I know there are some of you that hate it when you go to get a tool, only to find out that it is in the middle of your box, or that it is stuffed down in the bottom and so you have to climb up into your bed just to get into the box. I am looking to eliminate this. I don't want to have to go to a flatbed because I like the way my truck looks the way it is. So, my question is this, who makes a good quality toolbox that either attach to the side rails, or makes a box that fits behind the wheel wells in the bed so that you can access them from the open tailgate. Also, anyone with some good pictures would be appreciated.

Like this....

http://content.performanceproducts.com/main/106827/106827_200_1.jpg

If so, check here:
http://www.performanceproducts4trucks.com/ProductPage.aspx?pid=106827&name=Wheel+Well+Tool+Box&type=20



LATER!

Or like this:

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/_cache/9587ff451ef40d610cc42f41d44de089.jpg

If so, check here:
http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts.cfm/partfamilyid/739/key_word/tool%20box


LATER!

something like those would be great, but do you or anyone you know have any experience with these. Oh, and I think I have seen some weatherguards that go along the siderails that don't look too bad.

No, havent use them or know of anyone that has. Most people I know got the old-school box at the front of the bed. Hope those 2 products might help you.


LATER!

http://www.caraudio.com/vb/images/smilies/search.gif There are lots of post on toolboxes but I can seem to find the good one on side boxes.

Got a 5 drawer Geneva tool box behind the wheel well. Great for keeping wrenches, screwdrivers, and sockets seperated. And extremly easy to get to. I keep my bigger stuff in my Tank/box combo, the box isn't too deep so not a huge amount of storage, but I have a 3 drawer craftsman up there to keep things seperated too. The behind the wheel well boxes can be had at Tractor Supply all day long, at least down here anyway.

I second the geneva boxes, I have one in my 1995, and they are great for keeping small tools organized...

Here is a link to some:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NTESearch?storeId=6970&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=drawer%20box&Nty=1&D=drawer%20box&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial

One thing I forgot, on the geneva box I always had a problem with tools having a black haze on them from rubbing on the metal of the box. I went to autozone and picked up some spray cans of duplicolor truck bed lining, and sprayed the insides of the individual boxes. It works great and keeps the tools clean.

Oh I forgot to add that I had on of these (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=02876102000&bidsite=CRAFT)too. I bought it from the guy that created it before craftsman bought it from him. I thought it was going to be a great deal, but unless they improved the design, I wouldn't recommend. I think I paid about $750 for it and it didn't slide very well, the rails drooped to the inside of the bed causing it to bind up. Plus the slide out drawers didn't slide out well either. Plus if I was hooked up to my gooseneck there was no way to even open the door to get to the drawers. When I called the guy and told him of the problems, he said that the people that made the actual box for him had some quality control issues. He did take it back after I was unhappy, I was glad to get rid of it and not be stuck with it. IIRC it used to be called the "slide system" but when I sent it back he was in the process of selling it to craftsman.

quick question, where do the mounts for these boxes go to?

The geneva's?

One thing I forgot, on the geneva box I always had a problem with tools having a black haze on them from rubbing on the metal of the box. I went to autozone and picked up some spray cans of duplicolor truck bed lining, and sprayed the insides of the individual boxes. It works great and keeps the tools clean.


Yeah, I cut out some black craftsman toolbox liner stuff and put it in the bottom so stuff wouldn't slide around.

The geneva's?
yeah

Here is links for those G's:

Quote from the site: " FREE SHIPPING! NO SALES TAX! The price you see is always the price you pay! "

Steel Diamond Plate
http://www.truckstuffusa.com/truckstuffusa/gnv62457.html

Steel Black Powdercoat
http://www.truckstuffusa.com/truckstuffusa/gnv62157.html



LATER!

yeah

I would take pics, but dialup in the motel keeps me from it.-:t There is a mounting base that is hidden when the box is attached. There are two exposed bolts in the back that mount the box to the base. Then for security there are two sheet metal screws that are protected behind the door when locked so that someone cant take the two back bolts out. When I installed mine I wanted it as close to the bedrail as possible so we cut some 2" strap metal to float out the channels in the bed to get it in the desired location. IIRC the one of the sets of bolts would have ended up in the valley and the other on a peak, which would have made it unlevel. This also brought it just about flush with the bed rails.

You can see what I am talking about with the bed channels in my pics from earlier, you can also kinda see the straps.

Does anybody know if Geneva still offers the boxes with the side opening door rather than the one that folds down onto the tailgate. I am not a big fan of the one that folds down, because you have to take out the key to pull out the bottom drawer.

Does anybody know if Geneva still offers the boxes with the side opening door rather than the one that folds down onto the tailgate. I am not a big fan of the one that folds down, because you have to take out the key to pull out the bottom drawer.

Ya, see my post near the top of this one. I put 2 links there. Both styles open to the side. Is that what you are looking for?


LATER!

Ya, see my post near the top of this one. I put 2 links there. Both styles open to the side. Is that what you are looking for?


LATER!


Oh ok, I looked all over for a link to the prices, etc. I found it (and where you can choose between a left and right side box) on the second go around. Thanks!

Oh ok, I looked all over for a link to the prices, etc. I found it (and where you can choose between a left and right side box) on the second go around. Thanks!

Look at the bottom of the page of the toolbox you pick (black or diamond plate). Click on the down arrow and you pick your style (left or right and 4 or 5 drawer.

Prices are indicated for each part.
http://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gif
http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/truckstuffusa/OptionArrowPrompt.gif:: Click Here To Choose Your Type ¯


LATER!

I've got a Slide Systems box - been great for me. It not only allows me to move the box back to the tailgate, but the rails support and mount my bed cap. www.slidesystems.com

Idle_chatter


I am glad it works for you. I wish it worked better for me because it was a great idea. I also think your bed cap is the difference between your luck and not mine. I think it is probably keeping the slide rails at the right angle for smooth sliding. I also didn't want to drill additional holes into the bed rail to make it right. Hopefully they have improved on their design. I got mine in '02 so it has been awhile. How long have you had yours?

Rolloff, I installed mine in mid-January 2004, so that's about 16 months and 27,000 miles. I carry a good bit of weight in the lower box all the time (tools, oils, filters, trailer hitches). I haven't had any issues with smooth operation, but I did put the cover back on using their lock plates when I put in the box. I also opted for the HD front rail and drilled and tapped it for 4 locking bolts instead of the 2 provided, so I don't know if that makes any difference.

HD front rail? Maybe they have made some improvements. The only thing I had were the two slide rails. I never even had any of my tools in the box so that would have been more weight. I don't recall how the rails mounted, but there where no holes to drill. They have obviously improved on their design in the last 2 years.

Idle Chatter,

How much did you pay for that setup if you don't mind me asking, I'd like to get one for my Dad. He's always cursing at his tool boxes.

The HD front rail is an extra-cost option that locks up the front end of the side rails and made a better sealing surface for the front of my bed cap. It has two "L" brackets that fit in the groove to lock the three rails together, had bolts in the side rail portion of the L to clamp it. I drilled and tapped the L piece to put bolts and washers on the cross rail too for more solid mounting. There was no drilling into the bed or rails. The rails mount very solidly into clamps in the bed pockets with proprietary clamps and large security allen head bolts. I also replaced the supplied lock pins with ball-lok pins from McMaster Carr. In addition to the cap, my shortbox vs your 3500 might have made a difference.

Converted, they are not cheap. With black powder coat all around, and the deluxe 5-drawer lower, my outfit cost $1225.

$1225 should be about 1 million canadian dollars, guess I'll put that one off. Thanks anyways.:)

Sears craftsman makes a nice behind the wheel 3 or 5 drawer black or diamond plate.

I can't really tell from the picture, does one like this

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200043624&R=200043624

have a regular handle for opening it or do you have to lock it every time and use the key to open it? If I had one as often as it would get opened and closed having to use the key would be pretty irritating.

I can't really tell from the picture, does one like this

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200043624&R=200043624

have a regular handle for opening it or do you have to lock it every time and use the key to open it? If I had one as often as it would get opened and closed having to use the key would be pretty irritating.

Just do like I do and leave a key in it and take the key out when necessary.

So no handle then? How close is it to the tailgate when closed? You have a short box or long box? I would think the key would rattle out the places I drive.

So no handle then? How close is it to the tailgate when closed? You have a short box or long box? I would think the key would rattle out the places I drive.

No, no handle. At least not on the Genevas and every Craftsman that I have seen.

I have a short box. At one time they made a shortbed and long bed version, but I think maybe they got rid of the longbed version.

I know what you are saying, but trust me, you won't lose a key. This box has been in my farm/work/hunting truck for about 5 years and I've never lost a key. I've never even seen it back out any. It fits pretty snuggly and is pretty long (think house key, not masterlock key). And even if it did, the box mounts so close to the tailgate that it couldn't back all the way out (you actually have to be careful not to mount it so close you can't leave the key in...).

nar, it looks like you farm out of your truck, and if you do, you'll love this box. All of your smaller tools (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, etc, etc) are right there organized on your workbench (aka tailgate). It sure beats the heck out of dragging out a small toolbox out of your crossover or running back to the front toolbox to get tools all the time. All of the farmers around here run one.

I finally found their actual website:

http://www.genevaproducts.com


And it looks like they actually do still make a long bed and shortbed version, so be sure and check that out if you find one in stock somewhere. I haven't seen any longbed ones around, though, for a long time.

:exactly:

This is my second box on my second truck. Never lost a key, and never used the second key. Don't put it on a keyring. Just take it out at night when needed. I've got a long bed and it fits fine. Just make sure when you mount it to leave room for the key. The key is diamond shaped so it makes a pretty good handle.


No, no handle. At least not on the Genevas and every Craftsman that I have seen.

I have a short box. At one time they made a shortbed and long bed version, but I think maybe they got rid of the longbed version.

I know what you are saying, but trust me, you won't lose a key. This box has been in my farm/work/hunting truck for about 5 years and I've never lost a key. I've never even seen it back out any. It fits pretty snuggly and is pretty long (think house key, not masterlock key). And even if it did, the box mounts so close to the tailgate that it couldn't back all the way out (you actually have to be careful not to mount it so close you can't leave the key in...).

nar, it looks like you farm out of your truck, and if you do, you'll love this box. All of your smaller tools (wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, etc, etc) are right there organized on your workbench (aka tailgate). It sure beats the heck out of dragging out a small toolbox out of your crossover or running back to the front toolbox to get tools all the time. All of the farmers around here run one.

I like those side boxes too, but they take too much bed space. Looks like 8" wide which I think dosen't leave you 4' for plywood

That's what keeps me from having one on each side. Plywood kinda hangs and doesn't lay on the bed. But that's why I got a trailer.:D Gotta be set up for work first.

That's what keeps me from having one on each side. Plywood kinda hangs and doesn't lay on the bed. But that's why I got a trailer.:D Gotta be set up for work first.



Yeah, and if you really need the bedspace that bad you can unbolt the box from the mount and pull it out.