Recommend a toolset

[3TV]

JJ, Do some research on brands. Pick the brand you will live and die with and then shop price. Recommendations by members and the Torque Test Channel #1 Ratcheting Wrench? ICON vs Snap-On, MAC, Gearwrench, Tekton & More

If you must buy Harbor Fright tools, skip the Pittsburg line and get the Icon line. Big difference.

Roaniecowpony always has the cool tech stuff. Interesting video, thanks for the link.

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[Snacktime]

You really don't want a kit, by the time you piece together the odds and ends it will cost you more. Look hard at what you are getting, sizes matter and buy the big items first.

You really want 13mm through 27mm so you can do control arms
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in...al-deep-impact-socket-set-14-piece-59746.html

Long handle flex head, avoid rubber grips.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-professional-long-reach-flex-head-ratchet-64706.html
Breaker bar
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-25-in-professional-breaker-bar-64820.html

Wrench set needs to be large and you want 2 of several sizes like 17mm, 18mm, 19mm. So no matter what you are going to be buying a few loose wrenches to make make a real kit. I would pick up what ever is on sale. Drop the wrench on the concrete floor and the one that has a higher metal ring is the better wrench.

 

[Mocopo]

In my experience, tool quality speaks more to how long it will last, rather than how effective it is in the first place. I buy cheap tools for the vehicle kit because they'll only ever see a few uses over their lifetime. If my trail rig is a little more of a rust bucket project vehicle, I'll use higher quality tools with the expectation they'll get used more. And my home garage is slowly getting swapped out for the highest quality.

I also started with some all in one kits. Great starting point, but you will have to augment the kit with more as you learn what you need. This is why i recommend doing as much work on your own vehicle as possible, because then you'll be more familiar with what you need to pack.

My first rig i bought an all in one kit... by my 3rd off road rig, I started just building my own.

 

[There’sOnlyOne]

Wow, it is Mopar for Jeep But so expensive

You can build it yourself for half the cost with quality brands. YT has a few vids to help. Between Lowe's, HD, Harbor Freight and Amazon (Tekton,Gearwrench and many other brands) you can find all u need and then some for less money. But the Jeep kit is cool.

 

[Thrillhouse74]

Expensive but I just picked one up to keep in the back

https://www.amazon.com/Mopar-Jeep-Pieces-68640356AA-JP0002/dp/B0CL5KB6FQ

I was looking at this, but then stumbled on the guys from Dirt Road Cred building that kit at Harbor Freight for about half the cost.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I was looking at this, but then stumbled on the guys from Dirt Road Cred building that kit at Harbor Freight for about half the cost.

I built up as close as I could to that kit in Tekton tools and it was about $485. So, depending on how that quality compares to Tekton, or Harbor Fright (as you proposed) that kit seems pricey to me, because I don't believe it would compare to Tekton.

 

[Snacktime]

It would be hilarious to watch someone try and use that little breaker bar in the jeep kit.

 

[flick2614]

Are we talking tools to bring on the trail here or to have at home? I really hope y'all aren't lugging around a 4,500 piece kit on the trails.

At home I have a pile of tools, all kinds of brands I've collected over the years split between tool boxes. For the life of me I don't remember buying any of them but it's all there when I need it.

On the trail I just take an impact with a handful of deep sockets, monkey wrench, channels, multi-tool, zip ties and a few assorted tools that fit random stuff. I figure if I need anything else I'm likely towing home anyway.

 

[3TV]

After last weekend I now carry a 1 3/4" long 5/8"-18 bolt and an 11/16" wrench in my Jeep's tool kit. That is the size of the bolt that holds the heim joint on the end of a PSC Ram onto the clamp on the tie rod. Sometimes finding out the hard way is best for determining what you need to carry with you.

And speaking of tools at home. It was nice to already have a 5/8-18 tap to clean up the threads on the tie rod clamp.

 

[Nitehawk92]

If Craftsman was still a thing, I'd suggest that. My dad swore by those for his workshop when I was growing up. I still have several pieces here and there, but since the Sears debacle, I dunno if the brand still exists or even has the same quality from back in the day.

My Dad bought a Craftsman socket set in the 1955. The head sheared off the rachet of it in 1995, and he took it back and they gave him a whole new rachet. He got 40 years out of it and then got a new one. He didn't even have the original receipt. Lifetime warranty...

 

[Gangplank]

I

My Dad bought a Craftsman socket set in the 1955. The head sheared off the rachet of it in 1995, and he took it back and they gave him a whole new rachet. He got 40 years out of it and then got a new one. He didn't even have the original receipt. Lifetime warranty...

I was just looking at some of the Craftsman Mechanics tool sets that they sell at Lowes. Some good deals right now.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-VERSASTACK-Mechanics-Tool-Set/5014463547

 

[roaniecowpony]

Are we talking tools to bring on the trail here or to have at home? I really hope y'all aren't lugging around a 4,500 piece kit on the trails.

At home I have a pile of tools, all kinds of brands I've collected over the years split between tool boxes. For the life of me I don't remember buying any of them but it's all there when I need it.

On the trail I just take an impact with a handful of deep sockets, monkey wrench, channels, multi-tool, zip ties and a few assorted tools that fit random stuff. I figure if I need anything else I'm likely towing home anyway.

My trail is not 4500 pieces. It's only 4398 pieces. Don't shame me.

 

[Gangplank]

Actually started checking out the Dewalt Kits and they look good.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...-0-22-in-Medium-Tool-Box-DWMT45430H/324815262

 

[roaniecowpony]

After last weekend I now carry a 1 3/4" long 5/8"-18 bolt and an 11/16" wrench in my Jeep's tool kit. That is the size of the bolt that holds the heim joint on the end of a PSC Ram onto the clamp on the tie rod. Sometimes finding out the hard way is best for determining what you need to carry with you.

And speaking of tools at home. It was nice to already have a 5/8-18 tap to clean up the threads on the tie rod clamp.

Carrying some bolts for key areas is a good idea. I have a small collection including a trackbar bolt/nut and some assorted stuff. I'm looking for some wheel studs. Those unit bearing bolts in the front axle would be a good idea. I had a useful bolt when someone had a key bolt fall out on the trail this past spring .

 

[slimfl08]

Alot of the so called "kits" at big box stores still are missing some of the bigger sizes as folks mentioned for LCAs and other items. They are a good start, but you'll still need to buy additional items that are more specific.

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