What About all the Brand Names?
Simply put, to work on any ride You Need Tools. you don't have to spend a fortune on Snap-on or MAC or other "mechanic's choice" tools either. Believe me I've owned thousands of dollars in high quality tools over the years and I've settled on one brand, Craftsman, for most hand tools. why Craftsman? Because there's a Sears in just about every town, and they make every tool you'll need at a reasonable price, most at least. Look for sales and pick up one of their mail order catalogs too, it's a great reference.

What Tools do I Really Need?
First off you need a decent place to store your tools; a toolbox. Something that's big and heavy in itself so you can't move it around is a not a good choice. Unless you've a permanent, secured area to keep it (a locked garage). I prefer a portable toolbox, simple construction and the ability to actually pick it up, move it or throw it in the car when you need to. It comes in real handy to be able to take all your tools with you at times.

Now what you fill this box with is really a personal choice and I can type hours on tools but I'll spare you that. I'll just list what tools I have and you can see what tool choices I've made and maybe work off them and build yourself a nice set.

My best bit of advice i can give you when making a tool purchase is to ask yourself this:

• "will i be using this tool often enough to justify it's price?"
• "can i get a better deal if i buy the set?"
  (i recommend small sets when purchasing your sockets)

Either that or take your wife or better half along with you and she'll slap you silly before you drop a dime on that pretty chrome or awesome power tool!

On more note, you can find tools for sale all the time in the newspapers, garage sales, flea markets... you can save A LOT this way. I purchased my near complete set of tools (never) all new but don't overlook the bargains you may find. Just remember you usually pay for what you get, cheap foreign tools are mostly crap.

My Tools

I had to start my tool collection all over again when I bought my GT, this time I'm keeping these tools! I've broken the section up into 3 groups: Hand Tools, Power Tools, and Odd & Ends. Remember I didn't buy these tools all at once, just a few a month over the last year. It might be a bit hard on the bank if you take this list to Sears and go crazy. Sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches are a good way to start you along on your Tool Collection Quest!

This list is in no particular order at all.

[Hand Tools]

1/2" x 10" Pro Ratchet

• 6-point sockets from 9-20mm
• 6" extension bar
• 3/8" socket adapter (use 3/8" sockets if needed)
• swivel

3/8" x 12" pro ratchet (excellent)

• 6" standard ratchet
• 6-point sockets from 6-15mm (some deep)
• 10" extension bar
• 6" extension bar
• 3" extension bar
• 1" extension bar
• swivel
• swivel sparkplug socket
• 1/2" socket adapter (use 1/2" sockets if needed)
• 1/4" socket adapter (use 1/4" sockets if needed)

1/4" x 5" standard ratchet

• 6-point sockets 5/32"- 1/2"
• 3" extension bar
• swivel
• nut driver

Open End/Box Combo Wrenches

• Metric pro 7-15mm set (in foldup cloth bag)
• US standard 1/4"-11/16" set (same)

Crescent Wrenches

• 10"
• 8"
• 6"

Screw Drivers

• ratcheting/multi-bit screw driver (get this one)
• few dozen assorted size/type bits
• assorted length/size (2-standard / 2-phillips)
• stubby (1-standard / 1-phillips)
• mini (1-standard / 1-phillips)
• mini multi-bit (uses all the same bits)
• 12" pro monster tip (yeah! great tool)

Metal Files

• 8" flat (with handle)
• 8" triangular (with handle)
• mini ignition file (a little guy for little jobs)

Pliers

• 8" ViseGrip
• 8" RoboGrip
• reg head
• needle nose
• long needle nose

[Power Tools]

Makita Cordless Drill (a must)

• spare battery
• bits to 3/8" size
• center hole punch (don't forget it)
• V/A hole drill set (for large holes)
• a few wire brush/grind bits
• carry case

Dremel Cordless Tool (really need this one!)

• lots of assorted bits
• spare battery
• carry case

[Odd & Ends]

• 20" GT plastic toolbox (yep. very full box now ;)

Soldering Stuff

• Wahl ISO-TIP cordless rechargeable soldering tool (nice)
• BernzOmatic mini hand torch (great for soldering large gauge wire)
• small model builders vise clamp (suctions to table)
• resin soldering wire
• misc wire, shrink tubing and connectors

Sparkplug Stuff

• round gap gauge
• Permatex anti-seize compound
• Permatex dielectric grease
• spark plug snake (for hard to reach plugs)
•  Black & Decker SnakeLight (Very Handy)
• Mini AA Maglite flashlight
• Swiss Army knife (hunter model)
• adjustable head Pop Rivet tool and 1/8" aluminum rivets/washers
• SunPro digital mutimeter
• SunPro 4-12v continuity tester
• 10' tape measure
• 2 - 1 1/2" C clamps (Very Handy)
• Loctite thread compound
• Permatex Blue/Black RTV gasket sealer (get some now)
• dial caliper (cheap one for now)
• magnetic pen extension (picks up screws, etc...)
• mirror pen extension (to find those lost screws, etc ...)
• metal etching pen
• oil filter removal cap (3/8" end)
• sanding sponge (med. grit)
• a few small divided parts boxes (for nuts, bolts, screws, etc ...)

Next on the list? A reciprocating saw and a decent quality, wide lbs range, torque wrench. 

Well... that's it for now. it's not complete but I've done all the mods on my GT with these tools. The only thing I couldn't do so far was remove the alt pulley (need an impact wrench for that).

modstang@usa.net