What tools to carry?

[Sweetums]

I came here looking for exactly this 411.

I think that EDCs would/will change based on level of build also; as stock won't need some tools that a modded rig with adjustable arms may need, etc. Although, it may be worth carrying some extra tools in case someone in the group or even a stranger may need some help.

I'm considering picking up some Harbor Freight ICON tools for myJTR EDC. I've always been a name brand tool guy, but these days it seems that many tools have caught up while names like Craftsman might not be as good as yesteryear.

For close to 35 yrs I've been carrying an old Metwrench set which has been nothing shy of amazing.
Each socket/wrench is SAE/Metric in 1 and I think even working in a shop; I've only had a handful of bolts/nuts that rounded so bad the tool didn't work.

Issue is, now it's only sold in Europe and a small box is close to $350-400 delivered.

I bought some ICON stuff for my kit and was pretty impressed with the quality. The machining and finish work is on-par or better than my Gearwrench and Tekton sockets. My Craftsman tools from about 15 years ago are kind of junky by comparison and have largely been replaced by Husky, Tekton, and Gearwrench.

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[MudderNuker]

I carry DeWalt tool kit, DeWalt 20V air compressor, tree saver, shackles, snatch block, Leatherman multi, couple of knives, flash light, ratchet straps, Noco jump pack, two 2.6 Gallon fuel tanks, Traction boards, warn winch, winch damper and a Sgt. Knots recovery rope. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. I will be adding an overhead molle panel to organize and add a few things. Maybe a CB radio.

 

[Sweetums]

I carry DeWalt tool kit, DeWalt 20V air compressor, tree saver, shackles, snatch block, Leatherman multi, couple of knives, flash light, ratchet straps, Noco jump pack, two 2.6 Gallon fuel tanks, Traction boards, warn winch, winch damper and a Sgt. Knots recovery rope. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. I will be adding an overhead molle panel to organize and add a few things. Maybe a CB radio.

CB is great if that's what most people in your area use, lots of offroaders are moving to GMRS and Ch 16 is the "overland/offroad calling channel" (4x4=16 get it?). I know Easter Jeep Safari is still on CB, but most people I know are either on Ham or GMRS these days.

I have a handheld CB, handheld Ham, and handheld GMRS. Of the three, I think GMRS is the best option from a technical standpoint, but what is "best" depends on what radio the guy on the other end has.

 

[MudderNuker]

CB is great if that's what most people in your area use, lots of offroaders are moving to GMRS and Ch 16 is the "overland/offroad calling channel" (4x4=16 get it?). I know Easter Jeep Safari is still on CB, but most people I know are either on Ham or GMRS these days.

I have a handheld CB, handheld Ham, and handheld GMRS. Of the three, I think GMRS is the best option from a technical standpoint, but what is "best" depends on what radio the guy on the other end has.

Going to look for one of those radios. Thanks.

 

[Sweetums]

Going to look for one of those radios. Thanks.

I went with the Wouxun KG-935G remember you still need your GMRS FCC license. This is pretty easy to do and there are online resources with step-by-step guides.

But if no one in your area is using GMRS, your radio is just an expensive paperweight.

 

[MudderNuker]

I went with the Wouxun KG-935G remember you still need your GMRS FCC license. This is pretty easy to do and there are online resources with step-by-step guides.

But if no one in your area is using GMRS, your radio is just an expensive paperweight.

There are a few brands out there. Before I retired, I ran a SIGINT unit and my guys were really good at that. I used to buy them different kinds of radios for them to familiarize with them as well as being able to descramble their signals to listen to illicit activity over the radio and direction find them. Hyteras used to be one of the most common radios used by traffickers.

I don't know if GMRS is used by Jeepers in my area.

 

[brsnow2585]

The Harbor Freight Pittsburg 301 piece kit will give you almost everything you need save for some channel groove pliers and Torx T50-55 bits.

Harbor freight also has a torx socket set, 10 or so bits, I keep one of those on the wall in the garage and another in a little tray behind the back passenger seat, I think that's where the Bluetooth speaker is supposed to clip in. And always have a hammer. I'd also get some doubles of the 10, 18, 19, 21 sockets, they have a tenancy to go walkabout when you need them.

 

[brsnow2585]

What do you need a breaker bar for?

The front control arms have a couple bolts that are 120ft/lbs, I picked my whole body off the ground except my heels, hanging off a 20" breaker

breaking things lol. Nuts and stuff lol

(Don't mention the cheater pipe)

 

[brsnow2585]

I carry DeWalt tool kit, DeWalt 20V air compressor, tree saver, shackles, snatch block, Leatherman multi, couple of knives, flash light, ratchet straps, Noco jump pack, two 2.6 Gallon fuel tanks, Traction boards, warn winch, winch damper and a Sgt. Knots recovery rope. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. I will be adding an overhead molle panel to organize and add a few things. Maybe a CB radio.

Half dozen of those free harbor freight puck lights and good gloves. +1 on the Leatherman, sounds like our load outs are pretty similar

 

[MudderNuker]

The front control arms have a couple bolts that are 120ft/lbs, I picked my whole body off the ground except my heels, hanging off a 20" breaker

(Don't mention the cheater pipe)

I haven’t been able to loosen the control arms to install the geo brackets yet. I have a 24” breaker bar but won’t fit where the exhaust loop is. I bought a 24” wrench that fits but I can’t apply enough force with it if the car is only a few inches off the ground on stands. What a bitch.

 

[Sweetums]

I haven’t been able to loosen the control arms to install the geo brackets yet. I have a 24” breaker bar but won’t fit where the exhaust loop is. I bought a 24” wrench that fits but I can’t apply enough force with it if the car is only a few inches off the ground on stands. What a bitch.

I loosened the control arm bolts half a turn with it on the wheels and up on ramps to get enough swing with a breaker bar. Then I put it on the ground and on stands to get it the rest of the way off.

 

[Supazuk]

Oooh, nice! I've been thinking of getting an eGo chain saw, but fallen trees are much less of an issue in the desert.

In the past I have brought a chain saw for trail clean up / cuts
for trail rides I just bring a sawzall w/ a long pruning blade along with some metal torch blades.

In the Gladiator
I do have a small hand saw never know what a wind storm could blow down
I keep the same Red soft craftsman kit that another poster showed
tire plug kit, shovel shackles, straps, lots of zip ties and just put a mount for a high lift in the bed

 

[MudderNuker]

I loosened the control arm bolts half a turn with it on the wheels and up on ramps to get enough swing with a breaker bar. Then I put it on the ground and on stands to get it the rest of the way off.

When I tried loosening it was below freezing. It might have something to do with it.

 

[starrskream]

Figured I’d give an update to what I’ve been using this past year of ownership.
carhartt tool bag. This thing is amazing.
Fits perfect behind the seat too!
Plastic boxes are from harbor freight.

 

[uncle Salty]

For close to 35 yrs I've been carrying an old Metwrench set which has been nothing shy of amazing.
Each socket/wrench is SAE/Metric in 1 and I think even working in a shop; I've only had a handful of bolts/nuts that rounded so bad the tool didn't work.

I’ve had my set for about the same amount of time. In fact, i have 2. I think I saw it on an infomercial and it was buy one, get one 1/2 off. I was a Ford technician and I swear I put the tool truck guy’s daughter through college with all my purchases but those Metwrinch tools are my prized tool collection

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