Essential Tool List

[Central Syncronizer]

I like Dogpilot's list and would pretty much carry everything there.

I think spares are as important as tools.

If you got the money, think about carrying:

Spare 1) fuel pump and filter
2) alternator and belt
3) water pump
4) spark plugs, rotor, dist cap, fuses

[heidi85ho]

for comfort: indoor/outdoor carpet to lay on under van
hikers head lamp
magnifying(for us old farts) safety glasses
gojo hand cleaner!!

[blueridgedog]

The only think I see missing is a couple of decent-ball peen hammers and a mallet.
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85 Wolfsburg Weekender
In process of getting on the road

[randywebb]

[freshintulsa]

well... i just saw these:
http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-319719-p874.aspx

and here is a pack of 3, but you can see them individually lower down on the page: http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-320121-sp3cob.aspx

They arent cheap, and im not sure where you can get them besides tool trucks, but they are high quality and very functional.
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"go slower, go lower!!!"

85 westy svx
Fresh front end rebuild
Front cab changed from brown to black with new homemade door panels, etc.
Soon to remove fridge/sink/cabinet and make custom bench seat!!!



89 wolfsburg/ bluestar.... finished the stick to automatic conversion,
tiico motor
Daily driver, 20mpgs and has enough hair in it to make a few dogs.

[sc-surfer]

If it hasn't already been mentioned...for syncro owners: 30mm socket. I had an axle nut come loose in Baja. While troubleshooting I tried to get an adjustable wrench on it just to check as my biggest socket was a 29mm. Couldn't do it. Ended up having to find a shop. They were able to torque the nut for me for no charge but I'll never be off road without the ability to tighten that nut again!!

Oh ya, Coolant temp sensor too! See my post here....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=371981&start=220
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'89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * *

[camp]

Don't forget a set of points, and extra plug and fan belt...
I always keep the old set of points and a couple of plugs in the bottom of my toolbox... On cross country trips, I even carry a spair head... Never know when a seat or valve will let go on those old air cooled road work horses...

[climberjohn]

Those Knipex pliers look pretty slick.

A bit of Googling led me to Chadstoolbox, who sells a set of 3 for just $60.

Their better looking "Cobra" pliers, that sell for $80 for a set of three, appear to be the same as the Mac tools for half the price.

Check it out.

http://chadstoolbox.com/3x88knipex3pcalligatorset710and12.aspx
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'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[Perales]

This link is from the Snap-On site. It lists all the tools needed for a Volkswagen Apprentice Mechanic. Total Snap-on price is over $5000, but ignore the price because their prices are of course over the top, but the list is interesting.

"This set was developed by our field research department in conjunction with Master Level Technicians from Volkswagen dealerships throughout the United States.
VWAS contains all the tools used by the entry level technician to service and repair Volkswagen vehicles.
Use the check list that follows to determine tool needs."

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&t...ir=catalog
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-- 1987 Westfalia automatic (Captain Vino)

[randywebb]

thx for posting that Snap-On list - most of it is std. stuff, but there are some specialty tools in there, which would be useful to put into a shorter list.

for example - A119B,Socket, Oil Pressure Sender Switch (for 1986 and earlier Ford, GM, and Chryslers) Socket, Oil Pressure Sender Switch (for 1986 and earlier Ford, GM, and Chryslers)

Stock #:A119B

what Vanagon is that for?

then there are T15 & T25 Torx sockets, etc.

[Perales]

[Dogpilot]

Many people actually don't understand what these tools are and what they are used for, so I found this handy glossary for them:

*DRILL PRESS:* A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted vertical stabilizer which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.

*WIRE WHEEL:** * Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, 'Oh shit...'

*ELECTRIC HAND DRILL:* Normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age.

*SKILL SAW:* A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

*PLIERS:* Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

*BELT SANDER:* An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

*HACKSAW:* One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

*VISE-GRIPS:* Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

*WELDING GLOVES:* Heavy duty leather gloves used to prolong the conduction of intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

*OXYACETYLENE TORCH:* Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

*TABLE SAW:* A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.

*HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK:* Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.

*EIGHT-FOOT LONG YELLOW PINE 2X4:* Used for levering an automobile upward off of a trapped hydraulic jack handle.

*E-Z OUT BOLT AND STUD EXTRACTOR:* A tool ten times harder than any known drill bit that snaps neatly off in bolt holes thereby ending any possible future use.

*BAND SAW:* A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.

*TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST:* A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

*CRAFTSMAN 1/2 x 24-INCH SCREWDRIVER:* A very large pry bar that inexplicably has an accurately machined screwdriver tip on the end opposite the handle.

*AVIATION METAL SNIPS:* See hacksaw.

*PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER:* Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.


*STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER:* A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws.

*PRY BAR:* A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

*HOSE CUTTER:* A tool used to make hoses too short.

*HAMMER:** * Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit.

*MECHANIC'S KNIFE:* Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines , refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

*DAMMIT TOOL:* Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling 'DAMMIT! ' at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.
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Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[ZimZam]

I've upgrade my dammit tool...I got the newer God Dammit one. Works about the same as the older version!
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'85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa

"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben

[?Waldo?]

Usually, the only tool you need is the one you don't have.

[ccisco]

And for all Vanagon drivers for when the tools fail(not us,but the tool): A membership in AAA or other towing services!!!!
Charlie

[deprivation]

[Californio]

Another way to look at this is from the standpoint of what you can realistically do on the side of the road, given the various factors--parts availability, mechanical skill, weather, kids just wanting to have fun, wife just wanting to call the tow truck, you just wanting to get beamed up, etc.

The answer for me is, really, not a lot can be done other than simple electrical repairs, changing tires, maybe some coolant hoses, belts, and the like. So I keep the tool kit pretty simple. 3/8" socket set, screwdrivers, VOM, wire, connectors, allen wrenches, wire ties, JB Weld...

One thing that I'd carry is some radiator hose repair tape. I was stranded with a busted heater hose and tried to fix it, lying in the snow, with duct tape, electrical tape, etc. Wasn't going to happen. Never used that radiator hose tape but it's easy to carry (along with some heater hose, duh) and so it's on my list.

[sc-surfer]

DP, I couldn't stop laughing!! Thanks, I really needed that today.
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'89 Syncro Westy
Catalog of Vans at SDM 2010
Westfalia, Syncro & Tristar Reproduction decals here.
* * * Coming Soon: Washable seat covers for westy bench seat...keep the pets off the upholstery! * * *

[oldvdub]

what is all this talk about hoses and coolant? i thought this was an aircooled vw website!!!! all you need is a spare rubber band to make the vw work!

[DAIZEE]

OK I read the whole thread as I needed to and I didn't see this or I missed it.

Its something my father and just about every other man in my life has told me not to be without. A pair of panty hose. Yes and I packed white duty ones even when I have new belts.

I can't possibly carry all that is needed but on my 4000 mile shake down cruise I obtained my CAA plus membership weeks before. Thank goodness. I needed towing twice and because I had the plus I could be towed where I wanted to be. I always got taken to the vintage VW shops. My annual membership was paid for by the first tow in Louisville (ruptured fuel line, had all replaced) on the way SW. Then coming home I needed a tow back into Chattanooga. ( starter and something else I can't remember). I always had great service and healthy helpful attitudes. Both times happened on a Sunday afternoon so I was towed where I had to be and then I just cooked and slept there. Police were always aware of my presence.

Couldn't get the cell phone I bought in the States to work but I always found someone to help. One of the benefits of being of the female gender of course I've never been anything else but I think it is a positive. I have a somewhat mechanical aptitude and can do most basic things myself, but I'm not shy to ask for help.

I have a complete tool set of both inches and mm. Got it on sale before the trip and I'm using it all the time for little jobs. Its in like a briefcase and takes up little room. If I took all that it has in a tool box it would take up substantial space. I considered it good timing.

Anyhow on top of AAA gold, CAA plus, cell phone don't be forgetting your panty hose. Good for more than just belts too. Be creative.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)