Tools?

dcaven

Well-known member
Nov 16, 2007
99
1
Houston, TX
I used to own a sailboat and sold all of my tools with it. Right now I have zero tools but now have a 2003 Disco II. Would someone recommend a good set please? I want enough to do most repairs myself without getting any really specialty items until I need them. Thanks.

David
 

pdogg

Well-known member
Jul 18, 2005
1,216
29
Phoenix, AZ
The best tool you can have with these vehicles is a credit card...

seriously... basic metric wrenches and sockets... standard set too...

OBDII reader is almost a must also, to stop you from going to the dealer or elsewhere to check codes..
 

dcaven

Well-known member
Nov 16, 2007
99
1
Houston, TX
Thanks. I actually have access to a reader but wasn't sure if I needed both a metric and standard set of regular hand tools. I'll look at Home Depot.

David
 

scottjal

Well-known member
Mar 16, 2006
1,484
0
Nashua, NH
scottjal.ath.cx
Well if buying new I would suggest avoiding 12 point sockets as much as possible, they always round stuff off. Stick with 6 point sockets.

Can't have too many screwdrivers either, short, long, many sizes, offset, changeable bits etc. There is a decent amount of pozidriv and a couple security torx in there too.

Big selection of open/closed wrenches for the hard to reach stuff. Many times nothing else will reach but these.
 

jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
35
Los Angeles, Ca
scottjal said:
Well if buying new I would suggest avoiding 12 point sockets as much as possible, they always round stuff off. Stick with 6 point sockets.

Can't have too many screwdrivers either, short, long, many sizes, offset, changeable bits etc. There is a decent amount of pozidriv and a couple security torx in there too.

Big selection of open/closed wrenches for the hard to reach stuff. Many times nothing else will reach but these.

How would you remove twelve point bolts, such as calipers, exhaust manifolds, and valve covers? If you have good quality sockets and are using the correct size (standard/metric) you shouldn't have a problem with twelve point sockets.
 

btp98w

Well-known member
Jun 3, 2005
739
0
Loo-es-ville, KY/Sheboygan, WI
Sears has Craftsman sets of all different sizes/prices. Their kits usually have most of what you need for working on your truck, ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers, etc. Hit up your local Sears and check out what they have. Spend the money on a good torque wrench too. Stay away from the Craftsman floorjacks though! On my second 4 ton low profile, high lift jack in less than a year(replaced under warranty)!! Hell the first time I used it, it left a puddle of oil under the jack. Things a p.o.s., glad it was a gift. The hand tools are great though.
 

adriatic04

Well-known member
Mar 22, 2007
2,506
2
cleveland, oh
I got a 250 piece craftsmen set, been really pleased with everything it has, plus it is lifetime warranty, just take it in and get something.

These tools work well for me, and have provided me what I need thus far.
 

brianhoberg

Well-known member
Apr 16, 2007
4,003
0
47
San Antonio, TX
www.brianhoberg.com
I would say start with a good craftsman set from sears, get a good jack, and a good set of jack stands. The rest of your collection will come as you need it. No sense in going out and spending an assload of cash on tools if you never will really use them. Most people will find that out of all your tools you own (as an amateur or driveway mechanic) you really are going to use only a small percentage of them. A good basic craftsman set, a couple of sets of specific sockets, and you really are set. The rest just makes it easier to wrench with.
 

DiscoNDixie

Well-known member
Jun 4, 2005
90
0
Sams CLub has an awesome set of laser etched ChannelLock brand socket set. I have had one for about two years and it has both metric ans SAE. Three sizes of ratchets and shallow and deep sockets. All for about $70 with lifetime warranty. I like Craftsman too; however, I would not pay a premium for them. Remember Sears is now owned by Kmart. DnD
 

AMCM Disco

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2006
475
0
Cali
Home Depot and Lowe's do haggle prices for open boxes or sets with one or more pieces missing - picked up a really nice set of metric/standard combination and sockets (350 pcs) Husky's for $60 - had to buy ONE 1/2" combo wrench to fill it in and the case has a small crack in it.

I found that most tools ended up being procured during the various repairs as I encountered them...
 
B

Beard

Guest
harbor frieght has a dcent "super" heavy duty 3ton floor jack that i got on sale for 60 bucks
thing weights 100lbs
i saw horid reviews on craftsman jacks on various sites

ull need a cheap set of torx with 50 55 sockets if u ever need to remove a seat belt or seat. usually find a 8 peice set at advanced or somin.

def have a can of pb blaster and a can of kroil

usually ull be pretty set if u wait till a craftsman set goes on sale for around 175-200 bucks
craftsman quality has gone done yes.. but i have no issue when i slide a 2ft sleeve over my 1/2" ratchet and use it as a breaker bar.. one time amazingly i sheared the peice that the socket attaches too.
 
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jackp

Well-known member
Dec 11, 2005
368
0
Forest, VA
www.bikesunlimited.com
jymmiejamz said:
How would you remove twelve point bolts, such as calipers, exhaust manifolds, and valve covers? If you have good quality sockets and are using the correct size (standard/metric) you shouldn't have a problem with twelve point sockets.

True...and more manufacturers are going to 12-point.

A quality 12-point (Snap-On, Craftsman, MAC) will work just fine.

Avoid Harbor Freight and the cheap Chinese made crap tools for things like sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers.
 

SGaynor

Well-known member
Dec 6, 2006
7,148
162
52
Bristol, TN
jymmiejamz said:
How would you remove twelve point bolts, such as calipers, exhaust manifolds, and valve covers? If you have good quality sockets and are using the correct size (standard/metric) you shouldn't have a problem with twelve point sockets.

Unless the bolt is rusted on there. More contact area (ie, six sides vs 12) is always better. Use the 12 point only when absolutely necessary.
 

lrsafari

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2007
163
0
Sacramento, Orig Phoenix
CostCo has 8 piece (IIRC) ratcheting combo wrench sets, SAE and metric for about $25. I have beat my sets and they are still gong strong. Now I am not a professional, 24/7 mechanic, but for Rover repairs, great price. Cheaper than HF, and CostCo forever warranty as well.