I think it will be fun to list the tools we need to do the more routine repairs and troubleshooting on our idi's
test light
Good volt/ohm meter
fuel pressure tester
compression tester (can be rented in a lot of places)
I think we need access to these to be able to diagnose problems.
There are a lot of hand tools and some specialized tools that make life easier but I won't try to list them all.
What are your thoughts on mostly must haves.
I have more tools than most people by far, and everything to do anything to an idi, besides machine work and timing.
I need to get some sort of timing meter, what have you guys got and how do you like it.

 

OBD II scanner
Ohm meter
Socket sets, SAE & Metric 3/8ths & 1/2 " drive short and deep
Wrenches, SAE & Metric, box end, ratcheting box end, flexible ratcheting box end, adjustable
Screwdrivers, Straight, Phillips, Torx
Pliers, adjustable, slip-joint, needle nose,
Vice grips
Hammers, Ball peen, dead blow
Pry bars
Cheater bar
and many, many more!
The tool box on my truck weighs more than 70 pounds.

 

Being a self-employed mobile heavy equipment and truck mechanic, I have collected quite a few tools over the last 30 years or so. The last time I tried to put a rough figure to just what I carry in my service truck it was in excess of $50K. Other than doing machine work, I've never needed anything to work on the IDI besides what I already had.

 

I am not talking about all tools, but the things you have to have before you even can realistically ask what is wrong with my truck.

A lot of times we can tell someone what is wrong, but without a few simple test, we are guessing a lot of the time.

 

BFH

 

5/8 open end wrench or an adjustable wrench to bleed injectors.

 

Joe has that covered, I heard he rents them out so that we wont all have to buy the specialized ones. lol

 

A test light can go a long way to figuring out many of the electrical issues, and a volt meter/ohm meter will pretty much cover the rest. A heavy pair of booster cables for diagnosing solenoid/starter issues.

Beyond that, basic hand tools will cover most things on these trucks.

So far I think the only 'specialty' tool I've bought for these trucks are the spindle nut sockets. (I have all three, to cover the 44, 50, 60, and the sterling rear axle nuts.)

I've thought about buying a fan clutch wrench, but I'm going to make one instead this winter.

 

How about the 2 inch diameter pipe about six feet long that you slide over the end of the breaker bar for added leverage for the tough bolts!

 

A custom bent wrench for removing the Injection Pump....

 

what for, thats why i bought a 3/4" impact wrench labeled at 1400 ft-lbs (assuming 90 PSI) and a compressor that puts 150 PSI through it. when i reach for it, i will win, and it takes a lot less space in the van

 

one inch drive IR impact. put 130 pounds of shop air to it and something is moveing. oh and my hand crafted with a torch and bench grinder ip wrench

 

X2 on the 5/8 wrench. I had one in the pocket of my seat cover for a long time while I was solving my return line air leak issue. Also like to carry alligator clip jumper wire for the FSS in case the garbage old-style GP system screws up and melts the fusible link that supplies power to the FSS. Also a length of hose and an empty soda bottle to catch your return line fuel if your tank selector switch clogs up and kills the engine with back pressure... hey it got me off of HWY 99 during Fresno rush hour! Not to mock this post but it saved my a_double_snakes.

 

i carry pretty much everything as mentioned above in my toolboxe on my truck, in addition to that i carry a new fuel filter and a bottle of diesel 911 in the event of a gell up.

 

I need to get a bottle of 911, thanks for the reminder.