Essential tools for working on Jeep?

05 Blue Unlimited said:
I have never heard of Knipex but I am impressed the design.
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I had avoided the purchase due to the price and finally bought my first pair a few years ago. They are my #1 go to pliers in the workshop. Now, I rarely touch lineman or needlenose pliers. Other brands with similar designs are NOT the same as Knipex.
 
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05 Blue Unlimited said:
I have never heard of Knipex but I am impressed the design.
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I bought Snap On 45 years ago. As sockets they are still like new. Made the mistake of buying a few Snap On pliers and screwdrivers... garbage. Stick to what the manufacturer does well.

My Knipex are about 10 years old. Like Snap On sockets, ratchets, Indestructible and finely tuned, they are the best.

For sockets, I bought 12 point Imperial, and 6 point Metric. Makes it so easy to differentiate, sort them.
 
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billiebob said:
I bought Snap On 45 years ago. As sockets they are still like new. Made the mistake of buying a few Snap On pliers and screwdrivers... garbage. Stick to what the manufacturer does well.

My Knipex are about 10 years old. Like Snap On sockets, ratchets, Indestructible and finely tuned, they are the best.
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I have a set of Snap-On USA 6pt sockets and a set of Craftsman Chinese 6pt sockets. Maybe it's just me, but I can't tell a difference between them. For hex, torx, and phillips sockets I favor Snap-On and Craftsman actually does a very poor cut on their phillips which cams out. For ratchets, I haven't found better than my Snap-On fine tooth.
 
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This is a great thread for us N00bs out here!
I'm currently putting together a google spreadsheet to aggregate all of this information.

Once I get it assembled, I can share with everyone.

As for torque wrenches, I did a bit of research on most bang for the buck and picked up this one.

Lots of great reviews, curious if anyone has used it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL1NS/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
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billiebob said:
I bought Snap On 45 years ago. As sockets they are still like new. Made the mistake of buying a few Snap On pliers and screwdrivers... garbage. Stick to what the manufacturer does well.

My Knipex are about 10 years old. Like Snap On sockets, ratchets, Indestructible and finely tuned, they are the best.

For sockets, I bought 12 point Imperial, and 6 point Metric. Makes it so easy to differentiate, sort them.
Click to expand...

Definitely see how it would be easy to differentiate but never been a fan of 12pt, not on a seized bolt that is.
 
toximus said:
I have a set of Snap-On USA 6pt sockets and a set of Craftsman Chinese 6pt sockets. Maybe it's just me, but I can't tell a difference between them. For hex, torx, and phillips sockets I favor Snap-On and Craftsman actually does a very poor cut on their phillips which cams out. For ratchets, I haven't found better than my Snap-On fine tooth.
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For the money I find craftsman hard to beat, usually like most all of their tools. If you tear a non impact socket up on an impact, take it back and you get a free replacement. Snapon, Proto, blue point, Mac, SK, Kobalt, are all good tools. Some of the older phased out brands like proto and blue point were durable and had a “thin profile”. I hate a wrench that feels fat, makes it impossible working in tight spots. Yard sales and auctions can sometimes be places to find old quality tools for cheap.

When craftsman was still sears, their multimeter was only $20. Really nice quality and I’d consider it a must have to add to the list. Not sure what it sells for since they moved to Lowe’s.
 
My gun collection

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If you can afford it, buy this impact:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ith-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2767-20/302654201
Brushless motor so it lasts forever. 1,400 ft lbs of torque. I have never found a nut this thing could not bust. Took off a 36 mm F150 axle nut with ease that I couldn’t even budge with a 4 foot cheater bar. Completely destroyed a ball joint press. Definitely one of my most used tools.

I have had no issues with the Husky 1/2” impact socket set even with the impact wrench I use.

As for torque wrenches I recommend CDI Torque products. It’s a MATCO brand, and they’re a step down from the Snap-On line. They have a bunch of different sizes.

Combination jack/jack stands are a great time saver. Tractor Supply Co has the Powemaster ones. They go plenty high for most purposes.

Torque limiting impact extensions are great for blasting on lug nuts. I’m probably going to pick up a basic Husky set. Blast the lug nuts on with an 80 ft-lbs stick and finish them with a torque wrench set to 100.

Brake cleaner for light grease/oil, Goof Off for heavier stuff. WD-40 for cleaning and coating painted surfaces.

Air compressor, preferably with a large tank. Flexzilla hose bends easily without ever kinking.

20 lb fire extinguisher for the garage, 8 lb for inside the heep. Carbon monoxide alarm in the garage. Large supply of gloves, ear plugs, etc. Quality safety glasses.

3 amp battery charger to power the car stereo while working.
 
The list I’ve bought or used a lot since getting the Jeep...

1. Nitrile Gloves
2. Torque Wrenches (one for 20ftlb-80ftlb, the other for (75ftlb-200ftlb)
3. Socket set (including Allen sockets for my tranny, 14mm and 17mm)
4. Box/Open Wrench set (also want to add ratcheting wrenches)
5. Kroil (it’s significantly better than pb blaster in my experience)
6. C-Clamp (for ball joints, u-joints)
7. Needle nose pliers
8. breaker bars
9. Jack Stands (6t)
10. Floor Jack
11. Lots of zip ties and the like
 
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