opinions on this toolbox. how to secure?

would like to ad this box to my AC. was looking for secure under tonneau storage. im not really sure i can make this work. i dont want to use bungees and ratchet straps. looking for suggestions on mounting to rail or possibly bed bolts.

there are about 4.5" on either side when centered.

 

Drill some holes in bottom of tool box and bed and bolt it down.

 

Drill through box into and through the floor of the bed, secure with a bolt from the bottom up through the bed into the box. One on each side of the box. Carefully choose your drill points to avoid wires, fuel lines, etc.

If you don't want to drill into the bed, I can't see how you would adequately secure it from theft.

 

If you don’t want to drill the bed, you could mount SS eye bolts to the box and use turnbuckles to secure to the front bed tie down points.

 

Aren't there a few bolts in the bed that attach it to the frame? Match up the hole locations and use them.

When did Toyota start leaving out the attachment rail across the front of the bed like my Gen 2 has?

 

The rail doesn’t come on the Gen 3 - but you can add it - there’s just a blank rail up there now that’s used for support

another idea is that you can bolt a rack lower on the front of the bed - I have one that attaches motorcycle tie downs and I’m considering attaching a box to that. It would be the same principle as the attachment rail, only lower

 

Absolutely a great idea there for those not wanting to drill into the bed.

Personally I think it would not be secure enough and would rattle around - it wouldn't take much road bumps to keep loosening over time. Wouldn't look as clean either.

Still, some are very opposed to irreversible modifications - nice solution.

 

I have regular turnbuckles that tighten or loosen by using a threaded nut in the middle for a smaller contico bin I keep my permanent tools, compressor, recover stuff in (60 lbs or so I’m guessing). Anyway I added marine cleats to the sides with fender washers and nuts in the inside to spread the force over a larger area of plastic and it doesn’t budge. At all. They work well a d I can loosen and remove easily to inflate my air mattress back there (have ARE cap). I even added quick fists and a buggy net to the top of my box to secure a few other things flashlight, fire extinguisher, rope etc).

 

Don’t know how much space you need but I installed a pair of Swing Cases. They tuck in between the wheel well and tailgate. Saves useable space in the bed.

 

If it was me, I would install a rail bar above it and attach the box with some brackets...if it was me. You can get these brackets from a local hardware store in various lengths. Use a security or Allen bolt to attach them to the rail bar. Or, I would use some 5/16" stainless bolts from the bottom of the bed. Just drill from under the bed so you miss the wires and etc. If you secure to the bed directly just use some fender washers on the bottom of the bed because weight shift of heavy tools and you have a composite bed.

 

Mounted a similar box in my 6' bed (DCLB) secure and comes out in about 5 min. If I need the full bed. Can also slide low, long items under it,

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-storage-solution-dclb-or-accesscab.641401/

 

Sweet! 2x4 etc can slide under it.

 

thank you, returned that craftsman box yesterday. ordered this box this am. i believe the northern tool toolbox is a better fit.

 

I agree. Have you decided how you're going to secure it yet?

 

Remove two bed bolts drill holes in the box replace bed bolts. Yeah you may even have to make a shim to fit the ridges but there is no way any one is going to go off with it, no one will have a torx bit that big with them. Or I suppose you could just lock your bed cover.

 

I went a different route with my storage box. Custom deck, box bolted to the deck, deck bolted to the body in preexisting bolt holes from the removed seats. The entire stock rear seat assembly is pretty damn heavy - even with a box full of stuff the whole setup is about 15lbs lighter than the empty seats.
I carry two 3 gallon rotopax mounted to the back wall in the bed. I'd rather the fuel be outside the truck and the safety equipment/tools/etc. in the cab. A lot less humid and just an extra level of security. Obviously not an option for everyone - I don't care for having more than one passenger and I don't have any kids. And the dog fits just fine on the floor back there with a little blanket


If that Northern Tools box doesn't have it already, and if you haven't thought of it already (I don't mean to insult your intelligence!), I recommend fitting a weather seal around the box rim and keeping the patch-sized silicone packs in big ziplock bags or similar airtight enclosure with your tools and/or electronics if you live in sticky humid lands like I do.