- Basic mechanic’s tool set (metric & SAE)
- Floor jack & jack stands—get high-quality ones, your life depends on them
- Creeper—for easy access under the car
- Portable engine hoist (borrow or rent)
- Volt/ohm meter
- Wire and cable cutters & crimpers
- Manufacturer’s shop & electrical manual for donor car (priceless!)
- Resealable plastic storage bags, notepaper & permanent-ink pens—for bagging small parts with a note describing where the parts go
- Camera for taking “before-and-after” photos of everything
