By Marc Ingham on Friday, June 15, 2001 - 10:26 pm: Edit

I have just purchased a 95 Discovery, and have vowed to learn to maintain it myself. I am also starting to think about modifications. I have a paltry selection of mechanics tools, and am thinking I will go get a decent set in the $300-$400 range. I am thinking Craftsman because of the warranty and convenience of the local store. Any feedback or advice? Any particular tools that I need to be sure are included with regard to the Discovery?

Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie.

By Mike R. on Friday, June 15, 2001 - 11:08 pm: Edit

To start, I'd get metric & English size combination wrenches, 3/8" sockets (deep well & shallow) in metric and English and 3/8" ratchet. I'd also get 1/2" sockets and ratchet as well. The 1/2" ratchet works for the differential drain/fill plugs and t-case drain & fill plug. Later, get stubby wrenches and then line wrenches for brake work. This should cover most of the basics.

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 12:24 am: Edit

Also, you should consider a torque wrench and a Shop Manual (can be had at a lot of places, I got mine from http://atlanticbritish.com but probably paid more than I had to).

There are some big nuts/bolts on your Disco that don't often come in a set. The 27 MM lug nuts, the 1 1/8" drain plug, etc.

I am also building up my set of tools and would appreciate any comments from the DIY'ers out there.

By dave on Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 05:39 am: Edit

A set of 12 point sockets is a must. You need them for a few common jobs.

By Mike B. on Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 10:11 pm: Edit

By all means, get a good tool set. Craftsman (Sears), Husky (Home Depot), and Cobalt (Lowes), and a couple of the other major brands are all made the the same manufacturer, so the particular brand is not all that important. I spent a little over $100.00 for my basic tool set at Home Depot (they are very close). I then purchased some of the individual tools (usually Craftsman because they stock the largest variety of tools) that thought that I would need (floor jack, jack stands, 10" and 12" Cresent wrenches, Vise Grips, etc.) I also purchased an 18" breaker bar and 1 1/16" socket to remove the wheels. The stock lug wrench sucks in my opinion.

I'd recommend a LR Discovery Workshop manual. It is pretty good and tells you the specialty tools that you will need for a particular job. Luckily for me, once I see that the specialty tool that is recommended, I have been able to devise my own substitute that works pretty well.

I also agree on getting a good torque wrench. It will help. The Craftsman top of the line torque wrench is only warranteed for 1 year, whereas their cheapie is warrantied for a lifetime. Go figure.

Best of luck on your decisions and welcome to the 'club'. You will definately be much happier owning a Disco if you wrench on it from time to time.

Thanks,
Mike B.

By Marc Ingham on Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 10:21 pm: Edit

Thanks for all the input, guys