Best tools to carry for a JK

[vballman]

For my JK friends out there, what is the best tools to carry that are specific for the JK? I have a good size tool box, I'd love shirk down and carry more specific tools. I know 18MM is used a lot so I have 2 of those wrenches, so anything like that or things that aren't needed. Could be I just need a better way to carry instead of the big box I got.

[J&J]

For my JK friends out there, what is the best tools to carry that are specific for the JK? I have a good size tool box, I'd love shirk down and carry more specific tools. I know 18MM is used a lot so I have 2 of those wrenches, so anything like that or things that aren't needed. Could be I just need a better way to carry instead of the big box I got.

I'm not the guy to ask about paring down your tools. Pretty much everything I have ever used to build or work on the JK, I carry. It isn't as bulky as you might think. I also carry spare parts. Brake lines, driveshaft and axle u-joints, a wheel bearing, they don't take up much room either. I have a backpack for all the hand tools that I've been very happy with. I strap it to the floor and pile everything else on top. It's durable enough.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...8201/302906312

Hope this helps!

P.S. I don't carry torque wrenches. I can torque to spec when I get home. Haha

[TheFatMexican]

Milwaukee stuff is pretty sweet but can get expensive quickly. I picked up this Husky backpack at HD and the thing has been pretty solid. It's significantly cheaper but has tons of pockets to toss all of your tools in.

Husky 16 in. Pro Tool Backpack H-68004-03 - The Home Depot

I carry all my Milwaukee tools in the Husky bag :-) It can carry quite a bit TBH but it also becomes heavy quick!

mex

[Rubicon]

I think Peter is asking for what tools to bring, and not what to put them in.

It is always hard to slim down.

18mm is a must for sure, but also:
13mm 12-point for the hub bolts.
36mm for the axle shaft nuts.

Don't forget some SAE sizes cross over decently to metric, so you don't need to bring both.
5/16" = 8mm
7/16" = 11mm
1/2" ~ 13mm(albeit the 1/2" might be too tight to fit on a 13, thus the 13 could be a little too loose for a 1/2", but it is very close)
9/16" = 14mm
5/8" = 16mm
3/4" = 19mm
13/16" ~ 21mm(the 13/16 can be too tight, but...)
7/8" = 22mm

The most important thing, that is also on the minimum requirement list, are tools to be able to change your tire.
A lot of people take an impact, but that is bulky, especially if you carry a spare battery. So some take the 4-way instead. However, a breaker bar with a deep 19mm 6-point socket will take even less room ;)

Hope this helps Pete. Wish my memory was better, but I will try to add more later.

[TheFatMexican]

[vballman]

Thanks guys, yes I was asking more for a tool list to carry but the ideas of the bags are something I have toyed with so that is good to know they come in handy!

I definitely need to learn more about working on my Jeep for sure. I have more than enough tools, as I have everything on the minimum requirement list and a lot more lol. I have both metric and SAE so I think it's why I have too much lol. I do have the breaker bar with impact sockets for tire changes. I do need a few of the sockets mentioned. Any further ideas would be awesome thanks guys. I just want to make sure I have the right stuff instead of too much and the wrong stuff. I do need to start packing a few of the common things that break as well.

[Rubicon]

Thanks guys, yes I was asking more for a tool list to carry but the ideas of the bags are something I have toyed with so that is good to know they come in handy! I definitely need to learn more about working on my Jeep for sure. I have more than enough tools, as I have everything on the minimum requirement list and a lot more lol. I have both metric and SAE so I think it's why I have too much lol. I do have the breaker bar with impact sockets for tire changes. I do need a few of the sockets mentioned. Any further ideas would be awesome thanks guys. I just want to make sure I have the right stuff instead of too much and the wrong stuff. I do need to start packing a few of the common things that break as well.

There are different ways of thinking when it comes to "trail" repairs. Some think they "need" to drive home. Others realize that they just need to get it to where they can be towed. The latter needs a lot less parts. It also matters if you are traveling alone or in a group. The former means a lot more tools and parts, whereas with friends, they can tow your broken vehicle out.

Seeing how John brought up spares like shafts and u-joints...Being able to simply remove a front axle shaft, is probably the most needed out of all the shaft failures. Afterwards you can just plug the the hole in the end of the housing so you don't loose oil or get contamination in the differential, and go. If wanted you could carry spare axle u-joints, but replacing them correctly takes time and know-how, especially when performing this replacement out in the woods/without your probably better shop tools. However in my opinion, the yokes on the inner and outer shafts almost always gets damaged upon joint breakage, so good spares are usually much quicker and easier.

As for propeller/drive shafts, same thinking. Simply remove and get out in front wheel drive, if the back is taken out(just leave it in 4WD), or rear wheel drive, if the front is taken out. Again, you could replace the broken joint, but unless it is a better aftermarket shaft, it will probably be too damaged to take much torque from the powertrain anyways. Plus the whole changing it out in the field thing. So if you have the room, spares are a safer bet.

Moral of this long lesson is to check your u-joints before you go ;)

[Tubadeuce]

It also makes a difference how much you pack based on what the journey is. A day trip on some C6's? A basic wrench set and a hammer is probably fine. A full weekend at Jericho? Bring along more tools and spares. A week in the north Maine woods? Might need to include spares and tools for things that don't usually break on day trips, like cooling system or electronics parts. Like Rubicon said, the goal isn't always to drive home, it's to drive to a trailhead to get towed. The only other contribution that I would throw out is to have a small electronics kit that has fuses, maybe a relay, some sections of wire, and electrical tape. If nothing else, it doesn't take up a whole lot of space.

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[J&J]

Thanks guys, yes I was asking more for a tool list to carry but the ideas of the bags are something I have toyed with so that is good to know they come in handy!

I definitely need to learn more about working on my Jeep for sure. I have more than enough tools, as I have everything on the minimum requirement list and a lot more lol. I have both metric and SAE so I think it's why I have too much lol. I do have the breaker bar with impact sockets for tire changes. I do need a few of the sockets mentioned. Any further ideas would be awesome thanks guys. I just want to make sure I have the right stuff instead of too much and the wrong stuff. I do need to start packing a few of the common things that break as well.

OK, I'll take a shot at a generalized and somewhat minimized JK 'tools to carry' list.

Every metric wrench from 10-22mm
An adjustable wrench
Every metric socket from 13-24, plus the 36mm and 12pt 13mm Shawn mentioned.
A couple socket extensions and a universal joint adapter.

There's very few SAE I can think of... A 1/4" wrench, 12" socket, 3/8" socket drive or adapter. But unless you want the ability to remove a front shock or stock diff cover on the trail, ditch all the SAE. And some of the metrics depend on what you want the capability to do on the trail as well, but without the SAE or just the SAE I mentioned it's still a relatively small set of tools. Enough to ditch the bulky (and noisy :) metal tool box and go with a bag or rollup I should think.

[FSHJNKY]

I bring a ton of stuff, some that works on my rig and some that doesn’t. I figure between me and the multiple people that I am enjoying the trails with, we have it covered. If I can’t get off the trails with the array of stuff in my Jeep, I am beyond screwed. HAHA

[vballman]

There are definitely some sockets I need to add, as well as some of the electrical stuff as well.

I agree it really depends on what you are doing, where you are going and who with you are with. I'd love to be able to fix what ever to at least to get off the trail as mentioned and let AAA do the rest lol. But I would like to be able at some point go off on long weekends and then longer. Maybe it's more of not one kit maybe a small kit for around the area and maybe another kit for something longer. Most of the trips I do now are just with the group here but I am hoping to get up to Jericho this summer.