Which tools should you always carry? Post links

[Braptor P]

Consider the Motley Industries Bronco Tool Roll. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but it has pretty much everything your Bronco will need for basic road and trail repairs.

When I go wheeling I carry this along with a few extra tools including a torque wrench, wheel lock sockets, OBD2 scan tool, tire and sidewall patch kit, some basic electrical supplies, and impact drill. I also bring a few spare parts like tie rods and an alternator, plus some recovery gear.

Ultimately, carry the tools, spare parts, and recovery gear that complement the type of wheeling you do. Hope this helps

https://motleyind.com/products/122-piece-ford-performance-tri-fold-tool-kit

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[ThunderFlash]

But now my wife and I are planning to move into our Bronco and travel full time

I assume your Avatar is your Bronco. Absolute MAD PROPS to the dude and his wife that chose to move into a 2-door Bronco!!!! Viva la dos porta!....er something like that. Eat that you Moardoors!

So, how prepared do you want to be? If you're living out of this truck, I'd think you'd have to minimize your tools for both space AND payload limitations.

There is a Bronco specific tool roll out there on the Internet that has a fair bit of what you need for nut and bolt turning. It's not cheap....and it's not the very highest quality tools either, but what I liked is everything is laser etched with a Bronco emblem. That way, I can keep that set complete and not end up with mix/match cross contaminated tools...like all my other tools sets have become. The Amazon link below for informational purposes only! You can get it cheaper elsewhere, I believe even from Ford while on sale or using points. Or you could build your own tool roll from the tool list.

But like many have said, electrical gremlins are not completely uncommon. And start getting into undercarriage stuff and the tool sizes start getting pretty large, well over the 19mm lug nut size for sure. Rear lower shock mounts an links are over 20mm if I recall. I believe the inner tie rod on a severe duty steering rack calls for a 15" adjustable wrench as the flats are over 40mm, nearly 1-3/4”. That's a pretty big wrench and I don't know I would include that as a permanent roommate in a 2-door apartment. I lived most of my life with 12" max Crescent wrenches until this steering rack entered my life. In fact, the 12" wrench worked to remove the inner tie rods on my HOSS 2.0 rack that I replaced! But judging from you avatar, you do leave pavement and tie rod failures are not completely unheard of....and you probably ain't driving her out with one failed.

Bronco OEM Tool Roll Reference:
https://a.co/d/0iveNDcg

 

[Wayne]

Bronco OEM Tool Roll Reference:
https://a.co/d/0iveNDcg

I'm a sucker for bronco branded accessories so I picked up a set of these when they first were released. Been happy wit it so far

 

[CalvinT]

you can live without AC for a day.

Depends on time of year and where you live.

 

[CalvinT]

Consider the Motley Industries Bronco Tool Roll. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but it has pretty much everything your Bronco will need for basic road and trail repairs.

When I go wheeling I carry this along with a few extra tools including a torque wrench, wheel lock sockets, OBD2 scan tool, tire and sidewall patch kit, some basic electrical supplies, and impact drill. I also bring a few spare parts like tie rods and an alternator, plus some recovery gear.

Ultimately, carry the tools, spare parts, and recovery gear that complement the type of wheeling you do. Hope this helps

https://motleyind.com/products/122-piece-ford-performance-tri-fold-tool-kit

I looked at that tool kit when they first came out and almost bought one. Then I got to thinking. I didn't want to carry the spare parts necessary to justify carrying that many tools. Also there are some unneeded tools in it (13/16 spark plug socket is one example) and it's missing tools you may still need. (to change tie rod or AC belt are two examples). Also didn't see any Torx Plus bits. Ford uses quite a few Torx Plus screws. It's really a generic metric tool kit with Bronco logos. It isn't specialized for any particular vehicle.

You're better off going through your Bronco and thinking about what you're willing to carry the parts for and what you have the skill to do. Then buy tools accordingly.

 

[RM DEVOS]

Starlink
Phone
Water
Tire repair
Jack that’s capable of lifting 37 out side vehicle
Gloves
Blanket
Tow rope
I’m very cautious about hauling anything to heavy or metal inside the vehicle. If you’re in an accident or rollover everything in the Bronco becomes a missile. I start there

 

[Valhalla]

Food water clothing gear to walk out if you have to leave the vehicle. First aid, fire suppression. Tools just beyond the capability of what you want to work on. small caliber arms. (ain't no 911 on the trail). 1/2 metric socket set including socket for axle nut. 3/8 and 1/4 metric set. adjustable and locking pliers. adjustable wrench. torx and torx plus set, brass and steel hammers (I like a 2# and an 8 oz. ball peen). few flat and a few Phillips screw drivers. pry bar.. Jack. My standard off the highway pack out.. I carry electric impact and electric ratchet wrenches but not necessary.

 

[Area51BS]

2gallon bucket/lid, garbage bag &TP. Acts as emergency commode and tool storage. Go in around and under Bronco finding what size bolts and small fasteners. Wrenches and assorted socket drivers, extensions for the sockets and bits. Carry only those that fit as others have said. No sets. Quality pliers. Slip and locking. Small assortment of panel removal and hook tools. I prefer those in pic. Knife. Wire ties, tape, super glue fuses. Light. Tire repair, pump and jump pack(many have light). Belt. Small Digital MM.

 

[Brian_B]

For space savings, I recently found the Klein KNect tools,

Oh those look nice, I've always liked Klein stuff too.

I carry a 21mm and 24mm ratcheting wrench - that seems to fit most suspension bolts, and I use the 21mm (along with a 6mm allen) to manually d/c the front sway bar on the trail. Apart from that, most everything else you need is in a standard socket/wrench set - but those two are a bit bigger.

I have most all the stuff from Tricky's old tie rod kit. I didn't get the opportunity to purchase from him, but he was nice enough to post everything in it, so I cobbled something together. I haven't had to use it yet, thankfully.

Front Axle is 35mm, I don't carry one of those with me, but I should consider something for that. I have a big adjustable that I threw in with my tie rod stuff, but not sure I could get the axle nut off with that.

A 1L bottle of water and a big, old, and severely abused beach towel stay in my Bronco all the time.

 

[Valhalla]

Always carry a towel, people will assume you are clean and let you borrow their toothbrush.

 

[Brian_B]

Always carry a towel, people will assume you are clean and let you borrow their toothbrush.

This is the real reason. Dental hyenine is important, but who has room to pack that bulky toothbrush every time?

 

[Surge]

I assume your Avatar is your Bronco. Absolute MAD PROPS to the dude and his wife that chose to move into a 2-door Bronco!!!! Viva la dos porta!....er something like that. Eat that you Moardoors!

Thanks! We already lived out of it for about a month this past winter and we learned from it. We have made some changes to our setup like being willing to sacrifice weight and roofrack space for a rooftop tent, so we don't have to setup and teardown a ground tent and everything that goes with it, especially when you get to camp late at night and is windy as hell. Or realized that we needed a bigger battery bank and a faster way to charge it. I'm sure those things will now bring new challenges like added weight and reduced cargo space. Both of which I am worried about. But hey, if it doesn't work out we can always come back and rent a new apartment.

And thanks to everyone for their feedback, much appreciated.

 

[ThunderFlash]

But hey, if it doesn't work out we can always come back and rent a new apartment.

Well, the very best of luck to you and yours. I do love my Bronco enough that the thought of living in it does seem appealing. Be careful, have fun, and actually live the dream! I'm sure there will be many, many challenges, but I hope you two can push past those.

 

[NC_Oak]

kinda sorta been said here already, but a laptop running forscan and the obd2 port cable.

 

[murphtron]

I'm wondering which tools should I plan to always carry with me on the Bronco to help me with mechanical problems while on the road.

For reference I've never in my life had to perform any repairs in the middle of the road or a trip, not even change a tire, maybe I've been lucky, maybe I just keep my vehicles well maintained.

But now my wife and I are planning to move into our Bronco and travel full time, so space is at a premium, and the Bronco is going to be already carrying a lot of weight. Any advice on which tools (other than the jack) I should plan on bringing with me? Thanks.

oops: already been said…

A code reader or a laptop with Forscan+ODB cable. If you’re rock crawling, slamming or even sometimes going through water a wheel sensor can get triggered and cause a bunch of codes to be thrown and Bronco may go into limp mode. Not a fun experience when lockers are no longer functioning.

sometimes a reset (remove battery cable for 10min) works. Didn’t for me. I needed to clear all codes to restore lockers. This was on the Rubicon last week. As a result… I now carry a code reader. Thx to the trail angel for getting me going again!

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