2003 ISX suggestions needed

[Waterloo]

Rawze mentioned tools... I had a few scattered all over the place. After purchasing this truck it was quite evident I needed TOOLS, and more than just a wrench set!

In the truck I carry this set... Kobalt 154-Piece Standard (SAE) and Metric Mechanic's Tool Set with Hard Case. The case is quality, with metal hinges. I believe the tools are made by Wright Tools. https://amzn.to/2Y3PKt0

I have used this set for a few years, and it has just about everything you will need. Just add a set of wrenches and you are good to go. Includes the Torx and Star drivers that you will need. It is inexpensive at around $100 and is of good quality. I highly recommend this set to carry on your truck.

Also, for emergencies, like coolant and air lines, I would recommend purchasing at least one set of Needle Nose Vice Grips, I carry two sets and they have saved my rear end more times than I can recall. Like when an airline in the seat blows, coolant line blows, or other lines. I used to work in surgery and refer to these as arterial clamps. They can literally save your life, if not your bacon. I like the 4 inch , as they can get into the tight spots, like under your seat and are nice to clamp off a heater hose under the hood. https://amzn.to/2Y3QA98

Tools! My favorite brands are GearWrench, Neiko, Sunex, OTC and Tekton. These are all good quality tool manufacturers, not Snap On, but 100 times better than Sears. I try to stick with the Taiwanese tool makers, and stay away from the Chinese stuff as much as possible. The USA stuff is nice, but normally out of line price wise for my intended uses, I'm a truck driver, not a professional mechanic, though I wonder sometimes.

If you search around on the internet you can really save some money. Especially on the GearWrench stuff. They run specials all of the time, buy one get one free. They are out here in the market with tool trucks and are going head to head with Snap On, Mac and Matco. Their prices are a bargain when compared to the big brand tool trucks, and I have yet to break any of their wrenches, ratchets or sockets.

Here are some of the internet stores I use and recommend for tool purchases.

http://www.tooldiscounter.com

https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com

http://www.tooltopia.com

And of course Amazon. I normally don't buy many tools off of Amazon, as the above outfits normally have much better pricing and specials.

The battery tools, I don't have a large enough compressor for air tools... I switched from Dewalt over to Milwaukee. Much easier on the wallet and the batteries are much cheaper, with more than a few outfits making aftermarket batteries you can really save some money just buying the bare tools. A charger is cheap, around $12 and the aftermarket batteries are half of what Milwaukee charges and just as good from my experience. Just shop around for pricing.

I have filled two tool chests with tools already, call me a tool whore. ;-) But, I have found that not having the right tool to do the job has cost me more monies in the long run, down time = Lost Revenue. At that point, I may as well have taken the truck to a shop. So I try to anticipate what I will need in the future. This site will give you a good idea at what will be coming your way.

Hope this helps.