Heading to the junkyard saturday,what tools to take?

[1969k10stepside]

Imk heading north to some junkyards Saturday.What tools should I take?I am taking my big set of 3/8 and 1/2" drive socket set and a bunch of wrenches.I dont think I will take my favorite tool(cutting torch) though..So,what other tools to bring?Anyone know what size bolts were used to attach tow hooks originally?What about the bolts holding down bucket seats?

[sick69]

taking sockets ranging from 3/8" thru 1" in your choice of 3/8" or half inch drives,breaker bars,extentions and the same assortment of wrenches, a couple pairs of channel locks and vise grips,wire cutters, and a bfh would be a good assortment to have. just my .02 though


Frank

[williamt]

A big honkin pry bar is always a good bet

[Walts_restoration]

In my dads yellow truck(73 3/4 ton with special heavy duty front/rear suspension), hes got every tool imaginable, side post and top post battery, 180 psi air compressor, three different part numbers of spark plugs, and about anything else you would ever need. Its a rolling work truck and if you cant find the tool or make something work, do you really know what your looking for?

[piecesparts]

BIG BILLFOLD with a lot of DOLLARS. Failing in that arena, Depending on what you are after, take the sockets (3/8" and 1/4" drives work the best for me), screwdrivers (get one that has multiple interchangeable tips and save some room), small ball peen hammer, channellocks (waterpump pliers to the oldies). side cutteres, razor knife, chisels, and punches.

[724x4a/cchevy]

Originally Posted by 1969k10stepside

Anyone know what size bolts were used to attach tow hooks originally?What about the bolts holding down bucket seats?

might need screwdrivers and possibly a steering wheel puller for those pesky tilt columns lol

[special-K]

Just bring the "red wrench".A little heat can`t hurt.

[Willy Prost]

Along with the tools mentioned, I like to take a piece of cardboard.

Good to kneel on while removing parts in the mud.

Also a handy way to attach the mounting bolts in the position they get reattached on the part. I just cut an X with my leatherman to get the bolt started. less likely to lose the bolts.

[tkeduk8r]

Ive got a kit assembled that I pretty much carry just in case of an emergency OR a new junkyard I stumble across...

192 (I think) piece craftsman tool kit... plastic case AND i can see i have put all my tools back at the end of the day!!! keeps me from leaving 'em for the next guy....

Cordless Sawzall, Drill, and light for obvious reasons...

Car charger for above...

3 ton jack, and some homemade jack extensions (6" and 9") to get a truck in the air while i put enough stuff under it so it wont fall back on me... and for those worriers, im a former auto shop teacher that will check ALL possible failure scenarios b4 i get under for ANYTHING...

torch of course IF they let me bring it in...

Delco heat riser lubricant/penetrant.. expensive but worth it... WAYYYYYY better than wd-40

ziplock label baggies, marker, and masking tape

and.... digital camera!!!

well thats a littel more than i normally haul around with me, BUT that is what i throw in my pickup on the way to a yard....

hope that helps...
--Mike

[krue]

Everything you own and you'll still be missing something.

[WorkinLonghorn]

I always forget to bring some penetrant like "liquid wrench", and I'm often looking around for a pipe to use as an extension to the breaker bar.

[hvychve]

right on the money Krue, you can bring everything and still forget somthing.
I always wish I would have brought a bunch of rags, those junk yard cars/trucks are not clean, and I hate to try and find some snotty rag someone left behind to wallow my hands clean with.

[nvrforgotten52]

Bfh

[Troy-Built]

Most bucket seat bolts take a 1/2 inch wrench like the bench seats. How about a car trailer.

[sixtysevengmc]

Originally Posted by krue

Everything you own and you'll still be missing something.

exactly

[Yukon Jack]

Well, not a tool, but don't forget your camera!

[Shane]

Sockets & Ratchets (3/8" & 1/2" drive)
Ball peen hammer
Open End & Box End wrenches
Assorted pliers (Channel locks, side cutters,etc)
Screwdrivers (Phillips & flat)
Allen wrenches
Cordless sawzall (my favorite "salvage yard" tool. ever.)
Utility knife
Chisels & Punches
Big can of WD-40
Hand truck (helps roll tool box around & bring bigger parts out of yard)
Cash - lots of cash.

[MR MAGOO]

A Digital Camera To Take Pics Of Trucks And Parts For Other Folks On The Board Who Might Be Interested In Visiting The Yard!!

[Zoomad75]

I've been at both ends of what to carry. Mostly now I have a meduim sized craftsman tool bag. I carry a full assortment of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive sockets, ratchets and extensions, a range of combination wrenches, couple of screwdrivers (both types), a short handled BFH, a punch, chisel and a a few other smaller items. The bag is full for sure and can get heavy but I can take just about anything off with those tools.

When my Dad and I would go to the boneyard we brought our own wagon (modified to allow for 10" air filled tires), loaded with a large tool box with everything you could ever think of. We never had to borrow a tool pulling that wagon.

THere is one shortcoming to being prepared at the boneyard. The guys that walked in with nothing more than a screwdriver and a pair of pliers find you fast when they need something. I'm usually OK with sharing, but I won't let them out of my sight. Mainly because as others have stated, you might have thought you brought everything you might need a tool you forgot at another time. Call it tool karma.

If it's a general run to the boneyard just to scrounge I'll just bring the bag o tools. If I know I'm going after something big I'll make sure to know what I need and have it with me. Planning ahead will save headaches.

[fastwillie 696969]

beer

[67ChevyRedneck]

Around here, it doesn't matter. None of the yards in the greenville area I've been to let you pull anything.

There are some near columbia that will let you pull stuff if you sign a waiver.

Went to NY over xmas.... I got to walk the yard and pull what I wanted... it was wonderful

[Aarons72s]

Here is how I do it when I go to pull a part, I got it down to a science.

Huge wagon with pneumatic tires, bigger is better.

A huge plastic tool box, 10"x10"x36"
1/4'', 3/8" and 1/2" sockets- both deep and regular and sae and metric
lots of extensions! if you think you have enogh put more in!
lots of screw drivers-if you think you have enogh put more in!
best set of ratchets.
torx bit set
pry bars, the 4 different length set
dikes
needle nose
channel locks
slip joint pliers
vise grips- lots of them!
drill bit set
phillips socket bits, especially for 67-72 trucks!
hack saw
cold chisels
Big freaking ball pien hammer
hand sludge
door panle removal tool
combanation wrenches, both sae and metric
if you remove clusters from 67-72 trucks 5/16, if i remeber, open wrench for oil line
Alllen wrenches

All the hand tools I have, alot of duplicates but you will still probably need
them

Cordless drill with 3/8" socket adapter, trust me once you use it in the junk yard you will wander how you got by before.

Cooler with favorite drink, for me useually water.

floor jack.

Box with bags, paper towels and first aid kit, dont ask which was used more. lol

Note book and camera.

3/4" drive socket set with cheater bar- for suspension parts.

Lots of penatrante lube, wd40, liquid wrench or whatever you like

big honken flat headed screw driver- 36" long 1/2" shaft and 3/4" wide tip. Used both as pry bar and chisel.

Portable radio, must not forget that!

I probably forgot something but that is my usal take to junk yard stuff, may seem like alot but I have used it all.
Good luck dustin. Happy hunting.

[fade94]

ALSO, don't drive a nice vehicle to the yard, prices seem to go up with the level of shine. When I go, I leave my Dodge at home and take my son's old Chevy truck.

[1969k10stepside]

My lil S10(dont laugh) is ready to go.I have my big 180(I think) piece socket set....my portable air compressor,all my ratcheting wrenches...a bunch of wrenches,hammers and a bunch more stuff.Oh,and Troy,I have a Silv.2500 and a 20' trailer waiting in case I buy a whole vehicle,might need to store em up at your shop if you promise not to use em or part emAfter Im done there,there will be no need for anyone else to visit it,Im sucking them dry of the good parts.....I will photograph the ones Im not keeping for myself though..lol

[Zoomad75]

Originally Posted by fade94

ALSO, don't drive a nice vehicle to the yard, prices seem to go up with the level of shine. When I go, I leave my Dodge at home and take my son's old Chevy truck.

I've learned by observation not to drive your vehicle into the yard itself. Now most yards won't let you for liability reasons. But some I went to in the past would let people tow stuff in to scrap, unload and then go in to get their money. By the time they got back the vultures had swarmed and started peeling stuff off of his truck. Funny to watch.

If it's in the yard it was fair game!