What’s in your toolkit?

Just curious what tools you carry for roadside/trail-side maintenance or repair. Thinking about what I’d *need* rather than what’s nice to have. Wrenches? Sockets? What sizes? Fuses—just the minis or do you carry spares for the bigger types as well? Screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters, what else?

 

I carry a 1/2” drive breaker bar with 21mm impact socket for tire change if needed. The OEM lug nut wrench doesn’t work very well or provide enough leverage for me.

 

Daily driver:

• Factory tire changing tools
• Simple Tire repair kit
• Rubber Mallet/hammer
• Recovery gear/winch controller
• Jumper cables/compact jump box
• Gloves
• First aid kit

When on the trail or out in BFE, i add:

• Full costco 3/8, 1/2 drive socket/ratchet set
• Spanner/wrench set
• Spare serpentine belt/serp belt tool
• Duct tape/spare bolts/hose clamps
• Spare cv axle
• Spare inner/outer tie rod end
• Tie rod end tool kit
• Spare seals/axle end covers
• 35mm socket for front axle nut
• Various hand tools (pliars, screw drivers, etc)
• Torque wrench, breaker bar
• Compact impact drill w/ charger and spare battery
• Hack saw, leatherman, box cutter.
• (All of that fits in a rooftop harbor frieght rifle case)

A good way to think about it is: “what’ll stop me dead on the road or trail”? and “what’s likely to break”:

1. Most common issue: tires
2. If i use my spare and get another flat, i’ll try to repair.
   
3. If that fails, i’m going to sacrifice a wheel and tire and drive that sucker until i get somewhere safe.
4. Steering issues: immobilized. Gonna want to be prepped
5. Front axle issues: not immovable, but much less capable. Front axles are highly durable with careful driving up to 34’s. 35”+? Bring your tools.
   
6. Rear axle/driveshaft issues: never heard of them, especially with rear diff armor. Up to 35-37’s with normal driving.
7. Blown radiator hose/serpentine belt: immobilized. Easy fix with proper replacement belt or duct tape/spare water.
8. Fuses: not common but good to have.
9. Brakes: no common issues, but maybe worth bringing a quart of brake and steering fluid Just in case?

Etc, etc…just research common issues and prep for them…

 

I know there are tons of these threads but this is a good list.

If I got a flat, I would try and use the tire repair kit, if possible, before using the spare (if out in BME).

 

Thanks for reminding me, I carry an 18" long breaker bar and impact socket for the same reason but forgot to check the lugnut size to see if what I had still works...

 

Great list @bigdaddy2021 — curious whether you think a 3/8” metric socket/wrench set should be enough for most common issues, perhaps aside from your axle and wheel lug sockets/breaker bar? I saw some carry SAE as well — is that more for good samaritan help than for the 4Runner? Mainly trying to figure out how to *not* replicate my toolbox at home.

 

i’d say you’re doin’ pretty well on everything but some drivetrain/suspension work with a 3/8” set, yeah. Even some drivetrain work is fine with a 3/8’s set.(driveshaft bolts for example) Skidplates/bumper hardware is usually fine with 3/8’s or even 1/4”.

 

I'm still building my toolkit out, but I found a socket set that checked all the boxes that I think is worth sharing (there are so many, and they are missing something, or have things you don't need). Quality manufacturer, mid-range price, metric only, 6mm-24mm standard and deep, with ratchet, extensions, and u-joint.

https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-6-point-socket-and-ratchet-set-skt15201

I ordered the 35mm deep socket, 5/8" spark plug socket, and 3/8"x1/2" adapter while I was at it.

 

Safety glasses. Never, ever use jumper cables or a jump box without them.

 

What's BME?

 

I carry two of these, because I'm always losing my 10mm

Basic 4Runner Toolkit

 

Besides the basic tools and the "what if" assortment I'll add, zip-ties, disposable gloves, hand cleaner and paper towels/rags.
I carry all the tools in smaller canvas bags and those go into a larger canvas bag. Like the black ones we get a HF.

And since we have Toyotas, we're usually fixing other peoples junk.

 

BME.
Could be, Bum Muck Egypt?

Could this be the start of a 3 word game?

NoNo Steve, don't go there.

 

No one is packing MREs? Tsk tsk

 

I carry a roll up tool bag with the following in my vehicles:
Socket set & wrench
Ratchet combination wrenches
Screwdrivers
Pliers (channel locks, regular, needle nose, and linesman). I find I use the linesman mostly for random tasks camping.
Fold out Allen wrenches (kind of like a Swiss Army knife style)
Leatherman (best tool ever! - make sure it has a saw and file or metal cutting tool. It sucks to use on larger things but will cut through something in a pinch)
Gorilla tape (1” wide)
Electrical tape
Bright survey tape (trail marking ribbon)
Zip ties
Crescent wrench
Fuses
A couple feet of tie wire
Rag/towel pieces
Toilet paper
Bandaids
Hammer
A few random screws, nails, and large bolts/nuts
Flashlight and extra batteries


Some items are duplicate in my first aid kit too, but if I grab the tool roll I am in pretty good shape. The bolts/nuts may not be the “right” ones, but I have had limped a vehicle off a mountain with them in a pinch. If I go off road, I throw a tool bag in that has my 18v ridgid 1/2” impact and impact sockets, as well as a 1/2 breaker and a few other things.

the roll bags are awesome. I write what’s in each ouch with a sharpie for quick reference.

I was a Boy Scout, so still live with “be prepared”

 

You're kidding?