We get asked for recommendations all the time regarding parts, tools, offroad eqipment, camping gear, etc. So here's a list of our favorite things that we've personally used, abused, and can feel good about referring.
Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links for which we earn a small commission (at no cost to you). This helps support our small business.
TOOLS
HAND TOOLS
- Floor Jack – Not Harbor Freight’s Top of the Line jack but it’s a workhorse at a great price.
- Flush Cut Pliers - No more cutting yourself on zip ties.
- Garden Hose - Has anyone ever had a good experience with a garden hose? Finally, one that resists kinks, is durable, is easy to roll up, compact, and doesn't weigh a metric ton.
- JIS Screwdrivers: Set / Bits- Japanese vehicles do not use Phillips head fastners, they use Japanese Imperial Standard which have a slightly different angle. JIS screwdrivers will provide more bite and less chance of stripping screws.
- Socket Set – It’s cheap, durable, has a lifetime warranty, and comes with a great selection of pieces. We’ve tried more expensive socket sets but keep coming back to this one.
- Tire Pressure Gauge - Way better than those cheap checkout counter gas station ones.
POWER TOOLS
- Battery Jump Box - We've learned that going off brand for jump boxes doesn't work out in the long run.
- Subcompact Impact Driver: Tool Only / Kit – 18V power & a Quick Change Hex Collet.
- Mid-Torque Impact Wrench: Tool Only / Kit – An unbelievable value and a workhorse of a tool. This is our go-to impact for most jobs.
- High-Torque Impact Wrench: Tool Only / Kit - A Beast of an impact. Unless you're working on big equipment or have to contend with hardcore rusted fastners, this thing is usually overkill.
- Subcompact Reciprocating Saw - This is your best friend so you can cut through the Rear Diff's Front Right mounting bolt rather than dropping the fuel tank which is in the way. And when it comes to what blade you'll need to get through that hardened bolt, Carbide-tipped Diablos are the best we've found.
ELECTRICAL
- Multimeter - A bit overkill but the clamp helps with household AC needs as well
- Relay Puller Pliers - So nice to be able to remove a relay without breaking it now
- Trailer Brake Controller: Economy Option / Fancy Pants Option
- Wire Crimp & Stripper Tool
CHEMICALS / FLUIDS
- Black Plastic Restorer
- Black trim paint - This is the stuff the pros use when you're looking for that factory finish.
- Leather Cleaner
- Leather Rejuvenator - We recommend treating your leather seats once per year to help keep them soft and suple.
- Power Steering Stop Leak - Got a small seep? This will fix it and tighten up the steering to boot!
- Motor Oil - Valvoline Restore & Protect is our new go-to, but we still have love for Penzoil Ultra Platinum
- Plastic Repair - Scotty Kilmer turned us on to this product ages ago.
OFFROADING
- Portable Air Compressor - Excellent Quality & Duty Cycle. Inflates a 33" tire from 15psi to 35psi in about 2 minutes. Getting to the fartherest tire from the battery can be a bit tricky sometimes so this Extension Hose has been a nice add-on.
- Shackel Receiver Hitch
- Snatch Strap - This top-quality strap is designed to stretch for kinetic recoveries and is the appropriate size for recovering a Montero.
- Tree Saver Strap
CAMPING
- Chopping Axe - Choosing just one axe is an almost impossible task and although this one doesn't have the refined elegance of a fine Swedeish Axe, it's the more practical for Overlanding because of its weatherproof composite construction & built-in sheath.
- Hatchet - Just like with the Chopping Axe recommendation, it's hard to pick against the practicality of the Fiskars.
- Pocket Knife - Affordable, Lightweight, Perfect blade length for everyday tasks, and fits in your jeans' coin pocket.
- Tent - Keep it simple. Affordable, Lightweight, & Easy to set up. Instead of a $2,000 tent on your vehicle's roof that kills MPG and that you have to pack up each time you want to leave camp, we think old school ground tents are the way to go.
- Shovel - Mini / Compact
- Stove - Single Burner / Dual Burner
MISCELLANEOUS
- High Clearance Muffler - For the Gen3 Montero
- Wheel Locks - These work great on all Monteros