What tools do I need

Just get one of those 100 piece kits that are on sale at home depot now. That'll have 99% of what you need. Metric of course. I keep a set of SAE tools on hand too, but I end up using those on stuff in the house like fittings on the garage door or whatever.

When you start looking into a specific job you're looking at doing, they usually set out a list of the tools you need to complete it. If you don't have it form the "kit", go buy that tool. There are plenty of tools out there that make things easier to do a job, but you can still do with a standard set of box wrenches and sockets.

 

I keep one of them in the back of my CR-V and don't need much else for most odd jobs.

 

6 IN 1 Screw driver
2 size philips tips 2 standard and 2 nut drivers all in one
Get a good one so you dont strip the tips

 

I always use a Klein 10in1 for work

 

Get the JIS screw drivers saves lots of frustration

Japanese Industrial Standards

 

I'll add on last item to this list of needed tools. A set of these will save your ass, if you ever round off a bolt head. Most of the big box stores will have a set. These are from Harbor freight. and a variety of cheater pipes, or breaker bars in various lengths will go a long way, for breaking free a stubborn bolt, and a can of PB Blaster.

 

would something like this have most everything you would need without a lot of unused pieces?
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-450-piece-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-A010318153?rrec=true#

 

Make sure your sockets are 6 point.

 

There's a lot of piece you don't need in this kit. Pretty much all of those bits are trash except maybe 5 of them (looks like there's about 100 of them...don't need them). Don't need the nut drivers. Most of the allen keys are too small and it's missing some useful larger sizes (8mm and 10mm). I'd ditch all of the 12-pt sockets. You really don't need 1/4" drive sockets. 3/8" drive is plenty small enough. Wrench, you need 8, 10, 12, 13 ,14 ,17, 19. I don't know what's there, but it doesn't look like it goes up to 19mm. I'd get doubles of each size. Also, these look really short. Also, get a 35mm impact socket and a breaker bar.

Yea, n/m... I'd just ditch this whole kit. Get a metric set of 1/2" 6-pt sockets 14mm to 24mm (and grab a 35mm). A set of 3/8" 6-pt sockets 6mm to 14mm. Double set of wrenches, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm are critical. A decent set of screwdrivers and a assort set of pliers (needle nose, locking, etc).

These trucks are so basic that aside from a few odd jobs, you don't need many tools to disassemble the truck. The best thing to do is pick up some basic tools and start working on your own truck. Make a list of all the tools to use and buy more when you run into a job where you need them.

 

everything I ever needed for my truck has been in my Stanley 230 piece set and then some, 100 bucks. Also have a 10-36mm impact socket set for the heavy duty stuff. breaker bar and 1/2 impact.

Everything else I have is just to make the job "easier" or so.

 

Something like this will get you through many DIY automotive projects.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-230-piece-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-00999920000P

 

thanks,
One tool i found i needed but did not have is an impact tool
so i am going out of town to pick it up as soon as it arrives
but i may only use it once or twice!

 

I'm not a fan of the new Craftsman but that is my personal bias. If you plan on growing your tools i'd suggest you buy the right stuff now so you don't have to purchase better stuff down the line. The tool kits always pump up their numbers by including a bunch of bits that you will never use. Regarding ratchet size, you'll most likely use a 3/8" ratchet the most.

I would suggest visiting your local Harbor Freight if you have one near you. Alot of their tools are great quality for home DIY'ers and will be more than adequate. I'd suggest their Pittsburgh Pro series ratchets which perform really well. I just disassembled mine yesterday to clean and regrease them (I recommend Super Lube grease) and there is barely any wear after years of use. Their sockets are fine too and they are well known for Pittsburgh floor jacks. You can download the HFT app and there are always 20% off coupons loaded on there. However, i'd strongly recommend you stay away from any of their battery powered tools or electric stuff. For power tools, Ridgid is a great brand with a lifetime warranty and is made by TTI who also makes Ryobi and Milwaukee.

Tekton makes some great impact rated sockets which are pretty cheap on Amazon or you can get them for 40% off sometimes at Meijer. What I love about Tekton is that they don't skip socket/wrench sizes so make sure you pay attention in other kits as many of them skip sizes. Some of their hand tools are made in the USA.

Also hit up your local pawn shops. I've spent a few hours digging through their sockets and have found Snap On, Matco, and Mac branded sockets and they sell them to me for $.50-$1 a piece!

Cliffnotes:
3/8" ratchet
Shallow & deep metric/SAE socket sets (6 point)
Wrench set matric/SAE
pliers/vice grips (Knipex cobra pliers are the absolute best - get a pair!)
screwdriver set

 

I've wrenched on many cars over the years and I've always found a 1/2" drive breaker bar to do the trick; if that didn't help, PBlaster and a bit of heat goes a long way.

With that being said, I did just add a Milwaukee Impact months ago and I can say it's made things so much more convenient; wish I had bought one many years ago.

 

do you have one of these?

 

I used one once because someone else stripped a JIC screw I was trying to remove. It has since sat unused for at least 10 years. Most of the time I've gotten by with some good channel locks to loosen the screws that start to strip.

 

I would say you'd have a lot of unused pieces there. No one needs 6000 difference screwdriver heads, and you're likely to need more box wrenches than that... 3/8 and 1/4" ratchet are over rated, IMO.

I could see getting a big ass tool kit for the garage, but keep in mind if you go off in the woods, you're going to need to carry some tools with you as well, and it pays to have a separate set that you take with you. The below list would be "that" kit that you can take with you, and still make 99% of repairs (aside from needed the parts). In other words, it's got everything you need, but not a lot of extras that just add weight and clutter.


-metric 3/8" socket set (8mm-~20mm, 1/4"-3/4")
> for your garage, add a set of SAE as well)
-3/8" ratchet extensions: ~4", ~8"
-Box wrenches from 8mm - 24mm, some larger specialty ones as needed (I think I have a 28mm, 32mm, plus some SAE ones for my total chaos UCA's)
>again, add a set of SAE for the garage
-Big ass 1/2" breaker bar with 3/8" adapter and/or 1/2" impact sockets (you have these, and you are covered for when/if you get an impact gun)
-Screwdrivers (s,m,l, both + and -) just get regular ones, those "universal" ones with all the bits are just easy to loose the pieces
-Allen set, and I don't even have a torx set, but I guess get one of those, too
-Assorted pliers/wire cutters
-Prybars
-Hammer (if it can't be fixed with a hammer...)
-Adjustable wrenches (also known as bolt strippers)
-BASIC electrical tools (i.e. wire stripper/cutter, and e-tape, lol)


Other "cool" tools:

-Deep sockets (I have ones from my air impact driver)
>not generally "necessary" but handy to have in some cases
-Ratcheting box wrenches
>these are on my wishlist
-Allen socket sets are super handy, but if you get those, get an adapter for your drill, too.
-Air compressor and air tools
>get as big of an air tank as you can afford. I have a 15gallon. Not huge, but I can run any tool/sprayer with it, inflate tires, etc...

 

I can't recommend craftsman anymore. 20 years ago, yes. Now, Chinese junk. If you really, really want to know more about tools I suggest checking our garagejournal.

 

I agree but give it a couple more years. It’s all headed back to the USA

 

200% agree here,,, that's all i use to buy, but no more from a few years back, their micro clik ratchets broke left and right.
And like TacoTaco02 says the HF brand of professional hand tools or pretty good to good, good enough for home owners. I wouldn't buy any of their electric tools though,,, IMHO,,,, again, Ridgid is good to go, have a complete set myself.
There's other cheaper sets of tools also that are good, Homeless Depot handwrenches seem to be good also.
I also use "Tooltopia" to purchase tools,, sign up for their emails and they'll send you alerts on sale.