Essential Vanagon Tool Kit- Harbor Freight Tool Review

[@Tannerxcsoaring]

One things for sure, you got to be a mechanic to keep these things going. I have a 87 syncro Westy. Bought it from My mother in law who lived in Ct. Had it for 22 years. Its my hobby keeping this running. If you do the basic stuff, its keeps on chugging just fine. Even though my Go Westy wishlist is probably upwards of $20,000 worth of stuff, I keep it simple and keep the grounds clean and coolant leak free and bled. It keeps on going just fine. Like your videos, fun to watch from Seattle.

[@richardroos5965]

You really took good care of the new Owner. I'm sure he will get good use out of the tools...as well as good use out of the van that you transformed!

[@TheBarefootForge]

I hope he never needs the tools, but we all know... he will. lol

[@janesecaraway3995]

I don't fix cars, own a Volkswagen, or know anyone who does....however....I find you and your channel very entertaining!! It always puts a smile on my face ☺️! From Montgomery al 🙏 ❤️

[@TheBarefootForge]

That’s awesome! Thanks Janese!

[@DerCribben]

Man, I wish the guy we bought our '90 Syncro from was like you. What a fantastic way to send a Vanagon off with a new owner. You're awesome dude!

[@TheBarefootForge]

@@DerCribben thanks man! We set the new owner up with fresh pillows, linens, chairs, etc. Sent him home ready for adventure!

[@DerCribben]

@@TheBarefootForge they gotta be stoked! We got an awesome van, but we paid top dollar because supposedly everything was done recently and just drove off with a bunch of mechanical issues and no toolkit. I'm stoked to see folks like you out there exist. (and am definitely still super stoked about our van despite the rough start) Will definitely be watching your channel from now on!

[@TheBarefootForge]

@@DerCribben we also now offer scheduled/hired video chats to talk you through your mechanical problems, hear your stories, or consult on your upgrades!

[@DerCribben]

@@TheBarefootForge sweet! I'll check it out!

[@TheBarefootForge]

@@DerCribben www.thebarefootforge.com/vanagon-mechanical-advice-1

[@Ease_E_Street]

I recently inherited a 86 vanagon gl tin top from my grandparents and was searching KZbin just for some videos with info on the vanagons. I found your videos and have watched them all with the volkswagons. Your videos are great with your commentary and personality! Hope you have more coming, even just the road trip videos are great. I have learned a lot watching you. One lesson that sticks out to me is something Dave did, filled his power steering fluid with power steering fluid. I had no clue that was a no no until you mentioned it. Glad I know now! Lucky its been full and I hadn't done that yet.

[@TheBarefootForge]

Awesome man! I hope your vanagon brings you so many great adventures!

[@randphong]

Thank you for posting this. I am new to the Westy world. I am gonna add a bit of anti-seize, dielectric grease, abrasive tape and some penetrant. Lots of rust and corrosion!

[@TheBarefootForge]

It’s part of the game!

[@hooh125]

Thank you for the video! I will try to have all of those tools in my vanagon

[@toddewing1223]

Very good tool kit! You are so nice to hook the new owner up!

[@TheBarefootForge]

Gota set them up for success!

[@billws893]

Toolkit, Mandatory! Don't leave home without one. Don't forget the self welding silicone tape, for all those hoses!

[@TheBarefootForge]

Heck ya man, you'd be blown away how many folks I know that drive vanagons with NO tools on board! That'll change at some point for all of them. lol

[@JackStolz]

Thanks for this dude! Can't wait for the next adventure vid!

[@oldgadfly8398]

Nice work! Great ideas.

[@TheBarefootForge]

Thank you!

[@oldgadfly8398]

@@TheBarefootForge I just used this list recently to create a nice little tool kit. Really enjoyed your past adventure videos. All the best to you.

[@davebauerart]

Nice kit. The missing 15mm combo wrench is weird and the socket set without the 10mm is totally unbelievable!

[@TheBarefootForge]

There’s some real logical folks assembling these kits…. Gota make sure they’ve got plenty of 12s and 14s instead!

[@vDC2me]

Thanks that is very helpful. May a run down on all tools you take would be cool

[@samtracy751]

Seems like a pretty good dude to send you packing with a vanagon bare necessities tool kit. When I bought my syncro first thing I purchased was a Bentley manual.

[@TheBarefootForge]

He was supposed to buy a Bentley and ship it to my address before picking up the van, but forgot to. So, I sent him along with the one from my garage and he's going to send me a fresh replacement- it's a key tool, especially when you're first starting out with vanagons!

[@nealart]

I recently had all the same frustrations buying metric set for my son. Missing size mm sockets, useless SAE kits - next time I'm in Europe I'm going shopping.

[@morganamoncada4230]

I would add breaker bar, gloves, duct tape, lube spray, and lug socket, and wheel nut socket !

[@TheBarefootForge]

The kit we did in this video is now $180. So ya, you can add all that, but now you’re talking about a $250 set, not the $100 goal.

[@minskmade]

really good video craig...lots of good essentials...i nice headlamp is essential for me...i like the 100.00 budget..hf makes a really nice magnetic rechargeable flashlight also..made by braun...i have 3 of them :P

[@TheBarefootForge]

Good to know! I’m against rechargeable lights in tool kits though- I prefer a battery operated light with at least one spare set of batteries, because some of these tool kits don’t get opened for a year at a time…. Then the light doesn’t work. : / I had a rechargeable headlamp in one of the busses years ago that let me down like this.

[@darrinrentruc6614]

Did you say Harbor freight make quality products??? That's like saying Vanagons are reliable. Thanks for the videos, Love your expertise on those [Is it gonna get me there]Vans.

[@philippeichinger3246]

i wonder if there are diesel vanagons in the US theyre a lot better fuel economy wise and simpler

[@richardroos5965]

Are there any KZbin video's of your process of Restoration of that 1984?

[@TheBarefootForge]

There are no videos of the yellow bus…. Yet. Lots and lots of footage to edit together though. Soon!

[@Rickugg]

Hello:::And what does SAE stand for and why, by Who ???? I just got the 220 Mig welder, Cheap thing did not come with .035 Tip for wire. Was in HF yesterday, they were out of .035 tips.

[@TheBarefootForge]

I have no idea. In terms of welding tips- they’re not universal, so unless you’re looking for tips for your harbor freight welder, stick to the manufacturer of your machine.

[@Rickugg]

@@TheBarefootForge They shall have some in a few days. I haven't hooked power to it yet.

[@Tannerxcsoaring]

SAE = Society of Automotive Engineers,. Basically SAE tools are based on inches,. And metric is the rest of the world. Vanagons are metric

[@TheBarefootForge]

@@Tannerxcsoaring It's all garbage, throw it out if it's in weird fractions. Who's got time for all that math!?

[@bklynpa]

Nice, hope you gave him some klebeband (duct tape) too!

[@TheBarefootForge]

I have never needed duct tape to repair anything on a vanagon

[@bklynpa]

@@TheBarefootForge Bet that's just cause you do things the right way, hahah. Don't you know, duct tape can fix anything🤣🤣🤣

[@euro9115]

If you break-down on the side of the road And you don't have tools and part you need Let me tell ya - brothers and sisters Face it - you're gonna need to get towed ...

[@TheBarefootForge]

90% of breakdowns can be handled without spare parts, just the things in this bag. I've owned ALOT of vanagons and broken down all throughout the country, and most of the time.... you just need to zip tie, tape, tighten, or replace a missing bolt. 9 out of 10 times for sure. A few hose clamps and a length of bailing wire is more useful in my hands then a AAA membership. But, you've Gota have knowledge and skills to get out of these situations, sounds like the items listed here won't solve all of your problems.

[@dan.p]

8 inches 💀

[@achgffgh]

was just crying laughing at that moment too. best 8 inches i ever seen