The 80/20 Toolbox

[TDBrown]

So what are the 20% of tools that solve 80% of the problems off-roading?

My sons and I are trying to create the toolbox version of a lightweight backpack or a Bare Minimum Go Bag. One of my sons does a ton of car repairs and has a metric butt-tonne (10% more than an imperial butt-ton) of tools. But we have been debating the minimum amount of tools we could carry off-road to solve the majority of the problems. Not trying to be a support truck, just help each other out.

Problem is, among our family we have GM, Ford, Japanese, and European (Land Rover) off-roaders. So we're trying to figure out the absolute bare minimum number of tools we could carry in one tool box to solve 80% of our problems.

Other problem is, none of us are very experienced off-roaders. So we started debating whether we really needed a hose-clamp plier or if we could make do with just a basic plier 80% of the time? If we don't take a whole socket set, which sizes of SAE and Metric sockets would we take. Stuff like that.

So the question for you experienced off-roaders is what tools would make it into a toolbox that you were trying to keep as small as possible, but still cover 80% of the problems encountered by a variety of off-roaders?

 

[Rocsteady]

This is a great question. Reminds me of the "Sunday bag" my grandfather would play golf with at times. Only had a couple clubs, 3 wood, 5 iron, 9 iron, putter and maybe one more. Thing was, he scored very well that way...

 

[TRMFAM]

Good thread idea...here is what I carry

1. Medium sized hammer
2. Needle nose pliers
3. Wire cutters pliers
4. Vice Grip pliers
5. Wire stripper pliers
6. Channel lock pliers
7. Screwdriver like this one (mine is the Craftsman version but identical) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V8KK1ZT/?tag=fordraptorforum-20
8. Mini ratcheting driver like this one - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T8MVM2L/?tag=fordraptorforum-20
9. I carry a 3/8" socket set but you could try something like this - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073PRY9W6/?tag=fordraptorforum-20 and a ratchet
10. Razor knife
11. Small crescent wrench
12. Large crescent wrench
13. Duct tape - I use the Gorilla brand
14. Electrical tape
15. Leather gloves
16. Zip ties
17. Spare fuses - SPP one of the vendors here put together a nice fuse pack for the Raptor - https://specialtyperformanceparts.c...roducts/2015-f-150-raptor-essential-fuse-pack

I keep it all in a medium sized Milwaukee canvas tool bag that zips up...came with one of the various tools I have purchased.

You could also consider Red / black spools of wire (25' 14ga) + various wire terminals / splice connectors...I don't carry that in the Raptor but do in the rock crawler.

Other than that you start getting into recovery gear but I don't think you are asking about that...

 

[Droid]

Curious if there's anything notable in SAE other than the clamps for my bedcover?

 

[Sheeepdog18]

You need to carry one metric and one SAE crescent wrench!!!! All the tools in the world wouldn’t do you any good if you don’t have the parts to fix the problem. You should adjust what you would need for different outing.

 

[JP77]

Good thread idea...here is what I carry

1. Medium sized hammer
2. Needle nose pliers
3. Wire cutters pliers
4. Vice Grip pliers
5. Wire stripper pliers
6. Channel lock pliers
7. Screwdriver like this one (mine is the Craftsman version but identical) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V8KK1ZT/?tag=fordraptorforum-20
8. Mini ratcheting driver like this one - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T8MVM2L/?tag=fordraptorforum-20
9. I carry a 3/8" socket set but you could try something like this - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073PRY9W6/?tag=fordraptorforum-20 and a ratchet
10. Razor knife
11. Small crescent wrench
12. Large crescent wrench
13. Duct tape - I use the Gorilla brand
14. Electrical tape
15. Leather gloves
16. Zip ties
17. Spare fuses - SPP one of the vendors here put together a nice fuse pack for the Raptor - https://specialtyperformanceparts.c...roducts/2015-f-150-raptor-essential-fuse-pack

I keep it all in a medium sized Milwaukee canvas tool bag that zips up...came with one of the various tools I have purchased.

You could also consider Red / black spools of wire (25' 14ga) + various wire terminals / splice connectors...I don't carry that in the Raptor but do in the rock crawler.

Other than that you start getting into recovery gear but I don't think you are asking about that...

This is a great list. To add to a great idea, I carry the flip pliers that have wire cutters and stripper/crimper opposite the needle nose pliers.
Also add the small craftsman socket set sae/metric with and extension and torque bits that I know are on the truck. Extra wire and a test light will get you off a trail a lot. mall still fits in that same bag.

 

[TDBrown]

Well, the idea of a minimalist tool kit didn't generate as much discussion as I thought it might. TRMFAM, I liked the list you provided and the adds from others. But let me take one more shot at generating conversation.

The list below is mostly copied from one of the good people on this forum. This was the best list I found on the forum of what an ideal tool kit looks like. So instead of trying to build a minimalist list from scratch, from this, what would you leave home if you weren't going to try to solve all the problems, but be prepared for 80% of them before you called for help? Of this giant list, what are your "don't leave home without them" and what are your "nice to have but odds are against needing them even offroad"?

Socket set - all impact rated where possible

72-tooth ratchets in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2-in.
Extentions - impact rated 2-in, 3-in, 6-in
SAE sockets in 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16. 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, and 1-1/16-in.
Metric sockets in 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, and 27mm
SAE DEEP - 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, and 1-1/8-in.
Metric DEEP - 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 27, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35,36,and 38mm
3/8"-drive Spark plug sockets in 5/8, and 13/16-in.
U-joints in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2-in.​

Wrenches

Ratchting/open-end SAE - 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, and 7/8-in.
Ratcheting/open-end Metric - 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18mm
10" Adjustable wrench (preferably locking)​

Pliers

Regular
Needlenose/wirecutting
Channel lock adjustable
Hose clamp pliers
Snap/retaining ring pliers
15" extended locking pliers
Locking (vise grip)​

Screwdrivers

Multibit
Magnetic, assortment, long and short, slot and phillips​

Multibit set for screwdriver/socket/drill

Slotted - 3/64, 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 11/64, 3/16, 1/4, and 5/16-in.
Phillips - PH000, PH00, PH0, PH1, PH2, and PH3
Torx - T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45, T47, T50, T55, and T60
Square - S0, S1, S2, S3
Hex Metric - H2, H2.5, H3, H4, H5, H6
Hex SAE - 1/16, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, and 5/16-in.
Nut drivers - 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 16/32, and 3/8-in.
Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) - 1, 2, and 3​

Hex keys (long, ball-end)

SAE - 1/20, 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8-in.
Metric - 1.27, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 8, and 10mm
Torx - T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45, T50​

Hammers

Claw - medium weight
Ball peen
Rubber mallet - 16 oz.​

Electrical

Combination wire stripper/connector tool
12 V DC test light
Multimeter
Electrical tape
Electrical wire - 12, 14, 16, and 18 gauge
Fuses - assorted appropriate for vehicle
Solderless connector kit
Electrical pliers
Fuse holders​

Cordless tools

20V batteries (aat least 2)
Battery charger
Inverter
Drill - cordless
Impact wrench
Drill bits​

Miscellaneous

Assorted hose clamps
Zip ties
Extendable mirror
Telescoping magnet
Magnetic parts tray
Utility knife
Pencil
Duct tape (waterproof and flexible)
Gaffers tape (leaves no residue behind)
WD-40
Silicone lube
JB Weld
Alumaseal radiator sealent
Superglue
Wood glue
Latex gloves
Flashlight/headlamp​