No drill tool chest in bed

Added a tool chest to the bed to keep normal recovery-gear/tools/air compressor. I wanted something that didn't require drilling into the bed because I'm not sure this is a long term solution and may be changed in the distant future. Came up with a solution that uses the bed bolts and was super easy.



Picked up the aluminum chest from Tractor Supply. Looks like this is a chest that is probably rebranded elsewhere and not exclusive to Tractor Supply but that's where i got it.

Also picked up a couple of these from Home Depot-


painted them with bedliner-


It makes a nice textured coating that matches the coating on the chest-

Had to take the front bed bolts out which required removing some of the factory bedliner from the bolt heads. If you use a razor blade you can cut around the bolt so the bolt doesnt pull more bedliner off.


cleaned up the bolt but didnt like the silver look...


Painted bed bolts (as well as the bolts i'll use for the box) with bedliner-


so i know i said no drilling needed but i did drill the tool box. Used half-inch bolts (painted previously) and everything lined up as if it were made for this application-



Please excuse the dirty bed!!! Anza Borrego dust really sticks!

Very happy with the fit and functionality of the box. Let me know what you think...

 

That's a perfect fit! Nice work and I like that there is no drilling involved.

 

thank you, it really couldn't fit any better!

 

Great write up! Thanks for sharing that info Steve
Badass truck as always sir

 

forgot to mention this is the box that allows you to put it flush against the wall. bought a different box at first and you lose too much space behind it to allow the lid to open. this one sits flush.

 

Looks factory installed. Great job

 

What’s the dimensions of that box?

 

This was a great idea, nicely executed!

 

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/tractor-supply-46-in-texture-black-tool-box-chest

46.5 inches wide
19 inches deep
16 inches tall

 

Nice looking box and well done with the install!

 

Nice work I dig it

 

Had to go to HR the last time I uttered that phrase.

 

Lol!!!

 

it would be nice to use this one instead. It gives you the ability to change the lock to the BOLT lock where you can use your car keys to lock it up.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...gle-lid-aluminum-chest-tool-box-black-46-in-l

https://www.boltlock.com/locks/toolbox-latch-retro-fit-kit

 

yeah i needed the extra storage too but under seat storage isnt ideal because most of my off road miles include a couple 8 year old spotters in training in the rear! need the room back there for them (and usually a spot for their friend or cousin) so making three kids get out of the car any time you need something isnt always best (for me)

only thing is reaching those latches... they seemed a little far when reaching up over bedsides. but i like the idea.

 

I did the old 2x6 and a snap lid box for the "quick, I need to load the bed" factor. Yours look almost OEM. Nice.

 

Excellence!!!

 

Now that's a badass idea!

 

This is a great idea. I'll definatly be doing this in the near future.

 

Excellent job Steve! Well thought out and executed. I like that you didn't choose one that sits on top of the bed rails. It messes up the body lines imho. Thanks for sharing!

 

Well done, sir. Well done!

 

Nicely done! I have been thinking about doing the same just not sure if I am wiling to give up the full length of the bed in case I need to pick up plywood or something longer than 6' 8"

 

i thought about that but you can sit the ply wood on top of the box

 

Nicely done. I had a similar box from Deezee, I used bed bolts on mine too but they went through the box. First gen have much skinnier frames. I miss having that and the spaces between the box and bed, just in front of the wheel wells.

I saw the tractor supply box recently and it's way better quality than the Deezee I had. Good purchase.

 

thanks, i was thinking this was a Deezee box rebranded. the part number even starts with DZ. that space next to the box in front of the wheel well is actually very helpful/ convenient... you can throw shopping bags or a backpack there for a quick trip home...

 

I'm not sure, the aluminum felt thicker on the tractor supply one that I saw and the latches were nicer. There could be different grades of Deezee I suppose. I do like the flat black way more, mine was gloss.

 

same, i like the flat black as well...

if i had a white truck i might have done this one...
https://www.autoanything.com/truck-toolboxes/dee-zee-hardware-series-utility-chest
almost did this one anyways and the plan was to bedliner it...

if anyone likes this one i'm sure @eccracer104 can get a good deal on them!

 

Yeah the steel one is proper.

 

Looks pretty good

 

i added a CO2 mount to that area in front of the wheel well. I'm liking how it turned out.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/easy-diy-co2-tank-mount-in-bed.49807/