| Obtain Tools |
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Ah yes, tools. We all have them, but do we have what we need to do a complete frame
off restoration? I didn't, so I had to purchase a bunch along the way. In the terms of dollars, it was in the
thousands. This isn't meant to scare anyone off. I didn't spend 2 grand on tools the first day, but over the 2.5
years it took to complete the project, I spent that much. Actually it was around $2600.00. This being said, "tool
cost" was all the tools I bought as well as the "tooling" that I had to have done on the Jeep. These tools included,
but not limited to, bearing press on, ball joint press on, rotor wheel studs pressed in, drum cuts, rotors turned,
tire mounting, front end alignment and many other things that I was smart enough not to attempt myself.
That being said, I also purchased some tools. Although I don't have many pictures of them, I will list out what
will be needed in a typical frame off restoration.
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This is the compressor I got at Sears that was "damaged".
Damaged in this case meant it had a battle scar from being moved inside the box and the hose was cut. I simply
got a new hose, some basic air tool attachments and fittings and I was on my way. |
| Tools Purchased
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| - Air compressor |
| - Air Accessories |
| - Cut off Tool |
| - Air Ratchet |
| - Impact Wrench |
| - Tire inflation nozzle |
| - Air spray nozzle to clean out tight areas |
| - Cutting/Grinding Discs |
| - Complete Die grinder set for metal |
| - Complete 1/2" Ratchet Set |
| - Complete 3/4" Ratchet Set (only if you are doing pitman arm, larger bolts |
| - Easy Out Extractor Set |
| - Complete Drill Set |
| - Heavy Duty Drill - plug-in model |
| - Angle Grinder - plug-in model |
| - Mechanic Style Toolboxes to keep everything in |
| - 50 ft. Extension Cords |
| - Subscription to JP Magazine / Four Wheeler |
| - A Digital Camera |
| - Tons of Shop Towels and Dojo for cleaning your hands |
| - Jeep Books and Manuals |
| - Torque Wrench - 3/4" |
| - Torque Wrench - 1/2" |
| - Jack Stands |
| - Shop Style Jack |
| - Mig Welder (if you plan on doing floors or body panels) |
| - Sandblasting equipment (if you plan on cleaning up parts) |
| - Automotive Tools |
| - Steering Wheel Puller |
| - Pitman Arm Puller |
| - Tire Rod Puller |
| - Power Steering Pump Puller |
| - Ball Joint Separator |
| - Oil Seal Puller |
| - Assorted Drum Brake Tools |
| - Disc Brake Socket for Ball Joint pre-load |
| - Telescoping Magnet |
| - Engine Hoist (if you plan on pulling the motor) |
| - Cleaners - Aerosol |
| - PB Blaster (a must if you have stubborn bolts) |
| - Brake Cleaner |
| - Carburetor Cleaner |
| - Rivet Gun and Aluminum Rivets |
| - Good Volt Meter and assorted electrical testing devices |
| - Complete Mechanics Grade Screwdriver Set |
| - Hammers |
| - Metal shaping Hammer |
| - Sand Hammer for bearings |
| - 3-5 lb. sledge hammer for stubborn stuff |
| - Breaker Bar for tough nuts |
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| Lessons Learned the Hard Way |
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So, my lessons learned here would have to be that if I had more money up front, I
would have bought more tools at one time. Constantly running back and forth to the store really takes away from
the project at hand. I never added up all the gas it took to get to and fro, but in the Dodge Ram 1500, you know
that it could be cheap...
I got a digital camera late in the game. I can't tell you how important it is to take TONS and TONS of pictures.
Even though you think you are a bright person, you can't possibly remember where everything goes and where it is
all laid out. I took regular pictures in the beginning, but the clarity suffered. A 3+ mega-pixel camera is the way
to go.
Also, I would have purchased the toolboxes up front. I did this late in the game and I was always searching
through the floor and surrounding areas for where I put certain things. With a rollaway toolbox like the
mechanics use, I would have been able to wheel out the toolbox and not have to walk back and forth the length of
the garage, thus enabling me to get more done.
One last thing that I still haven't gotten but would have been worth every penny is a shop vacuum. This would
have saved tons of trees with the usage of the paper towels I used.
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| Conclusions |
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| You don't need to buy all the tools listed, we just wanted to emphasize that getting
into a project of this size will require tools that you probably don't have. If you have friends that have tools,
by all means beg, borrow, and steal them if you can. It will make it a lot cheaper and clutter up less in the
garage!!
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