i have a two door with a sub. i'm thinking about mounting a tool chest in the trunk. something like this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00962395000P?vName=Tools&cName=Garag e+%26+Tool+Storage&sName=Chests+%26+Cabinets

has anybody did something like this?pictures?ideas?

thanks, doug

 

I did this with a similar sized lockbox, ill send link to my small write-up later. It will save you time positioning the box given you'll be bolting it to the trunk floor and have the axle directly underneath.

 

Doug, I wrote this a while-back. Some of the photos were deleted and now appear as X, but below should still clear enough.

Soft-top JK's don't have many secure places to tuck away and leave tools & winch gear, so I bolted this locking steel box to the trunk floor of my 4-door JK. The benefit for me is that this box is big enough to securely hold plenty of tools and trail gear, small enough so I can continue using the stock rear cubby and still open and close it with the Bestop Duster cover over it, and allow use of the remaining trunk space for larger objects.




The black powder-coated 37lb steel box cost $120 + $25 shipping. It included vehicle mounting brackets but I didnt use them as it cannot be permanently secured with those. Bought from http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ssearch=174004

In the trunk I positioned it behind the stock cubby lid and 6" inches forward of the rear seats. That does make that 6" of space useless, but I did so when the hinged top is opened, it leans back far enough to stay open (resting on the rear seat backs) and not slam down on my hand. I would have positioned it further to the left or right side but the suspension springs are underneath so there's not enough room underneath to get the bolts up into the box corner, so the box is positioned just left of center.



I drilled four 1/4 inch size holes in the box corners and through the JK's floor, then pushed 3" or 4" long domed-top Carriage Bolts with washers up from the JK's underside through the trunk floor and into the toolbox, and secured with washers and nuts on the inside on the box, so anyone serious enough to try unbolting and taking the padlocked box cannot !!

I thought of using wing nuts but chose regular nuts as don't expect I'll have a need to remove the box. To prevent rattling I used a plastic-coated padlock and the box comes with a rubber pad for the inside floor.



Works well & happy

 

I used a 32" wide ATV box. Since I don't have a rear seat and wanted to be able to remove the box when I needed more room for gear, we cut holes in the bottom of the box and bolt it to the rear seat mounts. It's easy to reach from the front seat, and I can put in/take out as needed.

 

I mounted a full sized 42" truck box in the back of the JK. Rear seat removed. Used u-bolts through the bottom of the box that go around the rear seat "brackets" that are on the floor. No drilling into the JK for anything. Put ALL my tools in there.

 

I have been thinking about mounting a reasonably sized, and equipped, tool box inside my Tuffy cargo drawer. It would be out of sight and protected from thieves, and out of the way and at no risk of flying around if I had to really slam on the brakes or change direction.

I am thinking about mounting it with clips that are similar to how the cover for the **** mounts. It's a kind of spring loaded clasp that tightens as you flip it down. But it allows you to remove the box readily, whether you need it on the trail or you just don't need/want to carry it in the jeep.

I'll post some stuff once I get around to doing this. But for now, I'm still busy fixing things after Moab.

 

i like what you did westchester. i've been searching for something like yours but with front drawers. any ideas?

thanks

 

Agreed, front drawers would be easier to access, but the box size would need to be bigger than mine to get enough 'stuff' in it, to make in worthwhile. Tow chains & recovery gear take up a lot of room. In my post above I wrote that the lockbox is mounted 6-inches in front of the rear seats (and wasting that space), but now I've had the box for a year, there are plenty of other items that can be stuffed and fitted in that space, so not wasted.

I like that my box is small enough to have the remaining rear trunk space and flip-up cubby STILL useable, and that the box has side handles attached that I use to anchor or chain other items to.

Although its just a box, you'll be glad you carefully considered size, practicality and intended use before installing one.

 

i have a two door, so i'm going to lose easy access to the flip-up cubby. i need a strong front drawer box. i'm only going to use it for tools, but i'm going to put stuff on top of it too. again, no space in my trunk!

 

If you relocate your muffler you can take out the stock cubby hole and drop your deeper too chest/box into that space...I was thinking of doing this...know what I mean?