Tools and Repair Supplies in Your Rig

[WilsBoar]

Gotcha. This is going to be an interesting trip. Once I get her down to Florida she will probably not stray more than about 40 miles from home. This will be a true test. Especially due to the fact that we are dropping a SIII gearbox in her the week before.

[greenmeanie]

Metric? On a pre 1980's Series rig? Been replacing stock bolts with metric bolts or swapping in different assemblies?

Break out your calculator and do some math. You'll find metric and imperial are almost exactly the same within the tolerances your tools/bolt heads are made to and are pretty interchangeable. Metric will also do Whitworth with a little persuasion. Saves carrying a bucket load of tools when only a few are needed.

[tmckeon88]

I see what you're getting at with metric sizes being close to SAE but I still think that using metric wrenches and sockets on SAE bolts is going to result in a lot of rounded off bolt heads and frustrations. I have a few metric wrenches in my tool box but I have seldom if ever use them - sometimes for oddball Whitworth stuff; and I should really get a set of Whitworths and do that right.

I am a little embarrassed to say my tool and spares collection sometimes threatens to overwhelm the back of my 88. I recently went through and took out a bunch of things I never use and put them away. I don't have a garage so I got used to carrying everything I needed in the back of the truck. I did a long Pan-American highway trip and also experienced relatively few breakdowns; I certainly used my basic wrenches and screwdrivers, fluids and sealers. I could have used spare axles, I broke one of those, and I broke the gearshift lever off, but there's not much you can do about that. (Found a nice Chilean welder to put it back together again.) I like my boxes of spares and will probably continue to carry them. Good luck on the road.

Tom

[Alk-3]

I carry both metric and SAE because my truck has been in Canada long enough to have picked up several metric nuts and bolts, and the truck lived in the states before that. Not only that, but often a nut that is say ½" will be attached to a bolt that is also ½" and so requires two wrenches the same size.. if you happen to have both SAE and metric, then you can get by using a 13mm and a ½". Basically you have two sets of wrenches, and none of them are really redundant. I use both metric and SAE equally on my truck, and would be frustrated if I didn't have both.

Just this past weekend I upgraded my e-brake to a disc brake, and had to remove the rear prop shaft. I could have used a socket and wrench, but that would require rolling the truck mid way through the job to gain access to all the bolts. by using two wrenches and not using the socket, I didn't have to roll the truck. it's not a huge deal, but convenient to have the tools on hand.

If weight or storage space was a real concern, I would rather give up the SAE sockets than give up the metric wrenches.. but weight and space are not concerns to me… yet..
I think in time everyone gathers the tools and parts they deem necessary, and once in a while should empty items from the truck that have seen no use in a long time.

[TeriAnn]

I often a nut that is say ½" will be attached to a bolt that is also ½" and so requires two wrenches the same size.. if you happen to have both SAE and metric, then you can get by using a 13mm and a ½". Basically you have two sets of wrenches, and none of them are really redundant.

Right one that fits and one slightly too wide and you count on the bolt not being too tight to round the edges of the nut or bolt the 13mm wrench is on.

Instead of carrying a complete second set of wrenches I have my basic combination wrench set plus three long handle combination wrenches: 7/16, 1/2 & 9/16. They serve your stated purpose plus can provide a longer leaver for bolts on extra tight.

3 long handled wrenches tend to take up less space than a complete second wrench set. But we all have our individual preferences. I just have more of a feeling of "rightness" when I have the correct tool for the job I'm doing.

I mean, 2 adjustable spanners should be enough for most jobs ... but.

[disco2hse]

Various lengths of various gauge electrical wire
Alligator clips
Electrical tape
Circuit tester and multi-tester
Standard automotive tool box from the local home supplies store
1/4" and 1/2" drive socket sets
Spare dizzy cap, rotor, coil, ignitor
oil and brake/clutch fluid
water
two truck jacks
long link chain
Rope
Tirfor winch
Usual assortment of recovery equipment
1" drive breaker bar, extension and sockets for a wheel brace
Various electrical tools such as wire strippers, heat shrink, etc.
Several blocks of 12x2 wood
Bridging ladders
Plywood to go over the front of the radiator when wading (it's held on with bungy cord)
Portable 12V tyre pump (up to 120psi capacity)
Lengths of 1" galvanised pipe
Grease gun
WD40
Lanokote (spray on and grease)
Assortment of electrical connectors
Packets of fuses and appropriate sizes
Spare light bulbs
Fuel line
Machete
Saw
Shovels (x2)
2.5kg fire extinguisher (rated and checked annually)
Spare spark plugs
Gasket goo
Wiring diagram
V8 supplement and workshop manual
Spare wheel in good and checked condition
Lighter
Torches and batteries
Hand held PRS radios
High-viz waistcoats (yellow and orange)
Vacuum pipe and connectors
hose clamps and jubilee clips
thread tape

Added;
EPIRB
Spare axle hub caps

[greenmeanie]

How many have you actually rounded using a metric spanner?

If you are worried about rounding bolts then 6 sided ring spanners/sockets are a much better bet than hoping your open ended SAE is manufactured to ANSI B18.2 tolerances. Have you ever mic'd them to make sure? There's lots of good tools but even more of dubious quality. Then again, you are assuming Rover and all previous owners are also used fasteners made to this standard too....

If you are REALLY worried about rounding fasteners then Metrinch is the way to go.

Oh and as Land ROver have a passion for floating fastener joints vice grips save the day unless you have really long arms in all situations.

[Alk-3]

Right one that fits and one slightly too wide and you count on the bolt not being too tight to round the edges of the nut or bolt the 13mm wrench is on.

Instead of carrying a complete second set of wrenches I have my basic combination wrench set plus three long handle combination wrenches: 7/16, 1/2 & 9/16. They serve your stated purpose plus can provide a longer leaver for bolts on extra tight.

3 long handled wrenches tend to take up less space than a complete second wrench set. But we all have our individual preferences. I just have more of a feeling of "rightness" when I have the correct tool for the job I'm doing.

I mean, 2 adjustable spanners should be enough for most jobs ... but.

Yes, totally agree. a couple of long handled wrenches would work IF you don't have a mismatch of metric and SEA all over the truck like I do. I find I need the metrics just as much as the SAE, which is why I carry both, but I'd rather use a sightly too large metric wrench on a SAE nut than an adjustable wrench any day of the week.
Of corse I think everyone would rather have the right tool for the job at any given time, but in a pinch, getting away with the most versatile tools can be a blessing on the side of the road at night.. in the rain.

[Alk-3]

How many have you actually rounded using a metric spanner?

so far? none.