Start Up tool kit- first time do it yourselfer here

[Knicks Fan 4 Life]

Hi everyone,

I bought a 1993 j30 on Tuesday. It has 143,000 miles on it, and drive fairly well so far. My intentions when buying the car were to do as much maintenance/repair work on my own as possible. I don't have any car tools so I'm basically starting from scratch. Any suggestions on what starter tool kits/items i should purchase? Thank in advance.

[yodawill2000]

A full Metric Socket/Wrench set and a Metric allen wrench set will get you on the way.
Theirs always some tool you don't have and have to get when needed but you will have all you need in time.

Welcome to NICO !!!

[Knicks Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm guessing I can pick this up at Pep Boys / Advance Auto? What kind of price range do these run at retail?

[GerryO]

Sears/Craftsman sold a pretty complete 199 piece (1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive, and counting a bunch of allen wrenches) set, that I bought my son one Christmas, but you'll also need to add a few deep and larger size sockets, assorted screw drivers and pliers. Any tool that makes the job easier and safer is worth it, and a good quality 18" long 1/2" drive breaker bar is your friend, along with a good bench vice (and a few bad ones too).

[yodawill2000]

As GerryO mentioned..
Craftsman, Mac. ect is worth the extra money in the long run.
Many opt for the cheap sets at Harbor Freight and the likes and soon find out they are worthless.
Top end stuff is drop forged and guaranteed for life and will last as long or longer than you !!
I have a Dog bone multi sized wrench that my Pop used on his race cars back in the 50's and its still in perfect shape,
Its Craftsman and sturdy as a Oak tree !!
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_ ... 000P?mv=rr

[GerryO]

Pick-up a spray can and bottle of penetrating oil too!

[NASCARLANCE]

Sears/Craftsman sold a pretty complete 199 piece (1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive, and counting a bunch of allen wrenches) set, that I bought my son one Christmas, but you'll also need to add a few deep and larger size sockets, assorted screw drivers and pliers. Any tool that makes the job easier and safer is worth it, and a good quality 18" long 1/2" drive breaker bar is your friend, along with a good bench vice (and a few bad ones too).

Sears has had some of their Tool sets on sale lately, so you can probley get a pretty good deal there. Can't beat the lifetime guarantee, once you buy it you never have to buy it again. A couple of years ago I got a 155 pc set for $76 delivered to my house. I have seen some similar deals lately, like a 204pc set for $99, half price. If you order online and use the code "SEARS5OFF50" you will get $5 off of a $50 purchase.

[GerryO]

Add 3/8" and 1/2" drive torque wrenches, used only for TIGHTENING nuts and bolts = they are NOT substitutes for breaker bars (and like most other wrenches they are not guaranteed for life).

[driverdriver]

+1 on the Sears Craftsman sets, their affordable and they last long. A lot of their tools are still manufactured in the USA or Canada as opposed to China.

I would also check out Harbour Freight. Sometimes they have really good tools at fraction of the regular price. Since I can't tell if your located in the USA or Canada, just in case you are in Canada, check out Princess Auto. They carry a lot of Canadian made tools that are gauranteed for life at very reasonable prices.

[Infinitiguy19]

As GerryO mentioned..
Craftsman, Mac. ect is worth the extra money in the long run.
Many opt for the cheap sets at Harbor Freight and the likes and soon find out they are worthless.
Top end stuff is drop forged and guaranteed for life and will last as long or longer than you !!
I have a Dog bone multi sized wrench that my Pop used on his race cars back in the 50's and its still in perfect shape,
Its Craftsman and sturdy as a Oak tree !!
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_ ... 000P?mv=rr

I thought the dog bone was a new tool.

I love Craftsmen and Costco tools because of the lifetime guarantee on both.

[yodawill2000]

Actually I was kinda sad they discontinued the Bone then BAAM' !!

They are back !!

Most handy when your under the car on a creeper.