Essential Tools to Get?

[Ducati1098]

Just to add to the VCM lite information, Ford did mention that they would start charging a $25/month or $150/year fee for the Ford diagnow access. Not sure if that has happened yet, as my dealership pays for mine.
I would also recommend against it as it really doesn’t do much. Better off getting forscan as it does just as much plus more.

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[MNBigfoot]

Trim tools, cheapest ones you can find.

Great to have, along with a 500 piece fastener set. And some of the fastener kits throw in removal tools.
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[ctandc]

IF you want a REAL Factory service manual, the exact same data / pictures / info that Ford Techs use, you can pay $300+ for it on a USB drive (Helmsinc) OR:

Go to www.motorcraftservice.com

Pick USA / English
Register for an account (it's free)
Once logged in go to Service Info.
You'll see "All Vehicle Lines for model year 1994 to current" and on the right you'll see "Term".
Change it to 72 hours.
Pay the $21 or so for 72 hours of FULL access.

Then you can access the documents to the FULL service manual for your Bronco (and any other Ford since 1994) including Electrical and simply print them to PDF and save them on a computer / usb drive.

It's a bit cumbersome, but I was able to do get all the info I wanted saved in an hour or so.

Bonus - you get access to the Ford system to check TSBs, SSMs, codes / status of your vehicle if you have the VIN etc.

 

[Save The Manuals]

IF you want a REAL Factory service manual, the exact same data / pictures / info that Ford Techs use, you can pay $300+ for it on a USB drive (Helmsinc) OR:

Go to www.motorcraftservice.com

Pick USA / English
Register for an account (it's free)
Once logged in go to Service Info.
You'll see "All Vehicle Lines for model year 1994 to current" and on the right you'll see "Term".
Change it to 72 hours.
Pay the $21 or so for 72 hours of FULL access.

Then you can access the documents to the FULL service manual for your Bronco (and any other Ford since 1994) including Electrical and simply print them to PDF and save them on a computer / usb drive.

It's a bit cumbersome, but I was able to do get all the info I wanted saved in an hour or so.

Bonus - you get access to the Ford system to check TSBs, SSMs, codes / status of your vehicle if you have the VIN etc.

underrated piece of info, thank you!

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

IF you want a REAL Factory service manual, the exact same data / pictures / info that Ford Techs use, you can pay $300+ for it on a USB drive (Helmsinc) OR:

Go to www.motorcraftservice.com

Pick USA / English
Register for an account (it's free)
Once logged in go to Service Info.
You'll see "All Vehicle Lines for model year 1994 to current" and on the right you'll see "Term".
Change it to 72 hours.
Pay the $21 or so for 72 hours of FULL access.

Then you can access the documents to the FULL service manual for your Bronco (and any other Ford since 1994) including Electrical and simply print them to PDF and save them on a computer / usb drive.

It's a bit cumbersome, but I was able to do get all the info I wanted saved in an hour or so.

Bonus - you get access to the Ford system to check TSBs, SSMs, codes / status of your vehicle if you have the VIN etc.

That's great info, thanks. Am I dating myself by saying I'd just like to get a modern equivalent of a Chilton's for ~$30 - I guess inflation adjusted to maybe $75 or so? Yeah, of course not nearly the same as the manu's factory service manual (and also not $300!) but "good enough" more often than not. Next to a couple of screwdrivers and a variety of wrenches those were the best investments one could make "back in the day" for working on your vehicles.

 

[Gabby]

@Tricky Dick what is your website?

Also do you sell Bronco tool kits? I've done the "do it yourself" tool kits for my bikes and find the premade specialty kits are generally lighter and more compact.

 

[Tricky Dick]

@Tricky Dick what is your website?

Also do you sell Bronco tool kits? I've done the "do it yourself" tool kits for my bikes and find the premade specialty kits are generally lighter and more compact.

TD-Distributing.com

 

[Desert_Brush]

TD-Distributing.com

Do you know when you'll have more in stock?

 

[Bikeric]

I keep this set of thru sockets in my Bronco at ALL Times. It seems like the Ford Engineers decided to make every bolt extra long and then block access to it with minimal clearance. I could not have performed my lift without this set of tools, and it made changing the muffler much easier. I swear I could lose 100lbs of steel if I went around my Bronco and cut the visible bolts to 2 threads past the nut.
https://www.mcmaster.com/54485A8/

 

[Tricky Dick]

Do you know when you'll have more in stock?

Not exactly. A couple more weeks I think.

 

[Billnchristy]

Since you have two, why not get an obdlink and run logs on both of them. Yeah they are going to be snowflakes to some extent but if there is a parameter that is wildly different you can then figure out what components relate to it and then cascade from there.

 

[Lil Red Broncette]

Since you have two, why not get an obdlink and run logs on both of them. Yeah they are going to be snowflakes to some extent but if there is a parameter that is wildly different you can then figure out what components relate to it and then cascade from there.

Yes a good point. There are of course many OBD2 with different capabilities. I have a couple already I use with our 02 Explorer and 99 Ranger. The bronco has far more than those 20+ year old vehicles. In a way I expected suggestions that involved OBD2, but specifically which one might be good.

As to comparing between the vehicles, a good idea unfortunately they are garaged 1700 miles from each other and I spend months in one locale before going to the other...now if I can download everything off my Bronco Base to compare with the black diamond that could help me spot what may be different that causes my black diamond to knock

 

[Lil Red Broncette]

I keep this set of thru sockets in my Bronco at ALL Times. It seems like the Ford Engineers decided to make every bolt extra long and then block access to it with minimal clearance. I could not have performed my lift without this set of tools, and it made changing the muffler much easier. I swear I could lose 100lbs of steel if I went around my Bronco and cut the visible bolts to 2 threads past the nut.
https://www.mcmaster.com/54485A8/

Thats a nice set with unique capability

 

[Snacktime]

I keep this set of thru sockets in my Bronco at ALL Times. It seems like the Ford Engineers decided to make every bolt extra long and then block access to it with minimal clearance. I could not have performed my lift without this set of tools, and it made changing the muffler much easier. I swear I could lose 100lbs of steel if I went around my Bronco and cut the visible bolts to 2 threads past the nut.
https://www.mcmaster.com/54485A8/

Craftsman maxes a similar ratchet set, saved me a few times but it stays in the toolbox. I find a set of ratchet wrenches to be a better all around tool.

For trail repairs my knipex pliers wrenches are the Holy Grail. They work through mud and fit everything. My most used tool I have. https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-Tools...=knipex+pliers+wrenches&qid=1675007790&sr=8-5

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Craftsman maxes a similar ratchet set, saved me a few times but it stays in the toolbox. I find a set of ratchet wrenches to be a better all around tool.

For trail repairs my knipex pliers wrenches are the Holy Grail. They work through mud and fit everything. My most used tool I have. https://www.amazon.com/KNIPEX-Tools...=knipex+pliers+wrenches&qid=1675007790&sr=8-5

I've never heard of those. They look terrific, thanks!

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