Cool Stuff

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. 

TOOLS

HAND TOOLS

  • Coveralls - So nice not to keep ruining your clothes when working on cars.
  • 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.
  • Manual Impact Screw Driver Kit - This tool isn't something you need very often but there are certain fastners that seem to always strip without it. Brake rotor set screws, hub preload rings, and any fastener in the side of a door jam (door lock actuators for example) are common uses for this specialized tool.
  • Offset Box Wrench Set, Metric
  • Radiator No Spill Funnel Set
  • Rivet Nut (AKA Nutsert) Setter Kit
  • Respirator
  • Socket Set – It’s affordable, 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 gas station checkout-counter ones.
  • Tire Puncture Repair Kit - It's imperative to use a kit with metal handles as the plastic ones can break and cause an injury. This kit has everything you need to get a tire back on the trail.
  • Tire Tread Depth Gauge - Don't buy used tires without one of these on hand. Also great for keeping track of how well your tires are wearing.
  • Torque Wrench - We have several of these in every size and they've been great. The company stands behind their tools with a lifetime warranty and whenever we've had an issue they've sent out a replacment quickly.

POWER TOOLS

  • Battery Jump Box - We've learned that going off brand for jump boxes doesn't work out in the long run. 
  • Headlamp - Lightweight, comfortable, good battery life, no bulky battery pack.
  • 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.
  • Smoke Machine Leak Detector - A must have for diagnosing a multitude of intake and exhaust issues. This one is a good DIY level kit and we love that it comes with the exhaust tip adapter included.
  • 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

CHEMICALS / FLUIDS

OFFROADING

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

MONTERO PARTS

  • Air Bags for Gen3 Montero - Adding air bags inside the rear coil springs allows you to run lower load duty springs that best match your constant load weight rating for maximum comfort during everyday driving and then you can add some air pressure to them for support when heavily loaded up on a trip.
  • High Clearance Muffler for the Gen3 Montero
  • Noise Deadening Mat - A little goes a long way, you don't need to completely cover every square inch of sheetmetal. Don't forget the Roller.
  • Rain Gutter Mounts - For Gen 1, 2, and 2.5 Monteros. Budget Option / Heavy Duty Option
  • Wheel Locks - These work great on all Monteros

Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links for which we earn a small commission (at no cost to you). This helps support our small business. 

Get exclusive discounts, stock updates, and new product alerts!