Tool recommendations; impact wrench for our 4-runners

[sakoluvr]

I want to get an impact wrench to remove wheels, tie rods, ball joints and do suspension work etc. I have a compressor but also want to consider wired/plug in models and battery models.

I love the idea of portability with the battery models but they can be pricey. Also concerned about them having enough torque.

I have northern tool and harbor freight near me and all the big box stores and of course Amazon.

Any suggestions with first hand experience.

 

[Donny Voodoo]

Take a look at Milwaukee's 2763. IR also makes an 18v monster as well. I chose Milwaukee due to their catalog of tools.

 

[thegipper]

I have the cordless 18v Milwaukee 1/2" impact and its awesome. I have a bunch of other cordless Milwaukee tools which is why I went with the Milwaukee.

It has a TON of power and has blasted off anything I have used it on so far.

I also have the Bosch 1/4" bit/1/2" socket impact combo which is really nice too. It is great for light to medium duty applications and the battery lasts FOREVER. It also has wireless charging which is nice.

Here

 

[mtbtim]

If I were going to go battery powered, I'd get this:

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF89...882935&sr=1-2&keywords=dewalt+cordless+impact

Look at the reviews. 98 reviews and 97% are 5 star!

I have a Dewalt impact gun but it's not as powerful as the one I gave a link to. I either missed this one or it wasn't available when I bought mine. I think mine only has a max torque of 400 ft lbs but it works great. Highly, Highly recommend buying Dewalt if you want to go cordless.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I can do all the suspension work on my 4runner with this impact and impact sockets excluding removing the CV axle nut. It says 130ft/lbs but it is more like 160lb. It isn't too powerful to remove small bolts. The most valuable tool I own, hands down:
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF88...qid=1473885051&sr=8-1&keywords=dewalt+dcf+883

I have its big brother as well, which is limited by the lack of smaller size impact sockets. It will take off the CV axle nut. I'd buy the 3/8 impact any old day if I wasn't some tool junkie:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BWFIKJA/ref=psdc_552820_t1_B00BWFIKZO

The monster, which does great work but is limited by its size. If you aren't going to be needing the torque it produces, see it as a want. I have it too:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X52TWA4/ref=psdc_552820_t3_B00BWFIKZO

The new 3/8 king of torque on the block, I haven't had a chance to play with it:
https://www.amazon.com/Ingersoll-Ra...eywords=ingersoll+rand+cordless+impact+wrench

 

[Buckaroo]

I have a number of IR pneumatic tools but my 1/2" impact is the HF Earthquake. I have had it for 4 years and run it a ~130psig - it has plenty of torque. You have to make sure you keep them well oiled which is the problem buying used pneumatic tools

Buckaroo

 

[sakoluvr]

Thanks all! Great suggestions.

 

[NoVAphotog]

This is the review that sold me on the Milwaukee 2763-20 and/or 22. Thing is a monster. I got the bare tool, the 5.0Mah battery and charger for $300 which I felt was better deal than the kit. The battery lasts forever and charges quick.

https://youtu.be/6qn2r0nSVW4

 

[A.Wilson013]

I bought these recently ($325ish for both after military discount) and have been quite pleased:

Shop Kobalt 24-Volt 1/2-in Drive Cordless Impact Wrench at Lowes.com
Shop Kobalt 24-Volt max 3/8-in Drive Cordless Impact Wrench (Bare Tool Only) at Lowes.com

I haven't really made them work too hard yet, but so far so good. The "hardest" task I've used them on would be lug nuts and the big nut on the output shaft of the t-case. No problemo on either.

 

[Bumbo]

Yay, tool thread... I'm just a hobbyist mechanic but you really cant have just one... so you might as well start with something and go from there...

I really love having a mix air tools and electric...

My 3/8" impact air ratchet gets used so often that I dont think I could ever giving it up after having it... its an Ingersoll Rand brand and I really like them for air tools. I use this a lot for working under the car, for example taking the skid plates on/off.

I bought a Snap-On 1/2" impact a really long time ago, even before all the other popular lithium systems came out... its still the most beast mode impact I own, and it completely demolishes my 1/2 air impact.

There isn't a fastener on my 4Runner that has given me trouble, and 1-2 knocks max and it blasts off lugs. That said, there are cheaper options now, i'm sure most people are not willing to spend what I spent on that impact, but at the time, not really anything on the market that did compete with it either.

That said, a smaller 1/4 drive impact or a 3/8" drive impact is worth having, smaller the better as its easy on the arms and hands with less fatigue and can get into smaller spaces. My 1/2" snap-on is really heavy, and I dont use it unless I really need it, plus it does not fit in really tight spots.

Buy good sockets too, I have complete 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" drive sets... look at Sunex or grey pneumatic for quality and value.... I have a few impacts sets like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-3342-8...8&qid=1473889049&sr=8-2&keywords=sunex+impact

My 1/4" white Makita impact has a universal joint with a 10mm in the picture and its makes working on the 4Runner a lot better. Its all about access so if you cant get to it, you cant take it off.

I would like to add a 1/4" drive air ratchet, and a 3/8" drive air or electric impact that is really compact...

 

[TheDurk]

I have a number of IR pneumatic tools but my 1/2" impact is the HF Earthquake. I have had it for 4 years and run it a ~130psig - it has plenty of torque. You have to make sure you keep them well oiled which is the problem buying used pneumatic tools

Buckaroo

That's what I have and it got a major workout taking my rusty frame off. It only met one bolt it couldn't either turn or break--one UCA bolt it could not get the nut off due to major rust. I didn't need that UCA anyway. The new frame had better ones. My compressor only does 90 psi.

 

[T5RUNNER]

My little Ryobi has not failed me yet. It is not as powerful as an air wrench but still enough for any automotive sized bolt I can think of. Its so nice to not need the compressor running in the garage.

 

[Bumbo]

One tip if you do go electric OP...

Find a brand / system that uses a lithium-ion battery... and make sure they have other tools in their catalog for that same system.

Lots of companies also sell "bare tool" without the battery and charger... like circular saws, drills and drivers, reciprocating saws... whatever.... they all use the same battery and there is a lot of money to be saved when just buying the tool only.

Then you start to get more value... and the cost ends up being similar to buying air tools as the power source is already taken care of.

 

[Boudin]

I'm partial to my Milwaukees. Love the fuel brushless line. Honestly the 3/8 will handle lugs that are properly torqued. The 1/2 is a beast. They have made working on cars so much more enjoyable. The M12 ratchet is a must have too.






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[GrassFed]

Like most have said, battery powered is hard to beat all things included.

I have an aircat 1/2" impact and it does a tremendous job. That pbeing said, if I could have done it again I would opt for the battery powered. Portability, ease of use, and as long as the performance is reasonable, you cannot beat it. Air tools are nice, but after using them for a couple of years if I could find a comparable cordless option that would be my bet

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[frodiesel]

I bought snap on cordless impacts off eBay and craigslist in like 2007 or 2008. I think i tossed one battery afterall these years. My compressor has been at a friends for at least two years now, just no need for the noise, mess, cords, or oiling tools. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I am in the market for a nice metric socket set for the back of the 4runner that used less space than my deluxe husky set.

Axle nut is 174ft/lbs on my 99 just fyi

 

[theesotericone]

If you go cordless go DeWalt. I have an old 18V DeWalt 1/2" impact that does everything I need it to do. I just took the axle nut off yesterday to reboot my CV's without any issues.

I work in the trades and have used pretty much every brand of cordless tool on the market. DeWalt is bullet proof. I've had to send tools back a bunch of times to Milwaukee, I've only ever sent one DeWalt tool back to them and that was a sawzall that I dropped from 40 feet up. It went down an elevator shaft and landed in about 3 inches of water. It blew the battery and the blade about 15 feet from the sawzall. I got down, let it dry out for a few hours and went back to work with it. About a month later it finally died. It was way out of warranty but I sent it to DeWalt to see if they could repair it. The put a new motor in it and reciprocating assembly in it. The total cost, including them shipping it back to me, was 43 buck.

Everyone has their tool maker of choice and this isn't meant to turn into a huge debate. Just my experience and the reason I only use DeWalt currently.

 

[sakoluvr]

What great input. Yeah, I think I am going cordless.

 

[LittleCaesar]

What great input. Yeah, I think I am going cordless.

The only problem with going cordless is that your wallet can get much lighter quickly buying other tools if you go with Dewalt, Milwaukee, Kobalt, etc.:cry2:

Let us know what you end up with.

 

[Bumbo]

What great input. Yeah, I think I am going cordless.

Add Hitachi to the mix for electric... they make a solid tool with an excellent motor, ergo, and build quality... one of my preferred brands for drill/driver.

Cordless electric is the right choice for where you are at right now...

I still love air tools... but doing air correctly is actually more expensive than electric in terms of upfront costs...

I took the time to install an air compressor, its hidden and out of the way, the entire garage from front to back has distribution lines with reels at the end points for quick access... I have my lines pressurized 24/7. I have air on deck for tires, air blower for cleaning things, dusting shoes and gear, and my tools.

Its easy to find good deals on air tools too, and I never have to worry about batteries, chargers, and the heft that comes with a motor on certain tools (die grinder is a perfect example)... BUT I only use my air tools in the garage where I am setup and plumbed. It was an investment and cost a few bucks to do it right but everyone needs some air, even if its a small setup just for tire fill.

That said, you wont catch me on the trail without my electric 1/2 Snap-On impact... battery operated tools on the trail and a small AC inverter to charge them is really one of the smartest decisions you can make...

Regardless of the brand... just buy good stuff and make sure it works for what you want to do with it... If you need something else, get it as you need it, tools are an investment.

Whatever I save by not going to the dealer for service goes towards tools to get the job done.