Travel tools

[Green Bean]

I am preparing to travel to Washington state to pick up my 383 Valiant and was wondering what size sockets and wrenches to take with me. I am driving back to Florida. I am limited to 100 lbs of luggage on the train so eliminating unneeded sizes would be good. The aluminum floor jack and jack stands take up almost half of that.
What is the largest size wrench/socket that would be needed?
Are there any of the intermediate sizes that are not used? For example, on air-cooled VWs, you don’t need the even sized metric wrenches except for the 8 and 10 mm.
I am new to Mopars. I have a fairly extensive set of SAE (and metric) tools.

 

[RustyRatRod]

All of um.

 

[halifaxhops]

3/8-3/4 wrenches and sockets. Screwdrivers, pliers and a volt meter. Point/cond, ballast, ecu if it is electronic. Can go on and on here. Good luck your brave doing this ride in a car new to you. Why the floor jack and stands? No jack in the car?

 

[RustyRatRod]

I carry this in the trunk of Vixen, along with an aluminum floor jack.
Tool Set

 

[Green Bean]

3/8-3/4 wrenches and sockets. Screwdrivers, pliers and a volt meter. Point/cond, ballast, ecu if it is electronic. Can go on and on here. Good luck your brave doing this ride in a car new to you. Why the floor jack and stands? No jack in the car?

Thanks. I am going to buy screwdrivers when I get there, pointy objects in luggage are frowned upon and my 45 year old Craftsman screwdrivers are decomposing anyway.
I don’t use bumper jacks anymore. I have a 1-1/2 ton aluminum Pittsburgh floor jack with a large tire conversion and skid plate. Much more stable and can be used on soft ground.

 

[WV64Signet]

What is the largest size wrench/socket that would be needed?

What's your red line for roadside repair?

 

[memike]

Multy meter, and a print out of wiring diagram , if you have a ECU (electronic control unit) even if it's been changed to a different ignition system, the arigenal can be wired back in easily.

 

[Dartswinger70]

What's your red line for roadside repair?

yup anything other than belts hoses alternator thermostat water pump etc. Id buy whatever tools Id need after that at Harbor freight maybe up to 9/16 Id carry chances are the car will make it why travel heavy?

 

[memike]

Do a search near the area where the Valiant is, see if there is a Harbor Fraight near by.

 

[Green Bean]

I want to be able to tighten anything that comes loose. Replace belts, thermostat, hoses, electrical repairs, water pump, alternator, tires. I am planning on driving to Polson, MT (Dr Diff) and Glacier National Park. If I feel good about the car a that point, I will continue along a northern route and hit Voyagers NP in Minnesota and Isle Royale NP in Michigan. Then, the most dangerous ($$$) part of the trip, Mancini Racing in Michigan.
I have already checked and there is a Harbor Freight in Olympia.

 

[Dartswinger70]

well T WRENCH FOR SPARE THEN LIKE SAI DUP TO 9/19 MAYBE 5/8 THEN SCREWDRIVER CUTTERS (DIKES) CHANNEL LOCKS VISE GRIPS AND ZIP TIES AND DUCT TAPE WILL GET YA HOME...sorry caps lock not yelling wash line or para chord maybe?

 

[Professor Fate]

As stated, basic hand tools 3/8-3/4. And don't forget the spark plug socket!
Multi-meter. BFH. Lineman's pliers. A Phillips and a flat screwdriver.
The floor jack (if you insist) and jack stands I would purchase once you're there, along with smalls like a couple feet of 14g electrical wire, a small spool of mechanic's wire, duct tape, jumper cables, bottles of pre-mix antifreeze/ATF/engine oil, etc.
Save your weight limit to take hard parts that may not be readily available along the way- ECU or points & condensor, voltage regulator, fuel filter, set of spark plugs (gap them beforehand). If you've got room, consider taking a known good alternator. Starters can be gotten along the way, I just don't trust parts store alternators anymore.
And most importantly, make SURE your insurance (and/or AAA) is completely squared away for your new car, and have your insurance cards with you- and know ahead of time what your towing coverage allows. Check coverage along your planned route with your cellular provider (places like Voyageurs NP/BWCA/Superior Nat. Forest have vast areas with very spotty, or nonexistent cell service).
Check the date codes on the tires and make sure they're current- Make arrangements to have them changed out if necessary before you head out on a major road trip like you have planned. Carry a full-size spare.

 

[Dana67Dart]

What is the largest size wrench/socket that would be needed

What do you plan on doing when you get there?

If your pulling out of the weeds and loading it on a trailer you don't need much.

If your planning on driving it home, and it's not a confirmed drivable car that's another.

If your planning on being on the next episode of Roadkill, that's yet another.

You can buy for relatively little money cheap tools in Washington. Not to mention parts tec.

 

[Murray]

I would add a test lite for electrical checks.

 

[like_A_pike]

I have a little scissor jack for swapping tires at the track. Works fine and weighs a heck of a lot less than a floor jack. I carry the fold up reflector triangles too. I figure if they are on the cell phone when they hit the first one, they'll be lookin' up before they get to me.... good luck mate!

 

[WV64Signet]

I want to be able to tighten anything that comes loose. Replace belts, thermostat, hoses, electrical repairs, water pump, alternator, tires. I am planning on driving to Polson, MT (Dr Diff) and Glacier National Park. If I feel good about the car a that point, I will continue along a northern route and hit Voyagers NP in Minnesota and Isle Royale NP in Michigan. Then, the most dangerous ($$$) part of the trip, Mancini Racing in Michigan.
I have already checked and there is a Harbor Freight in Olympia.

Don't forget that most auto parts stores have tool loaners as well

 

[Dartswinger70]

Just find this guy hell fix it for ya...

 

[moparlvr166]

As others stated, buy jack, stands, 12V tire pump, tire plug repair kit, hand soap, paper towels, get a large piece of cardboard to lay on if needed, small ice chest, favored drinks, snacks, in WA St. now you can bring 95 lbs. of tools, a friend with more tools. have a blast, Road trip time.

 

[Dartswinger70]

truth of the matter is take a credit card have a plan tow truck etc. you just go and hope for the best even in a new car.

 

[halifaxhops]

I carry this in the trunk of Vixen, along with an aluminum floor jack.
Tool Set

HF go for it when you get there!

 

[RAT ROD AL]

Sounds like it could be a fun adventure! Or the roadtrip to HELL ! GOOD LUCK.

 

[halifaxhops]

These are great also! Not for a flight though.... Cary one in each car even the Chebby! $20 if you look around

 

[halifaxhops]

Sounds like it could be a fun adventure! Or the roadtrip to HELL ! GOOD LUCK.

I would do it, 20 years ago! Seriously great time and

 

[Professor Fate]

Heck, I do it now! My Dart gets as good or better mileage than my Grand Cherokee (and is a LOT more fun to drive). These cars were built to travel cross country (50-60 years ago...) so I have no concerns about their ability to do it now. I just carry my road tool box (in an old or new car, either way) and some basic hard parts that may be difficult to come by on the road nowadays- ballast, ecu/points, VR, plugs. If the car is mechanically sound, fill 'er up and go. In your 383 Valiant, it will depend on how well the build was executed, of course.
How much work do you really expect to do on the side of the road? Just enough to get to the next town. Don't get carried away or overthink it, just be practical about it and have fun.

 

[Dartswinger70]

yes built to travel cross country maybe not at sustained 80 MPH remember Nixons mandatory 55 mph state wide?