Tools for my nephew?

C

Chris142

Joined
Jun 5, 2003
Messages
32,003
Location
Apple Valley, California
I have a 15 yr old nephew that lives 1000 miles away.. He inhearated a 1998 s10 pickup when His father passed unexpectedly when the kid was 11 and he has not had anyone to help him with his truck.

He was here a few weeks ago and I sent him home with a volt/ ohm meter and with that we were able to determine that the battery had no charge.

He got that replaced.

I then sent him a 3/8 socket set with a ratchet, various bits( torx,phillips etc),a metric wrench set, plyers,vice grips and some extensions.

Now I think I will send him some deep sockets but what else would he need? Does a 98,s10 need an allan to get the calipers off?

Give me some ideas..Thx
 
What about a full 200-300 piece set? I’ve seen some goos sales on them lately. Should cover most of the bits on the truck….
 
Chris142 said:
I have a 15 yr old nephew that lives 1000 miles away.. He inhearated a 1998 s10 pickup when His father passed unexpectedly when the kid was 11 and he has not had anyone to help him with his truck.

He was here a few weeks ago and I sent him home with a volt/ ohm meter and with that we were able to determine that the battery had no charge.

He got that replaced.

I then sent him a 3/8 socket set with a ratchet, various bits( torx,phillips etc),a metric wrench set, plyers,vice grips and some extensions.

Now I think I will send him some deep sockets but what else would he need? Does a 98,s10 need an allan to get the calipers off?

Give me some ideas..Thx
Click to expand...
What engine? If it's the 4.3, a short coupled universal joint spark plug wrench is needed for the back plugs. Like this:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...uck-1998-gmc-sonoma?q=spark+plug+wrench&pos=1

Ed
 
I had a 1996 Olds and it had allen / internal Hex caliper bolts, which GM seemed to like using back then, so it wouldn't surprise me on a S10.

Other than that I don't recall needing anything particular special to work on it.
 
Tekton offers good tools at reasonable prices. I like them much better than current Craftsman or Kobalt, and they’re about the same price.

Sounds like he has a good start from what you already sent. Deep metric 3/8” next. A complete Allen (hex key) set is a good addition.

Then, I would send an inexpensive (Tekton, again, here) torque wrench for those spark plugs, along with a swivel joint. Like this one:

https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-micrometer-torque-wrench-24330

Add another tool or two for free shipping.
 
Last edited:
edhackett said:
What engine? If it's the 4.3, a short coupled universal joint spark plug wrench is needed for the back plugs. Like this:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...uck-1998-gmc-sonoma?q=spark+plug+wrench&pos=1

Ed
Click to expand...
This might be a better choice if you have Amazon Prime for free shipping. The magnet makes all the difference.

1724585561985.webp
 
He'll need a good set of screw drivers.

I started off as an 18 year old with no money. Bought individual tools and small sets as I needed them. They weren't great quality but many of those now well used tools are still in my toolbox.

I was talking to a real craftsman (a journeyman pattern maker) about tools. We both have a beautiful set of chisels that we never use. We both use our crappy chisels "one more time". So there is something to be said for not so elegant tools that you actually use.
 
Being a 1998 Chevy it’s probably still got some SAE on it so I’d buy him at least a SAE set of some type. I know the brake caliper bolts are a 3/8 Allen. I recommend getting an Allen bit socket for that so you don’t have to use an Allen wrench. Tekton is a solid brand as well as Capri. Kobalt and Craftsman are ok for things like sockets but I still prefer Tekton Capri or auto parts stores for those. If it’s 4WD might want to get him a socket for the axle nuts in the front.
 
Nukeman7 said:
This might be a better choice if you have Amazon Prime for free shipping. The magnet makes all the difference.

View attachment 237062
Click to expand...
I owned a 1995 4WD with the 4.3. The access to the back plug on the driver's side is severely restricted by hard parts on that truck. My regular plug socket with a universal adapter was too long to be able to get it on the plug. I had to specifically search out the shortest wrench I could find. I'm pretty sure the one I linked is the one I ended up with. It left very little room to spare. I gave it to the new owner of the truck.

I can't speak to 2WD or other year models, but the Amazon linked one would not have worked on my truck.

Ed
 
I have a 1997 4WD Blazer that I believe needs a 3/8 hex. Can’t remember the size. I have a Neiko set I bought for around $15 on Amazon. Made in Taiwan too. I highly recommend it.
 
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