What's a good basic tool kit ??

[Geomoss Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Geomoss]

Hi all

I need your help.

I'm not at all mechanically minded, but can attend to basic fixes if the problem is obvious enough, and was wondering what kind of tools I might need to pack in my 2002 Prado TX, to tighten the odd bolt or whatever.

I have numerous spanners, sockets, screwdrivers and the like but don't know what sizes and types I need.

In another car I owned, I think it was my subaru brumby, it stated in the manual what sized nuts, bolts and screw heads etc I was likely to encounter to carry out basic maintenance and emergency repairs. In the Prado manual under tools, it just talks about the jack and the wheel brace.

I really don't want to carry around a whole lot of stuff I don't need, but also don't want to look like a totally unprepared idiot if something does go wrong and I'm in the middle of nowhere.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks
George

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

The typical socket sizes you may encounter are between 8mm and 24mm and depending on the sort of repairs you want to attempt, 35mm.

Here are some typical socket/spanner applications based on my experience
8mm and 10mm bolts are often used for electricals and small fittings. 12mm bolts are used on a the stone guards, side steps and engine belt tensioners. 14mm bolts are used for the Engine and auto transmission sump plugs. 24mm bolts are used on rear diff and transfer case drain and filler plugs.

A good set of Allen heads is useful too. The front diff plugs use Allen heads and so too to the front sway bar linkages.

Other tools that I keep are a ball joint separator, circlip pliers, jumper leads, funnel and various fluids and an oil filter wrench (for servicing, not field repairs)

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

what everyone else carries will vary but in my kit i have full set of 1/2drive metric sockets, 3/8 drive metric sockets, set of o/e ring metric spanners, various screw drivers, pliers and multigrips, a few shifters, a hammer, hose clamps, cable ties, jumper leads and 100mph tape, all this fits in a bag in my drawers, as well as varies crimplugs if i cant fix it with this gear im in trouble. cheers samo

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/conne...car/total+care

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

You have said yourself that you have numerous spanners and sockets. Grab them and go outside and slide under and crawl through you car and see what fits where and maybe mar those tools with paint, nail polish or electrical tape so when you go on a trip you can dig them out of your tool kit to pack. The only way you will learn is to do it yourself.