Impact Driver vs Impact Wrench

[jeepdabest]

Again, please forgive my ignorance in such matters. If I had to chose ONE to work on my Jeep...which one would do me the most good...and why? Thanks so much in advance for your help.

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[OldGuyNewJeep]

Again, please forgive my ignorance in such matters. If I had to chose ONE to work on my Jeep...which one would do me the most good...and why? Thanks so much in advance for your help.

Define “work on my Jeep.” Do you just mean routine maintenance - oil changes, tire rotations, filters, diff fluid, etc.? If so, you don’t need either, though I’d go with the wrench to easily remove lug nuts for tire rotations if I was hell bent on buying a new tool (as I often am).

I use my impact driver a LOT around the house, but not for the Jeep... I don’t own an impact wrench, but lug nuts would be my only use if I did. I do have a Milwaukee M12 electric ratchet which is super useful.

 

[jeepdabest]

Define “work on my Jeep.” Do you just mean routine maintenance - oil changes, tire rotations, filters, diff fluid, etc.? If so, you don’t need either, though I’d go with the wrench to easily remove lug nuts for tire rotations if I was hell bent on buying a new tool (as I often am).

I use my impact driver a LOT around the house, but not for the Jeep... I don’t own an impact wrench, but lug nuts would be my only use if I did. I do have a Milwaukee M12 electric ratchet which is super useful.

So basically all bolts other than lug nuts can be removed without power tools?

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

So basically all bolts other than lug nuts can be removed without power tools?

Even the lug nuts can be removed without power tools. Heck, you can just use the tire iron that came in your Jeep if you’re a masochist. An impact wrench would just make rotating tires go really fast.

So, yeah, no power tools required for maintenance (or for removing the doors and top, for that matter).

If you don’t have a good socket set, I’d spend my money there, to start. A 3/8” set would be fine, but I like having a 3/8” set and also a 1/2” set for bigger things (like lug nuts). Tekton makes fabulous and affordable sets.

TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBH736Z?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

TEKTON 1/2-Inch Drive Socket Set,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYZ2IJ5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Get yourself some torque wrenches, too.

TEKTON 24330 3/8-Inch Drive Click... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMPKAD0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

TEKTON 24335 1/2-Inch Drive Click... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5ZL0RU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

You also will need a good floor jack to make tire rotation easy. Harbor Freight for the win, there.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-heavy-duty-rapid-pump-floor-jack-64260.html

 

[beaups]

1/4"/hex impact driver for removing and installing many fasteners, especially when space is limited. There are great impact drivers with depths as low as ~5". 1/2" impact wrench for high torque situations where clearance isn't an issue. E.g. lug nuts, suspension fasteners etc.

 

[jeepdabest]

Even the lug nuts can be removed without power tools. Heck, you can just use the tire iron that came in your Jeep if you’re a masochist. An impact wrench would just make rotating tires go really fast.

So, yeah, no power tools required for maintenance (or for removing the doors and top, for that matter).

If you don’t have a good socket set, I’d spend my money there, to start. A 3/8” set would be fine, but I like having a 3/8” set and also a 1/2” set for bigger things (like lug nuts). Tekton makes fabulous and affordable sets.

TEKTON 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBH736Z?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

TEKTON 1/2-Inch Drive Socket Set,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYZ2IJ5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Get yourself some torque wrenches, too.

TEKTON 24330 3/8-Inch Drive Click... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FMPKAD0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

TEKTON 24335 1/2-Inch Drive Click... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5ZL0RU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

You also will need a good floor jack to make tire rotation easy. Harbor Freight for the win, there.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-heavy-duty-rapid-pump-floor-jack-64260.html

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me!

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me!

You’re welcome.

I keep this as a note on my iPhone to make maintenance shopping easier. Walmart has the best price on Mobil-1 oil and MOPAR filters. Note that I have the 3.6, so disregard if you have the turbo.

Oil Capacity:
5q 0w20

Oil Filter:
MOPAR MO-349 68191349AB/AC

Air Filter:
MOPAR 68257030AA

Cabin Filter:
MOPAR 68301863AA

Diffs:
75/90 in the front and 75/140 in the rear - Royal Purple Max GEar

Sockets:
8mm air filter
22mm lugs
13mm oil drain plug
24mm oil filter cap (torque to18lbs)
3/8” socket wrench with no socket for diffs

 

[jeepdabest]

You’re welcome.

I keep this as a note on my iPhone to make maintenance shopping easier. Walmart has the best price on Mobil-1 oil and MOPAR filters. Note that I have the 3.6, so disregard if you have the turbo.

Oil Capacity:
5q 0w20

Oil Filter:
MOPAR MO-349 68191349AB/AC

Air Filter:
MOPAR 68257030AA

Cabin Filter:
MOPAR 68301863AA

Diffs:
75/90 in the front and 75/140 in the rear - Royal Purple Max GEar

Sockets:
8mm air filter
22mm lugs
13mm oil drain plug
24mm oil filter cap (torque to18lbs)
3/8” socket wrench with no socket for diffs

You da man!!

 

[blnewt]

1/2" socket for your oil drain plug and 13/16" for your filter cap are tight fit, the metrics have some play, not a big deal on the oil cap since it's not very tight but best to have a perfect socket fit.

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

1/2" socket for your oil drain plug and 13/16" for your filter cap are tight fit, the metrics have some play, not a big deal on the oil cap since it's not very tight but best to have a perfect socket fit.

That might depend on how many points your sockets are... metric sizes are from the manual.

 

[blnewt]

That might depend on how many points your sockets are... metric sizes are from the manual.

Similar to the LCA nuts, some have used 24mm and have had issues rounding the heads whereas 13/16 is the perfect fit. If you have both sockets on hand try the SAE sizes, I think you'll see a pretty noticeable difference. I always use 6pts FWIW.

Having a bit of play on a 20ft lb fastener is no biggie really, but on those 190ft lb LCAs it is

 

[No IFS]

“First of all, an impact wrench is designed for fastening and loosening sockets. They’re used for things you’d normally use a wrench for when doing automotive work. When a regular wrench just can’t cut it for whatever reason (lug nuts are on too tightly)”

“Now let’s talk about impact drivers. First of all, an impact driver is designed to drive fasteners through the wood. They can also be used to unfasten screws and nuts and even drill holes (to a certain extent).”

Taken from this tool website : https://toolpowers.com/impact-wrench-vs-impact-driver-what-is-the-difference/

 

[beaups]

First of all, an impact wrench is designed for fastening and loosening sockets.

No.

 

[No IFS]

No.

Argue with this tool website below. I didn’t have any idea so I searched it , all the answers were basically the same as below. IDK

https://toolpowers.com/impact-wrench-vs-impact-driver-what-is-the-difference/

 

[D60]

I try to avoid using an impact driver when wrenching because I hate adapting 1/4" hex to square. There's considerable loss in the twist of the tiny 1/4 hex shank.

Some guys swear their impact driver removes their lugnuts - fine, whatever works for you.

The adapters also add length to the tool, which is rarely beneficial.

The Milwaukee M12 stubby is a nice all-around cordless impact if you don't need huge power.

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