if we're still talking about a minimal tool kit,
I never carry a torque wrenches, or wrenches.

I mean ...like if you are going to be getting into something that really
needs a torque wrench, like say replacing the head ...
either that's going to in a shop with real tools and equipment, ..like 'any'
car repair shop has a torque wrench or two, or ..
if you do decide to do such a job in a campsite, which would be an extremely
rare occurrence anyway ..
then you can order an inexpensive torque wrench online with your iphone or
whatever.

depending on skill and experience level, a person can do a LOT without a
torque wrench.
like almost everything.

what I do is think about what jobs I want to be able to handle myself on a
trip ..
things like basic engine work, dealing with a water pump ..that sort of
thing- want tools for that.

working on brakes, shocks, wheel bearings ...
you'd only carry stuff for those kinds of repairs on a major, major trip
...so normally you don't carry much for those things other than some basics
....nice ball peen hammer, a breaker bar maybe, a cheater bar maybe ...

you want to be able to deal with electrical issues..so a nice small kit
there . test light , volt-ohm meter, some spare bulbs , some jumper wires,
stuff like that.
I *always* carry a Remote Starter Switch ..
one of the extreme most useful tools for self-rescue and diagnosing things.

another thing one can do is start keeping 'vanagon tools' in a separate kit
, separate from your general tool stash.
then when you go on a trip , you just bring those, and not the other ones
you never use on a vanagon.

mainly, just consider what you might work on on a trip ..like say R & Ring a
starter ..bring tools for that.
Tools for a clutch slave cylinder swap...bring those.
tools for a whole clutch job ..
probably don't bring those unless it's a major 6 months long journey.

etc.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Beierl" <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 3:47 PM
Subject: Re: A minimal tool kit?

> At 07:17 AM 9/8/2010  -0700, Jay lefstein wrote:
>>David do you keep 2 torque wrench's in your van?
>
> No, only the big one, which is a click-type (with a ratchet) and
> 19-mm impact socket for the wheel nuts.  Works on smaller stuff as
> well with a half-to-3/8 adapter.  I use a beam-type to check its
> calibration, as click-type wrenches are notorious for being wrong
> (this Craftsman one has been right on, though, for over a
> decade).  At home I've got two smaller beam types that are more
> convenient for the small stuff.  The big one is actually easier to
> stow since the scale doesn't stick out on the sides.
>
> Side note -- on this Craftsman one at least, you have to keep it
> wound down to zero in between uses or it takes a set that takes a few
> hours to relax.  Never tested it, but that's what the manual said.
>
> Yours,
> David