Recommended Tool Set for T4R Maintenance

[07V8]

I'm sick of paying dealer prices for basic maintenance. I want to start doing routine tasks on my own. I'm looking for a socket set that has enough sizes and adapters to do the following PM's.

Brakes: including calipers
F/C/R diff fluid change

Any all-in-one sets that you have experience with? Craftsman? Kobalt?

Thanks!

 

[chitown40]

I really like the Home Depot husky sets. Pretty good value for the money. I have the older style-ratchets which I think are much better made than the new stuff, but honestly, unless you are buying top shelf tools like Snap On and Cornwall and MAC, it really doesn't matter which brand you get. Stanley tools from Menards are also not bad.

I've had to replace a few hand tools from Husky at my local Home Depot. Never had an issue once I got past the ignorant clerk at the service desk. Craftsman are decent, but the ratchet handles are garbage. Also, finding a Sears tool store is much more difficult than finding a Home Depot. Kobalt from Lowes are decent, but there is no Lowes near me so I shy away.

A simple hundred and something piece Husky set with 3/8" and 1/2" drive ratchets and a good selection of metric sockets is all you really need. I like to buy my sets individually, meaning not the all-inclusive with nut drivers, open end wrenches etc.

Pittsburgh box and open end wrenches from Harbor Freight are good and durable unless you above them. They are also very inexpensive with a lifetime warranty. I have Husky ratcheting box end wrenches that I use for almost everything they fit on to. Best wrenches ever. I'm sure they are rebadged Gear Wrenches though.

Husky screw drivers are clones of Craftsman and are good quality for the price.

Harbor Freight Pittsburgh pliers sets are a good deal for the money (like $10) and have never failed me. Make sure when you get a large Channel-lock pliers though you go with the original Channel lock blue handle.

Vise-grips always buy the name brand Vise grips. The rest all suck and are flimsy.

Use quality brands for jacks and jackstands. I have an assortment of Tool Shop and Harbor Freight stands. They are ok. I never get close to the weight limits so I trust them. I bought the size well in excess of the weight of my truck. A 3 ton or 4 ton floor jack can be had at HF. The gunmetal 3 ton Pittsburgh has gotten a lot of use at our fire department on some big pickups and hasn't flinched. I personally have a Big Red jack and while slow to raise, it's solid.

That should get you started.

 

[themuffinman619]

^^^^^^^ what he said. Also, Black Friday is a good time to buy tools. Lots of deals to be had.

 

[07V8]

Something like this?

Husky Mechanics Tool Set (268-Piece)-H268MTS - The Home Depot

 

[jow]

I hate useless tools vs just sets with my basic needs. My ref is why buy a 300 piece set if a 100 or less piece set will do your jobs. This means buying a good basic set vs excess and buy specials needs that are not in the 100 or less piece set. Get good basic sets for basic jobs. Then buy special needs tools as you need them.

Find a good mechanic that will let you watch over his shoulder and you will learn a lot about tools and basic jobs (possibly during his Part-Time Work at home). You need some good hands on with a good experienced person if you want a good start.

Garage/Estate Sales can be a good source for brand name Lifetime Warranty Tools.

 

[chitown40]

Something like this?

Husky Mechanics Tool Set (268-Piece)-H268MTS - The Home Depot

I was thinking something more along the line of this as a starter set, and then get the other tools as needed.

Husky Mechanics Tool Set (134-Piece)-H134MTS - The Home Depot

 

[jow]

Looks like a good Starter’s set. How much automotive Repair/Maintenance Experience do you have? Without some experience you can add to the cost of a job. My Luck was having an Automotive Major as a roommate in 1968 to assist and learn some fine needs from. From there a Certified VW Mechanic neighbor assisted me in rebuilding a purchased spare VW’s Engine.

From there I went up the line rebuilding 6 and 8 cylinders and back to VW’s until I got tired and retired (from rebuilding as a sideline). I always had respect for good Machine Shops and Master Mechanics. The Masters had “Seen and Challenged” more than I ever would and they had limits”.

Good Luck, It’s Clean Fun!!!

 

[gc11090]

Craftsman.com

I brought this set about 7 years ago. They have made quite a few improvements to the set sense then. One of my coworkers brought it last week when it was on sale for $150. These tools have pulled motors, replaced rear ends, installed lift kits, and lowering kits. It is a great all around tool set to build off of.

 

[jsdugan]

Craftsman.com

I brought this set about 7 years ago. They have made quite a few improvements to the set sense then. One of my coworkers brought it last week when it was on sale for $150. These tools have pulled motors, replaced rear ends, installed lift kits, and lowering kits. It is a great all around tool set to build off of.

Nice set

 

[J053619]

Craftsman.com

I brought this set about 7 years ago. They have made quite a few improvements to the set sense then. One of my coworkers brought it last week when it was on sale for $150. These tools have pulled motors, replaced rear ends, installed lift kits, and lowering kits. It is a great all around tool set to build off of.

Got this set too. Its perfect and has helped me with everything from calipers, rotors, stereo and speaker install, suspension, and off road bumper install.

 

[themuffinman619]

Shop Kobalt 227-Piece Standard (SAE) and Metric Mechanic's Tool Set with Hard Case at Lowes.com

Picked up this set on Black Friday a few years ago for half price. Its got me through suspension r&r, brakes, engine maintenance, and lots of other projects. The only thing that is lacking is the wrench set, but I already have a good set of combination and ratcheting craftsman wrenches on hand.

Also got one of these.
Shop DEWALT 18-Volt 1/2-in Drive Cordless Impact Wrench (Bare Tool) at Lowes.com

Plenty of power to break free lug nuts and other nuts and bolts.

 

[verman84]

Jack stands (3 ton) possibly long reach
Jack 3-4 ton, possibly long reach

Metric wrench set
3/8 and 1/2" socket wrenches
Metric 3/8 sockets (standard sizes usually 4mm to 21mm)
Metric 1/2 sockets (bigger sizes like 15 - 32mm and deep well)
Socket Extensions (4, 6,12 inch) and size adapters
Breaker bar (18-20") usually they run 1/2".
Spark plug adapter with rubber gasket
Grease gun and grease

Impact wrenches (not the same as impact drivers) are really nice. They're not necessary (breaker bars are cheaper) but they make quick work of rusty or seized bolts. Air is the best but it's an expensive system for someone who won't use it all the time (compressor, lines etc). Cordless works well enough for me. Mine was around $100 and uses the same 18v lithium batteries as my drill. The thing with impact is that you should use impact sockets. You can chip the chrome off the regular sockets with an impact wrench.

A few other things to pick up, funnels (wide and narrow), an oil catch pan and an oil storage jug with a handle and secure lid. A light that you can maneuver around for better visibility. Black nitrile gloves keep your hands from getting disgusting and saturated with oil. Glasses keep your eyes from getting liquid or debris in your eyes. Believe me, getting a piece of rust in your eye isn't a fun ordeal. I don't work on a vehicle without glasses anymore.

Honestly most general maintenence is done with a few wrenches and sockets 10 - 24mm.

 

[Thumbie]

Yeah any of those 200+ piece sets that come in a toolbox are good. If you want to shell it out, Snap-on is nice. I like craftsman due to the lifetime warranty.

Would be nice if they made a metric-only set. Not much use for SAE sizes on a Toyota...

If i did it all over again, I'd peice it myself. I'd get a 3-4 drawer portable tool box and fill it with socket and wrench sets, similar to what verman84 said

 

[07V8]

All those box sets don't have large enough sockets. I want up to 24mm deep well. I might piece it together 10-24mm standard and deep well and go from there.

 

[chitown40]

For homeowner use you can't beat starting with a nice medium size set of husky or craftsman and then get your specific tools at Harbor freight. If you turn into a professional mechanic you can upgrade to better tools that can withstand abuse day in and out.

https://instagram.com/p/75x3GWKiCy/

 

[philskeeter]

another vote for the husky sets they've done everything I've needed the past two years. Whatever set you go with make sure the sockets lock on the ratchet handle. My friend has a cheaper set that doesn't and it's hell to use in tight places when the socket falls off and then you have to waist time searching for it

 

[dagen]

I have both craftsman and early husky. Both perform well for just wrenching on vehicles. The one thing I do prefer craftsman for is the lifetime warranty. If you break a tool just take it to a sears and walk out with a new one.

If you have flea markets near you, used craftsman tools are usually available for cheaper.

 

[jow]

Keep in mind what sockets or wrenches you’ll actually use, that are not repeated or useless. Plus, some sizes need to be “Impact Grade” that makes parting “after a reasonable set” worthwhile. I doubt a Master or Certified Mechanic that does volumes of general repairs would uses 1/4 of the tools in some Large Sets (not to mention a Full Chest Deal. Why waste your money and space if your goal is to save.

If you feel you do not know the basics you’ll need vs a Large Set, ask a General Mechanic or research basic jobs. Let your tools grow with your needs. Most Of All, “Have Fun And Work Safe”!!!

 

[tbm837]

If you have to a front axle, gonna need a 41 mm to take off the axle nut.

 

[tbm837]

have to 'do' a front axle