if you work/shop at auto parts stores...some dudes cant even change their wiper blades Guess I grew up with doing a lot of backyard mechanics so this minor stuff is like chewing bubble gum and walking...

 

Stopped once in a parking lot cause I saw a young guy standing next to his car with a flat tire. I offered to help him change it but he refused, he had already called roadside assistance and was waiting for them. I mean there's just basic maintenance things that should be part of the test to get your license.

 

I'm 27. Like I said, the most I've done is a/c coolant charges and tire changes. Can't wait to learn!