Soooo I've now got a solid little list of projects I'm planning to DIY in the next month or so and in my documents on my phone I'm keeping track of all my parts/projects and tools needed. Now I've got the basics, ratchets, sockets, screw drivers, pliers etc. But I was wanting to start a thread for the tools people may not commonly have that are extremely useful, for common projects like brakes, control arms, suspension, repairs here and there. This could be a flop of thread or could be nice. We shall see.
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I second the impact comment. I went to start working on my truck with just my hand tools and said forget it.
Went to Home depot picked up a 20gallon compressor, Husky Hybrid air hose(light and flexible) and wiped he dust off my air tools. Without air I wouldn't be as far as I am now and probably would have lost my mind.
Impact gun 1/2 fine if you have 1/2 sockets for every size. Air hammer has proven useful (IR air hammer on amazon for $50 seemed the best buy to me as I didn't have one fo those anymore) as I don't have a Air racket anymore I haven't used one but I am seriously soldiering picking up another one for future use. or maybe just an electric one hmm.
Also pick up a thing of map gas with one of those nice pull trigger instant on/off torch heads. I wouldn't mess around with one that you have to light up with a sparker every time and to me its just asking for an accident and wastes precious time. Don't be cheap like me get the one with the adjustable flame! lol
Went to Home depot picked up a 20gallon compressor, Husky Hybrid air hose(light and flexible) and wiped he dust off my air tools. Without air I wouldn't be as far as I am now and probably would have lost my mind.
Impact gun 1/2 fine if you have 1/2 sockets for every size. Air hammer has proven useful (IR air hammer on amazon for $50 seemed the best buy to me as I didn't have one fo those anymore) as I don't have a Air racket anymore I haven't used one but I am seriously soldiering picking up another one for future use. or maybe just an electric one hmm.
Also pick up a thing of map gas with one of those nice pull trigger instant on/off torch heads. I wouldn't mess around with one that you have to light up with a sparker every time and to me its just asking for an accident and wastes precious time. Don't be cheap like me get the one with the adjustable flame! lol
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Impact is nice, I've got a battery-powered one which is the way to go IMO, has the hex drive inserts so it can take 1/2" and 3/8" tooling. It doesn't have a ton of torque though, pretty compact and can fit anywhere, so that's where 1/2" and 3/8" breaker bars are handy. 3/8" is kinda nice because it's shorter and you'll probably lose track of that 1/2" socket you need partway through a job.
- Creeper
- Wheeled short stool if you are old
- Cheater pipe over breaker bars for stuck bolts or axle nuts
- 35mm axle nut socket
- Tie rod remover, the one that tightens down with a socket
- Short pry bar
- I've used my 18" long 3/8" extension for a couple hard to reach areas. Headers or rear shock bolts on a Ford truck.
- Racheting boxed-end wrenches w/ rotating head. I wish I had these to begin with on my headers and not partway through. I've got Kobalts.
- 3/8" or 1/2" wobble extension, to allow a couple degrees angle between the socket and wrench. Not the UJoint ones.
- Decent sized jackstands
- Floor jack
An impact wrench & a set of metric 1/2" drive sockets are a must.
I bought this one at Lowe's and it had no trouble removing wheel hub nuts and heavily corroded control arm bolts:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-0-5-in-1000-ft-Air-Impact-Wrench/1000404871
A good floor jack & jack stands are very helpful as well.
A tie rod puller. I got this one from Orielly's and it works great. It's actually listed as a rental tool but if you want to keep it you can. They just keep your deposit:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...4700234?q=steering+tie+rod+end+remover&pos=11
I bought this one at Lowe's and it had no trouble removing wheel hub nuts and heavily corroded control arm bolts:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-0-5-in-1000-ft-Air-Impact-Wrench/1000404871
A good floor jack & jack stands are very helpful as well.
A tie rod puller. I got this one from Orielly's and it works great. It's actually listed as a rental tool but if you want to keep it you can. They just keep your deposit:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...4700234?q=steering+tie+rod+end+remover&pos=11
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montijo505
Senior Member
I got a Dewalt 1/2" mid torque impact on eBay new for $240 with charger and two batteries. I was skeptical since I've had to use a three foot breaker bar for the axle nut in the past. It zipped it right off on the low seeing without anyone stepping on the brakes. Color me impressed.
Currently rebuilding the front end on my 4R and it has not struggled one bit with any of the suspension stuff. Great investment.
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Currently rebuilding the front end on my 4R and it has not struggled one bit with any of the suspension stuff. Great investment.
Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
YES! This is turning out great. Just made my first stop on a trip back home to NC to visit Gramps who isn't doing so well so this made me a bit happy. Keep it going people!
GupsT4R
New member
Had a corded impact and got fed up with it always getting caught on stuff and was pretty gutless. Being a Milwaukee fan boy I got the 2767 M18 FUEL high torque impact wrench, a tad overkill i know.
"1,000 ft./lbs. of fastening torque and 1400 ft./lbs. of nut-busting torque" :uzi:
tho id end up using it for work stuff too.
Get yourself a decent HHS/Cobalt drill index and Tap Set
"1,000 ft./lbs. of fastening torque and 1400 ft./lbs. of nut-busting torque" :uzi:
tho id end up using it for work stuff too.
Get yourself a decent HHS/Cobalt drill index and Tap Set
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gfxcruncher
Member
Besides a lot of the stuff listed above... I have a big pry bar and a 5lb sledge that see frequent use.
I have a Torin 3 ton set and I was using one when doing the pass side lower control arm and as soon as I took the weight of the car off it the thing broke.
I have one left but ehh maybe its time for a new set.. These look nice and twice the weight rating plus an extra locking pin.
Amazon.com: Pro-LifT T-6906D Double Pin Jack Stand - 6 Ton, 1 Pack: Automotive
y=mx+b
New member
Lots of good tools have been mentioned, these are things that I like:
- Another vote for impacts. Intermittent torquing from the impact does wonders on rusty bolts. I have had a Bosch 12v mini impact driver from before 4runner wrenching, and recently got the Bauer corded electric impact wrench from harbor freight for a bit more oomph. The bosch has a brake and its definitely a feature I wish the larger Bauer had. When you let of the trigger, its stocks spinning.
- 6 ton Locking Jack Stands- I had the recall specials before, but went with these locking stands from northern tool: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200756194_200756194. 3 ton stands aren't really tall enough to use without extending a bunch. I like the 6 tons don't have to extend a lot to get everything supported
- Wheel Chocks- especially needed when rear wheels are coming off the ground
- Panel Clip pliers- Great for safely removing all sorts of clips: Panel Clip Pliers
- Dead Blow Hammer
- Ratcheting wrenches- I don't have any yet, but every job seems to be able to benefit from one of these. Removing the fuel tank skid bolt behind the driveshaft is not fun 1/12 rotation at a time
- Needle Scaler- Tears through rusties and crusties faster than an an angle grinder and doesn't send crap flying. I usually clean up with a wire wheel afterwards, but its definitely worth it as a preliminary descaler. I got mine from HF: Air Needle Scaler & Other Needle Scalers - Harbor Freight Tools
- Torque wrenches in all size- cheap ones are fine for regular stuff. A big ol wrench is needed for the front axle nuts, but very handy to have one intented to torque to that high. Also good peace of mind that everything is properly tightened.
- Good cutting tools- Spend a bit extra for quality drills and taps. Don't cheap out on anything that needs to be sharp for more than one hole.
- Ball Joint Press kit- I usually rent one, but it has much more uses than pressing ball joints if you're creative
- Air hose/electrical retracting hose reel- makes cleanup easier if they roll themselves back up
- A "bad" set of tools- when you inevitably use a screwdriver as a pry bar, use the bad set. Save the good set for removing screws lol
- Torch- I've heard good things about mapp gas, but have had luck with a regular propane torch.
Lots of good things listed so far and a few I might pick up for future use.
I ended up ordering that set of jack stands I posted a link for. I still have one of the other torin ones and another random 3 on one that is a tad beefer but after having one give out on me right after use Id rather just replace with a beefer locking pair. I have 3 kids Id like to watch them grow up!
In regards to the map gas its just something I've always used but propane is just as good what it really comes down to is the head being used. The fancy torch heads let in more oxygen and create a hotter more intense flame with either propane or map and of course are a lot easier to use given the on off trigger on them. I may have burned some hair off my arm once or twice using the old style torch heads until I decided to stop being cheap! haha
If you really want a good and nice set of jack stands and don't mind paying extra look at the Esco brand. They are really strong looking, rated for 3 tons each stand and that flat pad on top looks to be really nice for most applications but at over $100 for a pair i decided to wait on those!
montijo505
Senior Member
I bought these and they are nice. Strong and easier to use than 3 ton stands. Not bad price either.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Big-Red-6-Ton-Double-Lock-Steel-Jack-Stands-2-Pack-T46002C/100594524
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Thats what I got just Pro lift brand. They were $45 on amazon, the Big red were around the same price. I watched a few videos on them and just picked the ProLift ones, both are nice.
1/2" impact - don't get ryobi. They suck. I have it. It sucks. Milwaukee is much better.
Breaker bar 1/2" or a large pipe to go around your ratchet for leverage
1/2" to 3/8" reducer
3/8" or 1/2" socket set good quality
set of box end wrenches good quality otherwise you'll round bolt heads/nuts. I've done this way too many times and then had to cut off nuts. Total pain in the ass especially when doing headers or timing belt. I'm saving up for the Milwaukee metric wrench set. $200 for a set of wrenches but it'll be worth it.
Breaker bar 1/2" or a large pipe to go around your ratchet for leverage
1/2" to 3/8" reducer
3/8" or 1/2" socket set good quality
set of box end wrenches good quality otherwise you'll round bolt heads/nuts. I've done this way too many times and then had to cut off nuts. Total pain in the ass especially when doing headers or timing belt. I'm saving up for the Milwaukee metric wrench set. $200 for a set of wrenches but it'll be worth it.
