Tools

So you are just getting started, and want to purchase some tools. Where do you start?

I would start with the best value kit for under $200 that has virtually every tool that the average person will need for their van. With this set and a couple of odds and ends(see bottom of page) you can do virtually all of the maintenance that you will ever need to do, not just on your van, but on many things around the garage/house. The Pittsburgh Pro 301pc tool set that Truck-trend magazine said 'From the get-go, there was no doubt this was the best tool set under $200.'

You can get it at Harbor Freight(watch for sales and 20% off coupons) either in store or online, or at Amazon.com http://amzn.to/2oq2lHT using the links below.

http://www.harborfreight.com/301-pc-professional-mechanics-tool-set-69312.html

Sometimes their URL changes, you can search for it this way as well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=301+piece+mechanics+tool+kit

Available on Amazon http://amzn.to/2oq2lHT

What about the other odds and ends?

  • A digital volt/ohm meter, an essential item to test your battery voltage, alternator, or even a sensor or wiring. Cheap ones can be had at HF for free with a coupon, or you can get them cheap wherever tools are sold. You don't have to have an expensive meter for common automotive work. Like this one for under $20 http://amzn.to/2ongmVa

  • For most of our vans that are left on the road, a bluetooth OBD2 reader coupled with your android smart phone or tablet is a great addition to read/reset stored and pending codes, or to view live data from your PCM.

      • Earlier vans require a more expensive interface, look here

  • A mechanical tire pressure gauge should be in every vehicle, don't trust the pop-out ones at your local filling station. I prefer mechanical gauges as they don't require batteries, but don't cheap out as the el cheapo ones are know to be inaccurate. You can get a digital tire pressure gauge for about the same price, but when the batteries die at the worst possible time, you will wish you had a mechanical gauge.

  • When you have to remove a door panel to fix/replace a window motor or an external door handle, a trim removal tool is quite handy.

  • A set of 3/8" drive wobble extensions can be a blessing.

  • Torque wrenches, 1/2" drive for the big stuff like wheels, suspension parts, body mounts. 3/8" drive for intakes(esp important on plastic parts), and really don't need the 1/4" drive unless you are going to be setting up gears.

  • Fuse Socket Connector Kit, not for everyone, but great for electrical testing. http://amzn.to/2p8N00g

  • Door hinge pin remover, save yourself the headache and buy one of these if you are going to be removing the rear doors. https://www.ebay.com/itm/282802520760

  • To be continued...

Specialty Tools, the ones you only use once every blue moon.

    • I don't advise that most people buy a lot of the specialty tools, why?

Cost and storage, why pay and store something that you are only going to use once, or maybe a few times in your life.

    • Places that have free rental/loan tools:

https://www.oreillyauto.com/rental-tools (two days to return)

http://www.autozone.com/landing/page.jsp?name=loan-a-tool (90 days to return)

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/o/loaner-tools (90 days to return)