So Many New Rules - Satire

[dmopro]

My first new truck in 22 years (1992 Ford Ranger) and I am learning that there are so many new rules in the modern age of truck ownership. One of the top rules seems to be that you MUST carry a bag of tools in it (well duh, we all know a truck need tools.)

My observation, based on an in-depth evaluation of the wealth of information on this site, is that no one can agree as to what tools are truly necessary. There is some agreement on a few things: A NOCO Jump pack (so my old jumper cables will need to be repurposed.) A star lug nut wrench and a decent jack (I can thank my dad for leaving me his 30 years ago.) But the tool bag is where we are all over the place as to what it should contain.

I approached this conundrum in as scientific a manner as I could. The first step was naturally to measure the amount of space/volume I had under the rear seat. Then I bought the largest roll-up bag I could find that would fit.

What to put in it required a little more thought. The Maverick being a metric build pretty much relegated my SAE tools to the Garage Sale pile. Now I know some SAE sizes will match metric sizes, but at my age I cannot do/remember the conversions. So, it’s best to start new, after all the Maverick deserves that much consideration. There are of course, the common basics: Wrenches, sockets (multiple 10mm, I already misplaced a couple of them already doing mods I got from here. Need to check the Garage Sale pile) and Torx wrenches.

The hardest things for me to source in metric are screwdrivers, crescent wrenches, and pliers/channel locks. Metric flashlights batteries are also almost non-existent unless you order them from Europe. Oh ya, forget about a metric hammer. We will just have to make do with a good old American one.

Now my wife seems to think that the above items are the same and can be used on a SAE based truck or a metric based truck. I have done the research, she hasn’t. The folks at Lowes and Home Depot need to be retained/educated as they were absolutely no help in sourcing these items.

I guess until I can actually find the metric equivalent items, I will just have to muddle through using new high quality American ones from Harbor Freight.

Dang this bag is heavy.

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[stevj]

Excellent observations, but I feel compelled to add.
Not just Torx wrenches: Torx Plus!
My local Harbor Freight doesn't carry them.

Steve

 

[Montana]

I'm willing to bet I carry about 300+ pounds of "tools" alone. Including my tire inflator and bottle jack. And it all fits nicely in the Maverick.

My solution in entirely too much detail

I've replace the fire extinguisher with this one and added a kinetic rope setup and straps to the mix just in case.

 

[Master Blaster]

Make sure that you get the right-hand metric screwdrivers, not the left-hand ones that are used in Britain.

 

[Oscarcat]

Excellent observations, but I feel compelled to add.
Not just Torx wrenches: Torx Plus!
My local Harbor Freight doesn't carry them.

Steve

Thank you Steve! I had no clue there was such a thing as TORX plus.

From the illustration, the T-plus has flatter edges- more grip surface?

Are the T-plus used in specific applications, like large fasteners, high stress? Or are they used on a whim .

 

[Jeff D.]

Thank you Steve! I had no clue there was such a thing as TORX plus.

From the illustration, the T-plus has flatter edges- more grip surface?

Are the T-plus used in specific applications, like large fasteners, high stress? Or are they used on a whim .

The T-Plus are just harder to strip out when you use ellen wrenches instead.

Harder, but not too much harder.

 

[rlhdweman]

I carry a vise grip a pliers & 2 screwdrivers, & a roll of Gorilla tape, if it takes more than that I am calling AAA!

 

[exsubsailor]

I carry a flashlight in the glove compartment and the numbers of Ford and USAA roadside assistance on my phone.

 

[jmatchco]

Thank you Steve! I had no clue there was such a thing as TORX plus.

From the illustration, the T-plus has flatter edges- more grip surface?

Are the T-plus used in specific applications, like large fasteners, high stress? Or are they used on a whim .

I just found out there were torx plus out there, too. I wouldn't carry them in the truck, leave them at home in the safe.

 

[Maverickman74]

Excellent observations, but I feel compelled to add.
Not just Torx wrenches: Torx Plus!
My local Harbor Freight doesn't carry them.

Steve

Those are just stripped allen bolts.

 

[Fryck]

My first new truck in 22 years (1992 Ford Ranger) and I am learning that there are so many new rules in the modern age of truck ownership. One of the top rules seems to be that you MUST carry a bag of tools in it (well duh, we all know a truck need tools.)

My observation, based on an in-depth evaluation of the wealth of information on this site, is that no one can agree as to what tools are truly necessary. There is some agreement on a few things: A NOCO Jump pack (so my old jumper cables will need to be repurposed.) A star lug nut wrench and a decent jack (I can thank my dad for leaving me his 30 years ago.) But the tool bag is where we are all over the place as to what it should contain.

I approached this conundrum in as scientific a manner as I could. The first step was naturally to measure the amount of space/volume I had under the rear seat. Then I bought the largest roll-up bag I could find that would fit.

What to put in it required a little more thought. The Maverick being a metric build pretty much relegated my SAE tools to the Garage Sale pile. Now I know some SAE sizes will match metric sizes, but at my age I cannot do/remember the conversions. So, it’s best to start new, after all the Maverick deserves that much consideration. There are of course, the common basics: Wrenches, sockets (multiple 10mm, I already misplaced a couple of them already doing mods I got from here. Need to check the Garage Sale pile) and Torx wrenches.

The hardest things for me to source in metric are screwdrivers, crescent wrenches, and pliers/channel locks. Metric flashlights batteries are also almost non-existent unless you order them from Europe. Oh ya, forget about a metric hammer. We will just have to make do with a good old American one.

Now my wife seems to think that the above items are the same and can be used on a SAE based truck or a metric based truck. I have done the research, she hasn’t. The folks at Lowes and Home Depot need to be retained/educated as they were absolutely no help in sourcing these items.

I guess until I can actually find the metric equivalent items, I will just have to muddle through using new high quality American ones from Harbor Freight.

Dang this bag is heavy.

Please tell me you spent the extra money and got the bilingual tools.
These trucks, English isn't the first language.

 

[Montana]

Please tell me you spent the extra money and got the bilingual tools.
These trucks, English isn't the first language.

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