Tool Kit ideas

[Bill Guerre]

So I have been working on a 90 Comanche for some time. Took a 2wd and swapped it to a 4wd. Now that I’m finally have the swap complete I now get to do the fun stuff which figuring out the storage in the bed. I think I know how I want to set it up however, was wanting to see what members have done for tool storage and how you stored it to keep them quiet on the trail. Thanks!

 

[TerryD]

Right now I'm using a 20mm Ammo can I bought online as the tool box. I then have the tools in tool pouches with like items together. Pliers and screw drivers in one, wrenches and socket sets in another. Then a Rubbermaid kitchen container with misc in it (screws, tape, fuses, ect). I have a 32oz ball peen hammer, hi-lift rebuild kit, shackle, hi-lift clamp bracket, and tree saver in the same box.

This setup might change in the future. I'm looking to swap over to some totes. When I do that, I'm considering a BROG tool bag when I do that and then also store my spare fluids and spare parts in the tote with it. I've not found exactly what totes will work for my plans yet, but I'm in the market.

 

[Bill Guerre]

Right now I'm using a 20mm Ammo can I bought online as the tool box. I then have the tools in tool pouches with like items together. Pliers and screw drivers in one, wrenches and socket sets in another. Then a Rubbermaid kitchen container with misc in it (screws, tape, fuses, ect). I have a 32oz ball peen hammer, hi-lift rebuild kit, shackle, hi-lift clamp bracket, and tree saver in the same box.

This setup might change in the future. I'm looking to swap over to some totes. When I do that, I'm considering a BROG tool bag when I do that and then also store my spare fluids and spare parts in the tote with it. I've not found exactly what totes will work for my plans yet, but I'm in the market.

Very cool. Thanks.

 

[smritte]

One thing I try to do with my tool kit is make basic repairs and maintenance with it at home. This way you stay familiar with where everything is and can see what you need to add. When I first started building my current rig, I used the tools in the vehicle to rotate the tires. I learned two things. My jack didn't work properly and my lug wrench didn't fit my new rims. This weekend I did a part time conversion and front axle upgrade. I learned that I didn't have a socket for my axle/transfer-case drain plugs. Everyone has a different version on what you need to carry. I also have all my tools in pouch's separated by type.

Scott

 

[Road]

I've always hauled my sockets, wrenches, gauges, hardware bits and all that stuff in my old metal Craftsman tool box with tray. I got it and a full set of tools when I was 19, literally forty-five years ago for like $49.99. I still use the box and tools regularly. Every once in awhile I empty out the whole tool box and wipe out all the crud in the corners, clean all the tools from last year's grit and grime and oil it the box all up. Sometimes just spray WD-40 all over inside of it.

Man, the memories that flood back when messing with a tool box you've had and used regularly for forty five years; very cool.



The tool box fits snugly into the built-in side box inside the side doors to my van, so is usually fairly easy to get to when working. The box is pretty full so not a lot of rattling, but sometimes I do put some shop rags in there to muffle any noise from big bumps etc. It's never really bothered me. I wouldn't leave the tool box out just on the floor of my vehicle though. It would be a deadly missile in the case of an accident.

BUT - for camping and long-distance travel I've wanted a way to keep my more-used tools closer at hand without having to move whatever was on top of the side cabinet and then digging the whole tool box out. It's pretty heavy.

I researched a bit and ended up with the tool roll from Blue Ridge Overland Gear and have to say I love it. It has six removable pouches, molle straps and velcro on the outside, rugged zippers to close it all up, and strong webbing handles to haul the whole bag when you want. The whole tool bag slips under a seat or just about wherever you want it. You can even strap it down if need be. I keep mine on the floor under the end of the bed right inside the side doors to my van; always easy to grab or open right there and take whichever pouch I want.



I segregate my tools by type; box wrenches, pliers, cutters, etc. Here's a post I made on insta last fall of the bag laying open on my trailer tailgate when I was out in West Texas:


The great thing about having separate pouches is that you can grab and go with what you want and don't have to haul your whole toolbox.

Now I can use my old Craftsman box for odd-n-ends like tubing and wiring, zip-ties, parts, etc.

They have a new smaller capacity tool roll, too. Poke around there at BROG, they have all kinds of cool shit.

I keep my other, larger tools like breaker-bar, long-handled torque wrenches, tire-repair kit, etc in the side box still, all nestled and snug and rattle free.


.

 

[Bill Guerre]

I've always hauled my sockets, wrenches, gauges, hardware bits and all that stuff in my old metal Craftsman tool box with tray. I got it and a full set of tools when I was 19, literally forty-five years ago for like $49.99 and still use them all.Every once in awhile I empty out the whole tool box and wipe out all the crud in the corners and oil it all up. Man, the memories that flood back when messing with a tool box you've had and used regularly for forty five years; very cool.

View attachment 52095

The tool box fits snugly into my built-in side box inside the side doors to my van, so is usually easy to get to when working. The box is pretty full so not a lot of rattling, but sometimes I do put some shop rags in there to muffle any noise from big bumps etc. It's never really bothered me. I wouldn't leave the tool box out just on the floor of my vehicle though. It would be a deadly missile in the case of an accident.

BUT - I've wanted a way to keep my more-used tools closer at hand without having to move whatever was on top of the side cabinet and then digging the whole tool box out. It's pretty heavy.

I researched a bit and ended up with the tool roll from Blue Ridge Overland Gear and have to say I love it. It has six removable pouches, molle straps and velcro on the outside, rugged zippers to close it all up, and strong webbing handles to haul the whole bag when you want. The whole tool bag slips under a seat or just about wherever you want it. You can even strap it down if need be. I keep mine on the floor under the end of the bed right inside the side doors to my van; always easy to grab or open right there and take whichever pouch I want.

Now I can use my Craftsman box for my odd-n-ends like tubing and wiring, zip-ties, parts, etc.

View attachment 52094

I segregate my tools by type; box wrenches, pliers, cutters, etc. Here's a post I made on insta last fall of the bag laying open on my trailer tailgate when I was out in West Texas:


The great thing about having separate pouches is that you can grab and go with what you want and don't have to haul your whole toolbox.

They have a new smaller capacity tool roll, too. Poke around there at BROG, they have all kinds of cool shit.

Very Cool, that's awesome that you still have your old toolbox. I have had my craftsman that about 10 years old. lol. I will give Blue Ridge a visit. thanks!

 

[Jeff Blake]

BucketBoss SuperRoll and Tool Rolls are also great and a bit easier on the wallet.

 

[Ripley1046]

I use whatever I have around at the moment. My Rav4 has a tool kit in a bag designed for a portable DVD player. Everything fits nicely, and it's padded a bit so the tools don't destroy whatever I throw them on top of. My Silverado kit is a Craftsman plastic box socket set, and a Dickies backpack with the jumper cables, lug and torque wrench, and a few misc. tools.

I certainly dig the Blue Ridge bag above, but the way I see it, I have so many random bags and boxes laying around I can usually find something for free and use that money on the tools to put inside it. Having 3 vehicles is handy sometimes, but it makes things expensive when I have tool kits in all of them, and the pop up camper, and my house, and work...

I like the idea @smritte mentioned above about using the kit for maintenance. I may have to start doing that. Usually I have my good tools at my buddy's place where I do my wrenching, and I keep some cheaper "emergency only" tools in the rigs. But that would be a good way to make sure I have what I need when I'm out in the boonies.

 

[Road]

Never really thought about having a separate tool kit and maintenance kit; they're always one and the same for me and generally live in my vehicle full time. I think that's more from moving around so much and fixing things on the road, though even when I had a big shop and studio, I kept all my vehicle tools in my vehicle. Interesting how different people do things.