A lot of the 'special tools' listed in the back of each section
of the service manual are simply not needed to service these
vehicles. However some do come in handy. When I was rebuilding
my SM420 I replicated several of the 'special tools' only to
find that it came apart quite easily without using any 'special
tools' at all.
I haven't yet got my machine tools wired up an running due to
the big move and I really miss them. When I was working on the
trucks I was on the lathe or mill several times a week making
tooling or reworking China so it would fit.
Not for everyone, but for anyone who is serious about restoration
and doing the work themselves, I'd highly recommend investing in
a small bench lathe and a bench top mill.
Denny G
