Tool kit storage

[Jedd]

I've got a much easier time storing tools in my truck, then you would in a jeep.

But..... My tools get used daily and a lot, and right now their entire life is spent outside in all weather conditions, like yourself I don't buy cheep tools. My tools are my pay cheque and withought them I can't pay my way through life. That said, aside from the electrical tools which must stay dry, I don't worry about keeping wrenches and other hand tools out of the elements.

So you might ask how I keep, expensive tools that are in the elements 24-7 from rusting and otherwise being totally destroyed.

The answer is FluidFilm (brand name) its a spray on lubricant, but unlike other spray on lubes (like WD40) Fluid Film leaves a thick "film" on whatever you spray it on.



Rig yourself up with 1 or 2 handboxes (I use snap-on boxes, only box that's been able to stand up to constant abuse in my trade) leave your top chest at home and in good condition. When your going wheeling spend 5 minutes, load up the hand boxes, spray all tools very liberally with fluid film and toss the hand boxes in whatever corner of your Jeep they fit and are safely away from your family.

I promise (from experience) that your tools will not rust, if you pack the boxes tight, they will not get damaged and all you need to keep in the cab of your jeep is a box of rags and a can of fluid film (fluid film can go in one of the handboxes if it'll fit )

Just my two bits.....but it does work.

 

[r_w]

I try to keep all my tools inside--extended cab truck and the wife's minivan. I use old laptop cases (you can pick them up for under a buck a piece at garage sales). They will fit under, behind, and beside seats. I use color-coded luggage tags (with despriptions as well) to know what is in them. One for snatch strap and D rings, one for receivers and tow gear, one for mechanical tools, etc.

Duluth Trading has a decent tool roll. That will keep all your wrenches and screwdrivers from rattling around.

 

[riverrat88]

i have a case similar in size to a small drill case, it came with an xmods rc car if that helps anyone picture it, but it fits perfectly under my rear bench seat. Basically it holds just basics that can be used if needed for just about anything.

 

[BIGdaddy]

just to be clear. all my tools fit in this type of box. pretty compact.

top drawer is all my racheting box end and open wrenches.

bottom drawer is rachets, sockets and extensions

top hatch houses bigger, bulkier stuff like my multimeter, test light, funnel, vice grips, hack saw, etc.

Gonna go check out some of your suggestions, though, thanks all.

cheers!

-Brian

 

[off-roader]

I've used a hard case before and I've found them very organized for the shop but IMHO they're not very effective off road. Of course my idea of off road use includes rock crawling so they may work for some of you.... (my $.02)

Instead I've found using 2 small heavy canvas tool bags (6x6x18") I bought at a local surplus store much more effective. It fits most of my tools in the smallest possible space and can conform around other items I'm carrying without any wasted space.




Both are kept safe (even in a roll over) under my storage platform in back where I can quickly access them off road. Plus because they're canvas bags, they're far easier to carry off road up hill, etc.:smiley_drive:

One thing I plan on also doing soon is replacing the Craftsman tools in my kit with cheapo Harbor Freight tools. I've replaced enough sockets and wrenches from people borrowing them on the trail and forgetting to return them that I could have done that twice by now.:Wow1:

 

[off-roader]

Also if you organize it like off-roader you wont have a problem finding things. By the way off-roader that's a great I idea using a clevis for holding all your wrenches together I'm gonna have to steal that idea hope you don't mind.

Thanks for the compliment. Yeah after wheeling for over a decade you kinda figure out through trial and error what works and what doesn't. For tools, I used to use a metal tool box, plastic tool box, plastic rubbermaid bin, etc. All were too bulky and inefficient for storage albeit they looked nice. But off road, it's a matter of form following function and not the other way around. For me that meant trimming down to necessities.

For example with my group of wheeling buddies, we don't duplicate heavy items. I have a CO2 tank and air driver while other buddies (have same rigs as me) carry a big sledge/shovel/axe, etc. If necessary, I can carry them as well but if we're all together it really lightens to load to share responsibilities like that.

You can also see I'm already doing what you suggest and don't carry a full socket set. I have 3/8 and 1/2" drive sockets in the most common metric sizes for my rig.

Anyhow, I don't want to knock anybody but I've found on the many wheeling trips I've done including a number of roll overs, this is so far the best way to carry tools.

EDIT: Oh, it's also way quieter than a tool box!

HTH.:sombrero:

 

[UK4X4]

I used to be a tool box guy too............

then moved into the canvas bags under the seats with tool rolls keeping them organised.

Take up less space, no noise and packdown smaller
I have one with tools- one with compressor - jumper cables and test gear
and the last one has the tow straps and shackels.

They all fit into my drawer system and live permanently there.

In a jeep I used to have I built a 3" high drawer system and remounted the rear seat on top.

But I don't have any pic's of it

 

[southpier]

...this type of box....[/QUOTE]


i'd consider drilling scupper holes in the drawers. rain, and to a lesser extent, dirt, is going to get forced into the drawers while you're driving along.

 

[ExpoMike]

I got one of these for Christmas. It was bought at Costco, on sale for $79.99 and closed up, it's flat. I just load stuff on top of it like it was the floor in the XJ.

One of the few sets I found that had 3/4" wrench and socket.

 

[Metcalf]

I would like to touch on what has been said before. Don't go overboard in how many tools you carry.....and spare parts for that matter. Once you wheel the same vehicle for a few years you get a pretty good idea of what can and will break....and how far you can push before something does.

Maybe it would be worth starting a thread on the common points of failure for a given platform. Say....have a thread for TJs where people can post up when and what broke with a short explanation of what they needed to fix it. I think we would see pattern develop over time and that should allow people to plan there tool kits and spare parts accordingly.

One of the main reasons that I am building a TJ is because my close group of friends all run them. We all sort of pledged to all run 35s MAX. Everyone is also running stock based axles. Either D30/D44 fronts and D44 rears. This makes spare parts and tools very common between all of us on long trips. This brings overall weight down for everyone.

Just a few thoughts.

 

[off-roader]

I would like to touch on what has been said before. Don't go overboard in how many tools you carry.....and spare parts for that matter. Once you wheel the same vehicle for a few years you get a pretty good idea of what can and will break....and how far you can push before something does.

Yup. It's why I've stuck with Montero's. It's not the normal rig you see off road but there's enough of a community of Mitsu wheelers that we've got most of the weak area's worked out.

 

[Herbie]

I've replaced enough sockets and wrenches from people borrowing them on the trail and forgetting to return them that I could have done that twice by now.:Wow1:

One of the prized possessions in my garage, right next to the "speed limit" and "speed is radar enforced" signs (don't ask), is an old pressed-tin sign from a Texaco garage that says "No Tools Loaned". Maybe I'll need it in my rig! :sombrero:

 

[jesusgatos]

I'm with you guys that like the tool bags and tool-rolls, but I'm not sure how I want to organize my tools in the trailer that I'm going to be towing behind my motorhome. Easily enough room for a toolbox or two, but I'm still leaning towards bags (portability).

 

[Herbie]

I got one of these for Christmas. It was bought at Costco, on sale for $79.99 and closed up, it's flat. I just load stuff on top of it like it was the floor in the XJ.

One of the few sets I found that had 3/4" wrench and socket.

I saw that same set and came very close to buying it for my van for the same reasons, but after a little introspection I think its just too heavy for my needs. I can get away with mostly metric tools only, for example, so that cuts out about half the tools right there.

Secondarily, I'd rather spend my money a bit differently, get ratcheting spanners, for example.

But for an inexpensive complete set of tools in a nice flat case, that crescent set is hard to beat, especially at the Costco price (its almost double that price at some places in the "real world".)

 

[BIGdaddy]

I saw that same set and came very close to buying it for my van for the same reasons, but after a little introspection I think its just too heavy for my needs. I can get away with mostly metric tools only, for example, so that cuts out about half the tools right there.

Secondarily, I'd rather spend my money a bit differently, get ratcheting spanners, for example.

But for an inexpensive complete set of tools in a nice flat case, that crescent set is hard to beat, especially at the Costco price (its almost double that price at some places in the "real world".)

racheting spanners are the bomb. I love my set.

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm stubborn, though. I'm not going back to tool bags. they drive me friggin' nuts.

I literally have tool rolls and a soft top loading tool bag in my garage, but don't use it, cuz its too laborious.

Is there a bag that you all have seen that's NOT top loading? something like XJmike's tool set but that has specific compartments for tools?

just a thought.