I'm going to get myself a good socket set for Christmas...I've got a handful of old sockets that I've had since I was a kid. They are the old Cheepy cheepies. I have a 1/2" breaker bar and a few large metric sockets too from an old Craftsman set that was my dads. They've got me through everything I've needed to do on the Bronc so far but my question is:

Is there a socket set that everyone uses the most on their broncos?

Metric?

Standard?

I want to stay close to the $100 range...what sizes do we need the MOST for the Broncos?
:popc1:

I like craftsman. Still made in USA and has a lifetime warrantee. Get a set of standard and metrics because you will need both for the bronco. Make sure you have a 12mm 12pt for the rear drive shaft and an 1 1/8 (deep) for the ball joint nut, radius arm nut, and coil spring retainer nut. You need a spark plug socket too. My set came with 3 and I have NFC which size it is. :thumbup

I got 2 sets.
1st...Stanley, 1/2" drive, sizes 1/2" thru 1 1/8.
2nd... a big Stanley set; 1/4" and 3/8 drive, ratchet for each, standard & metric, deep well & shallow, with several extensions, a pack of Torx bits & keys, & open/box end wrenches standard & metric, and a couple sparkem plug sockets. That set came all in one carry case. And a 1/2" breaker bar I got seperate. Both sets have got me thru every project so far.

either stanley or craftman set. Just get combonation sets. If you will keep your eyes on the sale paper for sears you will see a 155pc set for $99. i bought one and it has all of the scokets you should need exept speciality stuff and afew wrenches to get you out of a bind.
this will cover your metric and standard and your 6 and 12 points in most common size sockets.

Here is the link it is on sale now,

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00935155000&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets

i agree. get a craftsman set on sale. put your old ones in your truck for the trail.
you could still stay cheapie and go with a big ass set from harbor freight. i have been abusing some for awhile and they are holding up fine.
also, your year truck needs mostly metric, so get all of those you can.
get some gearwrenches too, they rock!

it really doesn't matter what brand you get as long as your satisfied and you have all that you need?every tilhing else is preference.;)

So it looks like I need the metric and standard combo sets. I like that one that's on sale at Sears. I may need to take a drive down there after work if that's the one I decide on.

Craftsman..can't beat it...you break it take it in and they give you another one...and they are open 7 days a week...

harbor freight has a life time warranty on their socket and wrenchs too, half the cost of craftmen too. (pittsburg brand).

All of my tools are either Craftsman or S&K. Both have a lifetime warrenty....besides screwdrivers, I've only used the warrenty twice. Great tools.

Everything I have is also Craftsman, except for specialty stuff and air tools. I agree with gettin a Craftsman set on sale. Might also wanna look into some additional extensions and swivels to make the tools more versatile. I also second the motion of the gear wrenches. Get the standard and metric versions, best 80 bucks you will ever spend.

Everything I have is also Craftsman, except for specialty stuff and air tools. I agree with gettin a Craftsman set on sale. Might also wanna look into some additional extensions and swivels to make the tools more versatile. I also second the motion of the gear wrenches. Get the standard and metric versions, best 80 bucks you will ever spend.
:stupid gear wrenches are the bomb!!!!.:rockon

That they are, but DO NOT get the flex head version of them. A soon as you put enough torque on them the heads flex and you end you with busted knuckles. Never a good thing.

That they are, but DO NOT get the flex head version of them. A soon as you put enough torque on them the heads flex and you end you with busted knuckles. Never a good thing.
:histerica :histerica :histerica :histerica :histerica :histerica :histerica been there done that...even with out flex heads.:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I have a couple different sets but the two I have been happiest with are the Craftsman's and Kobalt's (Lowe's brand) both have held up very well and the lifetime warranty is always nice.

Since we are on the subject of tools...I'll be grabbing a floor jack too to compliment the bottle jack that I have...
Sears has a good deal on a 2 1/4 ton floor jack. Would that be too weak for the bronco? I'm sure it would lift the bronco...but would I run into problems lifting it year after year after year...or should I fork out the extra cash and get a 3 ton?

What capacity do the rest of you bronco builders use?

spend extra for 3 ton...but also check how high it goes...big problem when you have a lifted vehicle and you spend all that money on a jack that isnt tall enough!

Good point!

i use husky sockets (home depot brand) and they come in a nice case with metric and standard, and they have the same guarantee as the craftsman. i think there's more home depots around me than sears which is why i went that route. s&k are really nice but pricey.

i have the craftsman 44lb. aluminum floor jack, had it out on the trail recently worked real good and at that weight, it's awesome! $199, i really recommend it. it lifts tall enough to get under my lifted bko, if you're over 6" of lift it "may" be a problem, but you can always throw something under it if need be.

harbor freight has the aluminum jacks too, check there.

I'm going to get myself a good socket set for Christmas...I've got a handful of old sockets that I've had since I was a kid. They are the old Cheepy cheepies. I have a 1/2" breaker bar and a few large metric sockets too from an old Craftsman set that was my dads. They've got me through everything I've needed to do on the Bronc so far but my question is:

Is there a socket set that everyone uses the most on their broncos?

Metric?

Standard?

I want to stay close to the $100 range...what sizes do we need the MOST for the Broncos?
:popc1:





Call 800-621-0080 and ask for Tony. I can hook you up with a nice Stanley 151 piece set for 75 bucks+ shipping. I work for Stanley. Lifetime Guarantee. Just tell me who you are and where you're saw this and I can hook you up.


Tony

What might shipping be to Utah?

6 bucks for one.

I don't have any of my Credit card info...but I can call you the first of next week. That sounds sweet! I appreciate it. What do you do at Stanley?

By the way...I can't tell, does that kit have allen wrenches?

to tell you the truth your bronco should be 90% metric

On my 81 the only things that were standard are the engine, tranny, t case, Driveshaft, and Radius arm back bolt 1 1/8"

I think newer ones even had metric engine bolts, not sure about accessory brackets

Gather up all your craftsman sockets and turn them in and get brand new ones, hell they may just say heres a set if you have like 70% of everything that comes in the set.

I don't have any of my Credit card info...but I can call you the first of next week. That sounds sweet! I appreciate it. What do you do at Stanley?

By the way...I can't tell, does that kit have allen wrenches?



Yes it does have allen keys, both metric and standard.

I work in inside sales for Jensen Tools. Phone sales mostly.

Craftsman. I only needed to use the warranty once, I chipped the tip of a small flat blade screwdriver. They sent me to pick out the replacement, and swapped it with no grief. It was faster than if I were buying the first time. I will admit not everything I have is Craftsman due to funds, but of all the tools, the Craftsman are the best.

Good luck,
Merry X-Mas...
Andrew

I prefer Craftsman tools, I haven't had many problems with the tools and if I should have a problem, I know where Sears is. Try finding a Mack or Snap-On truck on a Saturday afternoon. A lifetime warrenty is great as long as you don't have to mail your tool off to get a replacement tool.
Go to Sears and look at the portable tool sets in the plastic case, you can get a good assortment of tools standard and metric, for a $100.00 or a little more depending on the kit you buy. I would lock it up in the back of your Bronco. I carry a portable set in my Bronco all the time you never now where you may break down, and it's great to have at the junk yard.

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/245097/fullsize/IMG_1189.JPG (http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/showmedia.php?id=245097&original=1)

My preference is Craftsman, however, in a time when one has little money Harbor Freight has some pretty good deals. I bought the SAE and Metric impact deep wall socket sets for less than $20 each. They have been abused, and they carry a lifetime NQA warranty. There was a guy there with a busted socket, they pointed to the rack and said "grab a new one..."
I thought I was a Sears for a sec... :shrug

I can't knock Harbor Freight, I went to Sears to get a set of transfer punches when I was installing my lift kit, Craftsman didn't offer transfer punches, so I went to Harbor Freight bought a complete set for $8.99 I thought I was waisting my money but I used the transfer punches on every hole I had to drill and never dulled the first punch.

Father in law Owns a snap-on franchise....:chili: I get to play with all kinds of cool crap

I am picky and like to have 12pt shallow and deep in metric and std. as well sa 6pt shallow and deep in met. and std. Sometimes you just need a 6pt for the better fit.

I need to save and by some as I am starting to notice a few missing (some I have had since I was 8) and cracked a few craftsman this year, I realy havent bought many tools from the father-in law...I can use anyone he has though if I need to so its not soooo bad:toothless :rockon .

I also would say get a 1/2 drive 12mm 12pt in the shorty either impact or std. for the drive shaft worth its weight in gold and a very very common replacement tool from what I hear.

I just recently bought a Metwrench set from sears to keep in my truck. I like um cause they fit both metric and standard bolts witch makes it great for repairs on the road or trail. No more searching for what is what you know. But if your looking for a keep at home set go with craftsman or Husky both are great tools and life time garentee. Near all my tools at home are Husky and I have a few craftsman box sets in the very bottom of my toolbox as well. BUt again if you looking for a set for the truck I would sugjest Metwrench you can get them near anyware craftsman tools are sold

Stanley/Blackhawk has a set set of flex ratcheting boxes (Gearwrench) with LOCKING flex head.. no knuckle busting.. and work great.. Stanley brand is offshore, Blackhawk is USA made and lifetime guarantee..

First choice is Snapon, then Mac or matco. I dont mind sk even but its harder finding a dealer. craftsman is on the bottom of the list and here is why. I bust tons and tons of craftsman crap. there ratchets suck! espessially the new ones. I am constantly breaking them so they slip when you put any kinda of torque on them. I will buy a $100 snap on ratchet anyday before I buy another craftsman ratchet. craftsman wrenches absolutly blow, the open end will strech and strip out any nut or bolt you try and loosen, only thing you can do is use the box end to ensure you wont strip anything.

yeah craftsman is good for the do it yourselfer tool kit in the garage, but if you plan to do alot of work or use them alot better keep a spare vehicle around to go replace them. to me thats more of a hassle then having a good tool that is reliable. It is hard to find a snap on dealer if your not in the business and what not so I understand the convence issue there. Im anal about my tools, maybe its cause I have thousands of dollars invested in them and rely on them everyday to do my job. there is a DIFFERNCE however, and its not just perference. I still use alot of craftsman stuff at home and work, I dont like it but it works for now. I still have yet to buy a full set of snap on wrenchs, which is next on the list. its big money but worth every cent IMO!!.

dude i have everything from snap pn, mac, craftsman, and so on and have broke the expensive stuff time and time again. but i got a task force that i got for x mas when i was like 15 and it is still going strong havent broken shit on that thing at all

Im not saying the expensive stuff dosent break. I break there shit several times as well, but it takes more to do it. I can run the chromie shockets with an impact all day and not have much issue, I have broke them that way but when a dealer comes rolling up to your bay and just swaps it out its not a big deal. If you use it enough it will brake sooner or later.

my point is with fit and finish, craftsman stuff streches and fits like shit, the fit is much better on snap on stuff

hell I keep craftsman stuff around just to be able to make custom tools, I wont think twice about cutting up a wrench or socket to get into hard to reach places, but I sure as hell wont cut up a $80 snap on wrench!

Dustin, order the Snap-on Flank Drive Plus wrenches. You'll never want to use another wrench. They are awesome. I've always said if you cant get or break a bolt off with a Flank drive Plus it wont ever come off. They bite really hard and rarely slip off. The little teeth make all the difference.
http://www.expeditionexchange.com/snap-on/DSC05799.jpg

I have a lot of HF stuff. It's good for some things and junk for others. I bought a set of deep impacts and snapped one taking my bumper off. I was using a 5' bar with chaeter and a lot of force. I took it to HF on my next trip and the guy swapped out the socket set for a new one.

For most of my wrenching I like my Craftsman $99 set. It has both metric and SAE in one case. It is sure handy when you go to the Junkyard. I just put it on a cart and pull it around with me.
http://bronco.tophersworld.com/images/craftsman.jpg

I used to have a lot of Mac and KD tools over 25 years ago

when I was in the trade. I sold em' off when I got out and frankly I haven't missed them. If you don't make your living with them it's hard to justify the cost of professional tools.

I've done more automotive stuff than most people you'll meet and I do very well with several sets of low-line house brand sets from; Mastercraft (Candian Tire's house brand), old Husky (before Home Depot carried them), Gray tools and of course Craftsman.

I have to agree that Craftsman ratchets are rat-$h1T alright. I find their gear teeth too course for fine or close work. My other ratchets have more teeth and are much better to use, IMO.

Don't think you have to have one set with all the same brands. I'm very happy with my ba$turd sets. I have a 28" long 1/2" breaker bar (flex bar) and a 20" long 3/8" breaker bar and I enjoy busting everyone's sockets and returning them for new ones.

BTW, just about everyone warantees their sockets for life. I've got at least a dozen free or repaired on the spot ratchets from CTC and they're gonna honour them forever and ever !

I guess what I'm trying to tell you is get the set that's on sale and fill in all the odd sized sockets and other automotive tools as you go.

I keep enough in here to do most any job on the Bronco or yank anything from a yard;

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/115453/fullsize/Picture%20078.jpg (http://www.supermotors.org/vehicles/registry/showmedia.php?id=115453&original=1)

The bottom third is spare parts, the top two thirds is tools. The best tools are the ones you didn't leave at home and have with you when you need them.

Sixlitre

Get the Craftsman. If Sears is remotly close then it won't be bad to replace a socket or get a new wrench. It has a good name behind it from years past so you feel good about your tools and will take better care of them and it doesn't cost more than your Bronco to outfit a tool box.

I think the newer Craftsman ratchets are made much better than the old ones. I posted this a long time ago.
http://bronco.tophersworld.com/images/ratchets.jpg

I have and use Craftsman; I like that I can get laser etched sockets at a reasonable price and FIND the one I need fast. I've used SK (their 1/4 drive impact swivel sockets are freaking AWESOME) but they are VERY pricey. I'd probably start with a Craftsman combo set, as I originally did, and add specialty tools to it as needed. One suggestion, but it'll cost what the whole Craftsman set does: SK has some REALLY nice ratchets with locking swivelling heads that handle stupid amounts of torque and DON'T swivel unless you want them to. Buy the 3/8 drive one.

And folks... you can now buy SK from Sears online tool catalog!

I'll have to see if we have a local Harbor Freight; years ago I had some of their stuff, but I wouldn't want to have to mail a tool out for warranty repair. The Pittsburg stuff didn't then have a wonderful finish, but they did hold up fairly well, and the bigger size 1/2 drive sets can cost a fair bit in other brands. The HF large size socket set is very reasonably priced.

And I gotta tell you, pony up the 80 bucks or so a fairly complete metric set of Geawench wrenches go for... worth every penny. Stay away from the off brand ones, they are either too weak, too thick, or have too large a head. get the real thing, and get the flat ones without the direction pawl (flip 'em to go the other way). Strongest design yet.

I dont think I've ever used a Craftsman ratchet that was worth anything. The just feel soo sloppy when you turn them hell sometimes they dont even ratchet at all. I'll give you the fact that you cant always tell the difference between sockets and screwdrivers between one brand and another but if you've ever put a Snap-on ratchet next to Craftsman and actually compared them you'd understand the huge difference

I want to stay close to the $100 range...what sizes do we need the MOST for the Broncos?

For the most complete ready to work set, go with Craftsman.

There is no doubt in my mind that Snap-On is better to have than Craftsman but if he is trying to stay under or right at 100 bucks then there is no way he is going to be able to get more than one 3/8's Ratchet from the Snap-On guy.

i have been using a set of tools my parents got me from costco like 5 or 6 years ago, and guess what my whole set cost about what one ratchet cost and they work fine. i upgraded to craftsman ratchets, but thats about it.

i just got a sweet husky socket set from my dad for christmas. Everything snaps into this nice black case. You can literaly turn it upside down and shake it and nothing falls out. i can figure out the model number if you want it.

Dustin, order the Snap-on Flank Drive Plus wrenches. You'll never want to use another wrench. They are awesome. I've always said if you cant get or break a bolt off with a Flank drive Plus it wont ever come off. They bite really hard and rarely slip off. The little teeth make all the difference.
]

I think they are all flank drive now, but I agree they rock!!! I remember when they first came out and the dealer was trying to sell them, did some really cool comparsions and no doubt the flank drives rocked.

I have do have one really old craftsman ratched that does work well but it just recently started slipping and is about done.

hell I spent 300bucks on just one 1/4" snap on air ratchet but its the shit!

another tool that rocks is one of these....
http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/tylertool_1874_10189145

another tool that rocks is one of these....
http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/tylertool_1874_10189145

My bro just got me the 19.2v HF one for Xmas. Another 5 pounds or so to drag around the junk yards. :toothless I charged it up and tested it on his car. It pulled off and replaced 2 of the lug nuts with no problem.:thumbup

I got a complete 400 some piece husky tool set last year around christmas for my garadge set. and I love it lifetime garentee and they work outstanding. But I still find myself useing my metwrench set alot when working on something in the driveway or on the trail. It was a fairly inexpensive set at sears and they fit both metric and standard. I believe craftsman or a divishion of craftsman makes them. they come in a good durable case with everything from 1/8 inch drive sockets to 1/2 inch drive short to deepwell sockets, as well as bits with torqes head, philips, sloted and allen heads. also have extenshions and adapters and a full set of wenchs to fit from 10mm ( also standard size ) up to 19 or 20 mm ( also standard size ). the whole set will be much cheaper then a full set of craftsman, snapon or husky. pluse when on the trail you wont have to fiddle around with finding out if its metric or standard. and YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT STRIPING A BOLT OR NUT, the sockets and wrenchs grip the side of the bolt instead of the corners so no chance of rounding it off well unless you choose the wrong size. hope this helps ill post a pic later

It turns out that my wife got the the 155 piece set from Craftsman. Woo Hoo! I'm just a weekend wrencher and so this really does work for my needs. Now I have to decide which project to tackle next on the bronco...Always seems like there is something that needs to be done on it. (Fuel sending unit, rear brakes, driver front bearings, oil pan gasket :(
So I have a few things to keep me busy and get the new tools dirty with. :thumbup

I believe craftsman or a divishion of craftsman makes them.

Funny that you mention that... Craftsman doesnt "make" hardly any of their tools but rather markets other brands under their name often times they aren't even "made in the usa"

Tod.... thanks for filling me in. and Dragon if your changing the drivers front bearings might as well change the passangers too they arent hard to do and will save you time later

Tod.... thanks for filling me in. and Dragon if your changing the drivers front bearings might as well change the passangers too they arent hard to do and will save you time later
Oh I already did that one a few weeks ago...just trying to find time to get the driver side done now. But thanks for lookin' out for me!:thumbup

Got this bad MoFo for my b-day a few years ago.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/39400/39382.JPG

here is a link if the pic wont work.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=yes&tool=power&item_ID=64144&group_ID=16217&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I would go with SK. Get them from the Toolwarehouse.

That's a good deal on that Craftsman set. I have mostly craftsman sockets, except for the giant 3/4 drive deepwell impacts from harbor freight that I got just for the 1 1/8 size.

One thing that'll help a lot is a set of wobble extensions. Not u-joints, but wobble. You can get a cheap set at harbor freight. I can change all my plugs with one 3" wobble extension and one 3" straight extension.

i have tools from every where, most are husky, but u got ur craftsman's alread. as for a jack, if u have a costco near by they ysysally have a 3ton, i have it, for 70 bucks u cant beat it. it weighs a ton though and if u have a nice new soft driveway like mine u'll want to thro a peice of wood under it to spread the laod

Buy according to how much you'll use it. I have a little bit of every brand (including snap-on, craftsman, etc) but my Crescent brand set from Costco is what I have everything of and use the most. I haven't had any problems. Eventually I'll get a Craftsman set and keep the Crescents in the Bronco but for now they work great. If you aren't going to misuse them (put cheater bars on, put non-impact sockets on an impact wrench, etc...IMHO 90% of tools breaking is from misuse) and aren't going to use them a ton just about anything will probably do. If it is so crappy that it will break too easily you'll break it in time to return it or you'll be able to tell from the get go that it is a bad idea. Just my .02

Edit: of course in the 5 comments that I skip he says he already got a set. Oh well, good choice. Sears will replace those no problems, no questions, no paper, etc. Walk in, hold the broken tool up, grunt and they give you a new one.

For good ratchets check the garage sales. Pick up all the old craftsman ratchets you can, there the best. Dont ever trade an old ratchet in, stores stock the rebuild kits for the old ones and it replaces everything but the handle.