I have been slowly catching up on a bunch of neglected detail work on my 2002 (and a few more significant tasks as well). I am firmly convinced this now 44-year old car has been as reliable as it has over my several decades of ownership because I carry tools and spares - take them out and the car will sense opportunity and leave me stranded.I was dissatisfied, however, with was my in-car toolkit; basically just a cheap plastic toolbox with a bunch of random tools thrown in it indiscriminately. Like many of you, I have accumulated tools over the years from various places, and in various states of decay. I decided it was time to build a proper kit of clean, organized tools to keep in the 2002.
After sorting through everything I had that wasn't part of the proper garage toolset, I found that I really had everything I needed except a spare 3/8" socket set, which would be easily sourced. Many of the tools I had were decades old and showed it, so I took a gallon of Evaporust, some brushes, abrasive pads, WD-40, and paper towels and went to work. Jointed tools were disassembled and everything dumped in the Evaporust, which did a good job and left a decent base to work from, especially on the old American tools; the BMW toolkit Heyco stuff did not fare as well, with a fair bit of flaking of the chrome finish. Once everything was soaked for a couple days, I brushed and rinsed, then sprayed with WD-40 and polished with a fine abrasive pad. Only a couple previously badly rusted tools required the more aggressive pad first. Another quick spray of WD-40 and wipe down with paper towels and I was done.
The other problem was storage. I liked the idea of a traditional tool roll, so I went off to Amazon to see what could be had for a reasonable price. This one looked good so I grabbed it. Turned out to be almost perfect for what I had - I doubled-up a few small tools, but otherwise it allowed me to cover all the basics without leaving it half-empty or cramming it so full it wouldn't roll up neatly. You can't see it in the photo below, but it has individual pockets for a set of sockets under the flap on the right side.
Not a big project by any standard, but quite satisfying nonetheless. I love seeing the diverse collection of US tool manufacturers' markings. I found I've even got a screwdriver marked "NY Tel Co". Hopefully I've staved off breakdowns for a while longer.
And because I know what you really want is pictures, here's a few.
