95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Your MUST HAVE Tools for Travel

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Old 07-26-2008 | 10:44 PM
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steanson's Avatar
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From: Dallas, TX
Your MUST HAVE Tools for Travel

OK< I searched and read for hours on end, and although SOME have touched on this, the replies have seemed to wander off into "the kitchen sink" type answers, so let me pose it THIS way:
If you had to assemble a tool kit, for HIGHWAY roadtrips, what size wrenches would you choose if you had a 14 slot wrench roll? When I had the mustang, I soon learned which size wrenches were the most common, and my kit consisted of (I've forgotten, but for example) 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4....and a couple 10mm 12mm. Same with the sockets, and I could get by with a 3/8 drive ratchet, except a giant 1/2" breaker bar with a two large sockets for lug nuts and serpentine tensioner pulley.
Everyone seems to suggest a Snap On tool chest full of every tool imaginable, but what I want is a kit with the bare necessities. I've also added:
-duct tape
-electrical tape
-utility cutter
-pliers (needle, lineman)
-crescents (large and medium)
-screw drivers
Anyone familiar with "road repairs" have suggestions on wrench/socket sizes? Silly question, but is everything metric (believe it or not, Fords have a nice mixture of both, and not ALL foreign cars are strictly metric!)??
Looking forward to hearing from those of you who are "in the know"...thanks in advance!
Old 07-27-2008 | 01:55 AM
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From: ATX/ Waco
I have yet to run into standard sizes with any of our Yotas, my Dodge was a different story, and 10, 12, 14, and 17 seem to be the most common. I have to carry a full tool box for school so I am very rarely missing a tool but you should be fine with 3/8's sockets, a few 1/2" thrown in the mix, plus everything else you mentioned.
Old 07-27-2008 | 06:57 AM
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From: San Jose, CA
I also carry a set of allen wrenches and a small kit of extra bolts, nuts and washers. Having some extra hardware on hand has saved me more than a couple of times.
Old 07-27-2008 | 08:46 AM
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Exactly what you said, but i would forget about the standard, from my experience i wouldn't waste my space with the standard.
8,10,11,12,13,14,16,17,18,20,22,24.
I guess that leaves you with 2 of your choice left over.
Your list and some extra hardware like UCD said would be ok.
If you don't already have a tow-strap, i would look into it as just a precaution.
Old 07-27-2008 | 09:16 AM
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From: Sierra Nevada's or the Deserts of Las Vegas
A couple more things to add:

zip ties (hold stuff from falling off the truck such as wiring if it comes loose)
WD-40
rubber mallet incase you have to "reshape" something so it will fit again

and x3 on the spare bolts
Old 07-27-2008 | 04:36 PM
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From: Central NJ
I have found that you will need a variety of tools, extensions and ratchets to work on any modern car.

Most used on out trucks would be 10,12 and 14mm. I carry in my road box for work the following:
Small prybar
1/4 drive deep and shallows from 5-13mm as well as standards.
3/8 drive shallow up to 19mm and 3/4"
1/4 ratchet
3/8 ratchet
1/4 3, and 8" extension
3/8 6" and 3" extension
3/8 breaker
1/2 breaker
SAE and Metric combination wrenches, up to 19mm and SAE equivilents
Channel locks
Vise grip
Needle nose and slip joint pliers
16oz ball peen hammer
larger deep sockets for big stuff, 19mm and on up
SAE and Metric allens
Torx bits
And alot of other junk..

Those tools will help ya, but dont expect to be able to replace alot of stuff just b/c of the angles and clearances involved. But with that set I have managed to do a heck of alot of roadside work.
Old 07-27-2008 | 05:16 PM
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From: vermont
i kinda surprised no one mentioned a tire plug kit
Old 07-27-2008 | 05:48 PM
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From: Central NJ
Originally Posted by drillin001
i kinda surprised no one mentioned a tire plug kit
That was the Etc i mentioned lol..

Whatever you do, DO NOT USE fix a flat!!! It ruins the tire and rim!
Old 07-27-2008 | 05:53 PM
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From: Branford, CT.
jumper cables, a couple tools: 10, 12, 14MM, small hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, tire plug kit and one of these:

Almost forgot, my AAA card and cash money!!

Last edited by HAVOC; 07-27-2008 at 05:55 PM.
Old 07-27-2008 | 07:53 PM
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From: ohio
In addition to many of the tools listed, I carry a Leatherman and a Maglight flashlight - always. I also carry spare bulbs.
Old 07-27-2008 | 08:04 PM
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From: quesnel b.c Canada
jumper cables are a must i'd say. lots of electrical gremlins come out after afew water crossings and someones junk runs out of juice
Old 07-28-2008 | 10:26 AM
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From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by 89dlx
jumper cables, a couple tools: 10, 12, 14MM, small hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, tire plug kit and one of these:

Almost forgot, my AAA card and cash money!!
I just tested that exact model of compressor yesterday before a one week roadtrip
Old 07-28-2008 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by scuba
Exactly what you said, but i would forget about the standard, from my experience i wouldn't waste my space with the standard.
8,10,11,12,13,14,16,17,18,20,22,24.
I guess that leaves you with 2 of your choice left over.
Your list and some extra hardware like UCD said would be ok.
If you don't already have a tow-strap, i would look into it as just a precaution.
Its def worth holding on to a 19 as well, there are a few of these on our trucks.

Extra nuts/bolts are a good idea...I'll have to add that to my 4runner tool box.
Old 07-28-2008 | 11:07 AM
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I have a small tool box I take with me that has all my recovery gear for when I'm planning to do some off roading. I have another tool box full of duct tape, black tape, tire repair plugs, spare spark plugs, spare belts, spare fluids, wrenches, hammer,ax, pliers, screw drivers, sockets all metric, spare radiator cap, wire, bolts, screws, nails.
Old 07-28-2008 | 11:18 AM
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From: Austin, Texas
Fluids is another thing i forgot, i always carry a gallon of water and like 2 quarts of oil
Old 07-28-2008 | 12:09 PM
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From: Monterey, California
extra batteries for that flashlight.
Cause it just sucks when these things don't break down that often, so when you finally need the flashlight its dead
Old 07-28-2008 | 12:18 PM
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occasionally ill bring my mother in law - that way if u get stuck - make HER walk for help...
Old 07-28-2008 | 06:15 PM
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What should you look for in an air compressor?

Any brand/model recommendations??
Old 07-28-2008 | 06:28 PM
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I carry a cell phone, spare tire and jack, and a credit card. I'm not being cute but I can't imagine carrying all that stuff for a highway trip. I also carry a firearm.

It seems to me that, if a part failed, you'd have to have transportation to buy a replacement. I'd call a tow truck before I worked on mine beside the highway. It's just not safe.
Old 07-28-2008 | 06:28 PM
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From: Bend, OR.
in my toolbox:

TOOLS
-air compressor
-another smaller air compressor
-hatchet
-rubber mallot
-8lb sledge
-metric socket set (6mm-19mm 12pt)
-standard socket set of equivalent
-2 1/4" drive rachets
-2 3/8" drive rachets
-1/2" drive rachet
-box full of misc extensions and 1/2" drive
-4 way lug wrench
-2 small bottle jacks
-1 small floor jack
-BFS (big ___ screwdriver)
-3 sizes flat screwdrivers
-3 sizes fillups
-needle nose pliers
-wire strippers
-channel locks
-2 adjustable wrenches
-prybar
-jumper cables
-multimeter
-soldering gun+solder
-misc wire

MISC
-air matress
-flat repair kit
-shovel
-D-rings
-tire chains
-20' tow strap
-10' tow rope
-chain
-medical kit
-balls and hitch

some of that stuff is actually under the back seat compartment in the cab but you get the idea... had to use damn near all of it on 3rivers trail last night



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