Let's build a kit - Toolbox Essentials

Hi TW,

I'm starting on the fun task of outfitting my brand new TRD OR Double Cab, and I'll be assembling an on-board tool kit from scratch. I'd like your help in doing it.

What are the essentials that every Tacoma should have on-board? My only requirement is that this tool bag/box/kit must fit behind the seat. Storage suggestions also welcome. I don't plan to do any serious rock crawling type of off-roading, but camping, dirt roads and trails for sure.

Links appreciated but not essential.

 

A socket set and a tool roll full of wrenches. Toss in a hammer, some pliers, vice grips, channel locks, crescent, some screw drivers. All of that should fit no problem. If you need more than that then you really messed up haha

 

Gloves, medical kit, yankum ropes, jumper cables...

 

I've been thinking about this too. I've been bringing a 75-100 lb toolbox with me when I get off the beaten path and it seems like overkill. I'm thinking to myself, "What might break that I can actually fix on the trail?" Unless I bring a set of spare parts I'm not going to be able to fix things like a busted CV joint.

I went through a similar thing with my bicycle tools. I used to bring a bulky set of tools with me, but after a couple years of serious bicycling I settled on 2 spare tubes, tube patch kit, tire wrenches, a screwdriver to adjust a rear derailleur, and a phone to call for help.

For the truck, at the very minimum I need enough wrenches to install/remove the various hi-lift jack accessories. I use it as a poor man's winch as well as a jack.

On the dirt bike I bring a spark plug wrench and 2 spare spark plugs.

 

Plastic and steel zipties
Duct tape
Assorted hose clamp sizes
Multitool
Crescent wrench
Starter fluid
Lighter
Jb weld steel
Jb weld plastic
Jb weld fast setting one minute
Jb weld water resistant putty
Spare belt
Spare bulbs
Spare fuses
Tire goop
Tire plugs
Valve stems
Air compressor (

$91 viair 88p portable compressor kit (12V, 120 psi, forup to 33" tires)

viair 88p or above) and spare fuses for this
Headlamp
Extra batteries for headlamp
Gloves
2-3 small water bottles
A few long term protein bars

That's about it. If that can't get you home, just call a tow truck to pick you up or a friend to bring you tools and parts. No point in driving around with a full garage worth of tools all day everyday.

 

I think that, and a decent little tool kit like this https://www.tekton.com/3-8-in-dr-skt-and-r-sets-1-4-1-inch-6-24-mm?set-range=6-24-mm will get you through anything. Granted, I carry a space CV axle and socket But I beat the crap out of my taco lol.

 

May I also recommend, instead of jumper cables, a jump starter pack - I've got this one:

NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Portable Lithium Car Battery Jump Starter Pack For Up To 6-Liter Gasoline And 3-Liter Diesel Engines

$100 NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Car Battery Jump Starter, 12V Battery Pack, Battery Booster, Jump Box, Portable Charger and Jumper Cables for 6.0L Gasoline and 3.0L Diesel Engines, Gray

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB40-Ul...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==


Especially if you're camped miles from another vehicle and your battery poops out.

 

A different jack - assuming you're above stock height.

 

A fat credit card on your wallet, ftw. Lmao since you're always gonna be within tow truck reach.

 

ever wonder why a metric socket set has an imperial drive wrench . . . . ?

 

1000 amps? Surely they don’t mean amperes, ampere hours, or milliampere hours. What unit do they mean?

EDIT: I’ve come to the conclusion that they mean milliampere hours. What else could it be? However, 1000 mAh is about the capacity of a AAA dry cell battery. Is that enough to start a truck? Apparently the answer is yes. Maybe I am missing something important.

 

Was curious so I asked google and found this: https://www.quora.com/Why-do-metric...e-square-drives-in-1-4-and-3-8-Imperial-units

 

I hate you right now.

 

I carry one in addition to jumpers, don't think I'd have the balls to swap it out completely and hope!

 

This is what is inside my tool bag that I carry everyday:

- Drill with bit kit
- Electric screwdriver
- Wire cutter/crimpers
- Test light
- Gloves
- Small ratchet/socket set
- Flashlight
- Zip ties
- Steel tap screws
- Electrical Tape

I'm sure I'm missing a few things but that is what I normally keep in that bag, which stays behind the driver seat.

 

I’ve had good luck with em, bought a second and now have one in the truck and wife’s car

 

I use it to start the riding mower mainly, but on trips, I charge it up and take it with. Haven't had to use it on the truck yet!

 

Lol, that’s exactly why I got it at first. We take it camping and charge it via solar panel and at night charge phones or speaker. I have started our Outback with it. Now that one stays in the Outback. Got a bigger one for the truck, as the small one was not able to start a big van one summer, but in all fairness the jump pack wasn’t even half charged.

 

It's a lithium pack, so it's not unthinkable that the battery itself *could* produce 1000 amps peak. Could the rest of the device handle it? Likely not. But it probably could manage most starters, given that they won't be drawing 1000A continuous- a few hundred for a short period of time at most.

 

Doesn’t it also “fast” charge the battery as well?