Packing Tools

[RockMonkey]

One of the things I always struggle with when packing for a trail is what tools to bring. I never know what I'll need, so I end up bringing all sorts of sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. I decided to start keeping track of what tools are required to perform common fixes, so I can eventually have a good list of required tools to take on the trail.

Today I swapped out the axle shafts in my front Dana 44. I started with fully assembled front axle shafts, so I didn't include the tools needed to assemble the joints. I included only the tools needed to disassemble the front axle, swap the axle shafts, and reassemble it. I used exactly 10 items from my tool box, not including the jack. Anyone want to take a stab at what tools I used?


It's a front Dana 44 from a 79 Bronco.

 

[Herzog]

1) small allen wrench if you have warn hubs
2) small screwdriver to pry that outer clip out
3) circle clip pliers
4) hub nut socket
5) 9/16 socket
6) larger allen wrench for brake calipers
7) ratchet
8) girly lotion
9) corona
10) flash light because it was dark?

 

[Herzog]

I also keep essential tools to tear apart certain components in a tool bag designed for the rig.

 

[UNSTUCK]

Snap ring pliers, 1/4 in allen socket/wrench, spindle nut socket, 1/2 in rachet, screw driver, hammer, 1/2 in socket, 1/2 in wrench, 3/8 rachet, 3/8in allen socket/wrench.

 

[RockMonkey]

1) small allen wrench if you have warn hubs
2) small screwdriver to pry that outer clip out
3) circle clip pliers
4) hub nut socket
5) 9/16 socket
6) larger allen wrench for brake calipers
7) ratchet
8) girly lotion
9) corona
10) flash light because it was dark?

1. I have Warn Premium hubs. What size Allen wrench?
2. Yes
3. No
4. Yes
5. No
6. No
7. What size ratchet?
8. No. I did wear gloves, but they are not included on my list.
9. I wish, but no.
10. No.

So you got 2 of them, and partial credit for 2 more.

 

[RockMonkey]

Snap ring pliers, 1/4 in allen socket/wrench, spindle nut socket, 1/2 in rachet, screw driver, hammer, 1/2 in socket, 1/2 in wrench, 3/8 rachet, 3/8in allen socket/wrench.

no, no, yes, yes, yes, yes, no, yes, no, no.

5 out of 10 isn't bad.

 

[Herzog]

9. I wish, but no.

So you were drinking natural light?

 

[UNSTUCK]

no, no, yes, yes, yes, yes, no, yes, no, no.

5 out of 10 isn't bad.

must be a 3/16 allen for the hubs, and the screwdriver counts again towards the c-clip. Must be 5/16 bolts that hold the spindle on. Did you two 1/2in wrenches instead of the socket and rachet? And if it's not an allen that holds the caliper on, it must be a larger bolt, maybe 1/2in. So i'll change that guess to a 3/4 wrench.

 

[lewis]

I purposely have a little toolbox that I carry in my trucks toolbox and when I work on my truck I use nothing other than whats in that toolbox. Sometimes it sucks not being able to use better tools but I have never been without a tool I needed on the trail.

 

[Maverick]

I started doing that when I had a big metal tool box. I thought of having lots of little bags like "alternator bag" and "powersteering bag" and "axleshaft bag" and "fetzer valve bag" but I figured before too long it would be too redundant.

I ended up with "portabags". I have a small main bag with most of the tools that I use most often. If I find that I use it a lot, it ends up in this bag. I upsized this bag once from 10" to 12". If I don't use it much or the bag gets too full, it goes in the bigger bag.

This stays in the eXcursion unless I'm actually wheelin' in the jeep. When using the jeep to commute, I don't put the bag in it, I don't want it walking away.

The other bag is bigger (18") and has the 1/2" stuff, plus some specialty tools in smaller bags. It lives in the back of the eXcursion and usually doesn't go in the jeep unless I'm on a remote trail.

The next iteration will actually be closer to what you suggest...ie, hub tool and other "jeep" things that are in the bigger bag actually stuck in a bag that stays in the jeep all the time. Actually, I just need to take those things and put them in the jeep, adding to the list below...ok, in a bag.

There are a few things that do stay in the jeep:

• a rollup with gear-wrenches, pliers, channel-locks, screwdrivers, dikes. Oddly, doesn't get used much.
• A multimeter in the center console.
• A spudwrench and bag of cheap metric and sae wrenches jammed in between the doorsill and cage, used a lot (easy access)
• a small nylon envelope bag with tire guage and valve stem remover,
• another small nylon envelope bag with multitool, can opener, fuses and some other crap (I need to look in it again)
• fuel pump zip-tied to cage
• used to have u-joints in console, need to put them back
• fluids, jack behind the back seat
• flashlight under my seat

Portabags go on the floor behind my seat and down in front of the fenders on the side of the back seats. Straps and winch bag go on sides jammed in the cage.

 

[RockMonkey]

must be a 3/16 allen for the hubs, and the screwdriver counts again towards the c-clip. Must be 5/16 bolts that hold the spindle on. Did you two 1/2in wrenches instead of the socket and rachet? And if it's not an allen that holds the caliper on, it must be a larger bolt, maybe 1/2in. So i'll change that guess to a 3/4 wrench.

Way too big on the allen wrench for the hubs, I'm not running the outer axle shaft snap rings. Haven't run them for years. No snap ring pliers were used. I used the 1/2" wrench on only one bolt per side.

 

[RockMonkey]

I started doing that when I had a big metal tool box. I thought of having lots of little bags like "alternator bag" and "powersteering bag" and "axleshaft bag" and "fetzer valve bag" but I figured before too long it would be too redundant.

I ended up with "portabags". I have a small main bag with most of the tools that I use most often. If I find that I use it a lot, it ends up in this bag. I upsized this bag once from 10" to 12". If I don't use it much or the bag gets too full, it goes in the bigger bag.

This stays in the eXcursion unless I'm actually wheelin' in the jeep. When using the jeep to commute, I don't put the bag in it, I don't want it walking away.

The other bag is bigger (18") and has the 1/2" stuff, plus some specialty tools in smaller bags. It lives in the back of the eXcursion and usually doesn't go in the jeep unless I'm on a remote trail.

The next iteration will actually be closer to what you suggest...ie, hub tool and other "jeep" things that are in the bigger bag actually stuck in a bag that stays in the jeep all the time. Actually, I just need to take those things and put them in the jeep, adding to the list below...ok, in a bag.

There are a few things that do stay in the jeep:

• a rollup with gear-wrenches, pliers, channel-locks, screwdrivers, dikes. Oddly, doesn't get used much.
• A multimeter in the center console.
• A spudwrench and bag of cheap metric and sae wrenches jammed in between the doorsill and cage, used a lot (easy access)
• a small nylon envelope bag with tire guage and valve stem remover,
• another small nylon envelope bag with multitool, can opener, fuses and some other crap (I need to look in it again)
• fuel pump zip-tied to cage
• used to have u-joints in console, need to put them back
• fluids, jack behind the back seat
• flashlight under my seat

Portabags go on the floor behind my seat and down in front of the fenders on the side of the back seats. Straps and winch bag go on sides jammed in the cage.

WTF is a fetzer valve?

I thought briefly about organizing tools into individual job bags, but there are so many tools that are used in many different jobs (1/2" and 3/8" ratchets, 9/16" wrenches, etc.) that you'd have to duplicate many tools to make it work, and then you're back to carrying way too much. Rather, I'd like to just figure out the tools that I don't need for nearly any repair that's possible on a trail, and avoid carrying them.

 

[Spork]

WTF is a fetzer valve?

You need to replace it when you change your blinker fluid.

 

[cannoncrawler]

I used to carry all sorts of tool on the trail. I just got sick of carrying 120 tools and only using 20.

downgraded to just a regular small toolbag, and small socket set that fit under the seat and an ammo can with 1 gal oil, 1 gal water, 1 gal gear oil. a bottle jack, some wire and connectors, and a cheap craftsman air comp. that plugs in the Cig lighter. I have yet to need more than that.

 

[UNSTUCK]

Way too big on the allen wrench for the hubs, I'm not running the outer axle shaft snap rings. Haven't run them for years. No snap ring pliers were used. I used the 1/2" wrench on only one bolt per side.

Well my mind was thinking 3/32in.