Hi guys, i need to buy some tools to work on my truck, like im starting with sockets and an impart wrench. I was looking to you guys for help on what tools/brands would be godd choices. I know some of you have bought some tool that you would not recommend to others to buy, or what you would recommend to buy, these are the things im looking for... like jack stands, breaker bar, floor jack, dead blow hammer..... etc. etc... thanks

ps. anyone buy after market black lug nuts? i want to get them...

 

I did buy aftermarket black lugs, all the ones I found where longer then stock. They look a little of because of it, but other then that they look great. Bought 24 of them, so I have 4 spares. Bought them off ebay.

The tools ive used the most on my truck so Far are just basic tools, 18v Dewalt Drill, 18v Dewalt Impact
Grinder (To cut off old Rad support)
Then a socket set (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 Ratchets), 3/8 24" Breaker Bar, 1/2 24" Breaker Bar, 1/2 36" Breaker Bar then some extensions and U-joints.
Basic Screw Drivers, Cutters, and Torx Srewdrivers
Other then that, is my 1/2 Brownline Torque Wrench.
I have not used a normal wrench on it yet.

 

 

Good tools for at home are..Craftsman (Sears) Kobalt (Lowe's) Amazon has some really good deals on quality tools..specialty tools such as Lisle and they also carry Ingersol Rand impact sockets shallow/deep w.e I also got a Black and Decker 12V cordless on there for $40 and love it..I would buy sets of tools and not just what you NEED on the truck..having tools is great and once you start collecting them and get a nice box you will take a lot of pride in them as for aftermarket lugs I have some similar to Reject's..I can't remember the website off the top of my head but I have black deep style ones as well and love them.

 

This all came about Saturday when I changed my brakes and I did it at my gfs house in pa 4 hours away, we ran into several problems getting the rotors off and I realized how many tools we went thro.

Do you find that you use the various sizes of breaker bars alot? And I love my dewalt 18v drill and impact wrench. What do you mean by cutters? Def need some torx and That torque wrench. I saw those lug nuts on eBay, just how much longer than stock are they, I wanna plastidip my wheels and I think new lug nuts so they don't peel would be a better option for them.

I got a set of craftsman screwdrivers for christmas, my dad was shocked that I didn't even have these basic tools, as he is a general contractor, I've always just used his tools. But his automotive tools are lacking. Further down the line I'll get a shiny tool box.

Thanks guys

 

get a compressor with tool set included. Very expensive...but sooooooo worth it..

This basic set on amazon is now for only $100 but of course you would need to buy the air compressor/hose separately:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6524_200266524

You might think some regular tools will do, and they will...but when you are slashing your "under-hood" time by half then you will know what I'm talking about.

 

Hey reject, my brownline started reading -27lbs to start and is 27lbs off when I use it.. they are cool though, I just emailed them and they said to send it back.. gave me a label and everything.

 

The "Husky" line of hand tools at Home Depot, I find is better than Craftsman but the same warrenty. A good floor jack and a pair of jackstands are a must have. Also I have some Stanley tools that I have been pretty impressed with for the price, not sure the warranty on them though....

If you get a breaker bar get a good quality 3/4" breaker bar and a reducer down to 1/2". I've wrecked many 1/2" breaker bars but have been using the same Craftsman 3/4" breaker bar for over 12years, btw I'm a licensed Heavy Duty and Automotive mechanic so its been beat on.

For air tools I wouldn't bother unless you want to put out for a good quality high output compressor, otherwise you'll just get frustrated and an electric impact would work better than cheap air impact running on a small compressor.

I LOVE ratcheting wrenches. Get the style with the swivel ends. I use these often times more than a ratchet/socket.

Ratchets with the dials on the back like Craftsman has are very handy.

Allen head and torx sets set into sockets are more money but way more versatile and less likely to strip out a bolt than the "L" shaped type. Also Torx bits often make good easy outs.

I like sets that come in "kits" or plastic cases that hold everything in place, especially if you don't have a big tool box to organize stuff into. Those small toolboxs get pretty annoying with a full socket rolling around in them.

I buy old bread pans and muffin tins at garage sales. They are great for holding/organizing bolts/small parts. For a long term project you can easily write on them with a dry erase pen.

A vise is REALLY handy. If you don't have a bench to mount it onto bolting it to a 2" receiver and mounting it into a trailer hitch works well.

Get good quality vice grips, big pair, small pair and needle nose.

The more money you spend on your drill bits the happier you'll be using them. Cheap bits will make you angry really fast.

Watch for sales and specials and get stuff before you need it and build up your collection. Boxes are just that, boxes. You don't need anything fancy or expensive. I've seen some decent priced ones at Costco. Used is good as well.

A trouble light is handy, LED is great, if you have a regular one you can screw one of those compact florescent bulbs into it. They don't get hot or explode like a regular bulb.

Are you broke yet?

 

On tools that i use regularly, i tend to get the good ones, so that i dont have to keep buying tools over and over. Things that i might only use 1 or 2 times ill buy cheap, borrow, or go to the store and rent. But if i seem to use something 3 times or more in 1 year, its a good one after the 3rd time. (then i never use it again)

I have bought some good tools at sears (craftsman), wal-mart (stanley), Harbor Freight, Northern Tool.

I have bought some Impact sockets at Harbor freight. they are some good tools. I also got me 2 torque wrenches that seem to hold up good also.

As far as tool boxes, Harbor freight sells this... http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...net-68784.html and this... http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...est-68785.html . I have both at my shop. All drawers are full ball bearing, and the big drawers are double ball bearing ways. This is good to go with that setup also... http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...est-68787.html . I think its better than most craftsman toolboxes and 1/4 the price. This one looks good too, if you dont need the monster i got... http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...art-95272.html.

I have a stanley 3/8 drive ratchet from wal-mart, and 2 craftsman ones. I have NEVER had the stanley one slip, but one of the craftsman ones did. ( i was tryin to break loose a 3/4 socket head cap screw with a 2 foot cheater bar on it--I had it coming) I tore the wrench apart (just remove snap ring) and cleaned it up and it works fine now, but there is 2-3 teeth missing in the ratchet mechanisims now.

IF you can look on Ebay or craigs list, try and find proto, snap-on or those high end name brands if you can. THey are friggen awesome. expensive as he!!, but awesome.

 

I got so many tools I can't count them, but what I usually end up using the most is a pair of channel locks, adjustable wrenches, metric 3/8 and 1/2" socket sets and a dead blow hammer. I have lengths of galvanized pipe to use as breaker bars on my socket wrenches.