Must have tools in your first gen

I like to make note of the tools I find myself using most often when doing maintenance and repairs so I know to bring them when I'm wheeling. I have a few screwdrivers and small pry bars, set of ratcheting wrenches and a set of regular wrenches, ratchet and sockets, breaker bar, torque wrench, hammer and dead blow hammer. I'm forgetting something I'm sure but that's basically it.

 

A couple of $15 tool bags from Harbor Freight keep a lot of my tools organized to the point where I already know where to find them at all times. An old tackle box houses all of my ratchets, but I'm trying to figure out a better way to keep those easy to store. I've got all of my truck related wrenches (ratcheting, long handled, line wrenches) in a wrench roll. Pretty easy to pack.

 

Just went to harbor freight a few hours ago. Got a crowbar (it was 5 bucks why the hell not) a hammer, a 3/8 and 1/4 telescopic ratchet, a telescopic magnet pole (in case you lose a screw/bolt in a hard to reach place), a magnetic plate for putting bolts and screws while you're working so you don't lose them, ratchet extension adapters (to reach out of the way bolts like for the air box), and organized it all together in a tool box i fixed up along with assorted pliers, some electrical equipment including stripper/crimper, and some extra 16 gauge red/black wire, lots of zippy ties, jb weld, locktite, and my ratcheting screwdriver kit. That's mostly the basics I still plan on getting an extinguisher, high lift jack, portable air compressor, and finishing my med kit! Also I'll make a video reviewing the whole kit too.

 

I recommend this guy's channel especially when it comes to using stuff like high lift jacks and recovery gear:



He's got a good balance between info and entertainment oriented videos - not a bad model to follow for a potential youtuber.

 

Not applicable to you desert drivers, but a chainsaw is invaluable in the eastern woods!!

 

^^^THIS!!!^^^
And I totally dig the Wilton vice!

 

Northwest as well.

 

I have a locking shell on my truck and like to keep my emergency tools handy. While I'll occasionally bring a gas powered chainsaw (I have a couple), many of the places I camp do not allow them, yet you can harvest downed trees for firewood in many places. As a result I have a cross-cut saw that I always keep in the bed of my truck. You can actually do quite well clearing a decently sized tree with one and they double as the ultimate tool for roaring campfires.

This is the one I picked up: Western Log Saw

This 28" blade is scary sharp. Grabbed a vinyl lattice U-channel stock from Home depot and got some velcro straps with carabiners attached to make a mount that can allow this to hang from my bed rail (haven't attached it yet, still just lays in the truck bed).

 

My 98 is the best tool I have! Just keeps on truckin! I just make sure I have a good spare tire and tools to change out a flat. I trust it more than my girlfriends new Mazda! lol

 

A code reader/ scan tool that can clear codes it helpfull also.

 

Smart - I keep a couple in my glove box - cheap self contained and this one:

$22 Foseal Wifi OBD2 Scanner, Car Code Reader Check Engine Light Diagnostic Scan Tool for iOS and Android

https://www.amazon.com/Foseal-Scanner-Adapter-Diagnostic-Android/dp/B00W0SDLRY

 

I carry a lot of what has been mentioned above. Basic tools ( sockets, wrenches, bit set, drill, hammer, etc.) but the two things that seem to save my ass time and time again is zip ties and old bolts that I’ve removed from my truck during upgrades. I have my “bone yard” bag and anytime something breaks there’s always something I can use in there to get me home. Baja quick fix style.

 

I use something like this is pretty helpful

 

I forgot to say at least a couple ratchet straps and of course zip ties

 

These are awesome! I have the full set that I keep my work tools in for job site mobility.

 

Also, I throw in my work battery power tools. Sawz-all, impact driver to run sockets, and the work lights

 

lol I just don't leave the garage - how about that.

 

Got a Plano box in the bed with a jack, some straps, a leatherman, and some toilet paper. That’s all the time, but there’s always room to throw stuff in that’s trip dependent.

 

A real man can admit it... I bring baby wipes

 

I got all kinds of lights too. I'm just saying I put it in the toll box when I go. What I was trying to get at, was that I charge my batteries and take a couple of my construction tools with me. My impact driver IMHO is better than air tools out on the trail.