[Gnl.Weirdness]

So I am gonna finally work on getting a listing of tools posted up for both beginner, intermediate, and advanced Jeep enthusiasts.

Bear with me as this will take some time, but I think this could become a great resource for people on the site, especially those of us who are new to doing our own work.

I know I would have loved a resource like this when I first decided to never step foot at a steelership again.

This all said, I am going to reserve the first few posts in the thread to build up the list over the coming weeks.

If you have suggestions, just go ahead and Post them up or PM me.

Please only make suggestions with the following information included.

Tool Type
Tool Name
Tool Price
Beginer/Intermediate/Advanced
Where to Buy (if online please provide a URL and make sure to provide updated URLs for site's that change often)
Tool Applications (so if it's a drill, or angle grinder, these can be used for a variety of different things, list all you can think of. Share your tricks of the trade here.

[Gnl.Weirdness]

Beginner Level Tools: These are tools that anyone has easy access to and that would provide the user with the means to begin working on their own Jeep.

General/Must Have Tools: So these are tools that have been widely found among jeep hobbyists to the most experienced jeep junkies bags. Everyone should have these...

Wrenches/Ratchets:Ok this is a given, you NEED at least a set of wrenches, if you don't have one in your house already then....your dumb. A simple set of these tools can help you with general repairs all the way to saving your *** at MOAB. Below are some links to sets, as many as I could find to keep it fair among vendors, that provide the base for your venture into Jeep land.

And a small precursor to anyone who feels one brand is better. Snap On, Craftsman, Kobalt, and Evolv Stanley, Mac, are ALL produced with superior quality and are all very good tools. They all also offer incredible warranties, craftsman tends to be much more widespread (so easier to get a replacement if you break a tool. Where as brands like Evolv are much newer and only found in certain shops. All are incredible tools though, so pick WHATEVER you think will be easiest and cheapest for you in the long run...
Evolve 101 pc Mechanics Set From Sears Great tools, easy to use, comfortable, harder to find country wide...

Stanley Black Chrome 69pc Mechanics Set Not quite as many tools for the price, incredible none the less and chrome black omg...

Kobalt 103pc Mechanics SetGreat tools, incredible warranties, again neat colors

Will be working on this more....

[Gnl.Weirdness]

more reserved space

[Gnl.Weirdness]

two more needed

[Gnl.Weirdness]

last spot, post away people

[alecmcmahon]

reserved space

[ReconRabbit]

Here's my list:
Basic-
4 1/2" angle grinder
grinding metal, cutting metal, grinding welds, wirebrushing rust, you name it
Price: $50-?
Get it at about any hardware or farm store.

Basic-
Bench grinder
tons of uses from sharpening mower blades to wire wheel brushing parts and of course grinding
price:$80-200. Don't skimp here. I have an 8" craftman industrial model and it's well worth it.

Basic-
Drill Press
Very accurate and easier drilling in steel, wood and plastic.
Price:$100-?
I have an entry level Delta benchtop model that was around $100. I've had it for years and it has yet to let me down.

Drill
Milwaukee 1/2" drill
Great for slow speed drilling in steel when you can't get it on the drill press. Tough as nails too
Price: $125-?

Intermediate
Welder
I have a Lincoln SP135T 125v shielded Mig welder
Was a great starter welder but the more comfortable I get with it the more uses I find for it
Price: Ahh not to sure maybe $4-500?

There's a ton more but to be honest that's enought typing for now. Hope it helps

[1998zj]

If you are going to weld on a Jeep you need a 220v welder minimum. The 110v just don't get hot enough to weld on axles and frames.

[Gnl.Weirdness]

good stuff so far guys, I will start populating the top few posts today at some point most likely.

[ReconRabbit]

Originally Posted by 1998zj

If you are going to weld on a Jeep you need a 220v welder minimum. The 110v just don't get hot enough to weld on axles and frames.

Ahh, not true on frames but think what you will. There are also many options for welding on thicker metals such as preheating with a torch to get better penetration. Spend a little time in the fabrication forums. A 120v welder will do 90% of the welding on a Jeep.

Right from Lincoln's website on the SP140 120V welder: Weld up to 5/16" steel using self-shielded Lincoln innershield wire.

[YJake]

I've welded into 1/4 plate to make a bumper with my 135v and it did just fine. Had the burn marks on the back and I wasn't even on the highest setting.

I know that I could repair my frame with it if I had to for sure.


Anywho... a welder is a much needed tool! (As well as previously listed: Angle grinder & drill press)

[FmrVette]

Tool Type Meter
Tool Name Multi-meter
Tool Price < $50
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Beginner
Where to Buy Sears, Radio Shack, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Tool Applications Used for checking continuity, shorts, and resistance in electrical circuits. Get one, learn to use it, you'll thank yourself.

Tool Type Hand held buffer/grinder/cutter/drill
Tool Name Dremel
Tool Price < $100
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Beginner
Where to Buy Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Tool Applications Multi. Remove rust from small areas, remove paint for CB antenna mount installs, dash modifications, etc.


Tool Type Hand tool
Tool Name Torx
Tool Price < $50
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Beginner
Where to Buy Auto parts store, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Tool Applications Own a Wrangler? Get a full set and don't skimp on the quality.

Obviously a good set of ratchet/extensions/swivels/sockets.

Ditto wrenches.

Long breaker bar.

A good pry bar.

Rubber mallet, small sledge hammer, larger sledge hammer.

A DECENT TOOL BOX - Having a place to store your tools will make working on a vehicle more enjoyable and your work more efficient. It will also help avoid tools "walking away".

On a budget, think Sears. Deep pockets, think Snap-On.

I have a Mac toolbox, but on the wall of the garage I mounted a sheet of pegboard. On the pegboard I mounted a set of metric and SAE wrenches (labeling each peg so that I know which wrench goes where), a few screwdrivers, a small box holding a 1/2" ratchet and metric and SAE sockets, and a few other small tools, electrical tape, etc. Quite frequently I find that I don't need to open the toolbox at all, small jobs can be done using just the "spare" tools on the pegboard.

[Sc00ter]

Originally Posted by 1998zj

If you are going to weld on a Jeep you need a 220v welder minimum. The 110v just don't get hot enough to weld on axles and frames.

The jeep frame is made of sheet metal. 110 for that is fine. Would agree though on heavy welding with my 110 welder that I would avoid axles.

[taythegibs]

Originally Posted by FmrVette

Tool Type Meter
Tool Name Multi-meter
Tool Price < $50
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Beginner
Where to Buy Sears, Radio Shack, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Tool Applications Used for checking continuity, shorts, and resistance in electrical circuits. Get one, learn to use it, you'll thank yourself.

Tool Type Hand held buffer/grinder/cutter/drill
Tool Name Dremel
Tool Price < $100
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Beginner
Where to Buy Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Tool Applications Multi. Remove rust from small areas, remove paint for CB antenna mount installs, dash modifications, etc.


Tool Type Hand tool
Tool Name Torx
Tool Price < $50
Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Beginner
Where to Buy Auto parts store, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
Tool Applications Own a Wrangler? Get a full set and don't skimp on the quality.

Obviously a good set of ratchet/extensions/swivels/sockets.

Ditto wrenches.

Long breaker bar.

A good pry bar.

Rubber mallet, small sledge hammer, larger sledge hammer.

A DECENT TOOL BOX - Having a place to store your tools will make working on a vehicle more enjoyable and your work more efficient. It will also help avoid tools "walking away".

On a budget, think Sears. Deep pockets, think Snap-On.

I have a Mac toolbox, but on the wall of the garage I mounted a sheet of pegboard. On the pegboard I mounted a set of metric and SAE wrenches (labeling each peg so that I know which wrench goes where), a few screwdrivers, a small box holding a 1/2" ratchet and metric and SAE wrenches, and a few other small tools, electrical tape, etc. Quite frequently I find that I don't need to open the toolbox at all, small jobs can be done using just the "spare" tools on the pegboard.

dang i have to say that thats pretty much what i was thinking but i have to add a long flat head screwdriver, a can of pb blaster (if you consider it a tool), and basic wiring stuff (wires, connectors, soldering items, and a meter)

[Bobandbeans]

x2 on everything mention above!

oxygen acetylene torches aren't a bad idea.. or at least a small torches to heat up stubborn nuts or bolts...

never go cheap on your hand tools, get a quality brand that offers a lifetime warranty.. they can last you a life time and fix alot of big headaches with your vehicles!