Tool Storage (IN....not, Out)

[Big Murth]

I have the dilemma of having this great new '14 Trail Premium, that I:
1) Don't have the cash right now to plow another $3-4K or more into beefing up functionality for offroad, and....
2) Even if I did have the coin available now, this is my everyday (real estate) business vehicle....and I'm too old to pull up to a client's house or ask people to "please use the step-stool" when I take them out to look at property---because I've got this 4R tricked out and ready for the Rubicon!
Nonetheless, I've got to have some of the basics to enable the best success when I do go offroad---I'm mostly interested in getting to challenging places in one piece, and returning the same way. And, you should only try doing so if you've at least got the minimal basics aboard.

Without a killer rear and/or front steel aftermarket bumper set-up, or a HD roof rack to mount HiLift jacks, shovels, chains, tool boxes to---I came up with a storage system that provides a place to put things when I do go offroad, and provide me access without having to unload every bit of camping gear to access it. I came up with the idea of a low lying box in the cargo deck behind the rear seats. Store your ice chest, camp boxes and other items on top, but if you need to grab a shovel, tow-strap or anything else, reach below the stored items to remove and get to work helping yourself or someone else on the trail. It is easily removed and stored when you don't need it, and it will accommodate a smaller (48"?) HL Jack stored diagonally, too. It also serves as a great place to stash firearms when you go to the range, and stop at your favorite lunch place or tavern---and keeps your goodies out of sight from the ******* thieves of the world. I used 1/2" MDF board, and the whole shebang weighs 50lbs. We're giving it a test in southern Colorado in less than two weeks.:cheers:

 

[Desert Dawg]

Very cool and useful idea without breaking the bank. You might have given me my next mod to work on.

Nice job!

 

[Titanpat57]

MDF is not a very suitable material to build something out of.

Longterm it will more than likely fall apart without some substantial reinforcement.... Which at that point you should just buy a good grade of finished plywood...and plywood will also be lighter. Also, without making some separate compartments...I think you'll find your stuff being damaged from sliding around into each other.

Please be sure to fasten the box down while its in the truck....so you don't eat it, and it's contents, during an emergency stop or accident.

 

[VoodooTitan]

Nice idea. I may try something like this but instead, I'll utilize the sliding trays from the sliding deck to create a sliding deck box. Probably wrap it in a thin carpet material too. Really innovative idea though. Kudos.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I'm also toying around with an idea like this. I'm thinking of using aluminum or plywood and making a slide out drawer. I would bolt it through the floor and also make a slide out tray on top for an ARB ( or something like it) fridge. There have been a few really nice ones folks have built over the years on here.

 

[Big Murth]

Inside Tool Storage

Thanks for the replies, compliments, and constructive criticism. I'm no carpenter and this is of my own thought processes and limited ingenuity and execution, but I think will work out pretty well and with luck and care---should last for some time. The key will be to store it out of the vehicle when not in use---just like a Yakima RocketBox will deteriorate pretty quickly if left on the roof of your vehicle and because it doesn't clear the garage header----stays outside in the elements 24-7.....so too, will this box:brick:

That said, it will fit a lot of recovery tools, plus it also fits several of those iconic folding chairs we discovered 15-20 years ago during long weekends watching our girls on the soccer fields---so I think the chance of tools slapping each other around in there is negligible.

Quick facts: 1/2" 8X4 MDF board at Home Depot here in Albuquerque was $34. Corner braces and three hinges at the TruValue were another $35. Even had the HD guy do all the cuts for free, the big dimensions were 43.5"wide, 36" deep---the sides are cut 36"X6", which leaves approx. 5 3/8 height opening. Note: in the 2014 those side/wide dimensions don't allow using corner braces on the outside of the box, as it was so tight it scraped the sides of the interior of the wheel wells the first time I shoved it in--so I removed. Also, although weight will be spread out on the top lid when loaded with camp gear, ice chests, etc., I did put 2 45lb. dumbells in the middle of the closed box lid, and there was no significant deflection---true, I wasn't bouncing up and down a rutted and rocky trail either:faint: Big Murth

 

[bernardmwrangle]

Looks good! By the way don't necessarily rule out a lift for your daily work vehicle, I have the OME lift, I just drove an old lady client to a meeting this week, the step up was not bad, she managed fine. Even with all the mods I try to keep the ride looking pretty stock for the same reason you have, the rig has to double down as my regular ride.

 

[SouthernSS]

You could always turn your business into Adventure Realty....it could be fun for your clients to experience the wild side every now and then.

 

[forwheeler]

Thanks for the replies, compliments, and constructive criticism. I'm no carpenter and this is of my own thought processes and limited ingenuity and execution, but I think will work out pretty well and with luck and care---should last for some time.

That's how you learn. Thanks for posting it here so the rest of us non-carpenters can learn as well.:cheers:

 

[Jeremy556]

I'd line it with some toolbox drawer liner or similar material to keep things from moving around and making excess noise. I recently got rid of my sliding tray and had to build out a new cargo floor. I found anti fatigue mat on a roll in a big box store that works great, though it may be too thick for inside your box.

 

[Big Murth]

Thanks Bernard...........your rig must be the pride of Miller Ave. I've got BudBuilt full-on diamond-plate step/rock-sliders, so that's one thing that serves me well on road, and off.

Give my regards to the Bay Area---lived in Fairfax(originally from the City) before we moved to NM in '82----is the 2 AM Club still going? Huey Lewis used to hang and play there;-).

 

[2chains]

great idea, portable and inexpensive thanks!