ToyotaCare Expired... Buy Tools for DIY Maintenance?

I find oil and filters at discount prices ( Mobil, typically ) making an oil change cheaper. And as for time, it gives me the opportunity to go under my truck and inspect things.
Also, the one time I did a quick lube oil change, the idiot crossthreaded the drain plug.

How you value your time, maybe the quick lube makes sense. The way I value my truck, me doing the work makes sense.

 

I follow the Adam Savage train of thought, at least I think this is where this comes from. I could be wrong on that.

Buy the first one from HF, or cheap. If it lasts forever, then it's all you needed. If it breaks, it did it's job for a while, and now you know that you need a higher quality tool for the jobs you're calling on it for.

I have a craftsman ratchet, 1/4 2/4 and 3/4. I have a HF ratchet 2/4 dedicated to oil changes and in a box with my other oil change crap (so if it gets oil soaked, don't really care, not my good stuff, etc). I have a HF torque wrench. It does all I need out of a TQ wrench and hasn't broken, and will likely do all I will ever need. That said - I am not in a shop like @Speedfreak above. I am a shade tree DIY at home mechanic, so for me, I don't need to focus on that.

Cragislist is a good spot to go too. Go search for "toolbox", a LOT of people find a toolbox in their dead parents shed and just chuck the whole thing at once, usually pretty cheap, and with a nice box. Might need to take some effort from your end, but if you "parted out" those boxes, you could make a few bucks too, but you can also land on finding good tools and toolboxes that way.

I WILL say - I won't do HF jacks or jack stands - never did even before the recall. Tools are one thing, jacks are a 50/50, but if I'm getting under something that can fall and kill me, jack stands are taking some of my money. But otherwise, yeah if I need something I start with HF.

 

OP, I know you're trying to do a lot of your own maintenance, but eventually there will be things you can't handle on your own. That's the boat I'm in, a few basic tools and enough acumen to be dangerous. However it's worth knowing of, and hopefully patronizing and building a relationship with, a good local garage. IME the local "two pump two door" gas station/garages that look kinda sketchy are really the best places to go to. My family have been going to the same one in Fort Collins for over 25 years, I found one in Boulder when I was there for college, and I have my eye on the one down the street from my house in Denver for when my Tacoma is done with Toyota Care.

I wouldn't rush routine maintenance with a quick lube shop, ever. Scheduling service two weeks out may result in a few hundred extra miles between oil changes, but I think we all know the truck doesn't care that much. Plus, then the shop knows who you are when you need an actual repair. Just my two cents of course, YMMV!

 

If your just planning on doing oil changes and stuff like that, you don't even need a jack. Just a get a creeper and reach under to the plug and filter. Much easier than lifting it or messing around with ramps. Also don't buy ramps, very not safe. As far as harbor freight tools go, if your not a professional tech don't waste money and expensive sockets and stuff. I'm 10 years deep on my Pittsburgh 1/2 inch impact socket set and never had a problem. A socket is just a chunk of metal, there is no reason it should cost 10 dollars. If you have an air compressor that can run air tools, I would get a harbor freight earthquake. If no air comp, the

$124 Milwaukee m18 Cordless Lithium-Ion 6-1/2" Circular Saw - 2630-20 - ( MILWAUKEE ) - BARE TOOL

Milwaukee m18 impacts are very good. When it come to impacts be careful, nothing sucks more than a broken bolt, try to use as little force as you can and work your way up till it breaks loose. I use my 1/4 and 3/8 impacts way more than my 1/2. Unless its a lug nut or a suspension part the 1/2 will most likely break the fastener. Torque sticks are a must for wheel installs, they prevent you for over torqueing your lug nuts and are just as easy to use as an extension. As far as socket sets and the like, use your discretion. I think harbor freight stuff is fine for the home gamer, but if you want that tool swag than get something more upscale.