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Fasteners/Bolts sizes??


juggaloscorpio

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2010
Messages
47
City
Sherman, Tx
Vehicle Year
1996
Transmission
Manual
I am not sure if this is the right place to post this but hoping for the best:

I am trying to build a tool box specific/exclusive for use my '96 Ranger 2.3L 2WD STDCAB 5sp manual.(No mods have been made (no regular maintenance/parts replacement either for that matter) other than an aftermarket radio)

In order to do this tool set build I need to know what the complete range of tools are for this truck but cannot find a comprehensive list of all the bolt, nut, screws, and any other type of fastener for it. I have searched the forums but I must not be using the right "keywords" to find what I am looking for.

Any help or guidance for this list is much appreciated.
 
juggaloscorpio;
I've never seen such a list, and agree it would be handy. Perhaps with the help of some members we could make a list and sticky it. Unless there IS such a list and I've never run across it. I'm going to move this into the general section and ask everyone that contributes to use a similar format. I'll suggest " year, model, 4x or 2wd, engine/trans,xxx". XXX being the sub-assembly you're working on; drive train, body, interior etc.

I've been thinking of a race-truck specific tool box and this may spur me into doing such. Thanks.
 
I've been thinking of a race-truck specific tool box and this may spur me into doing such. Thanks.

Well I am glad I could help to possibly start a new sticky on the site. I am no ASE certified mechanic but I get by on my own without the use of a shop on most issues.

Like I always tell my employees and friends/family: "You can't fix it if you don't have the right tools for the job."
 
I am unaware of any source of a list of fastener sizes used. I have found in my time working on SAE & Metric cars, trucks, and small engine stuff, that a 1/4" drive and a 3/8" drive ratchet set with both types of sockets meets 99.9% of the need. An addition of 'deep sockets' comes in handy, but are not used for the most part.
If you start to work on suspension and steering, you will likely need to extend the range of sockets to the larger sizes.
In addition to the socket sets mentioned, SAE & Metric box/open end wrenches are also very handy and useful. Standard sets meet a very very high majority of needs.
In addition, a couple pairs of pliers, slip joint and needle nose, along with a set of Philips and flat blade screwdrivers will make up a pretty full set of needed tools.
Many mechanics have 4-5 foot tall toolboxes chock full of 'stuff'. They use some of it once a year, and they do wrench twirling for a living. I do not, but was able to get 99.9% of the things done I needed with the above sets. I fit all that into a 'hip roof' toolbox that I bet weighed 20 pounds. Full Of Metal.
Sometimes needed, but depending on what you want to do, are a set of adjustable wrenches, some vice-grips, and torque wrenches, along with pry bars and a breaker bar for tight things such as lug nuts.
tom
 
Ditto tomw. This is a very accurate list for the most useful and used tools. You will find you need specialized tools on occasion but get them as needed. Hacksaw, files, wire brushes, small pick set are just a few things I use quite often.
 
Fair enough tomw and Doofy...

I am starting my front end suspension work and there are some fairly large bolts/nuts for this thing and I don't have the sizes required for everything. I hate using a crescent wrench but I have to make due with what I have for the time being but I plan on buying a large hand wrench set soon. I just had a bday last Wednesday and my GF bought me a new 201pc Stanley Field Service tool set which is working so far. Main items I am looking at are the coil spring nuts(p.i.t.a. to remove with a crescent wrench but it is possible)
 
Tool acquisition is a life-long endeavor. The longer and more you wrench, the more tools you need. Quality tools will last a lifetime so try to buy the best you can afford. Hand tools first...then build from there.

Air tools were once the cream of the crop but cordless tools are coming on strong.
 
I have a big wrench for hitch balls, the one end is a 1-1/8" and it works great for doing the coil spring nuts. In theory you can use a really deep 1-1/8" socket on a long extension down through the coil spring, but I've found that it's typically extremely hard to get enough leverage that way.
 
Good info so far...i hate to muddy the waters here but I think if you are considering a tool box for roadside repairs only then it's easier.

If you are making a kit for more than that (like junkyard part hunting) or for helping other motorists then it needs a few more things.

Like TomW mentioned a ratchet with all sockets up to 21 mm is usually good for most things including lug nuts in case your tire wrench breaks.

I will say that a 1/2" drive with both a 3/8 and 1/4 stepdown will reduce the need for three different ratchet drivers...and I liked carrying the 1/2" drive with a 12" arm becuase it was generally stronger and gave excellent leverage...and three extensions...12", 6" and 3"...

I also carried a 1/2" Johnson bar (24" long) for more leverage needs like tough nuts to crack.

I could add a bunch more "must haves" for roadside stuff but you learn that as you go...but I'm sure others can add more...
 
Check out the pick a part tool bag thread several posts down this page. Lots of good ideas there.

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear
 
A three-foot cheater pipe can be a useful tool to have around too. I don't always carry it on the truck, but it can help get more leverage when used with a breaker bar if the last garage to tighten down lug nuts decided to blast them on and go for broke with the impact gun.

A cheap multi-meter can help with tracking down some basic wiring issues too. Harbor Freight often has them for free or cheap, I've got a collection of them so I can keep them in different locations.

I usually have a 1/4" drive socket set from Autozone in the truck. I've added a swivel to the kit and I usually have a 9/16 and 13mm in the truck too. That takes care of most small fasteners on RBVs and a lot of other stuff.

I was working on trying to build a tool kit with only the tools that I needed to work on my truck, but that kit has since been emptied. Between finally getting a big roll-away box and the need for using the waterproof grenade box that I was putting those tools in for storing tie-downs for the trailer... my kit got taken apart.

I will say that 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, and 21mm are all commonly used on RBVs. Or if I've had my hands on the truck for long, there's a lot of 7/16 and 3/4.....
 
Impacted on lug nuts is a pet peeve of mine*; but depending on where you live, 3' piece of pipe can be considered weapon. (I've had a long conversation with RCMP, that the sawed-off off baseball bat was just to loosen solenoid in my Dodge Dart, so it would hot start). Better to carry a 3' breaker bar - Cdn Tire/Harbor Freight sell them cheap.

I try to keep the vehicle tool box, small/light. Otherwise it gets 'borrowed' and isn't with the vehicle.

Just the 3/4 & 13/16" sockets, a 6" extension, 1/2 to 3/8 adapter & universal for 1/2" drive along with the breaker bar and torque wrench. Multi-blade screwdriver, couple sets of pliers (needle nose and slip). A small set of flat wrenches: 6mm-13mm metric, 1/4-5/8" imperial, a fold up sets of Torx and Allen wrenches and a medium hammer. Each of my kids/nieces received such a kit with their Rangers (my kids can do the repair,

If I can't fix it with those on side of road, it probably needs serious tools/I want to be out of the weather to make the repairs.

I also carry a can of liquid wrench, a litre of oil, and spare serpentine belt.

In the shop, there is the collection of tools from my 40+ years and my 1/3 of my dad's.

* When my daughter had her last safety; when we went to pick it up after, I asked the counter girl what torque the wheels were tightened to; she couldn't tell me, so she called the mechanic, who also couldn't. So, we went out to truck with service manager (I happen to work with service manager's dad). He brought his breaker bar, but I asked him to remove them with the wrench from behind the seat. When he tried, the Ford tire iron twisted and failed but the lugs never moved. When he tried to remove with his breaker bar one stud failed. Truck went back into the shop, all 20 studs were replaced (about 1/2 of them showed signs of necking), along with tire iron. Rest of the guys doing tires suddenly found their torque wrenches.
 
What your tool bag contents might consist of probably depends on what your repair skills are... you can do most on the highway emergency repairs with the following:

Screwdrivers, flat and philips, hammer, needle nose pliers, vice grips, 3/8 ratchet, a couple extensions, 8 through 17mm sockets and wrenches, and a good quality 12mm 12 point wrench in particular for driveshaft bolts. Probably a good idea to throw in gloves, rags, a tarp to lay on, roll of mechanics wire, tape, and a funnel too.

You can add a ton more stuff if you want. My "repair kit" in my offroad rig is an entire truck toolbox full of tools, parts, bolts, survival gear, recovery equipment, etc... WAY more than I probably need, but I can fix an awful lot of stuff.
 

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