Dan,
I copied the old post below that Joel Walker sent me over a year ago when I
asked a similar question. Hope it helps.
Bill

-----Original Message-----
From: Joel Walker <jwalker@tusc.net>
To: Davidson <wdavidson@JPS.NET>
Date: Sunday, November 22, 1998 1:25 PM
Subject: Re: tools question;

>> Well, I noticed that the set of wrenches and sockets are missing certain
>> sizes in the sequence. And there are many sizes that are duplicated
between
>> the 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 drives (& regular/deep sockets).
>
>general Rule of Thumb: germans use ODD-sizes on their nuts and
>bolts. except below 11mm. that is, you'll need 10mm, 8mm, and
>6mm. but NOT 14mm, 16mm, 18mm. like that.
>
>2nd Rule of Thumb: six-sided sockets are better than 12-sided
>sockets (which is what Sears tries to sell you at first). the
>six-sided ones do NOT round off the nuts as easily. yes, they can
>be a little harder to get ON at first, but they're better.
>
>> So my questions are:
>> 1. Are the missing sizes needed for a Vanagon?
>
>not usually.
>
>> 2. Are the duplicated sizes necessary?
>
>sometimes. you don't want to use a 1/2-drive wrench on engine
>bolts/nuts. it's too easy to break the bolt. really. about the
>only time you'll need/want the 1/2-drive wrench and sockets is
>for suspension and the wheel lug nuts/bolts. don't even use it on
>the exhaust. mostly the 3/8-inch size is used. the smaller one,
>1/4-inch, is usually, however, in odd places, and it doesn't take
>up too much room, so take it along.
>
>> 3. Are there other tools I should definitely take that are not on my list
>> below?
>
>see below.
>
>> 4. Are the Standard wrenches & sockets needed for anything other than the
>> Westy interior?
>
>?? i don't think they'll be of any use at all. Westy interior is
>mostly metric, isn't it? i mean, a bunch of germans put it
>together. ?? i'm gonna be disappointed to find out i have to go
>buy standard sized tools!! :(
>
>> Any way here's what I have:
>> METRIC sockets:
>>         1/4"-- 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13mm ........... deep sockets:
>4,5,6,7,8,9,10
>
>you can leave out the 4mm and 5mm. also the 12mm. i can't think
>of when i've used a 9mm or a 7mm, but i'm not sure. so you might
>leave them in. actually, i don't think i've ever need the deep
>sockets. i just carry the little "kit" in its own box.
>
>>         3/8"-- 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16mm ........ deep sockets:
9,10,11,12,13,14
>
>12 and 14 and 16 are pretty much useless. the 10, 11, 13, 15, and
>17 are the most used. i'd recommend a short (non-deep) 17 and
>even a 19 in this size.
>
>>         1/2"-- 17,18,19,--,21,22,--,24mm
>
>18 can go away. you'll never need it. the 19 is good for the lug
>nuts/bolts. but you'll want to get a loooong breaker bar to use
>with it, and a short (4") extension (so you can clear the tire
>when taking lug nuts/bolts off). get the longest non-ratchet
>breaker bar you can find. i think mine is about 22" long.
>and the 19mm is also the size you'll need to get the spare tire
>bolt off.
>
>>STANDARD sockets:
>
>i don't carry or keep any of these. except for the spark plug
>socket (i think it's 13/16ths ... it's sold as a "spark plug
>socket").
>
>> METRIC combination wrenches:
>>         8, 9, 10,--, 12, 13, --, 15, 16 ,17, 18mm (are 11,14mm not
needed?)
>
>11mm is definitely needed. the even sizes generally are not,
>except for 10mm.
>and you can skip the 14-16mm and the 18mm. 12 is not used either.
>
>> STANDARD combination wrenches:
>
>again, i don't even carry any standard sizes.
>
>>         1/4 x 3" extension, 3/8 x 3" & 6"extensions, & 1/2 to 3/8 adapter
>
>get a longer, 6" 1/4 extension. and a loooong 3/8 extension, like
>10". also get a
>1/4-3/8 adapter. it came in handy once. a 3/8-1/2 adapter would
>be good.
>
>>         Metric Hex Keys: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8mm
>
>yes. and any bigger metric hex keys you can find. your
>transmission oil drain and fill plugs are 17mm. it's also a good
>idea to get the metric hex-socket set from Sears. comes in a
>plastic bag. this allows you to put a socket on the ratchet
>wrench, but the socket has a hex key sticking out of it. this is
>wonderful for the cv joint bolts. and other things. also they
>have a set of screwdriver-sockets ... same thing,but with
>different sizes of screwdriver heads in the socket.
>
>also get the Sears Torx screwdriver with several size bits
>(stored in the handle). this is used for the little vent windows
>up on the front doors (the only place i've ever used them).
>
>>         Standard Hex Keys: 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32,
1/4,
>> 5/16, 3/8
>
>never had any use for them.
>
>>         Assortment of Slotted and Philips Screw Drivers
>
>definitely. large and small, long and short, wide and thin. and
>the Z-shaped ones, with a flat (or phillips) head on each end.
>not often, but sometimes useful (like tightening the vent window
>clamp, up inside the front doors, that determines how easy the
>vent window is to open/close).
>
>>         Small & Large Crescent (sp?) wrenches
>
>yup.
>
>>         Regular Pliers & Needle nose Pliers
>
>definitely. and some angled-cutters (dykes). and some Lineman's
>pliers (big brutish-looking things).
>
>>         Large Channel Licks
>
>well ... maybe medium-sized. only used them to remove a stuck oil
>filter, and to get the coolant level sensor out of the coolant
>tank. :)
>
>>         Wire strippers, crimpers, 12v tester, electrical tape, assorted
>> connectors, hack saw blade, small cinch ties
>
>yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. :) but get something to use
>that hack saw blade IN ... like a handle or small hacksaw. it
>hurts your hand a LOT if you try to use the blade by itself! :(
>
>what else:
>- torque wrench. for tightening the lug nuts. big 1/2" size.
>costs about $70.
>  needs to go up to 150 ft-lbs.
>- torque wrench. for tightening most everything else. 3/8" size.
>costs about $40.
>  needs to go up to about 80-90 ft-lbs.
>- rolls of wire. 14 guage, 25 feet. maybe two or three colors.
>just for parnoia's   sake. :)
>- duct tape!!!! two rolls of the good stuff!!! you CAN limp home
>with this   holding your cooling system together!
>- paper towels and a spray bottle of Windex. for cleaning
>headlights and windshield.
>- baby wipes. and fast orange spray cleaner. for cleaning YOU
>after working on the bus. :) also the baby wipes come in really
>handy for cleaning hands and fingers after eating barbecued
>chicken. ;) keeps the steering wheel from getting really greasy.
>- tow strap. big mutha, with hooks on both ends. get at least
>6000-lb capacity. yup., MORE than your bus weighs. 10,000-lb
>would be better but costs more.
>- spare bulbs for lights of various places.
>- spare fuses. lots of them.
>- spare lug nuts and bolts!!! at least TEN of each! trust me,
>this will let you sleep at night. it ain't fun to lose one of
>those buggers in the dirt/sand/mud when changing a tire!
>- rain jacket/parka ... flat tires don't always occur in sunny
>weather. :(
>- flares/signal lights/cyalume "light sticks" (get the 12-hour
>kind) for warning other people of your being parked on the side
>of the road, or for flagging down help.
>- and speaking of help, cb radio. and maybe a ham radio 2m
>handheld. for really reaching out to get help. means having to
>have a license, but no morse code is required now. expensive,
>though. :( cellular phone?
>- small folding army-surplus shovel. get a GOOD one, not those
>asian knock-offs.
>- survival blankets. the thin foil-lined kind. it gets really
>cold in the desert at night.
>
>anyway, i can go on and on about the stuff i carry around in my
>non-syncro camper. :) mostly spares (oil filter, 5 cans of oil, 1
>gallon of pre-mixed 50-50 coolant, air filter, windshield wiper
>blades) and such. oh, yeah,
>- MATCHES. lots of matches. safety kind, of course. candles.
>bug-repellent kind, if possible.
>
>good luck! hope it helps.
>joel
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Fleming <ddffpc@HOME.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Friday, December 24, 1999 8:13 PM
Subject: Hex Wrenches

>Okay list, I'm preparing to take off on an extended road trip, and I'm
>trying to remember the sizes of metric hex wrenches necessary for
>Vanagon repairs.
>
>I know there is a 6mm or so on some of the water pipes near the water
>pump, and a larger one on the starter.
>
>Anyone have this stuff memorized? What sizes (and configurations) of hex
>wrenches and other special tools are necessary?
>
>Thanks
>
>DDF
>