Toolkit to do basic stuff on the Mustang

[RaceRedder]

So here I am, the first time to be a mechanic, as a person who never even changed his own windshield wipers.

On this car I challenge myself to do some basic stuff just by watching YouTube video's.

I promised myself that I should be able to do some basic stuff myself like changing the battery, changing the wheels, changing the oil and filter, and maybe changing the sidemarker lights etc.

As a person with 0 tools in my home, I have to make a list of basic tools that I need to start and train myself in doing these small things.

- push pin removal tool
- 15mm wrench for oil drain plug (?)
- 10mm wrench for car battery (?)
- 8mm wrench for car battery holder (?)
- quarter inch ratchet (no clue what that is but I saw a guy advising to buy it for the Mustang?)
- steeds jacking rails
- good jack for the jacking rails

Anybody has some ideas of a basic toolkit that has most of the things I need as a starter?

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[smurfslayer]

Don’t buy individual component sockets / wrenches... well, see below.

Lowes has the former Sears Craftsman line and they’re a good bang for the buck tool.
get
1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” socket drivers.
Most of your needs will be covered by the 1/4” & 3/8” drive sockets, so get sets of 1/4” and 3/8” drive sockets to start. Get both metric and standard sets.
Also get spares of the 10mm sockets. The 3/8” drive 10mm socket is able to mysteriously phase in and out of this universe at completely random intervals and will disappear when you need that socket. It’s the only socket known to have this ability.

You’ll want 1/4” & 3/8” extensions and a universal joint connector. The 1/2” drive sets can probably wait but you’ll want those too, in metric and standard.
You also want a pair of torque wrenches in inch pounds and foot pounds.
Nut drivers - like a screw driver, but with a socket head for sockets.
-bonus points for power driver.

As far as the jack/jacking rails, I will defer on the latter. On the former, the factory-ish jack that you (can) buy with a spare tire set will work just fine to start things off. Harbor Freight has some decent jacks you can get. Check the reviews. I bought a H/F Badlands, hi lift jack for my Raptor, which is of course 1.25” too tall for use on the Mustang, however, I am able to use the smaller jack to lift the car and insert the Badlands, which is good for 3 tons. They have others that are well reviewed, reasonably priced and lower profile.

Good luck and happy shopping.

 

[Skye]

These are things I can think of.

I wouldn't go too crazy at first. Go slow. There are some really nice sets out there, at sometimes good prices. But the larger the set is, you often end up with several specialized bits you rarely use.

I grew up with Craftsman, so I gravitate towards that brand. Most Lowes and Ace have them at their stores.

"quarter inch ratchet" refers to the size of that tool, the drive. Quarter inch is for typically small, low-torque jobs. Three-eights is the next larger size. Bigger, heavier, but allows you to loosen tighter, bigger items. Larger still, half-inch drive; this drive is for heavy lifting type jobs. Stubborn fittings. High loads. Changing wheels. For many jobs, you'll use 3/8ths. For something smaller or more delicate, 1/4. For something needing some force, 1/2.

Cruise the isle at one of the stores above. Not with the intention of buying anything, but just to see what's available.

https://www.craftsman.com/collections/mechanic-tool-set/products/cmmt12124l

Something like this can be a nice starter set; it's get a bit of everything and comes in a case. But there are two dilemmas: 1) it doesn't have everything you might need and 2) over time, you inevitably end up buying more tools. Where to put those? This is not uncommon. Years ago, I started with a set like this. Now, I've got a mid-sized rollaround. It happens.

https://www.motorcraftservice.com/Home/SetCountry?returnUrl=/

I've been at this site for the last two days, downloading every document for my car I can get my hands on. It's a Ford site, with electronic manuals of everything. You're never going to download all of it. But what you can do is familiarize yourself with these projects, find and download the procedures. $28.49 for unlimited, 72-hour access. Write down a list of things you want to do before paying and accessing. Once in, get those documents. Spend the rest of your time getting anything of interest. Procedures, overviews, schematics, anything.

I have Steeda jacking rails on my car. They are nice, and give you more lifting options. Keeps the underside of the car neat, allows you to move the jack around. I like them. They are worth it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton...-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-orange-64240.html

I recently upgraded my jack to this one, the Harbor Freight Daytona. It's an all-steel jack, so it's heavier, and not for everyone. It gets really good reviews, for quality and access. It's a low-profile jack with high lift.. For day-to-day use and abuse, it's great. For someone heading to the track, not. People loading and carrying their jack probably want something in aluminum. Whatever you choose, select something with a minimum of 2.5 tons / 2267 kgs.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Torin-3...vJ6nlFbtBJeaGzifF7hJE4EkbeoWB7hwhqtDncQ&gQT=1

Oil changes, you'll want the car lifted up, evenly on both sides. You'll need a set of jack stands. I've got two pair of these. They work nice and are sturdy.

Changing wheels, you'll want a torque wrench. A torque wrench tells you how tight something is. They come in different sizes for different jobs.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/cmmt99434

I've been using this one for the last two years. Half-inch drive, with enough "umph" to torque the wheels to 150 lb-ft /203 Nms. For smaller jobs, you guessed it: there's a torque wrench for that, 3/8ths drive. The 1/2 is a must-have for the wheels. You can buy the other one when you need it. At the extreme, ask your dentist about his torque wrench sets; he uses them to torque down dental implants. They are cool. Tiny.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/cmmt15887

You'll want some heavy, metric sockets to compliment that. As an option, confirm the lug size and buy one, single, socket; you can do that at the store. Again, you find out what you need over time. The torque wrench is a must have. The impact sockets, other than the one for your immediate needs, are not.

For the push-pin removal tools, see all the hand tools. There are tons. Buy what you need. Many often buy a set to meet the requirement, then buy some specialty sizes over time. That's been my theme with tools. I buy something to meet the need, plus a bit more in each direction. And over time, I buy those one-offs.

Grabber tool and magnet wands. You'll want those.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/...djfRjqlVu5fxCpEzsiB_oFBZoBjS10toVJA_v5cUEEnr_

https://www.craftsman.com/products/cmmt98285?_pos=4&_psq=magnet&_ss=e&_v=1.0

https://www.craftsman.com/products/...RvZ5LVjDd5syUKKdYk4EH_fQCQGIw-E926AX4pgTqbaRW

https://www.craftsman.com/products/...lyUGfgAy8hzsc7jQwKoJ61ghLY5EbbZjagDOi1FnwGupD

Fender cover/s.

https://fordshowparts.com/products/...aZV7Yu98eD9hw69ixD9M6JFd40AZsYK-Y-JPu2iySIpR0

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/otc-4568

Filter wrench. There are the traditional type, but space is at a premium underneath. I like the three-finger unit.

https://www.walmart.com/browse/auto-tires/shop-towels/91083_1212910_1212924_1593366

Shop towels, old clothing and t-shirts.

https://www.summitracing.com/search...4BgJ5h05Y8aehet5Yo7tTXVrwedTI98BoCjsQQAvD_BwE

Drain pan. Something big enough to hold 15 qt / 14.1 lt of fluids.

Once you get going, set aside some time for practice. "I'm going to rotate my tires, but I've never done that. Let's practice with the jack and jack stands." "I'm planning on changing my oil, but have never gotten under the car. What's the best way to access? Let's try getting underneath."

If you're prepping for a procedure, think the entire process out in you head. Every step. Read the instructions (if any). Set aside more than enough time, so you don't feel rushed. People in a hurry make errors, get angry, do damage and have accidents. If you don't know, pause and ask.

Edit,

Yes, as mentioned above, buy one, three-piece set of "elbows" for your socket set, if the set doesn't come with them. They are u-joints, for tools, allowing for getting around obstacles. Extensions (driveshafts, without u-joints), will compliment.

I mentioned jacks and jack stands. For oil changes, many prefer drive-on ramps; there are several brands and types, almost any of which can give you quick, safe and secure access.

Safety glasses. You'll want a pair. You don't need them for everything, but you'll appreciate it when you're about to pull a, "Watch this sh1$.", or, "Hold my beer."

A torch. Plug-in or lithium batt. Maybe one of each.

A mirror, a dental tool like item, to look on the far side of things.

Gloves. Both. Not these exact kind, unless you like them, but something to protect your hands.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...stant-Dipped-Work-Gloves-48-22-8903/303635846

https://www.homedepot.com/p/GORILLA..._-301998019-_-2-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

You'll notice in tools, there's often a "regular" line and a "professional" line. These are often differentiated by the tool's materials, how they feel in the hand. And sometimes, by the degree of accuracy and longevity they offer. For most of us, regular is fine. Pro-lines are good if it's your career and you'll have those tools in your hands all-day; it can make a difference.

 

[Sf22giants]

Nicely done, Skye. Excellent write-up.

As most DIY car guys, I started acquiring tools "as needed" when I was a kid. That is to say, I bought a Haynes repair manual for my 1987 GT and I would read up on how to do things like change the oil, change brakes, etc. I would go buy tools as I needed them for whatever project I was working on.

Over the last 25 years, I've now got multiple tool chests and a myriad of tools hanging on the garage wall. Buy what you need, when you need it, and keep them forever. At least, that's how I did it.

 

[RaceRedder]

@smurfslayer and @Skye thanks so much! I' going to order a bunch of tools. Super thanks for the links too.

 

[smurfslayer]

@Skye’s post #3 should be a sticky.

 

[robvas]

Go down to harbor freight and plan on spending a thousand bucks

Jack/Jackstands

1/4" and 3/8" ratchets and metric sockets

Screwdriver set
Pliers set

Metric combination wrench set

1/2" breaker bar
1/2" ratchet (long reach flex head preferably)
1/2" metric impact sockets
1/2" torque wrench

Lugnut socket set

Oil filter wrench or socket adapter
Large oil drain pan

Flashlight/worklights/headlamp

Dead blow hammer
Magnetic screw trays/dishes
Rags/fluids/brushes

Toolbox to keep all this shit in

Optional:
Electric impact wrenches
Electric ratchet
Hex/allen bit sockets
Torx bit sockets

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