Tool Set Recommendation for Classic Car

[Lynda]

Hey gang,

Hubby wants a tool set for Christmas to put in the back of his latest toy... a '67 Mercury Cougar. There are so many sets out there, and I want to make sure he's got good quality, with all the things he needs in a pinch, without being too much to lug around. He has a shop full of everything he needs, so it really is just for back up on the road.

Can I get some pointers... brand names? Specific sets? What not to get?

If I can, I'll get it through Amazon on my Prime account. Yeah... arm chair shopping!

Thanks!

[Gummi Bear]

Pretty awesome of you to look for this for your hubby.

I don't carry top of the line tools in the car. I carry "good enough to get me home" tools.

I have a tool bag with Husky tools that I toss in the truck. Sets are pretty affordable, and carry a warranty similar to Craftsman, you just swap them out at Home Depot. Lowes is similar with their Kobalt line of tools.

Look for something fairly comprehensive with sockets, a ratchet or two, some basic wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers.

For a classic Cougar, pay attention that you are getting a SAE set, and not a Metric set of tools.

Buy an extra 1/2" wrench or two. You can take apart most of the car with that wrench. Ford used a ton of fasteners that size during the 60's and 70's.

[bwssr]

Pretty awesome of you to look for this for your hubby.

I don't carry top of the line tools in the car. I carry "good enough to get me home" tools.

I have a tool bag with Husky tools that I toss in the truck. Sets are pretty affordable, and carry a warranty similar to Craftsman, you just swap them out at Home Depot. Lowes is similar with their Kobalt line of tools.

Look for something fairly comprehensive with sockets, a ratchet or two, some basic wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers.

For a classic Cougar, pay attention that you are getting a SAE set, and not a Metric set of tools.

Buy an extra 1/2" wrench or two. You can take apart most of the car with that wrench. Ford used a ton of fasteners that size during the 60's and 70's.

2, 1/2" and 2, 9/16"wrenches. Husky for on the side of the road stuff...remember some electrical and duct tape.

[krisw]

You can get small socket sets for pretty cheap. I keep one in my truck. A dozen or so sockets, a couple of rachets and an extension are in it. And a spark plug socket.

[Lynda]

Awesome, awesome info! Exactly what I needed. Thanks guys. Mwah.

[Hornet Hunter]

Walmart has a 200 piece Stanley set for like $65. Great set for the price.

[Lynda]

You can get small socket sets for pretty cheap. I keep one in my truck. A dozen or so sockets, a couple of rachets and an extension are in it. And a spark plug socket.

Plug socket will be 5/8", right? Will he need an extension for it?

[KHoes203]

If your lolling for quality and decent price I would go with Kobalt. They have lifetime warranty and if you watch lowes they put the sets on sale for decent price.

[Lynda]

This looks like a comprehensive set. I would have to get the additional plug socket, extra wrenches and tape. I'll go into Lowes and get my hands on some of their kits. Might check Wally World, Hornet, but don't want to get more than he needs.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_462591-16878...tandard%20(SAE)

[bwssr]

good start...screw drivers, and I'm not sure but I think the Fords use the 13/16 spark plugs..just get both and be safe. a very short 3/8" drive extension..1" and a 3" and 6"

[krisw]

Plug socket will be 5/8", right? Will he need an extension for it?

There are two popular sizes i think. I think one is 5/8 and the other is 13/16 or something. I use an extension. The kit came with them.. I would get him a battery post cleaner too

[tallnhairy]

Plug socket will be 5/8", right? Will he need an extension for it?

That will depend on what engine is in it, you may need a 13/16" socket. Whatever you do, avoid sets with this type ratchet at all costs!

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrTcXP4TatSAzgAhemJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTIyZXFoZ2RiBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAMzZGQwYzExYjQxNWZkNGMzZTE2NzNmMDczMmFjNjFlOQRncG9zAzIEaXQDYmluZw--?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dsocket%2Bset%26n%3D60%26ei%3Dutf-8%26y%3DSearch%26fr%3Dcrmas%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D2&w=768&h=905&imgurl=img.tootoo.com%2Fmytootoo%2Fupload%2F48%2F484687%2Fproduct%2F484687_dffa0f6105c540fd11c8ae961fa2bb42.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tootoo.com%2Fs-ps%2Fsocket-wrench-set--p-1061527.html&size=90.7KB&name=%3Cb%3ESOCKET+%3C%2Fb%3EWRENCH+%3Cb%3ESET+%3C%2Fb%3E-+Tootoo.com&p=socket+set&oid=3dd0c11b415fd4c3e1673f0732ac61e9&fr2=&fr=crmas&tt=%3Cb%3ESOCKET+%3C%2Fb%3EWRENCH+%3Cb%3ESET+%3C%2Fb%3E-+Tootoo.com&b=0&ni=96&no=2&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11s7219h9&sigb=13ah7ubkl&sigi=12sfr6rme&.crumb=yBrZgTQC.l.&fr=crmas

These are junk and have resulted in many busted knuckles.
Personally, for a car like that, I would go with a name brand kit. The Kobalt and Husky stuff is OK, as is Craftsman, Stanley, etc. If I weren't going with a high-end kit like Snap-On, Matco, Mac, or Cornwell, I'd go with something like one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-CTK170CMP2-Mechanics-Tool-170-Piece/dp/B00F4AVRGW/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1386958658&sr=8-14&keywords=tool+kit

http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-154-Mechanics-Tool-35154/dp/B00065T000/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1386959046&sr=8-4&keywords=craftsman+tool+kit

[Lynda]

That will depend on what engine is in it, you may need a 13/16" socket. Whatever you do, avoid sets with this type ratchet at all costs!

Ok, I will be sure to avoid those. The block is a 1987 Ford 302 5.0L truck engine with an RV cam. He just dropped it in this week.

Personally, for a car like that, I would go with a name brand kit. The Kobalt and Husky stuff is OK, as is Craftsman, Stanley, etc. If I weren't going with a high-end kit like Snap-On, Matco, Mac, or Cornwell, I'd go with something like one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-CTK170CMP2-Mechanics-Tool-170-Piece/dp/B00F4AVRGW/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1386958658&sr=8-14&keywords=tool+kit

http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-154-...tsman+tool+kit

I looked at both of those on Amazon earlier. I wondered if they were a bit too comprehensive just to keep in the car? Like I said, he does have a shop full of tools, including a Snap-On cabinet full. However, if it makes the manly man happy, I'll gladly pull the trigger.

10-4 on the battery post cleaner Kris.

I really value your opinions, guys!

[Lynda]

I guess it's only right that I show you where the tool kit will be going. Right here...



And here's the manly man, with his hot litttle Cougar, called Katy. And She's two years older than me - ha.

[krisw]

Has anyone said a good set of jumper cables?