I've been thinking about putting together an extremely small & minimal toolkit to keep in a C4 on an everyday basis. I've done this to various degrees in my other cars but they have a fair bit more storage space. Usually I can buy some sort of packaged toolkit in a little box or other and stick it in the trunk or something. But not so easy on a C4!

I would like for it to fit into an area about 2" X 8" X 8" OR SMALLER.

It would be intended for affecting emergency repairs only and for a late C4. Not for major repairs or overhauls - merely the most simple and basic of roadside repairs. Nor would this be for a long road trip necessarily (I would have extra things to augment any of my cars for long road trips - that would be a separate thread)

I'm not including other common items that one might normally store elsewhere in a car outside of a 'tool kit' per se. E.g. items including 'supplies' like a rag, wire, tape, oil, water, even jumpers... etc. Again this is an 'everyday' small kit.

I would probably want these in some sort of 'bag' or pouch to keep the shape somewhat maleable, compact and not prone to rattling...

What I've come up with is the following:

3/8" Ratchet
Sockets: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Some sort of driver handle with the following bits:
flat screwdriver
small philips
lg philips
a few torx bits
a few hex (allen) bits
Set of open/box wrenches in sizes as sockets (above) if they'll fit
Pocket knife
Pliers

Question 1: What sockets (sizes) could I potentially eliminate from above? (In many Japanese cars one only needs 10, 12 and 14 for example)

Question 2: Anybody know of any handle drive / bit sets that might cover a lot of the sizes above?

 

Sounds like a good kit!
I wouldn't worry about omitting sockets, they're small. I would add some Mechanix gloves or something similiar because a roadside repair involves working on a hot car and you want to protect your hands and fingers. Also some hose-clamps and a section of universal coolant hose is a good idea, plus a spare serpentine belt (you can loosen the tensioner with one of your wrenches or rachet handle and socket). A set of needle-nosed pliers is good in addition to regular pliers.

I would also add one of those "cross" shaped lug spanners, if you're serious about changing a tire (I just call AAA for a flat, I don't like driving on a spare).

 

Thats it ouside of a tire plug kit and a tiny plug in comressor. Cant think of anything I could access or fix on the road without major tools or a jack.
A relay or two wouldnt be a bad idea for fans I suppose.

 

It sounds good, but I'd want 15mm and 17mm in atleast the sockets, and I.d want the sockets to be deep well. Good luck.

 

Otherwise stated:Cellphone with charged batteries and a AAA card. There is so little that can be done to these things at a rest stop to bother trying.

 

PLUS, a AAA membership (premium), a good credit card and a cell phone.

 

i think the most common metric sizes are 10, 13, 14, 15, but you just never know what sizes are needed. i'd add a roll of electrical tape, a small roll of (.020) safety wire, and wire cutters, a flashlight, an assortment of plastic tiewraps...

 

I'd be interested in putting together a kit that would fit inside the front bumper in the space next to the rad and in front of the tires. You wouldn't have to worry about rattling then. I've stuffed PS fluid bottles there before. You could probably tie wrap it to something so it's not riding on the urethane.

There's tons of wasted space in the back bumper for things like a spare serpantine belt tie wrapped to the bumper supports.

My problem is I can't seem to put together a "small kit". I end up dragging an overhaul tool kit with me. I believe on the side of the road, I want every effort saving tool at my disposal. Extensions and swivels and such. I did get some 3/8 and 1/4 extensions that had swivel ends built into them, so theres one less thing to carry. I do draw the line at a torque wrench though.

 

I would include a torx socket that was the correct size for removing the alternator.Its a bigger sized torx I am not sure of the exact size but I once got stranded because I had all my tools with me except that torx and I couldnt remove the alternator.

 

For long trips, this is the only tool I carry :

 

You wont be wrong by adding a Leatherman Tool

 

Whatever you need to R & R the alternator is all you need.