Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Tool box essentials ~ What to carry ?

At the side of the road in the dark and pouring rain, most attempted repairs are unrealistic and dangerous. Even at the side of the road in daylight, it can be dangerous.

We had an MG owner killed in a lay-by when he was at the front of his car under the bonnet, and an oncoming car veered into the lay-by and hit the broken down car at speed.

So my view is that in the right circumstances, well off the road, in daylight and fair weather I would mess about a bit.

Otherwise I wouldn't risk my life attempting to fix any broken down car, even an old one with points and carbs!

Exactly what I’ve done, plus a couple of extra spanners in a tool roll

I hardly drive my in the UK, the roads are too crowded. Apart from one time when when my alternator junked its bearings I've always got mine going again when I've been abroad without resorting to any recovery insurance. It's a load less hassle to sort it out yourself.

I am developing a feeling of inadequacy , so far my toolkit consists of a USB cable and a USB stick full of music😳

I carry...
A cross head screwdriver and spare bulbs so I can change indicator/brake lights.
Fuses
A torch
A tyre pressure gauge
An electric pump
An OBD II reader, to turn off the engine management light
A mobile phone
RAC Membership.

And that is all.
I recently filled the tyres with a liquid stuff that seems to work, in that it repairs minor punctures.
I used in on my bikes, which like a Plus 8, had no spare.

Under the bonnet, in the tool tray, I have a jack, extendable wheel nut spanner, and a modified prybar for the hubcaps. A mini socket set, and an equivalent screwdriver set. Venhill tool case which has a mixture of sockets/screw/allen fittings. That case also contains a Leatherman multitool, a 10mm/13mm spanner and a single Imperial allen key (for my rocker cover). Ratchet spanner set, and a set of three pliers in a tool roll.

Spares wise, I have three tobacco tins - they contain fuses, jubilee clips, cable ties, a selection of wire and connectors, chunk of copper pipe (for splicing hoses), a selection of nuts/bolts and washers. A small length of heater hose, some insulation tape and a spare idle jet. Full set of bulbs. Also got a box of matches - they are perfect to use as a 'rawplug' when a woodscrew has lost it's bite.

Under the seats I have oil/water (in 750ml Aluminum bottles) and an electric tyre pump, plus a couple of fire extinguishers and a can of carb cleaner. And a towel. Very important.

It may seem a bit overkill, but having run classics for many years there is nothing more frustrating that sitting on the side of the road for hours for want of something that your shed is full of! Some of mine is also specific to my car and a result of issues I've had (carb cleaner/idle jet). Idle jet got blocked on holiday and was a quick roadside fix.

Hi Guys
I'm new to all this. Just bought my first Morgan.
Only problem I've had to date is the loud banging/rattling of the tools behind the seats when going over bumpy roads.
So I've removed them ALL.
At present I'm hoping that my Breakdown Service (should I need it) is a reliable one!
(A spare Drive Belt may be a useful addition though!).
I'm open to all contraversional comments/advice though!
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AlMog - AAJ
2007 +4
Clk Cabrio
Mini Cooper

Surprised to hear your tools are rattling, especially if they are in the tool tray as there isn’t much room there for things to move about.. Is it screwed down and is the plywood panel secured over the top?
If nothing else, I would definitely carry a spare diode relay; I have known two people having to be repatriated from French holidays for the sake a a £3 relay. Breakdown services may be able to diagnose but are unlikely to carry things like that.

Since my last post I had added a spare radiator cap, a spare set of points and a condensor, a spare ballast resistor, a spare fanbelt, a set of imperial spanners, a feeler guage and a circuit tester, a spray can of 3in1, some large elastic bands (tent guy size) and a small grease gun.

Any place there is 'metal to metal' I stick an elastic band round so it doesn't rattle, and everything else is in a tool roll or bag so I don't get any rattles. The jack/pry bar and wheel brace are all now in a bag behind the rear seats, and I've added a couple of folding wheel chocks.

The joys of a 4 seater

Essential tip! If you don’t carry bird poo remover in the tool tray, decant some into one of these little aluminium perfume bottles from ebay and keep it in the glove box.


Just remember to tell its not body spray…..