Torque Wrenches

Hey guys, I wanted to know what everone feels about these tools for our Jeeps. Sears has a sale and I can get a set of 3 for about $300 and some change.

3/8 25 to 250 in-lbs
3/8 5 to 80 ft-lbs
1/2 25 to 250 ft-lbs

I'm guessing this should be a good spread but was curious on just how much use I will get before spending the cash. Any thoughts? I know the FSM has specs but are torque wrenches really needed on our old Jeeps to justify the expense? :?

Tnx,

Harry

 

If you are figuring on doing ring and pinion work get a dial type inch pound wrench that will measure in the 15 to 30 in lb range for measuring pinion bearing preload. I know Sears doesn't have a dial type that will measure in this range. But I have seen some on ebay.

 

looks like a good spread to me.

 

my .02, for 99% of the work you will do on a Jeep, buying more than 1 is overkill. a good 1/2 drive 25-250 will serve you well. The 3/8 in the same range is pretty much useless and if you did want another, I would get one that is calibrated in inch pounds. If you ever decide to start doing rear end work, you will need more specialized tools and you can add what you need for that work later.

 

X2, ½ drive 25-250 ft-lb and 3/8 drive 25-250 in-lbs

 

Call me crazy, but I would by these. I already got a HF 1/2" 25-250 for $10 and it seems to work great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=239

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=807

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=2696

 

I have both of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=239
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=807

While I usually buy good tools, I consider a torque wrench a low use tool, there for I'm not spending the money on a high cost unit when there all rated to roughly +/- (2-4%). The harbor freight units are what I used on my rebuilt motor back in april. When you consider that things like head bolts are suppose to be torqued from say 75-90 lb ft why worry about super accuracy. I checked my cheap harbor freight against my buddy's Snap-On, there was maybe (1)lb of difference at most, now his unit looks like way better quality and will I'm sure last much longer and take more abuse, but he needed his as he used it for 15 years to make a living, we don't.
I think I have about $45 in both of mine, just remember to take the tension off of them for storage and non use, they'll last much longer that way.