So after working on my car this morning I realized i have no decent tools at all.
i have a ten year old hammer, an old very basic corded drill and one of those emergency kits that you're supposed to put in the back of your car...

So what tools would i need to basically do it all with my car? I dont want to buy a bunch of stuff i'll never use. and i figure tomorrow's sales on tool kits at sears would be perfect.

heres a few of the kits on sale
53 piece
94 piece
154 piece

i thought a multimeter would come in handy when installing my audio system later
multimeter

anything else i may need?
thanks!

 

go with the 53 piece set.

 

get the 154 and the multimeter... that's all you need for now.

 

154 piece and a screw driver kit

 

theres also this one
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...nics+Tool+Sets

which is only $99 as a doorbuster at my local sears
and i saw some knee pads for $8 and a nice floor jack for $25 so ill probably pick those up too.

oh and thanks for the advice guys.
i wasn't sure if i needed a big kit since you can take most of the car apart with a small metric socket set and a couple of screwdrivers haha

 

don't forget jack stands or ramps. I got a set of 4 ton jack stands just to be safe, a pair of 4 ton jacks means one can support 2 tons. Also I've heard that new Craftsman jacks have been problematic, I picked up an aluminum Arcan 3 ton jack for $130 from Costco and had it for a couple years now, no problems


If you're going to do car audio:

• wire strippers 10-22 awg/crimpers (combo is more convenient)
  I got this at Fry's, super comfortable:
  http://rocky.digikey.com/weblib/Pala...Photo/1117.jpg
  same one I use:
  https://www.kleinconnection.com/Klei...j1005_icon.jpg
• panel poppers (both types):
  http://www.northerntool.com/images/p.../334477_lg.jpg
  http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/imag...anelpopper.jpg
• bright LED flashlights, a pocket one (mine's got a clip) and a big one with a swiveling head if possible)
• cotter pin removal tool
  http://static.flickr.com/29/63592131_cc4f53b90f.jpg
• hex/torx key set. this style:
  http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-90-391...7860119&sr=1-3
• wire brush attachment or various grit sandpaper. recommended for sanding down a surface for an amp ground:
  http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...ZL._SL160_.jpg
• picks
  http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/3476.jpg
• utility knife

also, if you're going to dynamat/sound deaden your car, I highly recommend a roller. Your hands will thank you.

and these are optional:

• ratcheting screwdriver with an angled, swiveling joint: http://news.thomasnet.com/images/large/461/461574.jpg
• small needle-nose pliers
• angled channel lock pliers (great for tabs on kits) http://www.northerntool.com/images/p...s/15888_lg.jpg
• file http://www.grumpsplace.com/images/co..._panel11_l.jpg

I have an impact driver (Bosch PS40-2). A cheaper option is to get a set of Phillips bits or a conversion chuck so that you can drive in Phillips screws much faster. Pick up some quality electrical tape, I recommend Scotch/3M, I've tried the one that my local Sears carries (Frost King) and various UL tapes and they suck ass.... even if your hands are perfectly clean, there's very little adhesion. It's all up to you.... I do car audio/electronics for a living so I need to save as much time and make my job as easy as possible. I prefer to have everything I need rather than walking around in circles and cussing because I don't have what I need. Believe it or not, I actually don't own a hammer and have fixed cars and installed systems without a problem.

Good luck, let me know if you have any questions.