The time has come for me to get a new socket set. It will be mostly used for working on the rig. What say you my FJ brethren? Looking for a complete new set. Looking for quality and durability over cheapness. ex. If set A is $200 but will last 20 years vs set B which is $100 but only last 6 years, I'd rather have set A.
IMO, there are some pretty good quality socket sets for less than $200 that come with lifetime warranties. Also, some of the formerly higher quality tool makers are no longer of the quality that their reputation would indicate.
I carry a huge set from Great Neck in my FJ that I picked up for around $50 a few years ago. I've used them quite a bit and have no complaints. I would at the very least put them above the quality of some of the lower-end (but higher priced...) sets from Craftsman. Good luck!
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"GREAT GOD OF WRITING! ...MAKE A MENTAL NOTE: AIRPORTS WILL BE NAMED AFTER THIS WOMAN!"
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6 spd MT Voodoo Blue
Rear diff and e-locker scuba mod
CB w/ custom CB antenna mount on uppper rear door hinge
A-Trac switch installed
Custom tube bumper in the works...
Just because my eyes are getting old, I'd make sure the sizes are easy to read on the sockets. Also I'd get the 6pt instead of the 12pt so you'll be less likely to round off any heads or have slippage. My craftsman set has served me well but there are other good quality makes.
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Follow the yellow brick.
Sun Fusion AT, bunch of factory options, protective door sills, multivex mirrors, reflective tape, BudBuilt front skid, Bandi mount, Midland CB, 4' Firestick
Just because my eyes are getting old, I'd make sure the sizes are easy to read on the sockets. Also I'd get the 6pt instead of the 12pt so you'll be less likely to round off any heads or have slippage. My craftsman set has served me well but there are other good quality makes.
X2 on the 6pt. I've never had any problems with 6pt sockets (like the ones I have now), but plenty of frustration with 12pts.
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"GREAT GOD OF WRITING! ...MAKE A MENTAL NOTE: AIRPORTS WILL BE NAMED AFTER THIS WOMAN!"
-What Air might have said if he were a McCain/Palin supporter...
6 spd MT Voodoo Blue
Rear diff and e-locker scuba mod
CB w/ custom CB antenna mount on uppper rear door hinge
A-Trac switch installed
Custom tube bumper in the works...
I have always used Snap On ratchets and sockets but decided to put together a set for the FJ. After reading and shopping a good bit I bought the $179.00 set from Lowe's. They have a lifetime warranty and seem to be of a little better quality than the comparable cost tools from Craftsman. I really like the tear drop ratchets that came in the set. The only thing that I found strange was that the set does not include a 9/16 box and open end wrench which I purchased separately. This is the set that comes in the cardboard box instead of the premolded case. Also, I purchased two of the 18" wide mouth tool bags for about $39.00 each. One for tools and the other for recovery gear. They will fit behind the front seats on the floor board. My socket holders came from Sears. I also have a mixture of Great Neck and Everlast specialty tools such as 35mm socket, pull handles, seal puller, etc. Just shop around and you will find some deals. When Craftsman has another sale on their new style ratchets, I will be purchasing a set of those also. They feel good in the hands.
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Life may not be the party we ask for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
I believe best way is the combination like good set ratchet handle from Snap On alone with some regular used sockets than some Craftsman sockets and open ends. Remember if you buy this only for FJ you could buy the ones that Toyota uses for FJ.There are only a handfull of sizes and all metric and you might want to wait till Fathers day and start throwing some hints already!!
I've always been a big fan of Craftsman. If you break anything, it's got the liefetime warranty and can be returned at any Sears store. If you're looking for something a mobile tool kit, you might want to get something in a fitted case. An empty hole means you left something on the ground.
The best sockets and socket wrenches I have owned were Craftsman. I have had 1/4",3/8",1/2" sets for over twenty years and I can't recall having broken or rounded off anything (and believe me I have tried). I don't do it often but, sometimes I use the wrong tool for the wrong job. Like using a 4' cheater bar on my 1/2" socket wrench. No problemo.
Not sure if it is fact or rumor, but I remember read/hearing that the tools sold at Lowe's under the "Cobalt" name are made side by side with Snap-on tools. They are just branded differently. I have quite a few Snap-on items and remember thinking the ratchets looks very similar in handle and head design before I hear this "rumor". The price in descent and lift time warranty, I keep some of these tools in my home toolbox. At work I have all my big money stuff, the Cobalt stuff holds up fine on the trail and around the house.
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07 FJC Ti.
All Pro Sliders, A/P Front bumper with small light hoop, A/P rear bumper, IPF's, 55w rock lights, Cobra CB, Bandi mount, 4' fiberglass whip on a spring, 6" Rough Country, 2" wheel adapters, 33" MTR's, LED mirror lights, a few LED's to light up the lower switch panel.
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