Tool Box Installation with Tacoma Bed Rails

I've been looking for the best way to mount a cross-bed tool box for a while. I'm not a fan of J-hooks, and wanted something a little more professional grade, especially considering the fact that we have these nice bed rails which are intended for such things. However, after a lot of searching, and even some good threads on TW Forum, I still wasn't happy with what I saw. Kind of surprising that there isn't an easily accessible product for this purpose...

I finally came across a great solution, which some folks may want to use, so I thought I'd post it here:

(Sidebar: The box I chose isn't necessarily a commercial grade unit - it's a pretty low-end Kobalt box, but I got it for 2 reasons: 1. It is a nice low profile unit, and was available in maintenance-free black powdercoat. 2. It is a narrow unit, only 12" vs. 19-20" for most boxes. With a shortbed, you need to do what you can to preserve bed space LOWE'S PART#: 73214028 $159)

These are Leer camper shell mounts, that slide right into the bed rail system. I picked them up from the local Leer store for $15/set. I decided to use 2 sets, which give me 2 bolts on each side. It could reasonably be done with just one set, but for $15, I wanted the extra security. They come as bare aluminum, and they were a slightly loose fit, so I coated with black "Plasti-Dip" to both protect the bed rails against scratches from metal-metal contact, as well as tighten up the fit inside the rail:



Here is a shot of the mounts, in the rails:



Due to the somewhat low grade box I purchased, I decided to add a piece of bar stock to provide some added rigidity to the mounting area. On the bright side, Kobalt (Better Bilt) pre-drilled two slots on each side for speedy installation:



Bolts in, just need to tighten them down. (Note: I used the supplied foam on the bottom of the box so it would not scratch the bedrails. This makes tightening the bolts kind-of sketchy. I just went snug-ish):



Done:



If anyone can't find these mounts, let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.

 

Nice post!

Consider putting some bar stock under the box as well. I have the same one and if you beat the truck with a bunch of weight in the box they can start to form cracks.

 

Nice first post

 

Good idea, it definitely needs a little extra help there. I'll do that tonight.

Thanks for the tip!

 

The company Better Built who actually makes that Kobalt toolbox makes a Tacoma specific bracket for mounting toolboxes to the rail system. They run about $10.

https://www.dawsbetterbuilt.com/index.php?option=com_ixxocart&Itemid=150&p=product&id=422&parent=1

 

yea................ my browser says to stay the F away from that link

 

Yeah, I saw those - I didn't like them because they only 'hang' on the rail pretty much like any J-hook would. If the bolt comes even a little loose, it will fall out.

The brackets from Leer are secured inside the rail, and can't fall out - so even if the bolts come loose, you probably won't lose your box. Worst case, it would slide.

But - it's a nice, and slightly cheaper alternative. Thanks for the comment.

 

What is the model# of your toolbox? I cannot find the black in the low profile and narrow anywhere. I am open to any brand also.

 

I have a Weatherguard 137501 on a Regular cab and I used the Dee Zee 6000 series aluminum mounting kit (4) and it worked out great, compared to the kit that came with the toolbox.

These are the clamps that look like were used in the original post. I tried not to over tighten the bolts, but I still put a little bow in the washer/box.

http://www.titelok.com/product_info.php?cPath=18_22_32&products_id=247

 

I just painted mine. $99 for the box + $15 in paint = cheaper than anything out there.

 

I just did the same thing to mine yesterday. Works like a champ.

 

What's the model# on the black low profile kobalt? I can't find the narrow one anywhere... How does paint hold up on diamond plate? What did everyone used to paint their chrome toolbox black?

 

Lowe's & Better Built Part #: 73214028. This is the ONLY box on the market that is both narrow, and low profile. It's not really the most heavy duty box out there, but I'm not a contractor - just need it for some tools and supplies.

Lowe's won't have this particular model in their store catalog, just go to the pro contractor's desk and ask them to order this model # for you. I paid $159 + tax. (it came up $199 in their system, but online at Lowe's.com it came up $159, I told him that and he adjusted the price).

It arrived to my local Lowe's in about 4 days.

I saw some posts of guys who painted their boxes, that would work too, but even with several coats of spray paint, it won't hold up nearly as good as powdercoat. This stuff is indestructible. The base aluminum box is $139, so in my opinion, the extra $20 for PC was well worth it.

Good luck, post some pics once you have it installed...

T

 

The black one is discontinued they still have the chrome one

 

Hey all,

I've been messaging with Phil5393 for a couple days, trying to help him find the slim/low profile box in black. We've been hitting stumbling blocks, and it was bothering me, so I figured it out this morning.

Two ways to get it:

1. Go to Lowe's and find someone with experience ordering the tool boxes through Better Built (the mfgr). The part number for the black powder coated box does NOT show up in Lowe's system. They have to call Better Built and order it for you. Part #73214028

2. Go to Northern Tool, CAL Ranch or Tractor Supply Co and order the Better Built box. Part #73210285

These are the exact same box, just that one says Better Built and one says Lowe's. My thinking is that Lowe's is going to be the cheapest.

Good luck. Post photos if anyone else gets one.

 

Anyone know the part number for the Leer rail mounts?

 

In the second photo of this thread you can see the "real", solid hold down point at the front of the pickup bed. Get some longer 5/16 or 3/8 J-bolts and use them for the two anchor points. Use steel plate (or angle) to reinforce the aluminum and spread the load out a bit inside the tool box. Just to allow a firmer forward mount, I removed the factory front clamp rail and replaced it with a cut-to-length piece of 1-1/8 steel square tubing screwed onto the original mounting points. It has to be there to hold the box away from the back window when the lid is up - mine also has self tapping screws into that tube from inside the box. I then put the forward factory tie down rail on the back of the tool box to use the OEM clips.

If you have ever seen the result of a high dynamic load on one of the camper shells - or the same on a loaded tool box, you will be a believer in making these things very secure. The shells fly off.........


If you put a small piece of strap on the inside, tarp rings are a good idea - can't see them here but across the front is a good idea too.

This is an idea of how the factory rail can be refitted to the box. After this photo was taken, I put a hasp and padlock on the center of the lid - as the LUND hardware was worthless for security.

 

Here's a link to a place you can order them. It's about half way down the "clamp" section - $7.95 each. I'd use 4. It's been a long time since i did the project, but they have been utterly perfect. The best thing about these particular mounting brackets, is that they slide inside your rails and cannot fall out, where all others just hang on the rail. Anodizing would be cool. Send a photo once you get it done.

I'd recommend a little blue loctite on the bolt, you can't really tighten the bolt down without bending your box, so that will make sure they bolts don't back out.

Tim