1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Budget torque wrench recommendations?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Brawwp, Nov 26, 2021.

  1. Nov 26, 2021 at 6:39 AM
    #1
    Brawwp

    Brawwp [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2021
    Member:
    #23880
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Harker heights, TX
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD Pro white
    I’ve been in need of a torque wrench for a while now. I am not a big time mechanic, and I don’t need the most expensive snap on torque wrench. Does anyone have any recommendations on a pretty accurate lower price torque wrench? I’d ideally be wanting to use it on my dirtbike, and new 4Runner that’s coming in. Not sure how low/high each wrench can go. Maybe want digital for odd torque numbers such as for the dirtbike.

    Thanks for any advice! Hoping to get a sweet deal being Black Friday.
     
  2. Nov 26, 2021 at 7:29 AM
    #2
    Ahdofu

    Ahdofu New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18506
    Messages:
    296
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    1997 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto, 4WD
    I recommend Home Depot's Husky brand torque wrenches. They come with a life time warranty. A 3/8 drive that does 20-100 ft-lbs may good for most applications but in your specific case, you may need to opt to a 1/2 drive.
     
  3. Nov 26, 2021 at 7:34 AM
    #3
    Brawwp

    Brawwp [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2021
    Member:
    #23880
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Harker heights, TX
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD Pro white
    Yeah dirtbike can go from like 2ft/lb to over 100. And it’s weird specs like 4.4ft/lb, etc. so I’m not sure if there even is a torque wrench out there that can go from that small to high enough for most things on a 4Runner
     
  4. Nov 26, 2021 at 7:48 AM
    #4
    Ahdofu

    Ahdofu New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18506
    Messages:
    296
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    1997 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto, 4WD
    Likewise I don't think there is a single Tq wrench out there that covers the range that you are interested in. For something that needs 2 or 4.4 ft-lbs, do you really need a Tq wrench for those? If you do, you'll need to grab a 1/4 drive Tq wrench as well. I bet HD must have a holiday special on its tools right now.
     
  5. Nov 26, 2021 at 7:53 AM
    #5
    Brawwp

    Brawwp [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2021
    Member:
    #23880
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Harker heights, TX
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD Pro white
    yeah like an important one would be bottom triple clamp 8.9ftlb, top 12.5ftlb. Overtightening those will cause binding in the fork.
     
  6. Nov 26, 2021 at 8:01 AM
    #6
    Brawwp

    Brawwp [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2021
    Member:
    #23880
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Harker heights, TX
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD Pro white
    So are the husky wrenches good? Looks like I can get the 3/8, 1/2, and 1/4 for $154 on Home Depot website. That seems like it’d cover everything.
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  7. Nov 26, 2021 at 8:06 AM
    #7
    Squeaky

    Squeaky New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2021
    Member:
    #23753
    Messages:
    38
    Gender:
    Male
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    ‘22 ORP LR
    I use 1/4” digital micro for my dirt bikes that cover a range of like 2-18lbs. Then have 3/8” that covers 22-100. Cheap torque wrenches scare me, but have heard the HD Husky line is decent. Personally, my micro is a snap-on and my 3/8” is a CDI (a snap-on company).
     
    T4RNR and Brawwp[OP] like this.
  8. Nov 26, 2021 at 8:24 AM
    #8
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2019
    Member:
    #10510
    Messages:
    2,183
    Gender:
    Male
    Austin Texas
    Vehicle:
    2019 trd pro voodoo
    Harbor freight. Video comparisons show them to be pretty damn solid. That’s what I use for the once or twice a year I need one.
     
    Thatbassguy and Rocksurfer like this.
  9. Nov 26, 2021 at 8:29 AM
    #9
    Ahdofu

    Ahdofu New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18506
    Messages:
    296
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    1997 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto, 4WD
    I don't mean to sound pretentious but what is the definition of "good"? You can certainly buy a high quality tool made by Snap on or Mac but as a mid-grade, Husky brand is "good" enough.
     
  10. Nov 26, 2021 at 9:35 AM
    #10
    Brawwp

    Brawwp [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2021
    Member:
    #23880
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Harker heights, TX
    Vehicle:
    2022 TRD Pro white
    Ordered the husky’s. Thanks guys!


    Yeah I don’t need anything super high end. Just something to get me close enough to spec on the occasions I’ll use them.
     
  11. Nov 26, 2021 at 9:53 AM
    #11
    Cowboy59

    Cowboy59 Enjoy the Adventure

    Joined:
    May 17, 2020
    Member:
    #14355
    Messages:
    913
    Gender:
    Male
    N. Florida
    Vehicle:
    2020 Off-Road Premium w/ Predator package & KDSS
  12. Nov 26, 2021 at 10:09 PM
    #12
    T4R13

    T4R13 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2019
    Member:
    #12339
    Messages:
    499
    Gender:
    Male
    Clarksburg wv
    Vehicle:
    19 sr5p
    Love my gear wrench 120xp I think
     
  13. Nov 26, 2021 at 11:20 PM
    #13
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #9314
    Messages:
    12,420
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    S/E Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    +1 for Harbor Freight! I wouldn't use it to build an engine, but it's plenty accurate for suspension components and lugs.
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  14. Nov 27, 2021 at 2:10 AM
    #14
    Foster1

    Foster1 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2021
    Member:
    #21013
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    I put a digital adapter from HF on an analog torque wrench to make sure it's accurate. It was $30 if I remember correctly.

    Also just picked up a husky 1/2 torque wrench from Home Depot for $50. I actually wanted the Craftsman one from Lowe's, but the warranty on the Husky is lifetime vs only like a year or two on Craftsman.
     
  15. Nov 27, 2021 at 3:33 AM
    #15
    can0nfan2379

    can0nfan2379 New Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2017
    Member:
    #4100
    Messages:
    108
    Gender:
    Male
    Arid-zona
    Vehicle:
    2019 T4R ORP...2013 TRD OR DCSB Tacoma
    I own both the Precision Instruments 1/2" and 3/8" torque wrenches - great tools and don't have to be turned down like the dial types.
     
    Cowboy59[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Nov 27, 2021 at 5:45 PM
    #16
    T4RNR

    T4RNR New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2021
    Member:
    #21281
    Messages:
    54
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anthony
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    17 4Runner, 03 Tacoma
    x2 on CDI
     
  17. Nov 28, 2021 at 8:13 PM
    #17
    Trail Addict

    Trail Addict Professional Driver on a Closed Course

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2021
    Member:
    #24350
    Messages:
    188
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2022 4Runner TRD Pro
    I like Craftsmans new digital ones: https://youtu.be/eCNCKyE-JZ4
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  18. Nov 28, 2021 at 10:06 PM
    #18
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2018
    Member:
    #5853
    Messages:
    4,622
    Gender:
    Male
    This is what I have. Cheap but so far no issues fixing skids, sliders, tires..
    upload_2021-11-29_0-5-22.jpg
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  19. Nov 29, 2021 at 2:57 AM
    #19
    suaveflooder

    suaveflooder New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2021
    Member:
    #23264
    Messages:
    568
    Most torque wrenches will be completely fine for basic work. You could probably even get one from Walmart/autozone (I can’t remember where I got it but it was $50 or so) and be okay. I know OP already bought one, but I used the walmart/autozone torque wrench for years and never had an issue.

    I personally use craftsman now, but like someone said above, short of an engine rebuild where it is probably more important to be accurate, you can probably use almost anything.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top