What tools do I need?

SCRunner12

SCRunner12

New member
I finally have a place to call my own with a garage and I'm looking to start my tool collection. I have been moving from place to place throughout college so lugging around tools was not an option. Basically I'm looking for some advice on a starter tool set. I'm planning on learning how to work on my own cars not i.e. putting on lifts, general maintenance and household fixes. I have nothing right now, but a basic 100 pc. tool set with a few socket, wrenches and allen keys.

What tools do you recommend to pick up for basic repairs and working on lifts? My birthday is coming up and Christmas so I can get some more expensive things, but I am on a budget. I'm thinking a couple torque wrenches, vice grips, a quality socket set and wrench set. Any suggestions are welcome and try to include brands you like.

Thanks.
 
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That's awesome that you've got a place to call home! I've been lugging tools around during college, and it sucks. Usually there is a spot in my room for tools and stuff like that. I'd say you could probably look into a oil filter wrench. That's pretty cheap if you get the kind with the circle band that grips more the harder you push. If you are not happy with your socket set, O Reilly's sold me a small set with metric and standard on it for 20 bucks, and it has a lifetime warranty. I've used it to put on 3 lifts so far, and a plethora of other things on the trucks, and it hasn't even come close to failing me. I have even used the sockets with an impact wrench and they have held up just fine. You know what I would get if I were you is a set of ratcheting wrenches. Those would have come in handy so many times for me. Don't be afraid to look at harbor freight tools if you are on a budget like me, some of there stuff is truly top quality. And if you ever come across something from them that is just a POS or doesn't work properly, they will ALWAYS refund you for it (it happens sometimes). Get a hammer. I know it sounds stupid, but some people forget how useful it can be (I don't have one, so i know, trust me). They can be a little pricey, but when you need it, you'll be glad you have it. A drill is a good investment as well, corded or not. I have a corded one because it never runs out of battery on me, and always has the same amount of power, not to mention it was free since i found it in my folk's garage. If you are looking to do a lift one day, spring compressors are a must, and the harbor freight ones work just fine, even if they are a bit scary to work with. Sorry this was long winded, I just got off work and am going to sleep here in a second, but I'll get some better ideas together and snap some pics of my stuff so you can get a feel for what you can do with just a little bit of stuff and a buddy to assist you.
 
Thanks for the response. Yeah I got a oil filter wrench with the strap during my last oil change. I got the socket oil wrench first but it didn't fit the oem filter but worked with the replacement. Figured I will be replacing the oil in my girlfriends jeep as well. I know wha you mean about the hammer. I was using my cresent wrench as a hammer earlier today because I forgot it. I'm looking into a drill but my girlfriends brother lives next door and he has like 5 of them. So I will just borrow for the time being. I will definitely look into harbor freight seeing we have one relatively close by. I'm trying to decide if want tools or a roof rack for my birthday. We'll see. Thanks again for the response.
 
Nothing has saved me more time and effort than ratcheting box wrenches. Pick up a set of metric 1st and then standard since most everything is metric on the 4runner. A breaker bar is a must. Spark plug socket, a small vise grips (maybe even a needle nose vise grips), an extendable magnet and mirror (because you will drop nuts and bolts in tight places), sawsall, jack stands and jack, pry bar, and some big sockets 19-34mm.
 
Thanks, I will definitely look into the ratcheting wrenches. I was just looking up the jacks and jack stands that were recommended on this site. I think I'm going to go with the Harbor Freight 3 ton jack. My girlfriends brother has a ton of tools and he lives next door, but I hate borrowing tools and buggin him all the time. I will check out Home Depot and some stores near by to check prices.
 
Do you guys typically go with Craftsman or someone else? I know Craftsman make quality tools, but I'm not sure about Husky. I'm looking into Harbor Freight and they have this set of ratcheting wrenches 4 Piece Metric Ratcheting Box-End Wrench Set
Should I spend the extra cash and get the ones that can bend? Are these all the sizes I'll typically need or should I get a larger set? Man picking out tools is almost harder than picking out tires.
 
Harbor Freight ratchets of any kind are crap. Those are tools you'll get a lot of use out of so I would go with a better brand like Craftsman (although they aren't all that great either, but their warranty is).
 
Snap on makes THE BEST wrenches. Snap on and matco sockets are pretty close.
Ratchet.... snappy again.
The rest....screwdrivers, etc, craftsman isn't terrible.
 
I would love to get snap on but they are expensive. I will look into prices though and maybe the items I use more of I will get snap on.
 
I agree Snap-Ons are the best, but ultra-expensive too. Sometimes you can buy 3 or 4 mid-grade tools of the same kind for the price of 1 Snap-On. I have MasterGrip ratcheting box wrenches and they've held up great and cost me ~1/4 what the Snap-Ons cost!
 
Another vote for the ratcheting wrenches. My bro just bought a set of Craftsman, more expensive, but well worth it.

If you are getting spring compressors, DO NOT get them from harbor freight. I had two different types brake on me during the install of my lift. Both before the spring was even compressed enough to get in. I ended up getting a refund and buying a set of Craftsman compressors from Sears for $50. They work so much better it is unbelievable, plus they have a lifetime warranty, which you will most likely never need.

Now is the time to get a floor jack, and at least one set of jack stands. These are both things to stay away from harbor freight for. When it comes to something that is basically keeping your T4R from crushing you, you want to KNOW it won't brake. Go to Advanced or AutoZone and pick up a set. You can get a set of 3 Ton BigReds for about $50.

Some other misc. things are a breaker bar, socket set, 5 gallon bucket, oil pan, etc.
 
I totally agree about the spring compressors from HF. I literally feared for my life while using 3 in an applcation that called for 2 - and it ruined and bent all 3 the 1st time I used them! HF is for stupid little items only! You can rent spring compressors from Autozone and stores like that so I don't own any.
 
Being on a budget, just buy craftsmen, its not the highest quality, and they aren't the most expensive but they are garunteed for life.

Here is what i find to be the basics for working on cars (Euro and Japanese):

-Jack w/ jack stands
-An array of Metric Wrenchs up to 19mm (get doubles of each, its very helpful)
-Rachet Socket set, again in Metric
-Alan Keys both american and metric
-Hammer
-Screwdriver Set
-Large Flathead screwdriver type prybar
-Small 3 gallon compressor (i bought mine at Costco for $60)
-Large and Small Needlenose Pliars, Large and small normal pliars
-A Couple Adjustable Wrench's

Thats a good start, but don't do any brands worse than Craftsmen, If you can afford it you should do Mac, or Snap on, but they literally R*pe you with there pricing.

If you want electric Tools:
I reccomend a Makita or Rigid 18v Li-ion Impact Driver and Drill Kit ($150ish on amazon), and also a Rigid corded Saw zall ($70 at home depot)
 
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I used to use my tools for my living doing construction so I am pretty picky and go by the motto "Buy it once or dont buy it at all" In other words buy quality stuff even if it means you have to go with out a little longer. My tools are a mix of the following:

Husky and Crafstman for sockets and wrenches(Old Craftsman are the best otherwise Husky beats the new Craftsman)
Power Tools Milwaukee and Rigid

The best way to figure out what tools to get first is look at the projects coming up and buy quality tools in order to do the project.

Matco and Snap-On are very High quality but out of most peoples budget but if you can afford then get these two brands above the others. Milwaukee, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Rigid are all good brands for power tools.
 
Thanks for all of the help guys. Yeah I'm definitely on a budget, but I don't want to have to buy tools again because they suck the first time. I will look into the Matco and Snap-on for maybe the ratcheting wrenches. Also I want to get a good jack and stands, so any suggestions would be great. I'm about to put some new shocks on my 95 in the next week so a jack will be the first buy and the wrenches. I was debating getting tools or items for my 4runner for my birthday, but I figure whats the point of getting stuff for my 4runner if I don't have the means to put it on. So between my birthday and christmas I should a solid set of tools to work with.
Most of the stuff I will be using the tools are household applications and basic maintenance on my 4runner. I will be getting a 3rd gen soon and putting a lift (Tundra up front, LC 7wraps in the back). Of course I have to sell my 95 first. I wouldn't have thought of half the things you guys are suggesting and the brands help a lot.
 
I got stands from Costco a long time ago and they are great. Costco has good jacks IMO too, and some that are nice and tall for lifted trucks.
 
Pikeman said:
I used to use my tools for my living doing construction so I am pretty picky and go by the motto "Buy it once or dont buy it at all" In other words buy quality stuff even if it means you have to go with out a little longer. My tools are a mix of the following:

Husky and Crafstman for sockets and wrenches(Old Craftsman are the best otherwise Husky beats the new Craftsman)
Power Tools Milwaukee and Rigid

The best way to figure out what tools to get first is look at the projects coming up and buy quality tools in order to do the project.

Matco and Snap-On are very High quality but out of most peoples budget but if you can afford then get these two brands above the others. Milwaukee, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Rigid are all good brands for power tools.
Click to expand...

Dewalt is starting to to fall behind on their cordless tool designs (weight wise), Mikita is also a very good brand, But rigid has that very enticing 7 year warrenty on powertools.

If you need more powerful Power tools, you cant go wrong with Husqvarna or Stihl, I myself concerning chainsaw's will say go Husqy (im not talking at there low end models), but Husqy vs. Stihl, is like Ford vs Chevy for Americans or Austrailians...
 
brian2sun said:
Nothing has saved me more time and effort than ratcheting box wrenches. Pick up a set of metric 1st and then standard since most everything is metric on the 4runner. A breaker bar is a must. Spark plug socket, a small vise grips (maybe even a needle nose vise grips), an extendable magnet and mirror (because you will drop nuts and bolts in tight places), sawsall, jack stands and jack, pry bar, and some big sockets 19-34mm.
Click to expand...


BINGO... just what I was gonna say, RATCHETING WRENCHES! those things are heaven when you are putting on a lift, the back nut on the coilover is super easy with ratcheting wrenches,

also, the breaker bars, the jackstands and then an air gun for the lower shock bolts. Im now thinking about all the tools that have made putting lifts on so easy
 
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