Junkyarding Tips 101

I go all the time and I am constantly improving......adding things I need and getting rid of the things I don't use. Here's what I do:

I use a nylon tool bag (light but strong) with both handles and a shoulder strap. It has lots of pockets on both the inside and the outside. You can strap it over your shoulder when it gets heavy. I have used both the wagon/dolly with wheels and the bucket in the past . The wagon is too bulky for tight spaces and the lot I use has large rocks/pebbles as a base. It also has debris and parts from the cars scattered around so it does not want to roll well. It just tends to get hung up a lot. The bucket is just plain too heavy when filled plus the tools are at the bottom so when you fill it with parts they are not convenient to get to.

OK tools: A socket set with both metric and standard sizes is a must. Also you need the same sizes in a box head and open end wrench set. It sounds crazy but I have run across instances where only one of those will work. Also many different sizes and shapes of screw drivers are good. Very short (for tight places) as well as long for prying. I use a screw driver with replaceable heads so i don't have to carry multiple shafts around. You need some pliers and vice grips also some cutting tool like shears for wires and such. I take work gloves and protective eye wear for when you need to get in a tight space. I also take a pad of paper and pen to write down info when taking something a part also what row the vehicle is in in case I need to go back. Still no matter how well prepared you are you may still need to leave and go back with another tool as you simply can't carry everything with you.

Of course if you are getting a bigger part then you will need a wagon or dolly of some sort.

I don't mean to be saying my way is the right way, this is just what works well for me. As I said previously I am constantly changing my routine as I go two to four times a month. Good luck on your junk yarding, it's good fun.

OK, sounds like I just need to bring a shotgun... and make one of you take the parts off for me :)

Pull-a-part supplies complementary wheelbarrows and engine hoists. I have an old bowling bag that I take my tools in.

If you're really serious, an electric sawzall could come in handy. They have the cars on stands, but I still wouldn't get under a car without jack stands, so I take one aluminum collapsible jack stand with me.

Gary's has them up on steel wheels that are wellded together for stands, they are really solid

I was in one this weekend to take care of my cat wee doused Dodge Dakota bench seat -- I luckily found a couple of buckets in a Dak that were in slightly better shape. (As long as they didn't smell, I was going to be happy!) The local one I went to here in KC was indoors, so that made it nice . . . . well, the Dodges were outside still, but it was still nice. :-)

I guess I'll have to go lurking some more and see what else I can find.

neon4891 wrote: hack saw...just because

i raise you one and carry a cordless sawzall.

and keep a drill and good bits in the car/truck, you never know when the head of that last screw is going to strip out. i used that to get the roof rack for my astro.

chknhwk wrote: I'm surprised nobody is using a small wagon like at swap meets. I've seen them all over but never for sale. Where do you get them? I think they'd be perfect for junking.

My dad uses one but he buys a lot and sells it on e-bay. I thin its overkill unless you are getting large items. You will need a work van or pickup to get it to/from the yard also. You can get them at the home improvement stores "garden carts", swap meets, or tool stores.

the parts yards around here won't allow you on the yard without an escort, and they frown at anyone wanting to go after their own parts. the closest pick-a-part is almost 3 hours.

I have a few u-pull-it lots within an hour of Pittsburgh. I have a nylon tool bag and I always bring:

PB Blaster
A set of impact Metric Sockets with wrench
Socket extensions and Universal joint
A socket breaker bar
Medium phillips (plus impact driver if I am going after brake rotors)
Medium flat screwdriver
Wire Cutters
Pliers
Leatherman
Small flashlight
HUGE crescent wrench
Folding airport luggage dolly (for bringing out the heavy stuff)

That is all I have ever needed, unless I am going after something specific. The cars have jacks and crowbars for lifting, pressing, prying.

I have seen guys haul big toolchests around, no thanks! One guy had a medium-sized metal toolbox welded to the base of a dolly. Easy to grag around and good for bringing heavy items out. He looked liked he shopped there alot. Another guy had an old pram, AKA a baby buggy. He had his toolbox in it, and used it to carry out lots of parts. It looked silly at first, but then I noticed that it had a suspension and a hand brake. Crazy like a fox!

PRAM, yes, and the big wheels help for going over rough surfaces

I'll be looking into the sturdy shoulder strap canvas tool bags. I haven't brought any of my "good" tools to the 'yard though. I loaded duralast sockets, HF wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers. I have 1/2 and 3/8 ratchets, no brand and made in taiwan that seem to be workhorses and I wouldn't feel bad if I lose them.

So far i've found a spark plug socket, a good stanley hammer and some stanley pliers in the yard. I don't want to accidentally donate any of my good tools to someone by forgetting them so I bring the cheapies.

I've been voting a bunch of these tips up, but it also occurred to me that a lot of them would also be good candidates for the Tech Tips section.

Maybe I missed this in an earlier post, or maybe it's stupid-obvious. The most important tool to take to the junkyard is the correct vehicle! I suggest an SUV with a large cargo capacity (like a Subaru wagon) that also has roof storage. A pickup truck is always nice too if you have one available. I always make sure I go with a friend now (he's got a Subaru, I have nothing worth mentioning). His brother, our friend, and I all went to a yard, pulled two doors off a Bronco and had enough room to sit comfortably.

Last thing you want to do is show up (like so many wal-mart shoppers with bigger eyes than cars) and buy a whole bunch of E36 M3 and not have anywhere to put it.

Tim Baxter wrote: I've been voting a bunch of these tips up, but it also occurred to me that a lot of them would also be good candidates for the Tech Tips section.

All of the posts on my screen (for both pages) say Votes: 0. Is that just because I haven't voted yet, or is it only seen by GRM staff?

You should be seeing it. Pinchvalve's pram post above now has two votes.

I need to get my ass out to the junkyard...

I carry a nylon tool bag if I'm after something specific. If I'm just window shopping, I take a ratchet, extension, metric socket set (on a organizer), screwdriver (has reversible shaft with 2 flat heads, 2 phillips), and wire cutters. I can carry those essentials in my pockets and I walk back to the car for the bag if I find something good.

As for the right car, I drive a Miata so that limits what I buy anyway. Still I've fit a Miata Torsen in the trunk more than once.

I also use the U-pull-it to try stuff I wouldn't on my own car. I've taken apart doorlock sets, traced wires, tried removing interior trim. I'm not trying to break stuff, but I'd rather break a door panel tab, etc on a junked car before doing it on my own!

OK, after yesterday i really want a cordless impact gun with two batteries. And I need a way to haul my tools. After 3 hours working in the heat I was sick of the toolbox but used a lot of the tools.

I'd add to it some way to get wheel locks off as a certain civic with coilovers has wheel locks holding the wheels on. I'll either work around it or get them off. The yard said they won't help.

I'm going to go back and check on the size of the adjuster collars to see if they'll work on my car.

For wheel locks, this is the final answer:

http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd100516

BTW, I hate wheel locks. When I worked at a dealer back in college, I'd say at least 50% of the owners of cars with wheel locks who came in for service had absolutely no idea where the key was. The tools above were utilized quite often :).

Gotta get some of those.

Here's another tip: depending on size of lot, consider leaving heavy tools in the car till you need them.

As much as i like having tools at my fingertips I think I'll leave the BFH in the car till i really need it (today it was in my box). Would have been less worn out without it.

Also, climbing onto the hood is a good way to scope out the lot and spot target cars. Easier than going up and down each isle.