Water= No Bueno

[YellowDodgeBrian]

So after my little swim in the mud-pit my cab filled with water and my four way amp was totally submerged. After buying a new one for 120$ I've decided that having my important electrical components in low places is bad so i was going to try relocating them to a higher position. The reason why I'm posting up is because i don't have any Solder or tools and was wondering if i could borrow some from somebody.

[BadAssEddie]

I'm sure someone will lend you a soldering iron, I'd let you borrow mine but it is for battery cables, not speaker wires.

But in the long term, you will be living here nine months a year for the next four years, it is worthwhile to invest in tools and supplies (bring them from home or buy new stuff) because you will likely be doing a lot of wrenching while at school. It is a point many students overlook, while in school you live in Blacksburg and visit your hometown, not the other way around. My friendly $0.02.

[FJCcrawler]

I'm sure someone will lend you a soldering iron, I'd let you borrow mine but it is for battery cables, not speaker wires.

But in the long term, you will be living here nine months a year for the next four years, it is worthwhile to invest in tools and supplies (bring them from home or buy new stuff) because you will likely be doing a lot of wrenching while at school. It is a point many students overlook, while in school you live in Blacksburg and visit your hometown, not the other way around. My friendly $0.02.

I completely agree! My home was across the country so naturally, I packed my whole garage in my car. I also lived on campus for 3 years and left my garage in the back of my car until recently. It kinda sucks, but I had everything I needed to do anything to my car right in the back. All I needed was a parking garage or parking lot.

But yes, I have a soldering iron if you need one. Its a bigger one but it should do the trick.

[YellowDodgeBrian]

I have an extra soldering iron at home but I never even thought to bring it. I'm going to start putting together a list of tools to bring. But I have enough speaker wire I just needed to extend the 4G power wire.

Sense I'm putting a list together of tools, what would be really good ones I should have?

[YellowDodgeBrian]

Also, in regards to the carpeting, should I just remove it and rubberize the floor? It smells awful and this isn't the first time it has gotten soaked before.

[BadAssEddie]

Sense I'm putting a list together of tools, what would be really good ones I should have?

Thorough set of hand tools
Any specialty tools your truck needs, like hub sockets or similar
Jack and jack stands
Wiring tools and supplies (as you know)
Torx bits
Pickle fork
Basically any tool you have, bring all that you have space for.

This is what I carried around freshman year before I had a garage:



It was plum full, like Wong's Runner. I had every tool I owned in it.

[YellowDodgeBrian]

The most essential tool in there was the case of natural light.

[Rex82]

The most essential tool in there was the case of natural light.

HEARD DAT!!

[NJKURPat]

Alec and Wong covered everything pretty well. Find out what specialty items you need and look into a decent mechanics set, or piece together your own for what fits your needs. A torque wrench is a really good investment whenever working on your vehicle. I figured out what I needed slowly via parts I was ordering or when I broke.

[redneckrapunzel]

Idk what your budget for tools is or what you have laying around that you can bring to school but ive had good luck with Kultch tools from northern tools, not the nicest or the cheapest but definitely a higher quality tool than harbor freight and i think cheaper than Kobalt. problem is that the closest Northern is roanoke i believe.

[Bacwds]

I also have a nicer* soldering iron for small to large gauge wire don't know if I have solder or not tho

[YellowDodgeBrian]

I also have a nicer* soldering iron for small to large gauge wire don't know if I have solder or not tho

I bought some solder yesterday so I'm good on that. The other problem I'm running into is where I can get access to a power outlet. Would it be smart to get a DC to AC power converter?

[WhiteRhino]

I usually just use a small blow torch for soldering its faster and portable lol, harbor freight sells a soldering iron if need be for cheap

[BadAssEddie]

I also have a nicer* soldering iron for small to large gauge wire don't know if I have solder or not tho

I bought some solder yesterday so I'm good on that. The other problem I'm running into is where I can get access to a power outlet. Would it be smart to get a DC to AC power converter?

An inverter is always a valuable piece of equipment to have. HF had a couple open box closeouts for cheap that were big enough to power tools and whatnot on a wheeling trip.

Also forgot to say, rip the carpet out. It will keep it from smelling like a wet dog and rusting your floor pans out.

[YellowDodgeBrian]

Carpet is out and Im working on relocating all of the essential wiring or at least waterproofing it. Today i dropped a pretty penny and bought nice jack stands, an inverter, a micro-torch with a soldering tip, a legit tow strap, and some deep set sockets because the shallow ones were just not working out. I was planning on spraying or rolling some liner on the inside, any recommendations? My 4g wire is coming Thursday so i have a little bit bit of time before i can finish all the interior. Tomorrow will be the wheel cylinders.