Hi all – If I get an XJ, what tools will I need? I'm looking at an XJ 4WD 4-door Laredo or Limited. Years are 1988 and 1991. The work I expect to do at home would be oil changes, lube, ATF flush, brakes, plugs, and all the sorts of things at @cruiser54 website for Renix years.

I assumed it would all be standard US unit tools, but then I saw that the ECU has 10 mm screws. Is there anything you had to buy, anything not normally in a basic tool set?

Thanks.

 

Actually, it's pretty much all metric.

Other than a few big sockets for the Axle Shaft Nut and Transfer Case Fill/Drain plugs, everything is basic screwdriver, wrench and socket type stuff. A few torx screws in the interior mostly; seatbelts and rear seat back upper brackets being the major ones you might run into.

Voltage-Ohm meter and electrical crimpers would be the "non-standard" tools to consider until you really get into it..

 

^^ pretty much covers it.
I will add (although not considered tools I reckon) two sets of 6 ton jack stands,a floor jack (two make it nice),and a set of good wheel chucks. Use the jack stands anytime you lift a vehicle.

 

The engine block and head are SAE

 

Stay away from Craftsman now. I had been buying Craftsman all my adult life for the warranty. I now have a drawer in the garage of busted craftsman hand tools and sockets and no where to get them exchanged or repaired. I am NOT paying shipping. I have since moved to whatever "pro" line Harbor Freight (dont laugh) sells. At least they have been on-point with exchanges. No problems at all.

 

Craftsman is now sold and warrantied by Lowes. The quality of Craftsman tools is not at all living up to their expectations.

Aside from what's listed above, I recommend a good multimeter. Basic tools and a multimeter will get you far.

 

All of them. Just buy all of them.

 

Now this I agree with.
I have so many tools.
And considering my skill level probably shouldn't own half of them. LOL.
Always on the look out for new tools that I don't have.
Stalk the internet from time to time, find a decent deal, and pull the trigger.
I tell people that I perfectly OK with my tools gathering dust. Cause if they are that means everything is running as it should.
And even if I own a tool that I only use one time if it gets me out of a jam then it was worth whatever I spent for it.

 

I'll add a decent 3/8 and 1/2" torque wrench to the list. Avoid crapsman as you can't even swap the broken tools now, they just hand you another worn out "rebuilt" one. The Harbor Freight hand tools aren't too bad, just don't buy anything that your life will depend on like jack stands or spring compressors from them. I've got some Husky brand hand tools and they've been pretty solid. Back when they took craftsman in trade, I got a much nicer Husky 1/2" torque wrench in exchange for the craftsman that they refuse to warranty after the ratchet broke for the second time.

The factory service manuals aren't too hard to find with a google or two, and keep this group or the naxja group on speed dial. :}

 

Their 6 ton jack stands are fine. I have 4 of them. I can't see any difference between them and what I could buy at any auto parts store.

I'm sure you can get better quality, but not without paying a lot more.

 

I have the 6 and 12 ton ones, 4 each as well, and they're great, it's the 2 ton ones that are flimsy and weak. You need to inspect the roll pins and cam locks before using, which you should be doing anyway (right?), and don't use if there's any questionable issues.

That said, most Harbor Freight hand tools are fine, too. They have a 301 piece mechanics tool set, and I own 2 of them. One for road trips and one for the shop. I rebuilt my entire Jeep with these kits, the only thing that hasn't been rebuilt is my transmission. I highly recommend buying one of these kits, then buy anything you need piecemeal after that. For the price it's a great buy, wait for a 25% off coupon sale and save even more 😀

https://www.harborfreight.com/search...s%20tool%20set

 

All good advice here.
Tekton tools is a really good lower cost tool manufacturer. I have been buying some of the Harbor Freight ICON brand, and have found them to be really well made tools. Very comparable to all the tool truck brands of today.
So my vote as of right now is ICON.

 

The HF spring compressors bent the and stretched the bolts the first time I used them. They went in the trash afterwards. Neighbor had a hydraulic jack fail and drop the car.

A local power company tested a whole bunch of jack stands after an accident where one failed and killed someone. They found that most of the cheap brands, including harbor freight included were questionable. The rating is for the pair, not each, so the 2-ton rating really means 1-ton per stand. They found that nearly all of them failed before reaching their load rating, some had bad welds or or jammed the mechanism or permanently deformed at less than half the rating. Moral - don't go cheap on load bearing and safety equipment and get a higher rating than you think you need. Most of the Chinese stuff is overrated by at least 2-3x in my opinion.

 

My 6 ton HF ones were part of the recall so I returned them.
Stalking Craigslist I was able to find these for $35. Oh and the gas it cost me to get there. LOL.

Look brand new to me.
Was able to pick these used Snap On 3 tons for $25. Again plus the gas to go buy them.

Still also have my 3 tone HF ones cause they were not part of the recall.
My point is you just don't rush out and buy tools if you don't have too.
Decide you want something and start shopping around. There are deals to be had out there.
I got it in my head that I want 6 point wrenches. Poked around and you don't see a lot of them.
Then one day came across these.

Sorry for the crappy picture.
I thought that 28 wrenches for $78 shipped wasn't a bad deal so.....

 

HF wobble socket extension kit for when you need to remove your exhaust to repair the crack.