Basic vehicle tool kit?

First you need to own a vehicle you can actually work on. I drive a 98 Lincoln Town car or a 97 Ford Powerstroke

Set of combination wrenched, 1/4" and 3/8" socket set. 3/8 ratchet with 3/8 to 1/4 adapter, large, small and stubby blade and Phillips screwdriver, 10" crescent, medium sized channel locks, and vise grips with the curved jaws, 2 5' pieces of wire with alligator clips. Jumper cables or a jumper battery, a gallon of water and a qt of oil. A 1/2" breaker bar with a socket to fit the lugs and a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. A small ton hydraulic jack ,Except for the breaker bar , jack and the battery it all fits in a small DeWalt tool bag
 
First you need to own a vehicle you can actually work on. I drive a 98 Lincoln Town car or a 97 Ford Powerstroke

Set of combination wrenched, 1/4" and 3/8" socket set. 3/8 ratchet with 3/8 to 1/4 adapter, large, small and stubby blade and Phillips screwdriver, 10" crescent, medium sized channel locks, and vise grips with the curved jaws, a cheapo volt ohm meter, 2-5' pieces of wire with alligator clips. Jumper cables or a jumper battery, a gallon of water and a qt of oil. A 1/2" breaker bar with a socket to fit the lugs and a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. A small ton hydraulic jack ,Except for the breaker bar , jack and the battery it all fits in a small DeWalt tool bag
 
1973 I went to diesel mechanic school. My advisor told us to have a spare tool kit in every vehicle. Besides the stuff mentioned, keep fuses, a good flashlight, [I reverse batteries so it won't come on]. Water and some energy bars are good if it isn't freezing weather, then you need an emergency heat source like a restaurant dish warmer.
 
My wife bought me a made in China air compressor that fits in the palm of my hand. Recharges off a USB port. I thanked her but wanted to say she shouldn't have wasted her money on junk. Then I needed to add some air to my motorcycle tires, so I thought I would try it so I could tell her I used it. Needless to say the thing worked like a charm. Now if a tire needs a few pounds, I reach for it instead of dragging out my bigger "portable" compressor.
 
My 2023 Mustang doesn't have spare to save weight , has air pump for flats . Saver spare to clear the large brake rotors cost $400. I always keep fuses , flash lights battery jump start and Leatherman Multi Tool . For long trips carry Harbor Freight small metric socket set in steel case , lug wrench and jack , tire patch kit Couple plastic wheel chocks, rain coat and gloves.
Just an FYI, my 2017 Mustang came with the pump, but I want a spare. I bought a spare tire kit from Ford, came with a space saver tire on an alloy wheel, wheel wrench, jack and handle, and holddowns for everything. Fits in the well and I paid a little over $200. Don't know if it's still available or not, but if I'm coming home in the middle of the night I don't want to mess with fix flat and a compressor. Just want to throw the spare on and keep going. Also, if you have a blowout that's not rapairable you're stuck.
 
Zip ties.
A small compressor and a tire-plugging kit have saved my bacon a couple of times.
A small shovel/entrenching tool.
Remember the rule of karmic prophylaxis: if you bring it, you probably won't need it. (If you do need it, you've got it covered.)
 
I agree i forgot to mention the tire plugs and installation tool the sits in the glove compartments, I tube of rubber cement helps. Coat the plug and it will slide in easier and help it seal. One of my jumper batteries has a small compressor built in.
 
My dad carried wwii .50 can with his tools. Had everything you needed. Just had to dump it all out to find it lol!
Sounds like my childhood, my dad grew up in hard times Depression Ohio, we never bought a screw, nut or bolt. If you needed one, just dump a jumbo coffee can or two and find what you need. Anything that broke or died was stripped for parts before we junked it.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top