DIY Tools

Im sure the topic has been asked millions of times but didnt specifically find it. Curious what others opinions are. 1999 ExtraCab 2.7L 4x4 Tacoma if your gonna start from scratch what would be your top 10 tools to start DIY'n the truck as a project. No lifting or winches etc just tools? [Outside of hammer screwdrivers the obvious things but great budget socket sets and things like that would love to know] Keeping in mind this is starting from scratch an keeping the cost as low as possible but quality tools.

 

Not sure on the 99 ,
But I ended up watching so many how to videos on maintenance work for my 2020
I made a list of the most common used tools. You can find decent socket set and such for fairly cheap…
Some things though you’ll end up wanting , like a good torque wrench will end up costing you more … but value to cost is worth it.
Thankfully I haven’t had a Toyota that needed any “special” tools that are vehicle specific like some fords have

 

Ever had to change a wheel bearing, and have a 12 point 35mm socket just laying around?

 

Ah, you have me there
I have not … we’ll, guess that should be on the list lol

 

I don't know if I'd call it a specialty tool since you can walk in and buy one at most auto places and some hardware stores, but it is an inconvenient one to be without lol

 

I have a 3/8 drive GearWrench socket set with both shallow and deep sockets that I use for the majority of work for the past couple years. It's from 8 to 19 (or21mm can't remember).

Besides that a HF metric deep 1/2 socket set and craftsman ratchet. I've even done the unforgivable and used them for lug nuts with the impact. Great $20 set

 

It's a great question. One I've (and many of us) have been through in the past. Here's my recommendation:

First, it's important to understand what "sizes of things" are on the truck. This is a good list: Complete list of tools, sockets and wrenches for 1st Gen Tacoma | Tacoma World. Most important from that is the spreadsheet linked in the first post, where the list is sortable and filterable by component/size/etc.

1st Gen Tacoma Tool List.xlsx

From there, the tools you get, I would say, should be based on the projects you are doing. I'd say that you'll at least want the following, which I seem to use on every project.

• For various lifting/supporting operations
  • Floor Jack
  • At least one pair of 6-Ton Jack Stands
• Socket Set that includes both shallow and deep sockets in the following sizes (this is a good set): 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, 24mm (at least)
• Several socket extensions and socket wobble extensions of various lengths,
• Socket wobble joints (usually included in a socket set)
• Set of metric wrenches (this is a good set) in the following sizes: 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, 24mm (at least)
• A set of flare nut wrenches for working with brake, steering, and fuel lines. (this is a good set)
• Needle nose pliers - for snap ring and electrical plug removal.
• Philips Screw Driver - for interior removal.
• Dead blow mallet
• Torque wrench
• 35mm socket - for the front axle nut.
• Wire cutters
• Impact wrench (or large breaker bar) - for hard-to-break off nuts/bolts

From there, what you'll need are specialty tools. You can get a sense of the tools needed for a job by looking through some of the step-by-step guides here: How-To Guides – ADVENTURETACO

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A basic socket set, box wrenches, and a big fucking mallet go a long way. A breaker bar, cheap torque wrench, and big-ass adjustable crescent have helped me enough that those three items are now stored in the truck, not in the tool box. Also, I just recently learned the value of a proper garage floor jack with stands. My cheap unijack that I keep on the trailer can only go so far.

That said, it's been a life experience to walk the half mile to the hardware store to buy that one socket that's not in my basic set. Looking at you, 7/8" / 22mm...

 

wishing I could like this post more than once. I have an auto parts store literally 1/4 mile walk away from my house. Needed a 24mm 6pt socket. Didn’t have one so I took a walk and bought a new set of deep well impact sockets.

 

Ah, skip the HF and buy a Tekton torque wrench.

I Just let my HF torque wrench screw me over and need to break out the welder

 

If you have the space, you're going to want a shop press if going the DIY route. From there, grab a press sleeve kit off Amazon. Have used it on multiple jobs now. Hubs, bearings, etc.

For oil seals, slide hammer for quick easy removal.

 

This seal puller is great for Toyota stuff and is easy to fit in a trail bag

$16 Lisle 56750 Seal Puller , black

Lisle 56750 Seal Puller

 

Wow lots of good info from everyone! The Jack and Stands are at the top of my list right now, would like to find a decent set of 2 stands an a jack in one. I got passed down a pretty decent amount of air tools but I really wanna get a battery impact which I cannot decide which to get right now I keep flip flopping from Milwaukee to Dewalt to Mikita etc etc. I do have a LARGE and old snap on torque wrench which will be worthless anywhere without a ton of room.

 

I picked up the DeWalt DCF921B back in December and this thing has handled everything I have sent its way (450 ft-lbs of max breakaway torque!). One seriously tough impact. I went with DeWalt since I had previously invested in their batts. If I hadn't, I would've looked at Milwaukee. Check it out.
https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcf9...rdless-impact-wrench-hog-ring-anvil-tool-only

On torque wrenches, I've heard good things about Precision Instruments (https://www.torqwrench.com/products/). The SnapOn you have should last forever so keep it handy. I recently picked up DeWalt's torque wrench and so far impressed with its feel over the tekton brand on Amazon (have 3 tekton wrenches).

 

The torque wrench may be more of a antique over actually functional lol I just found a pic of it online surprisingly and thats just a screen grab.

 

Still works like a champ but like I said its to large for anything cramped. Thats actually the dewalt I have been looking at and I have heard good things about it. I currently have no batteries for anything so wanna go with the brand I plan to build off of for other tools as well because the batteries are just as expensive as the tools if not more alot of times. It looks like a beast for sure!

 

@Wulf Not sure if I mentioned it in the LT but I grabbed DeWalt's ATOMIC 20-Volt MAX Cordless 3/8 in. Ratchet, not bad. Have to be careful with it since there is no way to set the torque, it'll just keep on ratcheting full force so have to watch that "full finger squeeze, send it!" operation. Used a 5AH with it, much to bulky. 2 or 3 was perfect.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...ss-3-8-in-Ratchet-Tool-Only-DCF513B/318631244

 

Ooo, how's the battery life?

I have a

$230 DCF890B DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Cordless Impact Wrench, 3/8", Tool Only (DCF890B)

DCF890B that does damn near everything, even breaks Tacoma lug nuts free. Biggest gripe is doesn't fit in places lol. I should order one of those from Lowes, I have a gift card rotting on the shelf

 

I haven't used it (the ratchet) enough to guage batt life with it but just slap a 4 or 5AH on it and it should power through whatever your working on.

Yeah, thats the cool thing with that little stub atomic impact... compact and damn powerful!

 

This monster has been a total godsend. It takes off all kinds of stuff, lug nuts, wheel nuts, everything 20v MAX* XR Brushless High Torque 1/2 in. Impact Wrench with Detent Pin Anvil (4.0 Ah) | DEWALT
Also, a big f*cking hammer.
Ball joint puller.
Cordless angle grinder.
Torx wrenchs.
Tire ramps.