Car audio enthusiasts, whats in your toolbox?

[S Freud]

What are some common tools for car audio installation? I want to install my speakers and a few other things and I am wondering what you guys prefer for tools for car audio projects.

Thanks

 

[angry hampster]

Screwdriver, wire stripper and cutter. Most installations are ridiculously simple.

 

[Soccerman06]

Few screwdrivers, very good set of strippers, a cordless drill to twist wires if you are doing major rewiring, few car panel removers (I cant remember their name)- basically small square hooks, and a few needle noses of various sizes. There is a whole toolbox full of various tools I don't really use.

 

[BlackTigers]

Lighter (heat shrink)
Four Craftsman screwdrivers - two phillips, two flat. I used to have the ones with the switchable bits, but I kept losing them.
GOOD Wire Strippers
Electrical tape
I have a hand crimper for the stuff I don't heat shrink.
Coat Hanger (you'd be surprised...)

That's all I really end up using for audio work, OTOH.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers
Lighter (heat shrink)
Four Craftsman screwdrivers - two phillips, two flat. I used to have the ones with the switchable bits, but I kept losing them.
GOOD Wire Strippers
Electrical tape
I have a hand crimper for the stuff I don't heat shrink.
Coat Hanger (you'd be surprised...)

That's all I really end up using for audio work, OTOH.

Good list, including the (wire) coat hanger. I'd add stubby or offset screwdrivers (for dash / rear deck speakers), one of these, a magnetic tray, and soldering iron + solder. Trim panel removers and a 1/4 drive socket set help also, depending how much dismantling you end up doing.

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: BlackTigers
Lighter (heat shrink)
Four Craftsman screwdrivers - two phillips, two flat. I used to have the ones with the switchable bits, but I kept losing them.
GOOD Wire Strippers
Electrical tape
I have a hand crimper for the stuff I don't heat shrink.
Coat Hanger (you'd be surprised...)

That's all I really end up using for audio work, OTOH.

Good list, including the (wire) coat hanger. I'd add stubby or offset screwdrivers (for dash / rear deck speakers), one of these, a magnetic tray, and soldering iron + solder. Trim panel removers and a 1/4 drive socket set help also, depending how much dismantling you end up doing.

Very good ideas. Get two stubby screwdrivers, it's impossible (really) to take out dash or deck speakers without them.

 

[Gand1]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: BlackTigers
Lighter (heat shrink)
Four Craftsman screwdrivers - two phillips, two flat. I used to have the ones with the switchable bits, but I kept losing them.
GOOD Wire Strippers
Electrical tape
I have a hand crimper for the stuff I don't heat shrink.
Coat Hanger (you'd be surprised...)

That's all I really end up using for audio work, OTOH.

Good list, including the (wire) coat hanger. I'd add stubby or offset screwdrivers (for dash / rear deck speakers), one of these, a magnetic tray, and soldering iron + solder. Trim panel removers and a 1/4 drive socket set help also, depending how much dismantling you end up doing.

Very good ideas. Get two stubby screwdrivers, it's impossible (really) to take out dash or deck speakers without them.

Ohhh ......stubby screwdrivers....no wonder why my windshield leaks.... wish I knew they existed before I drilled them holes!!!! LOL

Please dont think I'm serious.... but you never know with some of them car idiots out there...

 

[Riverhound777]

Just make sure you don't use those plastic cut-in wire splices. They suck major ass and don't work worth a damn. If you need to splice, solder them.

 

[nwfsnake]

Dremel, soldering irons, heat shrink tubing.

 

[AMCRambler]

Volt meter/multi meter for the more complicated installs. Finding twelve volt leads for remote amp turn ons comes to mind. Last two installs I had a power antenna in the trunk to tap off the 12v lead for this. If I put a system in the GTO though, I'm probably going to have to run some wires.

 

[alkemyst]

depends on car, a trim remover or something flat, wide and that won't mar would be good for panels.

What car? You may have allen / torx holding on things vs philips.

It makes no sense to build a complete tool set for a single job.

For simple speaker R&R's you can sometimes desolder the stock speaker to wiring harness connection and reuse it on the new speaker. Not good for ultra high end systems but fine for a simple reciever and speaker setup.