Improved jack tool Bag

[TomoHawk]

The tool bag pouch you get with the car is some kind of cheap vinyl and barely holds the tools, if you know how to correctly put them in. Then there's the small, rusty, 40-year-old snaps to hold the flap closed.

Mine is already cracking along the fold of the flap.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a tool bag that is slightly longer and fuller, with a longer flap and a better closure, like a hasp or squeeze buckle? Maybe even a lining or a material heavy enough so you don't hear the tools rattling?

This would be a good group-buy item, but I'd like to get one in any case, so I can get all my jack tools and a few of the fancy aluminum wheel nuts inside. The details need to be worked-out on a prototype...

What about a deluxe tool roll? If you could fit the jack tools inside plus some spanners and tools, would that be even better?

Here is an example of a tool roll that may meet the needs.


Discussion?

[psdenno]

I think I've only had the tools out about three times in 43 years, so it really hasn't been much of an issue. An auxiliary bag, like the one referenced, might be handy for a few tools, a spare spark plug, and some wire & alligator clips.
Dennis

[TomoHawk]

I've had my tools out 12 times since I got the car in 2002. I empty the car every winter. I think that the vinyl bag would dry out or crack even if you never take it out of the car. Heat and air will deteriorate vinyl. The one in my 97 Ford is cracked, and it's in the trunk under the carpet. The zip-lok baggie containing the first Aid stuff is dried out even.

[psdenno]

My vinyl tool case is about like new in spite of the dry desert heat for the last 30 years. On the other hand, all seals turned to crumbly carbon, wiper blades last a couple years, tires dry rot, and batteries last half as long as they should. My worst experience was with an exploding aerosol can of flat tire fixer.

An aux tool bag that would drop into the spare tire well would be dandy.
Dennis

[TomoHawk]

this is a bag that looks interesting, and would probably handle all the stuff you would want to store:

Datsun Logo 280z Tool Roll | eBay

[rossiz]

Tomo - funny you should start this thread...

i bought my first z in november and it was supposed to be a "reliable dd". after gutting it to the pans and doing a driveway restoration i've had multiple stall-outs and one tow truck ride home. i've fixed/replaced everything that i could think of (uh-oh, dangerous thing to say!) and vowed never to be w/out tools again. i took inventory of every tool i've needed to do the work i've done to date - which is a surprisingly compact group of tools - and bought a set to keep in the car. i have 3 kits in addition to the jack bag:

mechanical - wrenches, ratchets, pliers, drivers, zip ties, gorilla tape, etc.
electrical - crimp/cutters, connectors, wire, tape, fuses, bulbs, electrical tape, etc.
fuel - clamps, clamp drivers, fuel hose, vacuum hose, spare vacuum fittings, vacuum plugs, razor knife, silicone tape, etc.

i used my daughter's sewing machine and some spare black vinyl i had leftover from another project and made 3 kit pouches, each sized for the stuff in the kit. at first i put them in the spare tire well (i ditched the hard-as-rock 35 yr old spare and lowered my back deck board) but have since made a separate hinged area up front that accesses the two tool-wells that are left over from the 240 design. - all fits well up there, including a foam kneeler pad (stolen from wife's garden supplies) which is sure nice to have if you're stalled in work clothes...

of the 3 pouches i made, the mechanical tool kit was the first and therefore the wobbliest (i got better with practice). the datsun tool roll in your link looks really nice - i'll have to check out my tool set and see how well it would accommodate the necessary items.

[TomoHawk]

The Harbor Freight web site has a couple tool rolls listed. Maybe you have a Harbor Freight or similar store near you?

The Datsun tool roll I referred to has narrow pockets down the sides for tools, and small pouches with Velcro flaps on the ends (for bulbs, sockets, nuts, and loose stuff.) I think it would make a great design for our cars, maybe with just one modification- one wide pocket for the jack crank handle.

The Datsun tool roll is neat and spiffy. It even has straps with squeeze buckles and a carry-handle. But at over $50, I don't think I will get one for a while.

We ought to work out our own design. If only we could only get somebody to make up one or two for "testing?"

The scissor jack itself is stored uncovered, but what about things like folding wheel chocks? You could put those in a separate bag with the jack in a tool bin.

At east we don't need to carry those old head hammers any more...

[TomoHawk]

I took inventory of every tool I've needed to do the work I've done to date - which is a surprisingly compact group of tools -

You'd be surprised what kinds of spares some people suggest to bring:

• Gallon of coolant
• radiator cap
• set of wheel nuts
• set of headlamps
• full set of bulbs
• Spare alternator
• set of wheels
  spare engine
  ....

[grannyknot]

That does look like a nice little pouch. I don't carry any tire changing tools or tire for that matter but always carry a collection of various tools similar to what rossiz in post #6 describes, but I think I pull that tool kit out half a dozen times a season at car shows or group drives when someone's car needs a bit of tweeking.
Tomohawk, do you think you can get a better price from the vendor, what kind of numbers would we need to make it worthwhile?
Chris

[TomoHawk]

I don't know the vendor, But someone familiar with a quantity purchase could contact him through eBay. He has a large number of those tool rolls embroidered with a lot of different emblems, so either he has been keeping things secret until now, or he does have the capability to make the items in quantity.

As an alternative, a local clothing manufacturer could be queried.

[rossiz]

here are a few pics of the tool kits i put together to keep my z running. looking at it doesn't exactly give a feeling of confidence in the car... but i can't afford to be left stranded as this is my dd. i was looking for a decent tool pouch and couldn't find one that i liked, so i just sewed these up out of leftover vinyl with velcro closures - nothing special, but does the job. the tools are also not exactly "shop grade", as i don't plan to need to use them all that often (hopefully NEVER!).

as for the jack and tire tools, i keep the stock pouch in the spare tire recess. wrapping the jack in a towel, lie it on it's side and crank it open until it presses against the spare tire attachment post in the center - keeps it from rattling around back there.

list of components is as follows:

Electrical

• Multi-tool

• Various gauges of wire

• Crimp terminations & connectors

• Fuses

• Electrical tape

Fuel

• Fuel hose

• Vacuum hose (large & small)

• Vacuum plugs

• Clamps

• Zip ties

Mechanical

• Spanner set

• Ratchet & common sizes + plug socket

• Standard & needle nose pliers

• Razor knife

• Multi-head drivers (standard + stubby)

• Gorilla tape (must have)

• Silicone wrap (will fix a hose in a pinch)

• Gloves & paper towel

[rossiz]

i ditched the spare and lowered the false floor a few inches to pick up some more cargo space - actually makes quite a difference, especially towards the rear where the stock space sort of zeros out in height. i pulled out all the spacer brackets and replaced them with pieces of 1" diameter pvc pipe cut to the new length spacer (around an inch or so, depending on the location). then i made a bumper out of a bolt & lock nut in the spare tire holder and capped it with a vinyl cap so the wood deck had a soft spot to land. the wood deck needed trimming as the shock towers get larger at the bottom and i made the two side pieces (either side of the lift-up panel) a bit larger - cut 'em from 1/4" masonite.

then i cut the forward end about 8" back and put in a piano hinge. this lets the front lift up, exposing the holes for tool bins on the 240 which the 280 back abandoned. i put together a pair of aluminum angle extrusions to get the front lip up to the top of the carpet behind the seats and mounted the stock luggage stop. when it's closed you can't tell it's even there, but it lifts right up for all my tools & goodies.

[TomoHawk]

And you keep all that in the trailer you pull around? Hahaha

I did the same thing basically with the back deck, but the front lid is the original panel and I made a new back deck from 1/4-inch luan, screwed to the stock supports. My tool bins include jumper cables, an air pump, a quart of oil, a small spritzer of glass cleaner, some newspapers & a large shopping bag. the kneeling pad is in with the spare wheel.

I'm thinking about how to reinstall the luggage straps, that make me lose points at a Z meet, even thought I'm in the DD class. I prefer a cargo net anyway, to hold down any "luggage."

Right side panel, rear mounting

Right side, front mounting

Front supports reversed

Left side panel

Tool bin lid

[rossiz]

funny how we choose what to keep with us - my selection was based on the things i fixed when restoring the car, so it was all about the various systems and how to make emergency repairs. since i have a new battery i never thought about jumper cables (duh...) and i with my spare gone i need a plugger kit and a pump. i have a great little unit that i keep in my motorcycle emergency kit - it's a small pump that runs off the engine compression of 1 cylinder. you put it in a spark plug hole and the compression cycle runs a little piston inside the pump to fill your tire with clean air. it's tiny, about the size of a spark plug, with a length of pressure hose and a valve fitting. the thing will inflate a sports bike rear tire in a couple of minutes - way better than those little cigarette lighter air compressors. gotta get me another one for the z...

[TomoHawk]

You could even get rid of the scissor jack, by using an air bag lifter that runs off the exhaust! You won't hear any rattles with that...

[TomoHawk]

I will make an attempt to contact the eBay seller wit the fancy custom-embroidered Datsun tool roll, and see if he will make a deal, but so far, there is a total of about 3 people interested. That is not much of a quantity to impress him with.

[grannyknot]

Tomo, I think I'll just build something like rossiz did, I have lots of black vinyl kicking around from motorcycle seat projects.
Great idea.

[TomoHawk]

You're welcome to do so. You might even consider a few ex$tra if the idea work# out$$?

**Ahem**

I looked around today, at some stores like Sears, Harbor Freight, even a old motorcycle shop. Nobody carries tool rolls anymore.

I originally thought of making one from leather or suede, but it seems like a job with all the little pockets. Even my mom doesn't have one of those computerized sewing machines! She sewed the wedding dress for every girl on the fambily, including my cousins.

At least I do know of a lady that does the custom stuff like the Z emblem on the back of my jacket.

[TomoHawk]

A quick response from the eBay seller was received:

I would be happy to offer you a discount. How many are you interested in. Please phone me discuss the sale. Thank You, Carol Mullinix

Aside from a lack of punctuation, the seller seems cooperative.

[TomoHawk]

Shall I propose a lot of 3, or 4?

I'm very much tempted to get one. Even if you get a generic one and have it embroidered with a Datsun logo, you'll spend more than $50, so IMO,this roll is a bargain.

[northernz]

Hey Tomohawk, put me down for one, looks like a great solution for carrying emergency tool kit!
Mark

[TomoHawk]

OK, so I think that makes about 5 rolls?

I suppose you're on your own to decide what tools you'd put in a tool roll, but IMO, we should get a list of (required) tools:

Combination spanners: 10,12,13,14,17,19mm (duplicates?)
adjustable crescent wrench, channel-locks
Sockets
spark plug wrench
pliers, snippers
Lead hammer (not! haha)

My list is probably biased for my 280Z, so I don't need tools for carbs, points, etc.

I think there was a thread about emergency tool, but AFAIK, it wasn't decisive..

[Mike W]

I've been meaning to respond to this, but have been out of town and have not gotten to it until just now.

In any case, my kids got one of these for me for Christmas this past year. I was carrying an old plastic Sears tool box where I kept spare fuses, basic wrenches, small socket set, allens, and a few specific things for my ignition system and the Webers.

The plastic tool box didn't really rattle and actually fit quite well on the rear deck right behind the seat, but it looked awful. So they got me one of these, although mine has the "Z"' embroidered instead of the "Datsun." The same seller you are looking at on eBay sells both styles.

I can say that the roll is very well made and looks really nice sitting in the back deck of my car. The inside pockets vary in size and there are quite a few of them. It also includes 2 large cloth elastic bands that can also help to hold things down and in place. It also includes a series of small "pockets" on one end that can hold small pieces like fuses, etc. A Velcro flap covers all of these pockets so things do not fall out. All in all it is pretty well designed.

I do wish a few of the main pockets had been made a little larger, but in the end I pretty much found a way to get all of the critical tools that I carry in the roll. It wasn't easy to accommodate a standard 1/4 socket set so I ended picked up a small compact one and it fits nicely under one of the bands.

I have not taken pictures of it but if it would help you in your decision, I'd be happy to do so. Just let me know.

In the limit, it's worth the eBay asking price in my opinion. It's an even better deal if you can get the seller to give you a discount.

Mike.

[TomoHawk]

they go for $47 plus $6 shipping. Would you consider that reasonable for ONE? What would you suggest to pay if we can get a group together?

Yes, I think a photo or two would be nice to see.

[TomoHawk]

I noted to the eBay seller that I'll wait a week to see how many others would like to get in the group to negotiate a deal, so spread the word, so we can get a good deal!

[TomoHawk]

OK, I'm going to presume there is no interest in getting the eBay seller of the Datsun- embroidered tool roll to make us a quantity at a discount. If you are interested nevertheless, please contact the eBay seller, Cmillinix.

[TomoHawk]

Here's a question for you gadget-junkies:

If you were going to carry sockets in a tool roll like this, how would you keep them from falling out or getting lost? You could probably use the usual metal, snap-on type socket holder, but is there a tube with caps that you could buy? I think it would begreat to keep the water off the sockets.

[GregP]

Just found this thread. Did you end up with a definite number of people willing to buy?

[TomoHawk]

There were definitely zero people interested. Apparently, people prefer to sew their own 'bags' instead of getting a professionally-made, well-designed, tool roll with a custom-embroidered Datsun logo.

[TARDIS]

I started clearing out the Z and found a tool bag with the lug wrench and spindle for the jack. The black bag have the Nissan Motor stamp. How original is that? I thought Nissan didn't want their name on anything just in case the US market is a bust.

[Captain_Zeros]

Original.
As far as Nissan not printing their name on things... pop the hood and look at the valve cover!

[Mike W]

I'm way delinquent in getting some pictures up of the tool roll. Have been distracted by a number of things recently but finally got around to taking a few shots.

My "must have" tool requirements may be different from others as I need some specific tools for the Webers / linkage and my ignition system is all after market. I've also made a lot of changes / upgrades to my electrical system so I have some non-standard fuse requirements as well.

I wanted to carry some basic tools including screwdriver assortment, basic wrenches (socket as well as open end / box), allen wrenches, tie wraps, etc. Managed to fit it all into the roll, but I did purchase a couple of new tools that were more space saving. One was a multi drive screwdriver and the other was a mini 1/4" ratchet set. The ratchet set is very compact and seems to be made fairly well. In addition to the tools in the roll itself, I also carry a 3/8 hollow socket set from Gear Wrench that fits perfectly under the driver seat. With that and what I carry in my tool bag, I can pretty much take care of anything that is typically going to go wrong.

In any case, I've included a bunch of pictures. Hopes this helps anyone thinking of making this purchase. It took some effort to make it work for me, but in the end I am happy with the result and the product is very well made.

Mike.

[TomoHawk]

I'm going to use a canvas bag for a while, until I get my tool requirements condensed. I've been buying mini- or combination- tools when I go buy tools. The only thing I'm still wondering about is how to store the little sockets. I keep thinking of a clear tube with screw-on endcaps. The tube could also hold bulbs, fuses, zipties, money, etc.

Actually, I have a tub that I take on trips. I can put all kinds of bigger stuff in there like a radio, TP, towel, gas/radiator cap, plastic bags, FOOD, etc. It fits n front of the passenger seat, and has velcro pads on the lid to keep stuff from sliding around. I even cut a hole in the lid to stuff things in without lifting the lid. then you go through the tub at the hotel or rest stop, and remove trash or snacks.

Yeah- Don't forget to put some cash or coins in your bag. I have a leather checkbook cover from the Salvation Army store that I keep in the glovebox; it has some money, the registration papers, car club card, McDonald's gift card, etc. It's stylish too.

Mike-

With all the digital stuff people are incorporating in the car, like the distributor and HellFire, how would you put a notebook PC in your tool roll?

[TomoHawk]

OK....

So I've got my new tool r filled with some important tools to fix things while on the road, and even a (deodorant case) with some spare bulbs. I eve managed to use the straps on the bag to tie it to the spare wheel.


I still think there is a need for an improved bag for the jack tools, so I found a Tandy leather store nearby, and I will construct a new bag for the jack tools.

[CanTechZ]

Lot's of great ideas here, but don't forget to add an OEM fan belt to your collection. Like this one that has been in my LH tool box for the last 30+ years.



Mike

[TomoHawk]

I already have both fan belts in my travel tub.