First Gen Tools Needed

I invested in Tekton for my tools. They're fairly nice for the lower price point. The warranty is a plus.
- 3/8th drive Metric no-skip sockets, 6mm to 24mm
- 6mm to 24mm Full-polish wrench set
- 17" pry bar
I also bought some power tools from the Milwaukee M12 lineup.
3/8ths drive Stubby impact
3/8ths drive High Speed Ratchet
Also worth mentioning, Knipex Cobra pliers, Malco Eagle Grip Locking pliers, a generic adjustable wrench, and a 35mm socket for axle nuts.
As for manual ratchet, I'd try the 90T gear wrench one that Project farm tested. You may also want a coolant bleed funnel, and some line clamp plyers.


I don't have a large variety of tools but these seem to get most jobs done. I have an older Kobalt 1/2 drive impact that I use for lugnuts along with a 1/2 drive deep well 21mm socket. I eventually want to replace it with a Milwaukee M18 mid torque, but haven't bought into the m18 line yet.

 

This is a really good starter set if you don't have anything yet, only $100 from HD, quality is pretty good and has Metric and SAE.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-M...9zkXikzlWqVpygjGcq-50jYMVZy0s4NEEcI21NgdaAI0w

 

Do like Husky quality, are half off now, and includes a huge variety of 1/4" sockets, 6 point 3/8" 6-19mm sockets but 15-19mm 12 point in 1/2" inch. Metric combo wrenches are 8, 10, 12, 13 mm so would still regularly need 14, 17, 19 and IIRC occasionally 15 (and 16 is it for ferds?)

https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/cb/cb7109c9-8bd0-4024-a8f0-16b7f7648785.pdf

If there isn't a better socket set for less that could add the security bits for like $10 along with the larger wrenches, maybe could add some 1/2" 6 point impacts.

Edit: HF security bit set on sale now through 7/7 for $6.99.

 

Same experience here, except I got a 1/4" Husky set in a hard case on clearance after Xmas as an impulse buy for like $9.99... It's small and easy to grab, and gets used now more than any other tools I own. A 1/4" set will handle 95+% of my "quick fix" projects, and will usually size the wrench or socket I need for heavier stuff so I know what I need when going back to the big toolbox. And if I break it by over torquing it (which hasn't happened yet) I can just take it to HD to get a free replacement.

 

Might be better options but looks like currently Husky 1/4, 3/8, and Dewalt 1/2" sets come in under $100 total even of don't want to wait for some to go on 50% off sales (may not need need all three to get started), and each seem to have a full selection of 6 point sockets to add a full set of wrenches too.

 

I like to use my mini impact driver. Better feel for easy to break stuff, great with extensions. Easier modulstion for your small hardware. Like this- hex shank driver:

$170 Ridgid R86034 X4 18V Lithium Ion 1750 LBS Torque 1/4" Hex Shank Impact Driver (Battery Not Included, Power Tool Only)

http://amazon.com/Ridgid-R86034-Lit...s=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5280154270124932010&hvpon=


Ignore if already mentioned.

 

I'm a fan of Tekton tools. Real people in Michigan designing and sourcing good tools offering at decent prices with great service and warranty support. They're not the be-all-and-end-all but they're a darn good choice.

https://www.tekton.com/warranty

 

I bought a 25-piece Crescent pass-thru set on Amazon way back in 2017. Use it quite often but lost the dam 10mm a while back. Its always the damned 10mms that go missing. I decided to email the Crescent company to see if I could get a replacement 10mm. They said:



Fuck yea.

$33 Crescent 25 Piece 3/8" Drive Pass-Thru X6 Standard Spline Mechanics Tool Set - CX6PT25

https://www.amazon.com/Crescent-Pass-Thru-Standard-Spline-Mechanics/dp/B08P57WYP3

 

I've got some Tekton stuff, but didn't know this. Definitely will be supporting them next time I need something.

That's stand up customer service. I have some crescent stuff and the fit/finish/durability is great for the cost.

 

Yes. Absolutely. I also have some Tekton stuff. Good shit. My Metakoo sockets and Neiko tools have been good too. No problems.

 

dont see listed above....swivel head ratchet wrenches

 

I'm new to the world of Toyota Tundra's, but an incredibly useful tool I used to have for my 95 Chevy K1500 was...and something I'm not seeing in the list...a note book. Everything I fixed or Upgraded I would make a note of what the part was (brand and part number) and what tools (including tool sizes) I used. If I had a mechanic work on something, Id ask them if they could do the same...most were pretty cool about it. The ones that weren't, id just go back afterwards and check fits of sockets and what not. I'd just stash it away in my dashboard that way if I needed info, I had it and could grab all the stuff in one go rather than make 20 trips to the tool box.

Heck, I even made notes on whether what I was working was a pain in the butt or not. That's when Id take it to a mechanic.

 

I started a spreadsheet on Google Drive for keeping track of maintenance on mine. I used it a whole 2 times and then forgot all about it. Lol.

 

IMHO this is sage advice.

Have done the same with a book each for various vehicles. Keep mine in the shop though, and mostly use it to record detailed specs during a job in real time to help accomplish the task. Like valve clearances during adjustment, or indexing measurements for brake rotors / hubs.

Have also used electronic maintenance records that list the specific parts and labor performed along with date and mileage on page like a shop receipt, and also as a single line in a spreadsheet maintenance log noting procedure, mileage, part cost total, etc (kinda like how Toyota/owners does). It's a little easier to look up instead of thumbing through pages in the book to determine for instance next timing belt swap.

The list has the major summary of what was done and when and cost. The electronic shop receipt shows the detail brand name of the parts used and quantities of liquids etc along with the sequence of labor performed, and a little section with any specific notes on the procedure. And the book will have specifics like if need to revisit the indexing numbers or the valve shims used. (Yes could transfer those over to the shop receipt and doing so for the final numbers makes sense for instance on the indexing measurements. But the book has the measurements on the 5 other positions tested.)

Each vehicle has an electronic file folder for the logs and online receipts and also a physical folder for other receipts like bearing and brake purchases.

 

Posting this up, good deal alert.

@obmack and also @oddhours if you guys are looking for jackstands, there's a smoking deal on Big Red Torin 6-ton jackstands on fleaBay right now, manufacturer direct. You're looking at around $55, shipped, using the coupon BRANDNEW20 which expires soon. The 2 ton version are half that price, but I'd prefer to have the 6 ton from a safety/longevity perspective.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145472640116

These are the stout jackstands that have an additional lock on them, which are super safe. It's a good pairing to , which I bet you can probably find a store coupon to bring the price down.

 

Will add after a couple projects

if you’re going to mess with front end suspension stuff you’ll need some bigger wrenches and sockets. 19, 22, 24.

big f’n channel locks (slip joint) pliers like 16” for steering rack bushings. Big f’n crescent wrench for tie rods, if you don’t want to buy or rent specific tie rod tool.

couple pairs of thin nose vise grips for spinning studs on tie rod ends/sway bar links

if your truck ever lived in the salt, get a 1/2” air impact and a compressor big enough to run it for short bursts. That and a breaker bar should get the old stuff off.

 

1/2 in. Drive 25-250 ft. lb. $39.99 through 9/29.

 

Definitely get a good jack. That’s the next thing on my list but for all the work I’ve done on my truck it’s absolutely necessary. Get a big (highest lift) you can find at harbor freight.

 

Coupon/code required? Shows as $49.99 for me. That would be good to have in my mobile tool kit.

 

Can always search the coupons section of the website and also sign up for email notices.

 

thats a real interesting idea...wonder how accurate, wonder if they make one for inch pounds

 

There's a but have found the 1/2" most practical. It's bulky but can use it for instance on the axle nuts if don't have a 250 lb/ft wrench or don't have time to go rent one at the LAPS. Use it mostly as an investment to test calibration of other wrenches and have compared multiple ones against each other. It's not a certified CDI tester ... but seems a good crosscheck for instance on whether a cheap or expensive wrench is pulling reliably.

 

now only 9.99.