What's in your tool kit?

I'm getting ready for a 1600 mile trek, in a 20 year old truck, towing a 18 year old boat, to a lake in Tennessee, so I went through my travel tool kit to make sure it's all there.

Every time I sort through this thing, I think I'm carry way too much stuff. The only time I have ever used it was changing the head gasket on a boat, but I just know if I don't haul it, I'll regret it.

I just replaced the old boxes with water tight ammo cans because this kit goes with me in the Samurai.

It all packs down into these.

Mine looks a lot like yours, though I typically don't take any power tools (other than cordless impact to race days). That said, if I have a breakdown that takes more than the most basic of tools, I figure my AAA Gold will get me to someplace where there's someone I know that lives, who has tools :)

To be honest, I don't carry much of a toolkit at all when doing long-distance in the WRX or Sequoia. I carry one like yours in the e30 when going to rallycross though (as well as plenty of spare parts).

I like the ammo can idea though. I have a bunch of those sitting around that I may have to use. My big toolbox is always a hassle to fit into the car with all my other gear.

I need to get some big ass pry bars-er...screwdrivers for mine.

I also entertain the idea of ammo cans. I'd attach magnets to the bottom to thwart moment in the back of the 4Runner.

Looks solid to me. I think yours has a bit more to it than my travel kit. You have power tools and both standard and metric. I generally only carry metric as my cars are all metric. I like the ammo cans, they are near indestructible.

That looks fairly complete and I love the ammo can idea.

I'm glad you posted this. I was just having one of those "I'm packing too much crap" moments and was about to thin my kit out.

Aside from the power tools, that's almost exactly what I have (except I bias standard/metric based on vehicle). Otherwise I'd add some WD-40, duct tape, jumper cables, hose clamps, knife, tire plug kit, and a tow strap.

I had a bit more with my Toyota 4x4 though after I had a spark plug core fall out on a drive (the noise it made had we worried I'd thrown a rod!). Then I added a bore scope, mechanical fingers, and a few extra plugs.

For my Mazda RX-7 I added a cap and rotor to the kit after I had a distributor rotor come apart. Started as a weird "ticking" that just stopped when I suddenly lost a LOT of power...

The hose clamps came about in an old chevy van I had. One of the radiator hoses let go right at the clamp. The clamp broke when I went to remove it. In the end we were able to cut the hose back, re-attach it, and zip tie it in place for the rest of the day, but I would have preferred a hose clamp.

have fun on your trip!

I use ammo cans to mount taillights on trailers. Bolt one on each side in back, cut hole in the back of it, insert rubber grommet taillights. It also gives me tool/ tie down/ spare parts storage built in.

Looks good to me except I would trade the power tools for more screwdrivers, including torx, ratchet extensions/ adapters and 6-sided wrenches.

I agree with all that suggested add more screwdrivers (torx too), ratchet extensions & adapters and leave the power tools at home at a minimum. A few deep well and larger sockets wouldn't hurt. Am I missing seeing ratchets at all?

What kind of air compressor is that?

The ratchets, sockets and extensions are all in the two yellow bags, marked SAE and Metric, on the bottom right. I was too lazy to dump the bags. Unfortunately, I have a mix of cars and need both sets.

The blue and red handle screwdriver is one of the multi tipped ones like Woody posted.

The blue thing in the middle is a inverter, not a compressor. Used for charging all kinds of stuff. I carry a compressor on the Samurai, but not for regular travel.

As far as the torx stuff, I don't know if anything I own has torx screws or bolts. I have a set in my shop box, but I almost never use them. I'll have to think on that.

The little impact drill, I probably use more than any other tool in the kit. There is a full set of tips for it and being a lazy man, I'll grab it before I use a screw driver. It's staying.

Yours is more extensive than mine - specifically the power tools and inverter, and the sledge and some stuff - but that makes sense for an off road kit. Also, my boat doesn't have a motor. I do see a couple ideas I'm going to steal though - the individualized socket bags and the idea of an external, water proof box.

One thing I just picked up since it's a tow rig is one of the gigantamous box end wrenches that fits both common sizes of tow ball nuts. I usually carry a big adjustable wrench, but it won't get the bigger size and it always worries me to put a huge amount of torque on an adjustable wrench. Seems like I've needed one two or three times while out - different trailers, friend's truck, etc. I found ways to get the stuff done but it required, um, creative solutions that might not have been the easiest or safest options.

a good tool kit is the best insurance in an old vehicle because you will never break down as long as you have it. As my sainted father always says, "Never drive an old car without tools farther than you want to walk home."

I carry a Leatherman with me wherever I go. Mine has the flat little "bit driver," and I have a set of Torx bits that go in my belt pouch. I've fixed a couple cars at autocrosses with it.

The ammunition box idea is awesome, by the way.

That is a very nice kit. I've never though of the ammo can till now. Guess I'll be stopping at the army surplus store on the way home today

Considering I'm about to do a 625 mile trip in a 35 year old Spitfire this weekend, this reminds me I need to evaluate my own travel tool kit. Fortunately, I will have an escort vehicle, so I can probably carry too much if I want.

cell phone barrs leaks gallon of water gallon of antifreeze quart of oil spare tire and tools to change it wheel chock

Needs a black jack tire plug kit. http://www.blackjacktirerepair.com/kt-200

That's waay too much for me.

Half the challenge is to try to do the repair with only a leatherman, a banana leaf, and whatever lubricant-like slime I can scrape off the bottom of the child seat.

Seriously, my 2 issues would be: those boxes are way too heavy, and they will have to pack too tight, which would require me dumping almost everything out. I hate that.

My standard does not include all the box wrenches (an adjustable, and a couple of common size ratcheting box wrenches), a single 12" long organizer bar of assorted sockets, a stubby reversible 3/8" socket, no sledge, and no power tools. I can lift my box with 1 hand easily (and I also have some basic electric, plumbing, and carpentry repair tools). I also do not have both SAE and metric. (Never met a car that HAD to have both in an emergency). Much of the rest is the same.

But, for your cross country trek with a 20 year old, I think you've done pretty good.

Toyman01 wrote: The ratchets, sockets and extensions are all in the two yellow bags, marked SAE and Metric, on the bottom right. I was too lazy to dump the bags. Unfortunately, I have a mix of cars and need both sets.

No Whitworth? :)

For autoxing, I bring just enough tools to change a tire on the truck/trailer, or to mount the winch on the trailer. (It's an open trailer and I store it at a storage lot, so I don't leave the winch attached permanently).

For track days I tend to bring a bunch more, grabbing them out of my tool chest. I really need to buy a dedicated set of "take with me" tools.

i carry my cell phone, but then again i stay within 50 miles of home 90% of the time