Back into an '05 after several years away , what tools does everyone carry with them

[cwarner]

Just looking to put together a small tool kit for minor road side repairs. Things like replacing a thermostat, belts, tensioner , fuel filter. I don't plan on rebuilding a front end or anything on the side of the road, so just some type of minimal tool kit.

 

[seafish]

Doubt that you'll need the thermostat, but Genos garage sells a roadside "boonie" box with some of those times in it for a discount that is also backed by their stellar customer service.

http://www.genosgarage.com/BOONIE-BOX-03-07-59L/productinfo/BOONIEBOX0307/#.Vaa8QN7lOM4

 

[cwarner]

Thanks, for the heads up but I've already got that, it came with the truck. Just looking for specific tools.

 

[bighammer]

VISA card.

 

[Crunch]

Just looking to put together a small tool kit for minor road side repairs. Things like replacing a thermostat, belts, tensioner , fuel filter. I don't plan on rebuilding a front end or anything on the side of the road, so just some type of minimal tool kit.

When I bought my '03 I decided to utilize the frame tube that is located in front of the back wheels as a storage compartment. I bought two standard test plugs that plumbers use for kitchen sink drains. They are like a freeze plug, comprised of two metal plates on either side of a rubber donut with a bolt and wing nut to compress it. On the driver side of the tube I keep basic oil change tools--a 1/2" drive ratchet, two extensions, a 1 1/8" socket for the fuel filter, a reducer so the extensions fit the oil filter wrench (kept under the back seat) and a slotted screw driver to pry the reducer off the extension. In the passenger side of the tube I keep some general tools like small pliers, screw drivers, etc. The tools on both sides are wrapped in rags, and the bundle is stuffed into a white gym sock. The test plugs have never leaked, so I'd feel secure in storing pretty much anything in there. I've always thought that if I ever took a trip to the mountains or a wilderness area I would stuff the frame tube with beef jerky and Slim Jims. I bet several hundred would fit in there so if things went south people could survive for at least a month before resorting to cannibalism. I would think that a thermostat and serpentine belt would fit in there no problem. Just make sure you have a pull string on a backer so stuff doesn't get stuck over the drive shaft.

 

[HerbW]

I also carry an a Cummins brand sockets/wrenches tool kit, OHM meter, an extra injector, an injector solenoid and the tools to roadside change it with. I also printed the torques and procedures of the things that may need fixing like belt replacement and pattern it goes around the pulleys. Knowledge is everything! A plug in 12 volt light is great too. I also carry tarps and rope to build me a rain shelter and mud free ground cover if I need to get under the truck! This all fits behind my back seat on one side. I'm a planner! LOL

 

[HerbW]

I like your frame tube storage thoughts. I'll have to check that out. I'll have to do that tomorrow when I can see. Thanks

 

[BMelhuish]

Craftsman makes a tool set that has SAE/Metric sockets and wrenches, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 rachets, some extentions and adapter, SAE/Metric hex wrenches. I added a 1/2-3/8 adapter and a 17 mm combo wrench. Here's the link: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-230-...p-00950230000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7 I also have a cheap set of tools that I bought at ACE that has screw drivers, pliers, adjustable wrenches, etc. I will also take a remote battery jumper. I just keep them in the tool box or under a seat. I had to use them off and on, but fortunately not for any major repairs. I don't take many spare parts with the sole exceptions of tire plugs and fuel filters.

 

[Wayne M.]

I have a similar road box similar to above plus the special tools outlined in the injector article to cap off a line and swap one out. I've been very fortunate to not have needed any of it in 10.5 years.

 

[Grizzly]

Besides all the hand tools others have already said, I always carry a AAA Plus card. With that card you can be towed 100 miles, have fuel taken to you if you should run out, fix a flat tire and others emergency needs.

 

[wcjp]

I carry a spare water pump in the truck camper for the Cummins.

 

[Crunch]

I like your frame tube storage thoughts. I'll have to check that out. I'll have to do that tomorrow when I can see. Thanks

I've never regretted doing the frame tube storage. Check for the test plugs at both Lowes and Home Depot. IIRC, the Home Depot test plugs were a lot thinner than the test plugs at Lowes. The only problem I've had is with paint. I used a spray primer and flat black spray paint to match the frame tubes, but since 2003 I've had a lot of chips take off both, right down to the silver. If you use some sand paper and rough up the metal before doing the primer it might work better. But if you know a place that will do powder coating cheap that would be the way to go. What's funny is the number of people who tell me that would be a good way to smuggle drugs because of the rubber seal. But several years ago I showed them to a cop friend, and I'm guessing he's passed the word around and scuttled the way to slip that one by. One other thing I've learned the hard way. In the past when I have changed my oil I've sat the plugs on the leaf springs because it was a handy spot . Funny how they don't fall out as soon as you start moving and hit the road in a place where you never find them. After a replacing a few of them over the years I've learned to put them in the bed when I remove them. Here are a few images of how they look:

This is a view of them as installed in the truck:

This is just the bindle with basic oil change tools--1/2" drive ratchet, two extensions, 1/2" -3/8" reducer (for the oil pan plug), a slotted screw driver and the 1 1/8" socket I use to remove the fuel filter. The sock is a nice way to bundle them, and I also have a rag wrapped up inside. The frame tube on the passenger side has more screw drivers and a few pairs of pliers. Too bad the oil filter wrench doesn't fit:

This is a picture of the test plugs before and after painting. The two plastic plugs were just a test to see how they worked. They fit, but were only a tension fit. Very cheap, but I thought they would fall out on rough roads and was glad I went with the metal test plugs:

One thing I've added since then is a red, rubber cap over the threads because someone told me that "hidden compartments" are illegal in some states and I didn't want the hassle if I got pulled over and some cop wanted to roust me. My thinking was that the frame tubes themselves are not hidden, and the plugs wouldn't change that fact, but added the rubber caps just to make them more visible and maybe save me some hassle. You never know when you might end up in New York or New Jersey.

 

[Wayne M.]

Hey that's a neat idea. I forgot about that tube because I put the liners in so long ago. Also a good point about the possible legal implications with hidden compartments. Regarding NY/NJ, there are other hard liners. VA OH and CT come to mind. No matter, if I had something like that going on, full disclosure is the best route.

 

[Crunch]

Hey that's a neat idea. I forgot about that tube because I put the liners in so long ago. Also a good point about the possible legal implications with hidden compartments. Regarding NY/NJ, there are other hard liners. VA OH and CT come to mind. No matter, if I had something like that going on, full disclosure is the best route.

If you can devise an efficient tethering system you could also get a serpentine belt in the frame tubes. One thing I've been meaning to add but keep forgetting is a flexible mechanical claw. It's one of those things you might not use a lot, but when you need one, you really need one. It would also require a decent tethering system so it doesn't get pushed too far toward the center of the tubes and leave you with no way to pull it out. The sock bindles I have are pretty snug, and sometimes I have to jiggle them around so they fit in the tube.

 

[Shadrach]

VISA card.

I like that :-laf

I carry a belt and a fuel filter under the back seat. Because I have a canopy with a storage box inside I carry basic tools, such as wrenches and sockets, pliers tape and wire.

All you really need is Duct tape and WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't use the tape. If it doesn't move and it should use the WD40.