I was looking at torque wrenches at both tractor supply and autozone. It seems like there are two kinds, one expensive one cheap. The cheap one is not a rachet and has a needle. The more expensive one you need to adjust to desired torque and is a ratchet. This may be a dumm question but can I just buy the cheap one or do I need to buy the more expensive one. Thanks for your answers. Will be using to install lift, skids, and do diff oil changes.


P.S. I am not sure if this is the right forum but since I am going to use the torque wrench to modify my vehicle, this seems to fit. if not please move to correct forum.

 

Get the ratchet style that u adjust by turning handle to desired torque setting. This is one of the most important tools u can have IMO

 

X2. Reason is that with the pointer kind you have to get your head into a good position to read the needle. Trying to torque some of those suspension bolts to 125 foot-pounds is tough enough, without adding in the complexity of where your head must be placed and turned.

 

Harbor Freight sells a ratcheting one for $20. I can't comment on quality as I have never used theirs. I've been using the one with the needle but sometimes I need my neighbors help in torquing things to the right amount because of the aforementioned head position thing.

 

I like the ratchet type for the reasons mentioned above. also, don't cheap out on this purchase. I tried a Harbor Freight one, and it is really sensitive to the way you pull on it. If you are pulling the slightest bit to one side, it won't ever click. I went to Lowe's and dropped some cash on a good torque wrench and it is well worth it. Weigh whatever the torque wrench cost is against something coming loose while you're traveling down a highway or when you're way out on some Jeep trail, and the cost is worth every cent.

 

I just got a nice one with the twisting handle for Xmas. It serves its purpose!

 

With tools, you always get what you pay for. Don't skimp on them... especially a torque wrench. You need to have confidence that the work you do is done correctly. Your life or someone else's could be at stake.

 

Points well taken, the expensive one it is.

 

I've learned with tools the hard way to always buy more than you need now because down the road you will need it.

I have both.. the needle version is a waste of money because it is hard to see and even harder to get accurate results.

 

Another thing to consider is that a torque wrench is most accurate in the middle of its range.

Meaning that if its rated at 10-100lbs it'll be most accurate at about 45-50lbs.

You're best bet,although expensive is to have more than one torque wrench.

I've got three. One is for in-lbs,one is up to 100 ft-lb and the other is up to 200 ft-lb.