Main essential tools

[FredVenne]

Good evening,

I would like to know if any of you have ever did a list of the essential tools that are needed to fix most common issues. I mean in a scenario that you are self sufficient on the rd. It looks like that I am carrying waaaaay too many tools that I never use... but what if.

Thanks,

Fred

[legionnair]

Crappy tire socket set, a set of wrenches, a set of pliers, vise grips, a half inch breaker bar, some spare wire and electrical connectors. I carry this all the time it fits in a small tool bag very nice

Dustin

[nvanadm]

What i've done is just started a tool kit that I keep in the van. Any tools that I use or have used on the delica go into this tool kit (specific wrenches, sockets, extensions etc.) It grows a little every time I do something new. But now I know that if something were to happen while on the road I would have most tools to deal with the situation. It seems kind of silly to bastardize my tool sets, but if I need something that's not in my house I know where to find it.

The only problem with my system is that I'm not prepared for something that isn't common. But if that's the case, i'm probably not the one to be working on it anyway.

[legionnair]

The above tool set I bought as a spare wait for a good set a crappy tire to go on sale and you should be able to put together everything you need for %70 of repairs for $200

[FalcoColumbarius]

• I got the Crappy Tire kit (150 pieces for $100 on sale?). It's been very useful.
  Also channel lock pliers;
  three pound lump hammer & cold chisel;
  screw gun with multi-driver;
  soldering pencil;
  pry bars;
  collapsible shovel;
  come-a-long;
  bolt cutters;
  Eliminator booster/compressor/inverter battery;
  rubber tipped spring loaded clamps (2);
  Stihl 16" bar chainsaw;
  splitting maul;
  tyre star;
  chains;
  tyre chains (with baling wire);
  and an excellent trouble lamp that clamps onto the battery terminals that Pablo & Anna gave me.

Falco.

P.S.:

• Zap straps;
  duct tape;
  tyre repair kit;
  tow straps;
  black sash cord;
  various bungees;
  electrical accessories.

FC.

[FredVenne]

Thanks for your response everyone. The reason why I am asking this is because I have 2 sets of sockets, imperial and metric. And I think the Delicas only use metrics, so I can ditch the imperial. And also, I don't think we need all socket size. That is why I was asking, wich size sockets are to be used.

Cheers,

Fred

[doodah]

What about essential spare parts?

[Tojo]

In my kit under the rear bench seat:

- Kinetic rope and shackles
- Spare Fuses and some wire
- Baling wire and side snips
- 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 20 mm and 22 mm long and short sockets, 3/8" and 1/2" drive
- 3/8" and 1/2" extensions
- same size as above closed end wrenches
- 24" breaker bar
- 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket wrenches
- 200 watt pure sine wave inverter
- Waterproof matches
- Space blanket
- Work gloves
- Pliers various
- Screwdrivers various
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Coolant hoses
- Belts various
- Tube of permatex high heat silicone

Add more stuff when I go longer distances.

Cheers,
Tojo

[doodah]

Yeah, I used to carry a lot of that stuff too when I owned my Westfalia..... Lol

[Tojo]

Doodah,

LOL! Yeah the Westies are a labour of love for sure. Not sure why I keep wrenching on that thing, except I guess I'm a glutton for punishment, and I really like the layout. Did the air flow meter last year, alternator before that, starter motor before that, just fixed the rotten coolant pipes with stainless steel ones, replaced the coolant distributor with a CNC aluminum one, replaced most of the Botched electronics with more Botched electronics, but now I keep spares! ha ha...the list goes on.

It seems that with the Delica's, so far anyways, that the failure points are more predictable, and the symptoms are easier to read.

[doodah]

But I still miss my 76 Westy... The layout was perfect for the four of us as we travelled thru the states and Mexico.... But the air cooled engine and heater combo sucked on our ski trips!!

Secretly, I would love another one for camping....

[pajerry]

My only tip would be to buy a set that has every metric size upto at least 24mm, or buy it seperate, you need it for diffs. Then you are almost golden as far as Ive experienced.


The problem with most chinada tire sets is that they almost always skip increments. For example, if you buy too small of a set they don't have the 17 mm, or anything bigger than 20mm. Buy a bit bigger and they only go to 22 with some more imperial sockets and hex keys. Never with deep dish sockets. Buy the biggest and they have far too much, its huge and half you don't need, plus you have to still carry a tool kit with random tools. The wrenches are open ended, very shit for mitsu bolts. The 'craftsman' tools lately are shite. I don't care about the price or supposed return policy if they make wrenching more difficult.

I only do maintenance on one vehicle for the past four years with my current crappy tire sockets, and I already have to replace my 1/2" socket wrench since the mechanism is so loose I swear it worked on the streets.. I literally have to hold the top so the ratchet engages without slipping when on the clock stroke.

To get a hassle free mitsu kit had to basically basterdize two sets to get what I wanted over the years from cheap tools and have a kit that should do most repairs. Looks just like Tojo's minus the inverter, and plus more like visegrips of ever shape, a 24mm socket, a soldering pen, multimeter etc

Honestly, if I had to do it again I would try to track down a metric snap on kit or something similar that is built with some integrity and in every size I need. Let me know for next time.

Falco we have a similar list but I dont get the rubber clamps, screw gun and bolt cutters? Unless of course you're planning on breaking into/out of something!

[FalcoColumbarius]

All my Cdn Tire wrenches are both open and box ends. I get that they aren't Snap-On tools but they are cheap and relatively dependable. They are both metric and imperial, I seldom use the imperial (because the Starwagon is metric) but sometimes one might need a bolt and what if the bolt available happens to be imperial? Also, there may be a need for tools that isn't wagon related. Basically ~ I paid $100 and got a compact tool kit that has most, if not all that I have needed, and it doesn't require a great deal of space. Incidentally, I have a selection of ratchet wrenches, as well.

The rubber tipped clamps get used for a number of applications ("apps" for all you I-pad guys). They are paramount for my ghetto awning, being fast to attach the tarp to the gutter rail; when it's a cold day and the tailgate struts require assistance they do that job without damaging the shaft because of the rubber tips; they are also good for holding things in place ~ like when working on something on my cargo unit, &c..

Screw gun is also a drill ~ but it also works like an impact gun, say pulling off a skid pan or something. Although... it is a bit of a luxury. The bolt cutters are one of those tools that is seldom used but can be a god send in a dire situation.

Falco.

[pajerry]

All good points, thanks Falco.

What do you use for the awning for the ghetto awning? Looking to rig one up on the cheap/free.

[legionnair]

At work I have almost all snap-on / Mac tools but for a similar set from crappy tire you will spend up wards of $500. The reason they skip sizes is because they overlap in imperial ie 17mm is 11/16 or 16mm is 5/8, etc. Also snap-on replacement depends on the dealer some are great some are not.
For a home wrencher they are more than adequate.

Dustin