Well, I am wanting to have some better storage for the inside of my pickup without having my jack, air compressor, cables and all that stuff roll around on the floor, so I began to do some measuring and drawing to see what I wanted to do for storage. I have always had this idea in my head, I just haven't done any detailed drawings yet, and this is what I have come up with. I haven't built anything yet, I need to wait until the drifts get plowed out of the way to be able to go to the hardware store. I was wondering what everyone thought I should build this out of, I was leaning towards wood. What size should I use? Should I just use plywood? What about lids, should I have one big lid, or a couple smaller ones.

FWIW: I'll be putting my hydraulic jack, jumper cables, portable air compressor, hitches and tow rope in this.

Now, if this box was going to go the full width of a cab, it would be a 100/0, but since it runs part way, this is just like 60/40 seats if that makes any sense.

Heres the picture:

Questions, comments and chit chat welcome!

 

I'd put some compartments inside of it, just so you dont have your tools flying all over the box when you make a turn.

Build it out of 1/2" plywood. MDF is easier to work with, but it doe not hold up to abuse and moisture as well as plywood. Also buy some automotive fabric and wrap the box to match your interior.

 

looks good. i have something similar in the back of my truck cab. but i bought mine :( but i still like it. made by Plano, cost me $35 at walmart. if you like i can post a pic for you. takes up about 70% of the back and no, no one can fit back there anymore. but everything including a midget and rabid monkey plus my junk can all be stowed nicely...

have you thought about some sort of latching to help keep the lid from rattling?? internal dividers?

 

Post up pics of this build please. Right now I'm using an Igloo cooler to carry my stuff.

 

That's a damn good idea!

 

Alrighty,
@Mabe- Thank you for the input, I would like to take roll-on bed liner and line the inside and outside with it.

@Lumpy- A pic would be great. I wanted something to occupy time so I'm building mine myself. Yes, I'm going to have some sort of latch, probably a toolbox latch if I can figure how to hook it up, shouldn't be too hard.

@joldtown- I haven't started it yet, and due to all of this damn snow, it will probably be quite a while before I can get to the hardware store, lol.

 

One thing I'd like to bring up is, how should I secure the toolbox so it doesn't move around? Granted, it shouldn't move, but in an accident who knows, I'm thinking about some bungie ties to the jump seat bracket, and the bottom of the drivers seat bracket, and then possibly another one to the passenger seat bracket. Any other options? Screwing into the floor is NOT an option.

Thanks

 

are you going to work around the hump in the back of the truck, like on the floor? when i built my first subwoofer box i worked the curve into the design and i didn't need to secure it at all because that held it in place even when off roading it didn't budge. that also depends on how much weight you plan to throw in there too.

 

Yeah, it is going to go from the drivers seat side to the hump... thing of it this way... I have 60/40 seats, well, this is going to be a 60/40 toolbox without the 40... same thing. As far as weight goes, well, heavy *** hydraulic jack, cables, air compressor, receiver hitch, all that stuff, so it will have a good amount of weight in it.

Checked up on some measurements, i think I'll do the framing in 1x2's, and then at least 1/2 plywood for the floor, and probably 1/4" for the sides, but we'll see when I go to lowes.

 

gotcha. you may want to secure it down somehow then because it could slide into your door but im sure with weight in it i won't move. mine had a cut out for the curve in the middle so it was held perfectly my box took up the entire back of the truck lol now i upgraded the subwoofer/amp and only need 1

 

Yeah, I thought about making this a two-piece thing, so that one side (passenger) could be used more for tools, while the drivers side could be used for more emergency/towing things.

Here's an updated pic of the planning. I made it more accurate, as the side will obviously have to slant because of the driver's seat, and then I am also thinking about making the top of it bi-fold, so that it can be opened up all the way. Thoughts?

 

I have something similar and ill take pics and post em up for you. They only thing I don't like about it is I can't lean my seat back as much, make sure you take that into account!

 

I'm one of those people, and so is my dad (probably got it from him),that likes to have the seat pretty vertical, it helps with back support, and as you can see in my updated drawing, the front of the toolbox is angled towards the back to account for the seat.

Thanks!

Single Fold lid?

 

When I had my ’98 Ext Cab I was thinking about the same thing but was unable to find what I wanted. Started to design up some boxes that would fit but sold it before I got to finish.
You measurements look good and the material I would use woul be ⅛” or 3/16” aluminum.
You wouldn’t have to weld it together, although that would be nice, but you could get away with some corner brackets and bolts, maybe button-heads so the outside looks better. On the inside use some of those locking Ny-loks or Metal-Lock and cut the bolts off.
Some piano hinge and you are all set.
Later you could have it welded up or just have a top welded up with a lip or… if you are good you could make the top with three lips to come over the front and sides.

OK talking too much again.
The project sounds like a good one, great idea.

ltr,

 

Thanks for the input scrambler. I would use aluminum, but I don't really have the proper tools to do any cutting of it, for now I'll use wood, but maybe later down the line I will do a full toolbox that goes from door to door, and maybe aluminium could be used after I figure out whether this works or not

Thanks!

 

Working aluminum for a bolt together box only takes a drill and bits, a scribe or marker, a file for cleaning things up and Saber Saw with an aluminum blade (wide tooth metal blade) and some Transmission Fluid for lube on the blade while cutting and for filing; use a straight edge for cutting a straight line, this is a must.

Wood is good too, use thin wood (luan plywood-⅛" or 3/32”), re-enforce it then fiberglass it over, remove re-enforcement, line with rubber.
Sorry got carried away again.
ltr,

 

Yeah I dont have the saw... plus some parts need to be angled, so that creates more hassle with cutting.
Thanks for the fiberglass idea, but I need at least 1/4" or 1/2" thick because of the weight that will be in it.

Thanks!

 

No problem but and I am not trying to talk you into aluminum, but the same problems and a saw are needed for wood.

Anyway, another thought, how about adding some hold downs inside of the box to tie down the heavier items. Just thinking...

 

Yeah icic...

Tie downs in the box? Not a bad idea... I'm going to put 4 "tie downs" on each corner of the box, so I can secure it in the cab, not sure about in the box though, most of the heavier stuff, like the hydraulic jack and my hitch will have their own compartments, I may just make an exterior bracket to put the hitch into also...

Thanks! (Sharp pickup btw scrambler!)