Quick story. My Father and my 17 year old self were traveling from Salt Lake City to my first duty station in Norfolk, VA. We were in my '63 bug (it was only 7 years old at the time) with a fresh engine rebuild by an old German VW mechanic. It was a beautiful 40hp engine with 83mm pistons and an exhaust extractor. Wow! We made it to Virginia, but it was still many miles to Norfolk when the engine simply refused to run. It needed a tow to the closest VW dealer for the fix and a few hours later we were back on the road. Seems a wire had come undone in the fatty dizzy and shorted out the electrics, which stopped the engine cold. Neither Dad nor had the knowledge or to TOOLS to fix this very simple problem. Just goes to show you, even when a bug is relatively new and the engine is freshly rebuilt, they are still were prone to the occasion malady. My advice is, "TAKE YOUR TOOLS AND THE IDIOT MANUAL". You are going to need them. It's only a matter of time!
Awsome. Basically the same tools we bring, and if it's good enough for VW life then it's good enough for us The only thing you forgot was an extra 10mm and 13mm socket (they like to come up missing ) 😈
Thank you for sharing. I was a Boy Scout. I learned how to shoot a gun and always to be prepared. Even if one doesn't use the item in 3 years, when left at home, it will be needed. GO LUMBERJACKS! ALL THE WAY SFA!! I saw the Lumberjack flash on the screen. I was in the band. I feel that a flexible bag will fit in an odd size space and won't rattle. How about adding a hand crank flashlight? In the summer, my batteries die in the heat. I gave everybody a hand crank flashlight and a hand crank weather radio as Christmas gift. I keep a wind up flash light on my nightstand, in my car, and by the recliner. I don't have to worry about batteries failing. I got a bunch of them at Home Depot. They are inexpensive and very useful. You have put together a great list of tools. One never knows when you will be under a hot car laying in the dirt by the road, IN THE RAIN. I live in Texas. I also carry zip ties in all sizes, assorted bungee cords, and a couple of old wire coat hangers. The hangers can be used to hang up your nice shirt while you waller in the dirt fixing the vehicle and there are a zillion uses for an old wire hanger. They are really handy for emergency repairs that get hot. For example an engine cover comes loose or to keep a loose muffler from dragging on the road. Zip ties will melt and will stink! LOL. Money is tight and if one can make a temporary repair that will safely work until one gets the time to repair it, it's worth hauling all the supplies around for a few years. Every season, I go through and clean and wipe the metal tools down with a cloth and WD40. It cleans, remember it always breaks in the mud, and keeps the tool from rusting. I really dislike being stuck on the side of the road, a million miles from anywhere (again, Texas) Thanks so much for your tool finds and repair shortcuts...Later. Gator. .....Ivor P.S. I picked up a cheap yoga mat at Walmart to use for yoga and to lay over the dirt when crawling under the car. It's also useful to lay over the car seat when one has been wallering under the car. I always drove "Rolls CanHardly" cars. You know " rolls down the hill and can hardly climb the next one.....
Knockers, small nut, big nut...got it😂🤣if only someone would just make goto bags...🧐...maybe that’s what I should call them! Lol only thing different in my goto bag is I add an emery board/sand paper for points and a tire pressure gauge! Great video guys!
Yes Emery cloth is in the idiot's guide and we have some of that. As well as one of the little Point files that you can buy. Not sure how that was left out. But I have them in my bus
hands down one of the best and most informative VW channels on TH-cam. Do you guys think you could do a video on the rear suspension setup on a Type 2? Im about to begin a restoration of a 1979 late bay and the rear suspension is in pieces. It would be super useful to have a visual reference and have some tips on exactly how it all goes together. Cheers and keep up the good content.
Hey Luke thanks for that compliment!. I don't know if we'll be able to do that for a late bay window bus because we don't really have one around to do that at this point. But maybe in the future
Great suggestions! I’m with you, better safe than sorry. Nothing worse than being out on the road and needing that one tool or part that’s sitting back in your garage!
I know it isn't absolutely necessary but I carry the little clutch adjustment too (with the + hole in it) for my 79 CA edition. (I also carry a spare clutch and accelerator cable and the little doodad that connects it to the clutch pedal) And a couple flashlights! Thanks for the tremendous videos!
I really like the idea of putting the common socket on a short extension to make it easy to find. I guess the only problem is that anything you attach to that 10mm will go missing when you need it the most :)
Handy wipes to clean up and some rubber gloves . Oh yeah hacksaw blade if you have to make a quick tap cool video man thanks for your hard work and wisdom
Great stuff brother!!! Only thing I can think of is, fuses, throttle cable, fuel filter, midol for the lady 😆 and good spirits!! Thanks this really helped..noob with a 58 transporter 💪
Awsome video! You never know! Would love if you guys could keep in mind... Maybe making a video explaning dwell meter. I would love to learn more on that topic. I have one and really dont know much about it! Thanks guys
We are luck to have a big trunck in our VW Bus. Kkkkkk. It's a lot of spare parts (you showed a couple days ago) and tools. Yes, you are really right, we never know when we'll use this or that tool, so, let's carry all of then. Recently I bought from eBay a Dwell meter from HeathKit. Excelent video, congrats my friend !!!!
Man, your energy is contagious. Keep it up. Getting back into vw life after 30yrs. Now 50, really loving your information and it has given me my old confidentance back to keep my newly acquired split bus up and about 👍
VW Life I just purchased that 36mm axle nut removal tool. What a blessing that simple little tool is. I used this video to put my travel bag together so atleast now I know I’m prepared. Thanks for the video, Great idea.
Tweezers one small and one large. I like to buy forceps for light use. You can get them at harbor freight or most any gun show. Same for small picks or cotter pin pullers. You drop something not steel so the magnet can't get it. Flashlights, at least a pair because the one you are using WILL go dead on you.
So a suit case of spares and a bag of tools maybe we should commission snapon or other brand to create a specialist set of tool draws to fit some where in the vehicle
G'day Kevin from Australia. Great video I've watched it many times now as I'm putting together my tool kit. I may be mistaken but have you got lock tight. I have it in mine and i have used it on the road. ✌ Peace guys
Super helpful video guys. My first car was a '68 Beetle that I got back in '96. I just bought a '64 Beetle and I'm reacclimating to being an aircooled Volkswagen owner. Couple questions: Which feeler gauges did you leave out? What's your preference for spark plug gapping: wire or straight blade? Thank you for putting out so much content and keeping the aircooled VW hobby alive!
I carry a lot in my Baja. Not as much as you but almost. Great Video as always. Thanks for sharing and being so helpful. Have a great weekend and keep VeeDub’n Brother. BigW:-)
Might want to add a gas can to that list wanna know how I know thought I had plenty of fuel cause I had just put maybe eight gallons of fuel in the previous night and then I took a short trip to the dollar store wasn't even three miles away and had somehow ran out of fuel thought I was vapor locked or something so yeah gas can with a bit of gas oh and a can of starter fluid that was a very unpleasant afternoon
@@VWLifeVW thank you for the reply your videos are amazing and thoughtful yes I'm still new to this world of possibilities of vw as I am learning my way around my first bug so thank you
Just snapped my throttle cable on a highway and was so disgusted that I didn't have the proper size Allen key so here I am waiting for my friend to come and rescue me watching this video
We keep both a bottle jack. And the original side Jack that goes in the jack points. If we're going on a road trip sometimes we take a floor Jack a small one with a block of wood
Sir, you left out a valve grinder...just in case :) I once weighed how much I carry. I almost doubled the total weight. I even carried a spare engine. OCD and VWs are a silly combination
Is there a thang too many tools, I don't think so if you don't have it you will need it. You mite wont to get a small air compressor that runs on 12 votes for low tires.
Back in the day, all my metric tools were carried in a thirty caliber ammo box. Along with spare belt, points, and rotor cap.
Quick story.
My Father and my 17 year old self were traveling from Salt Lake City to my first duty station in Norfolk, VA. We were in my '63 bug (it was only 7 years old at the time) with a fresh engine rebuild by an old German VW mechanic. It was a beautiful 40hp engine with 83mm pistons and an exhaust extractor. Wow!
We made it to Virginia, but it was still many miles to Norfolk when the engine simply refused to run. It needed a tow to the closest VW dealer for the fix and a few hours later we were back on the road.
Seems a wire had come undone in the fatty dizzy and shorted out the electrics, which stopped the engine cold. Neither Dad nor had the knowledge or to TOOLS to fix this very simple problem. Just goes to show you, even when a bug is relatively new and the engine is freshly rebuilt, they are still were prone to the occasion malady.
My advice is, "TAKE YOUR TOOLS AND THE IDIOT MANUAL". You are going to need them. It's only a matter of time!
great advice and thanks for sharing!
Awsome. Basically the same tools we bring, and if it's good enough for VW life then it's good enough for us
The only thing you forgot was an extra 10mm and 13mm socket (they like to come up missing ) 😈
Yes!
Thank you for sharing. I was a Boy Scout. I learned how to shoot a gun and always to be prepared. Even if one doesn't use the item in 3 years, when left at home, it will be needed. GO LUMBERJACKS! ALL THE WAY SFA!! I saw the Lumberjack flash on the screen. I was in the band. I feel that a flexible bag will fit in an odd size space and won't rattle. How about adding a hand crank flashlight? In the summer, my batteries die in the heat. I gave everybody a hand crank flashlight and a hand crank weather radio as Christmas gift. I keep a wind up flash light on my nightstand, in my car, and by the recliner. I don't have to worry about batteries failing. I got a bunch of them at Home Depot. They are inexpensive and very useful. You have put together a great list of tools. One never knows when you will be under a hot car laying in the dirt by the road, IN THE RAIN. I live in Texas. I also carry zip ties in all sizes, assorted bungee cords, and a couple of old wire coat hangers. The hangers can be used to hang up your nice shirt while you waller in the dirt fixing the vehicle and there are a zillion uses for an old wire hanger. They are really handy for emergency repairs that get hot. For example an engine cover comes loose or to keep a loose muffler from dragging on the road. Zip ties will melt and will stink! LOL. Money is tight and if one can make a temporary repair that will safely work until one gets the time to repair it, it's worth hauling all the supplies around for a few years. Every season, I go through and clean and wipe the metal tools down with a cloth and WD40. It cleans, remember it always breaks in the mud, and keeps the tool from rusting. I really dislike being stuck on the side of the road, a million miles from anywhere (again, Texas) Thanks so much for your tool finds and repair shortcuts...Later. Gator. .....Ivor
P.S. I picked up a cheap yoga mat at Walmart to use for yoga and to lay over the dirt when crawling under the car. It's also useful to lay over the car seat when one has been wallering under the car. I always drove "Rolls CanHardly" cars. You know " rolls down the hill and can hardly climb the next one.....
Wow cool story yep Jake actually goes to SFA! Thanks as always Ivor
@@VWLifeVW Actually Jake goes to Sam Houston State, Eat em up Kats!
@@CapnTexan whoops. That's what I meant
This is why you have a bus. Never have enough tools. Great video
Well as you can see these don't really take up that much space. But yeah it's nice to have a bus to!
Knockers, small nut, big nut...got it😂🤣if only someone would just make goto bags...🧐...maybe that’s what I should call them! Lol only thing different in my goto bag is I add an emery board/sand paper for points and a tire pressure gauge! Great video guys!
Yes Emery cloth is in the idiot's guide and we have some of that. As well as one of the little Point files that you can buy. Not sure how that was left out. But I have them in my bus
Thought I remembered you saying that in a previous video👍
hands down one of the best and most informative VW channels on TH-cam. Do you guys think you could do a video on the rear suspension setup on a Type 2? Im about to begin a restoration of a 1979 late bay and the rear suspension is in pieces. It would be super useful to have a visual reference and have some tips on exactly how it all goes together. Cheers and keep up the good content.
Hey Luke thanks for that compliment!. I don't know if we'll be able to do that for a late bay window bus because we don't really have one around to do that at this point. But maybe in the future
Great suggestions! I’m with you, better safe than sorry. Nothing worse than being out on the road and needing that one tool or part that’s sitting back in your garage!
that's for sure!
The old crown royal bags are the best for misc things
I know it isn't absolutely necessary but I carry the little clutch adjustment too (with the + hole in it) for my 79 CA edition. (I also carry a spare clutch and accelerator cable and the little doodad that connects it to the clutch pedal) And a couple flashlights! Thanks for the tremendous videos!
I really like the idea of putting the common socket on a short extension to make it easy to find. I guess the only problem is that anything you attach to that 10mm will go missing when you need it the most :)
Yeah those tens always seem to go missing
Handy wipes to clean up and some rubber gloves . Oh yeah hacksaw blade if you have to make a quick tap cool video man thanks for your hard work and wisdom
Great stuff brother!!! Only thing I can think of is, fuses, throttle cable, fuel filter, midol for the lady 😆 and good spirits!! Thanks this really helped..noob with a 58 transporter 💪
Great video advice! I would add a Bentley VW manual or Compleat Idiot book.
6:45 OMG. *Everybody **_'of a certain age'_** owns THAT EXACT same timing light!* Yes, Sears was a big deal once.
Angled needed nose. I use it to set the nut on the distributor hold down.
Awsome video! You never know! Would love if you guys could keep in mind... Maybe making a video explaning dwell meter. I would love to learn more on that topic. I have one and really dont know much about it! Thanks guys
Okay yeah we can add that to the list
awsome!
We are luck to have a big trunck in our VW Bus. Kkkkkk. It's a lot of spare parts (you showed a couple days ago) and tools. Yes, you are really right, we never know when we'll use this or that tool, so, let's carry all of then. Recently I bought from eBay a Dwell meter from HeathKit. Excelent video, congrats my friend !!!!
Cool deal yes the vintage ones are the best! You plan on doing a video on them now that someone has suggested it
Man, your energy is contagious. Keep it up.
Getting back into vw life after 30yrs.
Now 50, really loving your information and it has given me my old confidentance back to keep my newly acquired split bus up and about 👍
Post a picture of it on our Facebook page facebook.com/VWLifeVW/
I only carry the factory tool kit and a spare belt along with the factory jack. Tow strap and a cell phone. Lol
Thanks for posting this....shared with our VW club annual show attendees. All good info right there. Liked and subbed!
Awesome thank you!
Great video guys! That tool bag is pretty sweet! Thanks for sharing!!!
Hey we're glad to share! Got to keep these old things on the road!
Wait a second.... all of that and no zip ties? 😂
Gotta have zip ties, ask me how I know!
Haha yeah good point we didn't have that in there. We actually have those. As well as a few other little things that we're noticing that we missed
VW Life funny how we miss laying things out when we do a video until afterwards lol
Good work guys, thanks for everything!
I have a 1977 vw bus westfalia were is a good place to shop for parts?
Thank you so very much for sharing! Awesome and great! Love it VWLife! 👍😍
Thanks so much!
Just a thought. Sometimes it's better to have it & not need it than to need it & not have it. My mom taught me that.
Your mom was a smart woman
Awesome job guys! Thank yuk for all of your input and enthusiasm!
Yes sir we know how it goes you too now!
Very surprised to not see an adjustable wrench. I have one with a ratcheting 1/2” Chuck on the handle side. Very handy tool.
I actually have one of those in my bus.
VW Life I just purchased that 36mm axle nut removal tool. What a blessing that simple little tool is. I used this video to put my travel bag together so atleast now I know I’m prepared. Thanks for the video, Great idea.
@@truckerpeterose oh yes, just a simple piece of metal is a life saver!!! glad to help
Tweezers one small and one large. I like to buy forceps for light use. You can get them at harbor freight or most any gun show. Same for small picks or cotter pin pullers. You drop something not steel so the magnet can't get it. Flashlights, at least a pair because the one you are using WILL go dead on you.
nice thanks!
Nice video, have you ever done a video on common spare part to carry ? I.e. distributor, fuel pump, spark plants etc etc. etc. .
Yes we have if you look at our video library it's called 100 spares to keep in your VW! Check it out!
Nice channel! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪
Hey Jakob thanks and welcome!
Thanks for your videos appreciate all the information. I would like to ask for a vw life sticker for our beetle
email us a VWLifeVW@gmail.com
One ton quick lift roller jack...low profile....
So a suit case of spares and a bag of tools maybe we should commission snapon or other brand to create a specialist set of tool draws to fit some where in the vehicle
if only! do you have a contact with them? we need sponsors!!!
I was surprised not seeing the tool for adjusting/syncing dual carbs
we don't run dual carbs, but yes that would be needed if you did.
Keep the awesome videos coming I really enjoy watching them I’ve been thinking about doing some Vdub video’s as well
We will be! In fact a new video comes out Thursday! You should start making videos
G'day Kevin from Australia.
Great video I've watched it many times now as I'm putting together my tool kit.
I may be mistaken but have you got lock tight. I have it in mine and i have used it on the road.
✌ Peace guys
no not really but seems like it wouldn't hurt to have it. it's small enough
Syncromiter I think I spelt that right it's for dual carbs a gas can I learned the hard way my bug doesn't have a gas gauge
yes!
Super helpful video guys. My first car was a '68 Beetle that I got back in '96. I just bought a '64 Beetle and I'm reacclimating to being an aircooled Volkswagen owner. Couple questions: Which feeler gauges did you leave out? What's your preference for spark plug gapping: wire or straight blade?
Thank you for putting out so much content and keeping the aircooled VW hobby alive!
Straight, so you can feel the drag.
I'm surprised you don't have the oil filler gland nut tool ;-)
Yeah might need to add it
I carry a lot in my Baja. Not as much as you but almost. Great Video as always. Thanks for sharing and being so helpful. Have a great weekend and keep VeeDub’n Brother. BigW:-)
Hi Big W! Yeah it's good to keep this stuff handy. You have a great weekend too
One can never take to many tools. need a 12v air pump for those spare tires that are always half flat, :-)
Yes I actually carry one in my bus! We left out a couple things here or there for this video but yeah that's a good one to have for sure
Hi..are you looking for Scirocco parts?
I need to get rid of extra parts
email us at vwlifevw@gmail.com
Might want to add a gas can to that list wanna know how I know thought I had plenty of fuel cause I had just put maybe eight gallons of fuel in the previous night and then I took a short trip to the dollar store wasn't even three miles away and had somehow ran out of fuel thought I was vapor locked or something so yeah gas can with a bit of gas oh and a can of starter fluid that was a very unpleasant afternoon
yes that is a good one!
@@VWLifeVW thank you for the reply your videos are amazing and thoughtful yes I'm still new to this world of possibilities of vw as I am learning my way around my first bug so thank you
Great info.
Thanks Romeo!
If you don’t mind me asking why do you name y’all’s vehicles?
Because they are part of the family
Almost spit my coffee out @ knockers , small nut and big nut Haha Very informative thank you!
You said Knockerz
@@VWLifeVW in Beavis and Buttheads voice Haha
Hello ! vcs that perform maintenance on vw, could indicate a good brand of spare parts for the replacement?
I don't understand...
how about a link to that t shirt? GD Life
to a VW Life shirt? teespring.com/stores/vwlife-3
@@VWLifeVW to Gary's shirt in the video. unless that's the ultimate VWLife x Greatful Dead collab and I missed the drop.
I just went over to the local Army surplus and damn if they didn’t have one of those awesome tool bags! I’m uptown now boys!
Very cool!
Awesome
Just snapped my throttle cable on a highway and was so disgusted that I didn't have the proper size Allen key so here I am waiting for my friend to come and rescue me watching this video
OH man we hope you get home safely.. Thanks for hanging out with us.
Tommie
What kind of jack do you carry in the bus?
We keep both a bottle jack. And the original side Jack that goes in the jack points. If we're going on a road trip sometimes we take a floor Jack a small one with a block of wood
Thank you
No, thank you ;)
Fuses Chuck from Chicago
How can I get a couple of stickers?
Go to the about tab on our home page and you will find our email address
warm and fuzzy till the knockers & nuts...getting uncomfortable for someone from the, "60's" aaa card and a flloor jack
Yeah both good things to have!
View #1,294 at 12:12 PM on 1/4/19 - NJ
I would have thought you have few hammers also
we carry a mini sledge to beat the rear axle nuts off with, forgot to include it.
At last a useful video instead of van lifers sharing there travel locations
Those are more tools than i have in my entire garage lol
hey got to be prepared :)
Sir, you left out a valve grinder...just in case :) I once weighed how much I carry. I almost doubled the total weight. I even carried a spare engine. OCD and VWs are a silly combination
Yes spare engine not crazy at all!
Awesome!
ZGreat information.
thanks Mike!
Might as well throw My tool chests in the back. Never know what You might need. LOL
Yep tool chest, welding machine, generator, autolift! You know just the basics
Is there a thang too many tools, I don't think so if you don't have it you will need it. You mite wont to get a small air compressor that runs on 12 votes for low tires.
Yes great suggestion, we actually have one but forgot to include it
Lets see you fit all that in the bag . . .LOL!!!! (Next Video)
ha yeah, most of it actually fits in the little bag.
Hello boys :D how a you ? :D if you can make video abaut vw vanagon :D
Yes we can do a video on the Vanagon.
Walker Sharon Miller Thomas Gonzalez Matthew
Zip ties!!