First Gen Tools Needed

Hi all,

Bought my first Tundra today and trying to get a list of tools needed to preform all the common maintenance I see mentioned around the forum here, to include doing LBJs and such.

I have little actual mechanic experience other than oil changes. I need to buy everything (jacks, socket sets, etc.) so if you have any preferred brands or anything i'd really appreciate it!

 

You can borrow a front end tool kit from Advanced Auto or buy one directly from OTC tools for the LBJs. Get yourself a decent electric Impact Gun and some metric impact sockets both deep and shallow. Floor Jack from Harbor Freight, the Daytona HD edition that’s got the 3 yr factory warranty and is a copy of the Snap-On jack. Or go for an all aluminum jack from Arcan or hybrid from Costco when they carry it. O2 socket for the O2 sensors. The list goes on. You’ll basically buy as needed. Get yourself an OBD2 reader though, you’ll eventually need it.

Oh and some extra 10mm sockets since it’s a given a few of those will get lost.

 

Welcome.

Budget. Need to know your budget.

I take it you’ve read this? https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

Honestly you want to get started, here’s what I’d tell you. Two options really…

Keep your eyes peeled for toolboxes full of tools on Facebook marketplace and fill in from there.

OR

A lot of times during national holidays, Tractor Supply Company, Harbor Freight, or National Tool will have multi-piece kits with a good chunk of what most people need to get started. Check the Project Farm channel on YouTube he tortures the shit out of a lot of toolkits and will help you find good quality budget tool sets.

Beyond that you’ll want:

6 ton jack stands with a manual safety lock. The Big Red brand on scAmazon are great budget picks. I have 4, you can get by with two. Learn how to use them right, your life may depend on it.

the 3 ton low profile “long reach” Daytona jacks at Harbor Freight are great. Lots of us on here use them. Never rely on your jack alone, always use stands, and learn safety tricks like tire placement under the truck any time a wheel is off, as a backup precaution.

You should get a torque wrench that will do at least 85 pound foot (lbft), and another that will do inch pounds. Learn how to set and use them and store properly. Project Farm did a great review on them recently, check their video. I personally prefer split beam style (don’t need to zero before putting away) and own/use Tekton stuff for eons. It’s not bad for budget but PF shows the best budget you can buy in their video.

Beyond that, be aware most auto parts chain stores will loan out specialty tools. YMMV what the ones near you may have but they often have misc presses for ball joints, tie rods, etc.

Don’t hesitate to ask on here! People are here to help you be safe and successful. You’ll acquire as you go. Just be patient, and ask questions before you fuck shit up. If I’m uncertain, I’ll watch 3-4 YT videos on the subject. But at my age and experience, I can tell you, a lot of those videos are full of mistakes. The valve cover gasket replacement videos for the 2UZ-FE V8 in our trucks on YT are a gd joke!

Oh, and the Toyota Maintenance channel and Car Care Nut channels on YT are awesome for reference!!

 

Welcome. Learn to use the search function, it stinks but it’s not the worst. I have highlighted what I searched for and which boxes I clicked to get to the thread below:



Here’s one of the results:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-tundra-tool-kit.82585/

 

We should have vignette videos on what do to like corporations have to humor, I mean train employees.

 

Thanks for the quick replies yall!

@Jack McCarthy I didnt know I can borrow a kit for LBJs so I will definitely check that out, as well as look into the other things you mentioned. Also will buy multiple 10mm lol.

@shifty` Budget is conservative, best bet for me is definitely acquire overtime but i am willing to drop some $$ on things right now, like jack stands and sockets and shit. Yeah I definitely read this forum multiple times before I bought the truck, I think I got a pretty good deal (knock on wood). And I will definitely be asking more beginner questions because I am on my 50th video of how to remove rust scale and seal the frame and so far everyone on youtube seems to have a different method lol.

@JasonC. I did see that thread but only skimmed it because it seemed to be mostly discussing tools for on the road, I'll go back and check it out

 

@obmack Welcome.

 

To echo what @shifty` said I would keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace. I see great deals on upper and lover boxes with tools all the time.

Focus on all the basic stuff. All metric for the Toyota stuff, but for a well rounded kit pickup SAE too.
1/4-3/8-1/2 ratchets with standard and deep sockets.
A set of box end wrenches.
Screwdriver set.
Pick set.
Jack and Jackstands.
Specialty tools can be rented from the parts store like @Jack McCarthy has said.

I would skip the impact for now. A 1/2" breaker bar can provide a ton of torque for little cost. It will also teach you to evaluate the fastener condition and engage your brain rather than uggaduggaing willy nilly.

While nice tools are nice, don't fall into the trap of needing the best of the best to get started. My boxes are full of Craftsman, Pittsburgh(HF), and other lower end stuff. I do have a few snap on/sk/Mac items that I have picked up over the years, but they are outnumbered 10 to 1. Any tool in the size you need is better than no tool.

The Harbor Freight ICON line is some nice stuff, and their other hand tools provide a huge value for the cost. I would consider joining the inside track club ($80?) for even better deals. You could put together a great starter kit there for ~$300

 

Important note on sockets is to go with 6 pt if readily available. I’ve rounded quite a few 12 pts over time that come in most of those craftsman mechanic sets but I do live in the rust belt, so it’s more of a requirement here than elsewhere.

Neiko makes a good set of impacts that are made in Taiwan and I believe you can get that on Amazon that a few here have used. I own the older professional series from Craftsman when they were still made in the USA.

 

You will need:

10, 12, 14, 17, and 19mm sockets and end wrenches. Those are the most used sizes. You can never have too many 14mm end wrenches. Get some extensions too. 5/8 spark plug socket.

I think the pulsator on the fuel rail is 22mm, and 24mm for the bolts on the lower control arms...or maybe that's 22mm, too.

35mm is allegedly oem size for the nut on your front axles, but I've seen plenty of people (myself included) in need of a 40mm. Unless you're 2wd, then never mind.

Other helpful items:
A 2 and/or 3 jaw puller.
Brass punches/drifts
Some sort of telescoping magnet.
A BFH

I second what @JakeJake and @Jack McCarthy just said. Don't worry too much about brand name when it comes to hand tools. But do try to get 6 point sockets when you can.

 

I started off with almost this exact set from Lowes.




https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-250-Piece-Mechanic-s-Tool-Set-in-4-Drawer-Case/5001920933

It's great for beginner things. I will add 2 random tools for specific stuff: a 35mm socket for the axle nuts, and a 22mm open end wrench for the fuel pulse damper. That's probably a ways off but just in case.

 

Scanners are for cowards.

 

I honestly should get one....I told shifty I would like 4 months ago....and here I am about to buy the gx460 brakes LOL

 

I would suggest a small tarp and a moving blanket. Whether driveway or roadside repairs, keep gravel out of your back and if wet or muddy.
Also if in a hurry, once done with repair just roll blanket up and throw it in the truck.

 

Nice! But yeah, stop being a non-coward and get one. I bought a $20 Innova scanner a while ago and it's handy.

@bmf4069 18 codes?! Tell me that was an old pic, or it's reading past, present, and future codes.

 

8/18/23. That's what a blown out intake manifold gasket will get you.

 

Fun fact, all the codes in red box are misfire codes.
All other codes are air/intake related and could point to bad MAF or leak (air, intake, vacuum) or inadequate fuel delivery.
It's almost like the 1st column is around the time the gasket leak started, 2nd/3rd column combined are then it just totally blew out.

​

 

Some wisdom heard that mirrored my experience is got the basics like metric wrenches, socket set, floor jack, jack stands, and a torque wrench for first jobs then added other tools as needed or as found deals on them. $19 creeper on sale instead of laying on the floor or sliding on cardboard. $13 for calipers and other things as well as 35mm socket for axles. Flare wrenches for brake bleeding. Brake spring tool and deadblow for rear drums. Brass punches, easy outs, , battery terminal cleaners, crowsfeet, vacuum gauge, slide hammer, wobble extensions, etc.

Can watch for some of that stuff on sale and can also get brand name like Mac Tools, Snap-on, Utica, and others ar pawn shops, FB, or CL if you want to look around.

Have a craftsman set of wrenches and sockets that hold up, but also a couple spare set of cheaper wrenches as spares for the toolbox, and sometime just need two. Have seen that might be a good starter set as have every size 8-19 mm plus SAE and feel like they'd hold up and have local lifetime warranty for $19.99 on sale. But they aren't 6 point box ends. There are advantages of each.

Do suggest a quality socket set. Husky, Kobalt, Icon, or Neiko might be something to consider. Some go on sale. For instance really like the Kobalt 1/2" and 3/8 torque wrenches but picked up Husky torque wrenches also liked but on sale for about 1/2 off and Craftsman torque wrenches seem to go on sale that deeply too.

+1 for Project Farm and Tools Tested to help make choices.

I still watch sales and get things that have learned would make jobs easier or would be nice like flex head socket rachets, or ratcheting wrenchs I got along without for years, or something know I'll need for an upcoming job like the HF 20 ton shop press.

Haven't bought some specialty tools can rent for free at parts stores like AC tools, at least until find want or need the convenience of owning it.

BTW, some other recent discussion here.

 

Yes sir. 1 and 6 were fully blown out. I may or may not have had the MAF unplugged at this point.

 

Opinions on tools are a dime a dozen and you can really nuke your youtube algorithm on tool videos, ask me how I know.

Like shifty said Craislist/offerup/FB marketplace an awesome place to start if you're on a budget and just trying to get some of the basics. Either mechanics retiring or getting out of the industry, apprentices moving up and looking to offload old gear, or even estate sales...I see boxes/carts full of tools listed on there all the time for fractions of what they would cost new individually. You're probably not going to get a full SnapOn/MAC box loaded for $200, but I have seen full boxes of Craftsman/Husky stuff list for that or even less. Take what you can get for that budget and fill in at HF/Amazon

Also agree with Jack Mccarthy you need 6pt sockets as much as possible. The problem with so many of the "starter kits" in the blow molded cases are they generally have a lot of 12pt stuff that can strip/round over bolts. Nothing wrong with starting off a kit like that, but if you start to do much real wrenching you will outgrow it quick.

When I started getting more serious about having a full collection I went pretty hard at the Icon line at harbor freight. For me, occasional weekend user and 1 or 2 bigger automotive projects per year, DIY Dad it fits my use case perfect. 6pt sockets, quality feel, lifetime warranty. I have yet to break one of their "higher tier" tools (shitty pittsburgh pliers on the other hand...). But if I do, i'll go swap it out ezpz. If Sears/Craftsman still existed I probably would have gone that route, but there's no way you can tell me the stuff stamped Craftsman at Lowes now is superior to the Icon stuff at HF.

I'll also add this...if you're not buying a used box and are choosing what to buy new, I'd start buying impact sockets FIRST then add chrome sockets later. They're more durable and versatile...can use impacts on a hand ratchet but cant use chromes on an impact gun (or you're not supposed to...)

Sockets (1/2 and 3/8 to start, can add 1/4 later if buying new)
Ratchets - start with a couple basic and maybe one flex head, skip stubbies until later
breaker bar
Combination wrenches (skip the ratcheting wrenches for now, can add later if you want)
basic screwdriver set
1/4" impact driver (essential kit nowadays IMO, can hold off on impact guns until later - the driver is just too useful driving/removing screws quickly)
jack/stands
razor knife and plastic razor knife

 

You absolutely need some jack stands, I use the 6 ton ones from Harbor Freight. An Impact Wrench is handy, so is a breaker bar, impact sockets, 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches, and a ratchet (6 point sockets preferred). You need screw drivers as well.

If you change your own wheel bearings, you'll need a shop press. Changed mine out several months ago, bought the press, and ever since I've been finding other uses for the press, makes my life easier.

 

Don't forget the official headlight adjuster. Or is that a DC only thing?

Can also be used as shish kabobs if you don't feel like cleaning the oil off yer dipstick to use that. LOL

 

Back in 2007 I bought a small Husky 3/8" drive socket set from Home Depot for $23 while living out of state during a internship. To this day, that small kit is my go to whenever I start digging into a project. I've used this kit to dismantle several rusty Jeeps, maintain my Land Cruisers and even used it to do the brakes on the Tundra. It is not the biggest set out there, but the Husky brand of tools from Home Depot have been rock solid. They are my 'go-to' store brand tools. Shop the sales and get complete kits for 1/2 off.

 

which press did you buy?

 

As @Jack McCarthy and @shifty` said, just rent the tools and look for full blown toolboxes for sale.

also, if you’re looking at wrenches - consider a set of flex head ratcheting and a set of thin. Between those two you shouldn’t need another wrench. Never knew how great thin wrenches were until I got a set

 

I bought a rollaway and craftsman tools in high school 50+ years ago. Modern craftsman tools are not as well made. Agree Husky, Icon and Gearwrench seem to be pretty good these days. You can do most things on our trucks with a basic mechanics set and a torque wrench. I’ve seen some decent prices at estate and yard sales too.

 

Think the is needed for the rear bearings at least to fit the axle (the 12 ton frame is pretty small). The 20T seems to regularly be $250 but was on sale a few months back for $200. There was some backstock of an older model in some stores for $200 but looks like those are sold out. Plan to swoop one up when that price happens again.

 

The 20T one from Harbor Freight. I considered the 12T, but saw a video where someone mentioned having an issue getting the bearing out with the 12T and they suggested the 20T.