Basic Tools Needed For A Car Audio Installer

Every installer needs a set of their own tools to start working on a car.  I’m not telling you that you need thousands of dollars of specialty tools to install a radio but you do need a handful of basic hand tools and a couple of power tools.  These are the “need to have” tools that you will use on every job you come across.

So let’s get started on filling that tool bag.  The first and most important thing you will need is:

 

CRIMPERS-

This will see be the most used tool you own.  With out a good set of crimpers you cannot connect wires properly.  And lets be real, that’s 75% of being a car audio installer.  I know some of you are thinking “Why now just use electrical tape?”  I’m not here to teach you how to burn your car down but to do things the proper way.  Click here to learn how to connect wires the RIGHT WAY!!!  These are the different types of crimpers you will come across.

These crimpers are the ones that I personally use and I would recommend for you to.  I don’t like having to use two different tools to cut and crimp.  Also with time you could learn how to strip insulation off wire with these.  I don’t know about you but I prefer to have tools that have multiple purposes saving money and space.

The Ares is only for crimping but the ratcheting action it makes it easier on your hand with less grip strength need to crimp the connector.  So if you’re wiring harness after harness these might be a better choice for you and your forearm.  Without the cutting feature there is still a need for another tool that cuts and strips insulation from wire.  Which leads us to next on the list…

WIRE STRIPPERS / CUTTERS-

Stripping wire can be extremely frustrating, especially multi strand core wire.  Cutting only the insulation and not any of the wire inside takes the right amount of pressure using the Channellock.  Wire strippers help ease the headache but still takes a little finesse.

These make it fairly easier cutting wire ranging between 10-20 AWG.  Having notches in the cutting blade stops you from cutting all the way through and just the insulation surrounding it most of the time.  With stranded wire having a bunch of really thin wire twisted together it’s easy for the blade to catch cutting or even pulling out a couple strands once in a while.

This is a tool you will not regret buying.  I’ve never seen the need to spend any money on a set of wire strippers when I could just use my Channellock Crimpers but I figured I’d give these a shot.  The self adjusting mechanism works extremely well.  Wiring harnesses go by like a breeze.  One of the best features of this tool is that it doesn’t only strip ends of wires but splices wires without cutting them.

SCREWDRIVERS HEX AND TORX-

Everybody should have a good set of screwdrivers both phillips and flathead not only for car audio installs but also for basic home repairs.  I know there are so many different sizes and styles to choose from so I will make it easy.  You don’t need to have a whole tool box full of every type of screwdriver on the market.  Here is are a couple of sets that is all you need to get by.

This set comes with sizes ranging from #1-#3 in both types of tips and also includes a sets of stubbies.  This is really all you need.  It will take care of any screw that you’ll come across.  Even if you have a drill I still recommend having a set because who hasn’t forgotten to charge the battery the night before.

Mainly used for tuning amps and electrical components, it is a smart idea to have a set of precision screwdrivers on hand even outside of installing.  Watch batteries, sunglasses and more.

 

Having individual hex and torx bits is a pain in the you know what.  I’ve went through so many sets because for some reason they grow legs and just walk away.  You won’t have that problem with this.  It’s a lot harder to misplace bits when they are all attached together.  With 25 different sizes available you’ll have more than enough to things done.

WRENCHES AND SOCKETS-

It’s hard to justify paying over $400 on a set similar to this.  In my opinion a wrench is a wrench.  They do the exact same thing.  The most important thing is to have a variety of sizes on hand to use on whatever bolt needs to be removed.

 

If you’re wondering to yourself “Why do I need a socket set if I already have a wrench set?  Don’t they do the same thing?”  The answer is yes and no.  Yes they do both remove bolts and no because there are bolts you can’t reach with a wrench that you can with a socket.  It goes the same way in reverse.  So lets not get stuck half way through a job just because there is one bolt holding you back.

PANEL PULLERS-

Dash panels for headunit install, door panels for front speaker installs, trunk deck lid for rearview camera install and the list goes on.  With every install there’s a panel to remove.  It’s the first tool I grab on every job that I start.  Let’s stay away from those flathead screwdrivers cause we are doing thing the right way here.

Pastic panel pullers means you won’t be scratching panels and breaking trim.  Replacement OEM panel from the dealership can cost more then the product itself.  Let’s spend your money on your cool new sound system and not on silly mistakes.

Sometimes there are tiny tabs or clips that are too small to get to with the plastics.  Wiring harnesses can be hard to disconnect without breaking or damaging it in some way.  These can help to push or pull the little tabs to release them safely and saving you from having to buy an expensive part to replace it.

MULTIMETERS-

I am giving you fair warning, DO NOT USE A LIGHT TEST!!!  Unlike before, early model automobiles come with a bunch of computers controlling almost all electronic parts.  Light testers if not used by a professional can fry them with just one touch of it’s probe.  So only use a multimeter.  Probably the highest price item on the whole list.  With other tools no matter the cost they do the same thing.  This is a “You get what you pay for” type of deal.   Depending on your budget, you can choose from one of the two meter I’m about to show you and if you have no idea on what a multimeter is and what it does then click here for a lesson on using it.

Flukes is a well know name when it comes to meters and other electrical testers.  The best and most useful feature is that they are extremely accurate and fast when reading wires or components.  Another benefit of Flukes are that they come with an auto shutoff when not being used for a period of time.  In my opinion they are worth the price and you’ll never have to upgrade in the future when you start getting more into car audio.

Klein is the another big name in electrical tools but not on the higher end of the spectrum.  Though no where close to the price as the Fluke, it’s still pricey for a single tool.  There are cheaper meters then this but I don’t recommend get one without the auto ranging feature.  Especially if you are a beginner and don’t know resistance.

DRILLS AND IMPACTS (OPTIONAL)-

I know this can completely blow the budget, but that’s why I’m making this an optional purchase.  You could get away with using the screwdrivers, wrenches and sockets.  Eventually when you do have the money, it would be smart to get one because they will cut down your install time in half or even more.  I’m showing you a couple of cordless kits, but if you don’t feel the need to own both, then just the drill is enough to get by.

I’m a huge DeWalt fan.  None of their products have ever done me wrong.  But that’s beside the point.   Compared to other kits similar to this one, the DeWalt 12 volt drill is the perfect size and power needed for a car audio installer.  When trying to to get underneath and behind the dashboard, you want something small enough to fit into tight spaces.

With a slightly smaller price point, this combo kit works just as well as the DeWalt kit.  There is one thing that’s a plus.  The battery being smaller gives you a little more maneuverability in those smaller spaces.

 

I bet the biggest thing you are wondering is “How much is this all going to cost me?”  So let’s break it down.  Without the drill and impact, you are looking to spend anywhere from $245-$340.  If you don’t already have drill or are looking to buy one, it will cost you anywhere from $410-$535.  The prices might scare you, but paying someone else to install your car audio system could run you a lot more then that.  Now you can save or even make money with your new bag of tools!