Let’s see them toolboxes

[Squatch]

Just trying to figure out the best toolboxes out there, please share your setups

 

[Highcountry]

I've got this one all cleaned up and ready to mount. I'm hoping to have time to get it put on this weekend. I'm a big fan of Protech, this one is 20 years old, but cleaned up pretty well. If I were buying a new on I'd go with a single lid. My dad has a nice one in his truck that mounts down in the bed., which is a nice option.

 

[MSundet]

I've got this one all cleaned up and ready to mount. I'm hoping to have time to get it put on this weekend. I'm a big fan of Protech, this one is 20 years old. If I were buying a new on I'd go with a single lid. My dad has a nice one in his truck that mounts down in the bed.

Post pictures when it’s installed!!! Awesome box !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lary0071]

Tractor supply 70" $399. And note that I am 210 Lbs and can stand on it to wash the roof. The first one I bought was a DeeZee and was junk that bent when I stepped on it to see if I could use it to reach and wash the roof better, I took it off immediately and bolted it to the front of my trailer to hold straps and chains.

The benefit to this design with the top rail is that you strap down coolers or other items while traveling.

The negative is that you have to mount it forward of the front bed wall about an inch or the top rail will rub the truck cab window when opened and damage the truck and/or the toolbox. I am not a bed cover/tonneau cover kind of person who is looking for a dry bed area, so having the front gap does not bother me.

The latch and handle design is the best I have ever seen, it is like opening a car door. I can walk to the side of the truck, reach over and pull the handle and it opens. I can then later walk to the side of the truck and reach up and slam the lid down and it latches without me not being forced to go into the bed.

70 in. Crossover Single-Lid Low-Profile Truck Tool Box with Lid Rail

 

[McHenry2500]

I've got this one all cleaned up and ready to mount. I'm hoping to have time to get it put on this weekend. I'm a big fan of Protech, this one is 20 years old, but cleaned up pretty well. If I were buying a new on I'd go with a single lid. My dad has a nice one in his truck that mounts down in the bed., which is a nice option.

What did you use to shine it up? I have an old Rawson Koenig box that's probably close to 20 years. I'm trying to find something I can use to shine it up. I've tried the aluminum polish from the auto parts store and it didn't really help.

 

[Highcountry]

Does your box have any type of clear coat on it? Mine did not, so it was just a matter of polishing the oxidation. I started with a very thorough cleaning inside and out with hot water, simple green and a scrub brush. I also used a scothchbrite pad in some areas that were quite dirty, but I don't recommend that because it lead to scratches I had to put extra work into later.
I started on the lid and used some cheap cotton buffing wheels from amazon in a cordless drill with Mothers polish and chemical guys aluminum polish. I also tried a foam power ball, but could see the diamond plate would eat that up quickly. I just kept working it until it seemed good, then did a pass by hand.
Next I started on the smooth/ flat parts. The lower portion was more scratched up, so it took more work. I sanded it starting with 600 grit wet dry sandpaper after a light mist of WD40. I then moved up to 800, 1000, 1500, wiping clean between stages. Followed by a round of polish with the buffing wheels, (these left swirls that had to be worked later) next I used thenpower ball and finally by hand. I wasn't thrilled with the results so I ordered sandpaper from Amazon in the 1200-2500 range and repeated the process.
The upper portion and ends were in better shape so I just did those by hand to avoid creating scratches or swirls that would create more work.
After a final by hand polish with the Chemical guys polish I waxed it with a liquid wax.
I think it would have been easier with and orbital polisher and a microfiber cutting pad, which I plan to try next time. There are decent Youtube videos on polishing aluminum diamond plate and sanding aluminum to polish
When I started this project my plan was if it didn't work out I'd have it painted black, which I think would look good also. All in all though I'm pretty happy with the result.

 

[McHenry2500]

Does your box have any type of clear coat on it? Mine did not, so it was just a matter of polishing the oxidation. I started with a very thorough cleaning inside and out with hot water, simple green and a scrub brush. I also used a scothchbrite pad in some areas that were quite dirty, but I don't recommend that because it lead to scratches I had to put extra work into later.
I started on the lid and used some cheap cotton buffing wheels from amazon in a cordless drill with Mothers polish and chemical guys aluminum polish. I also tried a foam power ball, but could see the diamond plate would eat that up quickly. I just kept working it until it seemed good, then did a pass by hand.
Next I started on the smooth/ flat parts. The lower portion was more scratched up, so it took more work. I sanded it starting with 600 grit wet dry sandpaper after a light mist of WD40. I then moved up to 800, 1000, 1500, wiping clean between stages. Followed by a round of polish with the buffing wheels, (these left swirls that had to be worked later) next I used thenpower ball and finally by hand. I wasn't thrilled with the results so I ordered sandpaper from Amazon in the 1200-2500 range and repeated the process.
The upper portion and ends were in better shape so I just did those by hand to avoid creating scratches or swirls that would create more work.
After a final by hand polish with the Chemical guys polish I waxed it with a liquid wax.
I think it would have been easier with and orbital polisher and a microfiber cutting pad, which I plan to try next time. There are decent Youtube videos on polishing aluminum diamond plate and sanding aluminum to polish
When I started this project my plan was if it didn't work out I'd have it painted black, which I think would look good also. All in all though I'm pretty happy with the result.

Mine is diamond plate all over. I will probably try the buffing wheels and aluminum polish you recommended.

Just gotta empty everything out of the box and take it off my truck to do it......

 

[Highcountry]

You'll notice in one of the pictures I posted of the box there's a shiny spot in a before picture. That was done by hand with a shop rag and the chemical guys polish just to see how it was going to work. I mention this in case you'd like to know before taking the box off. With aluminum if it's getting black and messy, it's working

 

[el_barto]

Diamondback 13” Toolbox under my Diamondback HD cover. Toolbox itself isn’t locking, since it seals under the cover which is secure. Nice thing about the Diamondback is the lid opens away from the window, so the cab light works really well to illuminate the contents, vs being blocked by the lid.
I am considering replacing the Diamondback cover with a topper, but I think I will keep the toolbox since it can sit under the topper, unlike most cross-bed toolboxes.

 

[Squatch]

Considering on of these. New decked tool box.

 

[Chrisminx]

 

[Brewbud]

Considering on of these. New decked tool box.

Those have my interest as well.

 

[Squatch]

Those have my interest as well.

I’m going back and forth with them right now trying to figure out if the widest point on the bottom tub is going to fit between the supports blades on my headache rack. Their total measure currently includes the handles which doesn’t help me much at all.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I have the standard old delta box works for what i need it for...

 

[Squatch]

I have the standard old delta box works for what i need it for...

Did someone try to pry their way into yours? the middle of that lid looks a little kinked.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Did someone try to pry their way into yours? the middle of that lid looks a little kinked.

My bike caused that i fixed it, its perfectly straight now, i use ramps in the box to lift the front of the bike now to prevent it form happening again

You can see the nice curve in the tool box from the front of the bike lol

 

[Squatch]

Well, I put my order in for the 27.5inch wide weatherguard, 116-5-02. kinda worried I’m taking up too much bed-space, guess now I’ll know what it feels like to have a 6 foot bed

 

[Highcountry]

As requested here are some pics installed.

 

[Highcountry]

Well, I put my order in for the 27.5inch wide weatherguard, 116-5-02. kinda worried I’m taking up too much bed-space, guess now I’ll know what it feels like to have a 6 foot bed

I've always had a longbed and always used a toolbox. Things will still slide under them, so I rarely feel the need to pull it off the truck

 

[Squatch]

Got her installed