Center Console Lock Box (Safe) Project

2002 AC LTD 4x4 4.7 L
I need a lockable space inside the cab. I tried rekeying a glove box latch with lock from a salvaged Sequoia, but the best locksmith in town said he needed the original key, which neither of my parts sources had. The locksmith told me he had to be able to rotate the tumbler about 45 degrees to access and change out the split wafers in the tumbler and he could not pick the lock. Several searches here, and on the web in general, yielded no other console safe options for the 1st Gen Tundras.

The 02 AC has the old style console with upper and lower compartments.

I did a little measuring and discovered that one of those cheap portable lock boxes would fit inside the lower console. So, I ordered

$22 Dalmbox Portable Gun Safe for Pistols with Combination Lock Handgun Lock Box for Nightstand, Travel , Home, Car, Truck (9.4"X 6.4" X 1.8")

this one from Amazon (Large-Combination-Black). I measured the console opening at 6.625" W x 9.31" L and noted that the bottom of the console was a little larger. The box specs were 6.4" W x 9.4" L, so I figured I could make it fit by tilting it downward while lowering it into the console. I discovered that the console opening narrows towards the rear to accommodate the console lid support arms. The best way I could figure to mount the box was to orient it so that the box lid opened the same direction as the console lid. I also discovered that the box lid opened with no restriction when the box was pushed all the way forward touching the front of the console storage area. However, the box lid would not lift all the way up because of how the console opening narrowed towards the rear. Still, the range of motion was good enough for my needs.

My dad constructed some wooden shims out of spare 1 x 4s to keep the lock box centered inside the console. The two bolts in the bottom of the console are part of the OEM mounting hardware for the console and they sit just below grade. We backed out those bolts to just above grade and coated the bolt heads with red wax. Then I carefully lowered the box into the console with its front firmly against the bulkhead. The shims kept the box centered as I tapped it firmly against the top of the bolts. The red wax left perfect circles to show us where to drill the mounting holes in the bottom of the lock box. (I'd intended to take photos of each step, but got caught up just getting the job done.)


Since the original bolts were below grade, I decided to fill both recesses with enough washers to be above grade. Turns out, 8 was the lucky number. (I also reinstalled the carpet in the bottom of the console at this stage.) When the lock box is mounted and pressing down, it will apply pressure to the washers and help hold the console down just iike the original bolts with captive washers.


The next step was to align the lock box over the two holes and bolt it down. I used these mounting bolts (and a couple of the same flat washers) because they were a little longer and easily made up the distance lost due to the thickness of the box and the extra height above where the original bolt heads sat.


(Recall that I can't get the box lid all the way open because the console opening narrows towards the rear.) Tightening the mounting bolts required a long extension and a universal joint socket adapter. Finally, I reinstalled the foam padding in the bottom of the box. (For my application, I discovered that including the top piece of foam made it too difficult to close the box.)

Here's what it looks like installed. (Had to black out the combination.)

It could be a little hard to see the combination dial in certain lighting conditions, so I found these cool little lights at Lowes. You can stick them anywhere and they use 2 x CR2032 batteries. You turn them on and off by just pressing on the head. I used rubbing alcohol to clean off a spot inside the console and mounted one of them in line with the combination dial. (I think it's also going to be possible to do the combination by touch because of how each dial clicks for each number.)


So, that's my solution for a 1st Gen lock box that requires no drilling in the body. Yes, a determined criminal could get to the box and maybe rip it out, rip it open, or even work out the combination. This is intended only as a short term storage location. This is not a place to leave valuables while you go out of town for a week. Most of what we see in my area are opportunists. For some reason, people still leave their cars unlocked in their driveways overnight with valuables (including firearms) inside. People come through the neighborhoods pulling on door handles. If they find one unlocked, they get inside and look for valuables. Smash and grabs don't happen nearly as much and then only if you leave something of value in plain sight.

 

Now they'll just 3d print that key & get the whole truck.


I was today years old when i realized our gloveboxes dont lock.

 

Oops! Thanks. Rectified.

 

If you take your gun inside with you, you can cripple someone pulling on doorhandles.

 

Oh I’m sorry I thought this was America

But seriously, this is great! If you’re really worried you could get yourself a perfectly cut piece of carpet with cardboard or 1/4” plywood backing and make a false bottom for that console to cover the lockbox.

 

That certainly works for when you’re at home. But the sheriff takes a dim view of those who try it at the courthouse.

 

Very cool. What are you keeping in there?

 

A reason to have many.

 

I can neither confirm nor deny the contents of the lock box when I am making any number of routine visits to the county courthouse to perform research.

 

I don't think my center console is big enough to fit pistol lock box. For now I'll have to keep using the cubby hole under the rear passenger seat. Kind of a pain, but its all I have at the moment.