Got Gear? Cool Gifts for the Diesel Mechanic in Your Life
Updated November 2023
Hey there, party people! The holidays are here again, and you know what that means: It’s time to eat, drink, and spend hours agonizing over what presents to get for your friends and family.
You don’t agonize? Maybe that’s just us.
CAPTION: Above, an accurate depiction of the marketing team (or maybe just Suz) trying to find presents for people we like or at least don’t want to actively repulse.
But if you are running into a wall about what to get for the diesel-loving individual in your life—or all your “diesel gift” searches are turning up Vin Diesel*—this post is for you.
(If you’re new to the Fullbay blog, here’s a quick recap: Every year we put together a collection of cool/funny/useful “diesel things” for the tech or shop owner in your life. This is, what, the fourth iteration? It might just be the greatest list of diesel mechanic gifts in the world.)
Granted, it’s possible the longtime mechanic in your life already has everything they need. But we scoured the far corners of the internet (and bugged some of our colleagues on Slack!) to put together some goodies that almost any diesel mechanic will appreciate.
Before cannonballing into the list, we do want to acknowledge that not every tech wants tech-themed gifts. We’re assuming if you’re browsing this list, you know your audience (so to speak) and are pretty sure they’ll appreciate or at least get a kick out of the stuff below.
Clothing
Steel-toed boots
If your tech is going to be kicking tires (or doing anything around heavy machinery), protect their toes with these.
Hoodie for cold mornings
No one likes opening up the shop when it’s cold and frosty out. A cozy sweatshirt won’t make the sun come up any faster, but it will make going out into the chill more bearable. (And hey, the hoodie we linked to has a great message.)
Safety glasses
Robot eyes aren’t quite available for the masses yet, so help your tech protect the ones they’ve got.
Coveralls
Even if your technician already has a pair of coveralls, they can always use another pair. First, they protect clothing from rips and tears while keeping them clean. Second, the best coveralls for diesel techs have plenty of pockets for stashing small tools…and snacks.
Gloves
Mechanics go through gloves like nobody’s business. Pick out a few pairs—we also like these!—and keep their hands happy.
Hat
Life isn’t complete without a cool hat! We like this one; not only does it declare what a tech does, it also protects them from the sun if they’re a mobile tech working on the side of the road. Win-win!
A T-shirt for Ma
Do you love your mother? Is she proud of the hard work you do? Then she needs a shirt that proclaims the glory of her offspring!
Tools
Tablet/phone tough case
We recommended this gift every year. Shops are death traps for phones and tablets; around every corner are new and horrible ways to destroy these expensive devices. Get them a tough case and give them a fighting chance.
Digital multimeter
Multimeters have come a long way—even the mid-range versions can perform a variety of tests. Everyone should have one of these.
Charging station
More and more often, your techs are using tablets and phones to help them with their diagnoses. That kind of stuff can run down a battery. Get a couple of these charging docks and make sure everyone’s always at 100 percent.
Multitool
Every mechanic needs a multitool. You can probably even get one for the non-mechanics in your life, who will look at you in confusion.
Tool kit
Be warned, these can get expensive. You might want to ask the mechanic in your life what exactly they want. Or, y’know, we hear Snap-on gift cards are nice.
Magnetic wristband for tools
Here’s a cool one! This wristband holds on to small screws, nuts, and similar parts instead of requiring you to bring along a bowl or envelope or force your empty coffee mug into additional service.
Bluetooth speakers or earbuds
Maybe your tech wants to listen to some tunes while making their repairs. Or maybe they’ve got a favorite podcast that plays in the background as they work on that turbo. Bluetooth speakers and earbuds let your tech dazzle their auditory senses without risking the usual tangle of wires that comes with them.
Portable jump starter and power pack
This thing will fire up whatever your tech is trying to start. People in the reviews use it to start RVs, tractors, ATVs, and more.
Jumper cables
Even if you don’t invest in the powerhouse above, it’s always nice to have a set of jumper cables on hand!
Bright lights
Flashlight: It’s small enough to fit into confined mechanical spaces and bright enough to blind a zombie. What more do you need?
Floodlight: The magnetic base lets you stick it on frame rails, and it’s even rechargeable.
Headlamp: Rechargeable, waterproof, and perfect for those times when you need to poke around.
Glove lights: We can’t vouch for the actual usefulness of these, though being able to just point a light deep into an engine compartment seems useful. Bonus—you can probably have some pretty sweet pseudo-lightsaber battles during break time.
Infrared thermometer
For use with an engine OR your pizza oven. Why can’t all tools have such versatility?!
A creeper seat…with a cupholder
The seasoned mechanic in your life might like this, too, especially if their own creeper is showing some wear. It even comes with a cup holder for that tenth serving of coffee.
Bonus: Creeper races around the shop are probably hilarious.
A regular creeper
For those times when the creeper with a cupholder won’t fit under a truck.
Bonus x2: You can also do this:
Fender protector
Good for protecting fenders while you’re leaning over them—or putting some layers between you and a hot piece of machinery.
Coffee!
Yeah, yeah, diesel is important, but we all know the real fuel in a shop is a good cup of joe. For variety, look into coffee subscriptions that send new blends on a monthly or quarterly basis. You can also explore local roasters. And, of course, our writer has a personalized recommendation in Cafe Moto (also known as “morning rocket fuel”—try the Moto Brew!).
BONUS! Techs would love to drink coffee out of this “Starter Fluid” mug!
Just plain cool
Mechanic’s wage placard
We’re not saying you should put this where your customers can see it…but we’re also not saying you shouldn’t.
Personalized garage sign
You don’t need your own shop to have a badass sign declaring your excellence. Heck, I want one of these.
Wet wipes for the diesel crowd
If you’re working in a repair shop, odds are you spend a good portion of your time covered in or at least smelling like diesel, grease, or other transmission fluid. These wipes will help cut through that.
A themed tumbler
In case you hadn’t figured it out, we’re totally about gifts that screech, “HEY! I’M A MECHANIC!” We also like stuff with wizards and skulls. This tumbler has two of the three, and this one appears to have some variant of the T-800 plastered on it.
Hand care kit
Contrary to popular belief, diesel does not double as a moisturizer, and mechanic hands are often in shabby shape. Put together a diesel technician’s hand care kit including a salt scrub, nail brush, and a heavy-duty cream.
Car detailing
Even if your mechanic scrubs off the grease every hour on the hour, some remnant of shop life is going to seep into their car when they drive home at the end of the day. A nice detailing service will clean that right up. Find a spot near you, or ask someone for a recommendation.
Referrals
If you really want to make your mechanic smile, refer someone to them! Or leave a great review on one of the big websites.
Diesel-scented candle
Not everyone wants their house to smell like their shop. But if you do, well, here you go.
Video games
Does your tech also like gaming? We haven’t found a Diesel Truck Repair Simulator (yet), but Steam has all kinds of truck-themed games. Loved Ice Road Truckers? Snow Runner might be a good choice. Curious about the diesel across the pond? Euro Truck Simulator II could be for you! And Monster Truck Championship just looks like a good time.
Books for the kiddos
Want to introduce the kiddos to the diesel world? Let them accompany Dan and his fellow techs as they repair various vehicles and put them back to work! Truck Tales: Dan the Technician and Truck Tales II: Dan Saves the Festival are available in paperback and for e-readers! They’re brought to you by the same team that brings you these blogs, with quadruple the beautiful illustrations and zero of the usual snark. Oh, and we’re contributing the profits to diesel industry charities.
A keychain for your honey
Love is patient, love is kind; love is a diesel-related keychain for when you’re truly in a bind.
The gift of Fullbay
Yes, we’re plugging ourselves. Install Fullbay and help make everyone’s life easier in 2024! And we’ll also go ahead and introduce you to the magnificence that is All About The Grilles, our new diesel lifestyle site featuring more awesome gear. Like the Truck Tales series, all profits go to industry-related charities. Sweet new duds that contribute to a good cause? Um, yes please.
Now, this list isn’t exhaustive (although it may be exhausting), so we’ll go ahead and tell you there’s plenty of other gifts you can find for the hardworking tech. If you can think of something else to get the mechanic in your life—or anyone else who works in a shop—let us know!
*We have nothing against Vin Diesel. Actually, we kinda like the guy—he’s a nerd like the rest of the marketing team! Here are some exciting Vin Diesel-related gifts for the Dominic Toretto and Riddick fans in your life: a Vin Diesel mug, Vin Diesel Funko Pop, and, a Vin Diesel cutout to astonish your friends and disgruntle your enemies.
