The tool requirements vary greatly depending upon which kit you buy. Some kits require that you do your own sheet metal work in the engine bay, which will necessitate cutters, riveting tools etc. Some kits come with prefabricated brake lines that just attach and bolt on. Others come with the line and ends and you will then need things like tubing benders and brake flaring tools to make your own lines. These are not necessarily pricey or difficult to learn how to use, but they will be required. Depending upon where you live, chain auto parts stores like O'Reilly and AutoZone have lots of loaner tools that will reduce the specialty tools that you would have to buy. But I would say at a minimum to build a Hurricane, provided you have a body shop do all your paint and body work, you'll need:
- A 2+-ton hydraulic floor jack
- 4 heavy duty jack stands, possibly even 6
- A complete set of SAE sockets and wrenches in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive
- Torque wrench, tape measures, rulers
- Electric drill and bits
- Clippers, snippers, rippers files etc for trimming and working .040 sheet aluminum (this is actually the fun part)
- Hole cutters and saws
- A bench-mounted large jaw vise
- A couple of hammers and pry bars
- Crimpers and associated tools for installing wiring ends
Buy good quality wrenches and sockets. A lot of the other tools that you will use gently and only a couple of times can be purchased used on eBay or through places like Harbor Freight. They aren't the best quality but the are perfect for the one time you'll use them. For example, I bought a $9 set of hole cutters from Harbor that I used to pull the nice, clean 1" diameter holes in my aluminum firewall. I doubt I'll ever use them again unless I build another car.
Then you'll need lots of sealants, goops and juices that will be called for in the manual (like the adhesive to attach the carpet.) You'll also need about 500 rolls of blue paper towels, a couple dozen cases of beer, a shop fan, a fly swatter, 20 bars of Lava soap, 10 boxes of nitrile rubber gloves, a couple of drop lights and a stool. Oh, and a helper is a MUST (good family bonding and de-bonding times ahead.)
And go to your nearest Ace Hardware and sign up for their membership rewards card because you are going to be spending lots of time there buying miscellaneous bolts, screws, nut, clips, ties, retainers, glues etc.
In the case of the Hurricane, the kit comes with all the fasteners. But if you decide to deviate and make the car more original, or if you decide to make other changes along the way, that will require additional bits and pieces. All of this assumes you'll purchase a ready-to-run engine and driveline.
Also, some kits like Hurricane are truly "ready-to-build" component-wise in that they come with most everything except paint, tires, battery, engine, transmission and driveshaft. Others claim to be complete but are missing a lot of bit parts that you have to chase down. Some of the manufacturers have owner build forums that you can use. In the case of Hurricane, there is not one single issue you will run into that you can't get an overnight solution for on that forum. And depending upon where you live, if you buy the beer, we'll come build it for you if you get in a jam. In a weekend.
Do LOTS of homework and go meet some owners. And with regard to those that say buy vs build, I will tell you that building one of these cars is the most rewarding thing you can do with your kids and family.
Jim
EDIT>>> And you will want the greatest device ever invented, the Dremel Tool.
Newbie with questions - part 1
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