VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 What tools do you cruisers carry ?

Other than a cell phone, credit card, and a AAA card, I'm curious to hear what tools you cruising guys carry on trips of say between 50 and 200 miles.
I'm not aware of any mechanical problems with my '32 but it's never been taken more than a mile under my ownership. I acquired it just before the snow set in. Over the winter I've freshened up the engine and its components. She runs great in the garage but I want to be prepared on the road. I could probably fit my entire tool collection and a case of beer in that huge rear trunk.
For starters I'm thinking a roll of duct tape, coat hanger, and a large hammer will buy my way out of some trouble anyway. Thanks !

A small tool box comes in very handy especially if it contains a set of ratchet wrenches and sockets, screwdrivers, side cutters, open end and box wrenches, a hammer, a multi-meter, some wire, electrical tape, a couple of rags and etc. A gallon of water and a few quarts of oil can also come in useful as well.

On long trips it is wise to carry a spare generator, starter, water pump, fuel pump, distributor parts and a spare carburetor. A spare axle shaft thrown in is a good idea too.

Set of points, and condenser are always in the box too...

That would be included in the "distributor parts" mentioned above. You are right though......spare points and condensers are a must for any in-car tool box.

Yep… I knew that you knew that, JYD!! I also carry a set of rad hoses and a fan belt along too.

Dang....I forgot to list a spare radiator hose and a spare fan belt. Absolutely....ya gotta have those goodies too!

small box of ground black pepper

I would suggest doing some local short runs first and increasing until you consistently go between 50-100 miles. If you can do that whatever problems that are going to develop will show up. If none then chances of anything that will leave you beside the road are slim. In 14 years and 10000 miles my 32 has only failed twice. Once when the gas tank was not properly cleaned and another time a starter drive spring bolt broke. The broken bolt was in the hotel parking lot, but the plugged line problem was a AAA call.

I'll bite… what's the pepper for? Up here in Canada we carry a bag of salt...

Don't forget the spare fuse, electrical connectors for the wire, crimping pliers, a couple of bolts and nuts, a cotter pin or two, disposable gloves, and maybe a 6 foot wire with alligator clips and don't forget the flashlight and flare kit along with the fire extinguisher. By now that trunk is just about full but hopefully enough room for the cooler of beer. I also carry a small hydraulic jack as it's much safer than the original which looks great under the seat and should stay there.

After this list I think I'll just put a trailer hitch on my 31' and tow a trailer with a complete parts car on it!

All my stuff fits in a Coke cooler…

I agree with a previous post about going on short trips first to shake out the bugs and build confidence before tackling longer treks.

I did trips under 20 miles for about one year before attempting longer drives in my '28. Found and fixed a bunch of little problems and only had one AAA tow due to sheared gears in the differential.

Last summer I took it on a 120 mile day trip and it performed like a champ! ;-)

Regarding the black pepper, that's an old-school remedy for small leaks in the cooling system. I suspect a bottle of liquid Bars Leak is the modern remedy.

Cheers, Dean

Yep, I have used Bars Leak several times and it really works!

Appreciate all the suggestions and insight. I'm going to start assembling things now, maybe have 2 kits, one for short hauls and a more extensive one for the longer trips. Think I'll pass on the parts car idea. A friend in a chase car maybe:)
I can see this falling into the " …life's about the voyage, not the destination.." category, with a celebration after every successful trip. Just the right amount of adventure for my rapidly advancing age.

Most of my tools fit in a small canvas tool bag that sits on the passenger floor. (no trunk) If on a tour a long ways from home the spare parts stay back at the hotel in my pickup as we usually trailer (open) to our destination. I also take my four way lug wrench and small floor jack if no passengers are along.

Some of us that tour frequently carry fairly complete tool kits. I have one that has wrenches, pliers, screw drivers, sockets (US and metric), hammer, brass drift, few pieces of wire, clips, nuts, screws, teflon tape, permatex #2, loctite, etc. Another box has nuts, washers and bolts. Have used those on many occasions. Mostly on OPC. Most of all I carry a Gerber multi-tool. I use it nearly every day. Almost as valuable as my reading glasses.

Most don't realize that auto repair parts are often located within 100 feet of any breakdown. They are scattered next to the roadway, in ditches and on fence posts. Some of us have used that parts wearhouse many times.

Oh, ya OPC is other people's cars.

Ah..roadside shopping ! Usually no waiting in line either. I often think of those Cubans and how they keep their vintage '50s cars running. Amazing skills and resourcefulness. You know there's no NAPA stores down there….yet.

hardaground,

You might also want to look at a similar thread posted further down under Helpful Information & Suggestions:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/86381/1

Happy Motoring,

Dan

Thanks Dan,

Man, that's some list. I just printed it out.
Only thing missing is a spare frame:) It's a great guide and good reminder not to become too complacent. Murphy's Law is alive and well.