Tools in the car
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Lebanon, OH
Tools in the car
Afternoon C4 team,
Apologize if this has been asked before, I searched but couldn't locate. What tools do you suggest I keep in the car for emergency? I bought an old school C4 bag just for this purpose but want the knowledge from the community. Looking forward to all of the feedback!
Apologize if this has been asked before, I searched but couldn't locate. What tools do you suggest I keep in the car for emergency? I bought an old school C4 bag just for this purpose but want the knowledge from the community. Looking forward to all of the feedback!
Popular Reply
Feb 13, 2024, 06:04 PM
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
@FAUEE towing coverage is a smart idea.
You could outfit your car with the entire contents of a Snap-On truck. When you break down, the item you need will be the ONE thing you don't have. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 290
I take enough to change a battery, starter,belt, alternator, ignition module, fuel pump, ect. And I do keep some of those parts in my car especially on a long trip. Just so you know there's a mixture of sae and metric sizes on these cars. So mainly 1/4 and 3/8 drive tools, about 10 wrenchs, bits and a driver handle instead of a screw drivers, a pry bar, and a 1/2 breaker bar for the belt tensioner. A pair of vicegrips and a cresent wrench too.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,421
Likes: 6,539
From: Melbourne, FL
I'd consider a battery operated ratchet and small.impact driver. Then you can largely bring sockets, with a small set of ratcheting wrenches for the handful of things that don't allow for anything else (ie removing the fender to get to the battery).
Lights. Lots of lights. They make some nice lithium ion rechargeable ones now that can be used as power banks for your phone as well, that's a good thing to be able to do worst case.
At the end of the day, there's a limit to what you're gonna do on the side of the road, so having towing coverage on your insurance is the biggest thing to have.
Lights. Lots of lights. They make some nice lithium ion rechargeable ones now that can be used as power banks for your phone as well, that's a good thing to be able to do worst case.
At the end of the day, there's a limit to what you're gonna do on the side of the road, so having towing coverage on your insurance is the biggest thing to have.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
@FAUEE towing coverage is a smart idea.
You could outfit your car with the entire contents of a Snap-On truck. When you break down, the item you need will be the ONE thing you don't have. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 829
Likes: 192
If I could only carry five things they would be a multi bit screwdriver, a pair of needle nose vice grips (medium size), a razor knife, a roll of quality electrical tape and a really good compact flashlight.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,421
Likes: 6,539
From: Melbourne, FL
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Lebanon, OH
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
There's a guy on C1-C2, Steve Stone, who bought a '63 brand new and still has it. He carries more tools and spare parts than some auto parts stores - spare everything. He and his wife are constantly on the road and document the travels. As of last fall they had over 622,000 miles on it! 
With the forum search problems I couldn't find the thread where he lists what he carries for tools and parts, but here's a link to one thread about him, with pics: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rig-owner.html
With the forum search problems I couldn't find the thread where he lists what he carries for tools and parts, but here's a link to one thread about him, with pics: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rig-owner.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 829
Likes: 192
Edit. I can’t seem to get a functional link in here
Last edited by JD1964; Feb 15, 2024 at 06:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 829
Likes: 192
I bet failed coolant hoses or the associated plastic fittings these days are a common failure. But these are maintenance items. If kept up properly with change outs as needed then they shouldn’t be a problem.
Ignition modules on the other hand, show me a maintenance schedule that tells you when to change it. Nonetheless, they are a common failure point on some cars
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 87
From: Rockwall TX
if you happen to break down in or near an autozone parking lot and need to replace battery, starter,belt, alternator, ignition module, fuel pump, hoses then you can also buy the tools there lol
Preventative maintenance of old cars is key, replace those things in the comfort of your garage, do it right the first time, and have confidence in the ride.
I carry a tire plug kit and a small 12v air compressor, usb phone charger cable, AAA card. And jumper cables but mostly to help others. I'm not making repairs on the side of the road.
Preventative maintenance of old cars is key, replace those things in the comfort of your garage, do it right the first time, and have confidence in the ride.
I carry a tire plug kit and a small 12v air compressor, usb phone charger cable, AAA card. And jumper cables but mostly to help others. I'm not making repairs on the side of the road.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 492
Likes: 17
From: IL
@FAUEE towing coverage is a smart idea.