Austin David Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Hi all! I'm sorta keeping track during my build, of which tools are more critical than others. Is there a running list of the "must have" (and maybe a larger "nice to have") list of parts to drag around while touring? 5-6-8-10 allen keys, 10-21mm sockets or wrenches, 3/4" sockets... The oddball tool-of-the-day is a narrow 11mm wrench for the rear end links. Wondering if such a list exists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vovchandr Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 I've had a number of bad events even somewhat close to home. I used to carry a soft Ridgid bag of tools in the trunk and then decided to be fancy and bought the Soft Bits tool bag for the same purpose In there I keep a misc amount wrenches and sockets and screw drivers and fuses, tape, tester, extra coolant, headlamp etc. I'd rather be over prepared and never use it then be under prepared and get caught with a small issue that I can't fix in the future. I do not have a specific slimmed down list of what could be needed however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 (edited) Great topic and Ive been wondering what is the perfect low profile scissor jack? A Mini? It would be more helpful to list the details of your build as all the parts have their specific fitting tools and commonly needed tools. For example, if you are cable clutch, they break, have a spare and essential tools. The other day I realized why my Cat was so hard to push. I needed a 1/4" wrench to adjust my rear drum shoes. I had to go to a lot of trouble to find one in a shop where I was but I had plenty at home. For my build, a Xflow live axle. it would be spark plugs & socket 3/8 bent handle swivel head ratchet and 6" extension tools for tightening suspension, adjustment of carburetors, tightening of hose clamps, servicing alternator tension & belt, clutch cable and tire change. Another thing is to have a plan B for a windscreen breaking. An assortment of high strength zip-ties to tie up things that break loose. This is not reliable boring transportation. Edited February 13, 2022 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin David Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 well, I hope it's a little bit reliable... My kit came with a sort-of-lame scissor jack, but I'm sure it's more for the profile than the weight or aesthetic value. I imagine this (and a comically small lug wrench) were part of the spare tire kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papak Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 (edited) I have given much thought to this topic and will share the "anal-retentive" driver's boot contents. If I'm going to carry that spare tire on the back of the car, I definitely bring a scissor jack. I use an aluminum one from a Porsche 944 (3 lbs 6 oz) to which I have welded a section of 19mm coupling nut. This allows me to use the same socket that I use for the lug nuts. This is secured in the boot with an aluminum bracket. I also carry the following: ½" ratchet 6"extension for same 19mm deep socket lug nut adapter spare ribbed belt for the alternator (4 rib x14x793). I have been told that this is the smallest 4 rib belt made, therefore unobtainable on the road. special tool for the low profile oil filler cap a variety of allen wrenches, many shortened as appropriate for their application .032 safety wire small wire cutters various quick ties various wrenches in a fabric roll-up a couple clean microfiber towels and a small tube of metal polish bandaids two LED flashlights 2 spare relays my notebook that contains all of the specification, part numbers, etc pair of leather work gloves swell as a pair of nalgene gloves The top picture shows a small bag that I keep behind the seat. It hold a collapsable phillips head screw driver for the quarter-turn fasteners that secure the boot panels. On the longer trips, I carry a quart of oil and a dipstick. I use a section of ss wire as a dipstick so this simply coils up in the bag. Probably too much but it is my firm conviction that my car has been reliable only because I carry all this stuff. 5,500 trouble free miles so far... Edited February 12, 2022 by papak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin David Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 Super helpful, thank you! "obscure" (or equivalent) part numbers in a notebook is a great idea. I've started a running list, added "15mm thin wrench" for brake pads. I also, always, carry a multitool. That set of pliers has come in handy before (as has the can opener; for some reason all AirBNBs seem to have only broken can openers). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Some additional tools I throw in my tool roll when touring: Self-fusing silicone tape. Good for hose leaks or as electrical tape. Duct tape Pocket multimeter Wire strippers/crimpers and a few spare crimps and splices ECU comm cable for laptop -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin David Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 Any recommendations for the C-spanner (or whatever it's called) for adjusting the coilovers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 10 minutes ago, Austin David said: Any recommendations for the C-spanner (or whatever it's called) for adjusting the coilovers? Good question. But perches from different manufacturers have different shaped notches, some have holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin David Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 fair. I'm specifically after the newer Bilsteins, which have 6mm holes. My VMAXX spanners don't fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 Im sure you've heard of inserting a pair of drill bits as wrenches. Not ideal for track prep, but they would take no space in a tool kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamScotticus Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 (edited) Looking through my parts, I found this scissor jack. One of the previous owners of my kit had obtained it, possibly as a Caterham accessory, as it appears perfect for a seven. The weight is 3lbs 14oz. The cradle is close to 3 inch diameter. I found info on it here http://www.classic-british-car-jacks.uk/Metallifacture_jacks_2.htm I am considering using my lower battery tray as a mount for this. Edited March 20, 2022 by IamScotticus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin David Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 My kit came with this: looks like (and feels like) about 2kg. I also just printed a c-spanner which weighs approximately nothing and so far works well. Happy to send some around if anyone has Bilsteins... or with some photos and measurements, probably just make a specific one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedwagon Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 I use a scissor jack from a RX-7 fc 86-90 it is aluminum and weighs little, is strong enough and should be easy to find. And the handle is also aluminum. john 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedwagon Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 BTW to previous post-- I also carry a rx7 doughnut aluminum wheel and tire from the 4 bolt rx-7 as a spare. is light and looks decent and fits the superformance s-1 pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stig Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 From experience I found clutch and throttle cables to be essential spares to carry! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin David Posted May 18, 2022 Author Share Posted May 18, 2022 Following up, partly for posterity and partly to track my own progress: I mocked up a few potential bags, v2 shown below. It's a little overstuffed right now with "the kitchen sink" in there (read: bulky garage tools useful during assembly). I think I can slim it down after this maiden voyage, 300 miles from home. The bag is 18" wide (left-right in the boot) + 6"long (fore-aft) and 8" high. By comparison, the softbits bag is about 16x6.5x6.5. The boot is 8" high in the back, deeper toward the bulkhead.This should leave some extra space when I unload the non-emergency tools. I fixed the toolbag to the rollover bar, I do think it needs to be pretty securely fastened. I don't much like having it occupy most of the easy-to-access space at the back of the boot, though, so I may try to fix it up against the bulkhead somehow. This bag is also soft, and doesn't really hold shape well -- v3 will fix that. I may also add a zipper or snap closure for the top. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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