Suggestions on a bed mounted truck box ?

[J_J]

I have two boxes on my F-150. One is a two lid, and opens to the center, and the other one is a single lid and opens in the front.

It would be advisable to bolt those tool boxes down, as a thief can park beside your truck and two guys can just lift off your box and go. Only takes about 30 seconds.

Another thing you should be aware of is that there is a number on most of the locks that if given to a locksmith, they can make you a key. They can also make one for a thief.

 

[crashz]

I can't remember the name of my current toolbox. It was on the truck when I bought it. Its a nice black aluminum diamond plate box. Single lid. Its a bit heavier than the Delta that I had on my F150.

The consumer model tool boxes look just as nice as the commercial rated boxes, but I've noticed the locks, latches and thickness of the metal are much lighter on the consumer models. My father has a nice polished aluminum toolbox (I can't remeber the name, not Delta but uses red lettering also) that is very rugged. A couple guys can stand on the top without any bending. I imagine you will pay for the heavy duty quality, but you may want or need it too.

 

[GeneD14]

I have been through 4 toolboxes over the years and you do get what you pay for. I learned to bolt them down with J bolts that hook under the bed rail so no holes get drilled in the truck bed rail.

 

[firemanpat2910]

I have had just about every type of box at one point or another on one truck or another. It all depends on your use and personal prefferance. Some random ideas, Do you back up to loading docks? or otherwise want to be able to see the end of your tailgate when its down and you are backing up? The only boxes Ive seen that let you do this sit all the way i n the bed, nothing over the rails. Do you want to place long items under tool bax to get full bed length? do you need or want sliding drawers for tools? Single lids allow easy acess but also expose more to weather when open. plastic boxes leak. and sag. metal boxes rust. aluminum oxidizes. plastick knobs break, metal handles with springs and small parts inside break. get the strongest handles you can. the T handles that twist and fold in to save space havent failed me yet nor have the big metal d rings

 

[Todd_C]

Thanks to everyone who gave advice. My decision was easy. My wife works at the corporate office for one of the major auto parts stores and they held their annual JDRF auction yesterday. My wife got me a CMI box for $100 bucks!. She also bought me a pile of hand tools. What a great woman.

 

[WH401]

I know you only want to spend about 400, but take a look at Weatherguard, I have one in my 06 Dodge 3500 and love it. They'll run you a little more, but there worth it. They are built much better than anything else in my opinion, they're smooth operating and have a heavy construction.

 

[3RRL]

I commented earlier that I have 2 of those Delta side mount boxes in my pick up. I took one out of the truck and mounted it on my trailer. I keep a small winch, chains, binders and tie downs (trailer stuff) in that one. I keep tools and tie downs in the truck. I got them bolted down with rubber grommets between the boxes and bed. I live in a very rural area so I'm not too worried about them being super heavy duty. They're much handier like this now.