Several years ago I designed and built a truck toolbox for my Toyota pickup, that was featured in FHB (its been so long I can’t even find it in the archives!). Anyhoo, it did me good for almost 20 years. But I sold that truck (the toolbox is still in use, albeit temporarily, in my 5×8 trailer).
So its time for some new boxes. The truck this time is a ’94 Ford F-150. Its hard finding time between jobs to get this done, and when I take some time away from the job, the honeydo’s bite into my production time. But I’ve gotten a start, so I’ll post pics as it progresses.
Edited 10/29/2005 8:01 pm by Huck
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You have a good eye for step-by-step photos. No wonder your previous tool box was included in FHB. Nice work.
...that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Thanks Jeff. The article actually had no step-by-step, just a finished photo and an isometric diagram. The step by step photos are easy in this case, because the whole thing is proceeding piecemeal (frustratingly slow, in other words!!).
Looks good Huck,
I built a tool box in the back of my 2000 Chevy silverado, no as detail oriented as your but it does serve it's purpose well. I have two drawers,two compartments (one for the miter saw stand , the other for the folding saw horses and a sliding 3/4" plywood platform that is used for sliding out my compressor,miter saw and table saw. I'll try to take a couple of pics as soon as it stops raing around here.
Keep up the good work it looks great so far.
Oh one question, your truck is not covered so how do you keep all the contents and the box dry? My truck has a cap with side doors so all my stuff stays dry.
Ray.
Hijack: Are Raymond128 formerly known as RayBrowne? If not, nice to meet you. If so, how've you been? :)
I'd love to see pics of your setup. I always learn from other people's tool systems. I got the main idea for my first one from a couple guys I worked with. One had a pickup truck, the other worked out of a Chevy Suburban, but they both had drawers. I said I gotta get me some of them!My last one went inside my camper shell, but I'm not planning on putting a shell on this truck. I have given a lot of thought to the water protection issue, and haven't fully resolved it. But at present I'm considering topping it with diamond plate sheet aluminum. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. The main thing is that water stays out of the drawers, which I think I can accomplish. I mean cross-bed boxes sit out in the rain, and the tools stay dry. I should be able to accomplish the same thing, with a little attention to detail. I'll do some "rain tests" when I get it finished, and see how it goes.
Hey that thing's looking great Huck. Once again, someone with the patience, skills, and time has shown that one can make something a heck of a lot cheaper and a heck of a lot more versatile than what's out there for purchase. I think it's a nice touch too.... for your clientele to see I mean. It shouts "I'm a craftsman".
Like Raymond, I'm wondering how you keep it all dry? I assume you put a cap on that truck?
The talent at this site is phenomenal.
Well I won't argue with that except to say in my case, present company excluded! Thanks for the positive comment, 'tho. I agree with Mark Twain when he said "I can live for weeks on one good compliment!"
Thanks - I'm hoping to make a bit of a "craftsmanship" statement, but at the same time look totally nondescript when the tailgate's closed. You'll notice from the pics that I'm offsetting the ends of the drawer boxes in a little, so any moisture that gets under the plywood top at either end shouldn't make it into the boxes. Everything is designed to let the water run off around the drawers, but I hope to make it so no water gets in the drawers themselves. Any crevices that look like a water collector get a hole cut, or weep holes drilled.With my last one, my shell leaked over time, and it ruined some parts that had to be rebuilt. This one is planned for moisture. Everything sits up off the truck bed, and everything is sealed with oil-based paint or varnish. On my old one, when the shell started leaking, I added another end to the drawers a few inches in from the drawer face you see in the pics, then I cut out the bottom between them. When the shell leaked, the water never made it far enough back to get in, and the drawers stayed dry.
Edited 10/30/2005 7:55 am by Huck
Sweet.
The heck, you say?
Sweet.Thanks. Bittersweet at this point - until I get it finished, its a white elephant, taking up space in my already crowded garage. Once its up and running, I'll be back into my rhythm of working.View Image
Edited 10/29/2005 8:05 pm by Huck
Never enough time, is there?
I have run a cross box and two side boxes forever. I have often thought about fabricating a removable cover that set just inside the tool boxes that would keep items in the bed mostly dry and secure.
I made a real crude one once with a sheet of ply and some 1x, kept the snow off, and I could still slip some plywood or drywall in if I needed to.
Just don't think I will ever get around to trying a van.
The heck, you say?
If you ever get a chance to work out of pull-out drawers, you'll find it can be habit forming! At this point I am so addicted to working out of my truck toolbox drawers, I'm dealing with a lot of frustration. The setup in the trailer doesn't allow full access (the sides have hinged lids on top, that I can never get to...I'm not making that mistake on the new ones!). I had no idea when I sold my old truck that I'd have such withdrawal symptoms over losing the setup I was used to for so many years. Next time I'll keep the old vehicle going until the new one is fully set up the way I want it. Live and learn!
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Man, I can't believe how long its been since I started this thread - and since I started this project! Lots of stuff has happened since then, and I'm finally getting back to this.
Here I'm adding a reinforcing 1x3 under the lip, glued and srewed, for my tie-down hooks to lag-screw into. You can also see the 3/4 x 3/4 runners for the drawers to sit on, which are also glued and screwed.
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Here is a close-up of the center carcase, where you can see the pocket screws used to assemble it.
View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Here is another view of the same. You can see here where I had to add about an inch and a half, because I had a brain lapse and made the carcase too short.
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Here is anther shot of the center carcase, that the big boxes will slide in and out of. All the weight is in the 3/4" top, and the whole assembly is surprisingly heavy, considering how hard I tried to keep the weight down. The side boxes go in first, around the wheel wells, and then the center carcase interlocks with them, as it slides in. So even if a fully extended box created enough leverage to lift the frame, it couldn't without lifting the two side boxes also.
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edited to add: you can also see where I dowel-plugged the pocket screw holes on the bottom, since I have to figure water will get down there, being as this is an exterior toolbox, without the protection of a camper shell that my original model had.
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Edited 5/27/2007 11:59 pm by Huck
Here you can see I've added a 1x2 strip along the outside edge of the side box. This is for my tie-down hooks to screw into, and also serves as the edge for the aluminum diamond plate, that will eventually cover the top, to terminate into.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
This is a look inside the side box, the runners are glued, and screwed from the outside. The top runners go all the way back, as the top drawer fits (barely) on top of the wheel well, and runs the full length of the bed (6' 8"). The lower drawers will only be as deep as the wheel well will allow, about 30".
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Another view of same, you can see the how the top runners go all the way back. The small hole in the foreground, by my hand, is for water runoff, if any moisture should get in there.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Man it feels good to finally get some progress going on this project! Sometimes it feels like my life has become a series of incompleted projects! Hopefully I can get some momentum on this, and get it finished. Its really more than 80% there, just need to get going on the final details.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Here you can see the two 1x2's along the side of the box on the left - these are for the center carcase to slide over as it goes in place, interlocking the center with the sides.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Meanwhile, I'm still using my original drawers built for my Toyota pickup - now mounted in my trailer. You can see how I had to jury-rig the small drawers on the side to open around the trailer back. Once I get my new boxes completed, I may dump the trailer. Or only use it when I need to bring my bigger tools, i.e. table saw, sliding compound miter saw, etc.
I'm cool with the trailer, mind you, but it freaks other people out, and they feel they have to hurry and cut in front of me, then hit their brakes hard to turn in front of me. Road rage becomes a daily occurence!
The orange cones have proven to be a great investment, since I started using a trailer. Sometimes have to park weird, but set out the "official" orange cones, and everyone's cool with it.
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"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Edited 5/28/2007 12:26 am by Huck
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
I know it doesn't bother you, but I think I would take a can of white spray paint to that tailgate! <g>
Duly noted - and added to my "to do" list! =)"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Another coat of marine varnish to the big drawer, while two others get their first coat.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Here you can see I have my tie-down hooks lagged into the side boxes. I added the 1x material above and below, so that these hooks would have solid meat to grab into, and plenty of reinforcement. These hooks are one of the benefits of this system, since it seems there is never a hook in the right place.
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
These two boxes warped, so I tweaked them in the opposite direction, clamped and varnished them. I'll undo the clamps when the varnish hardens, and (hopefully) it will take some of the "tweak" out of them!
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View Image"I needed a drink, I needed a lot of life insurance, I needed a vacation, I needed a home in the country. What I had was a coat, a hat and a gun."
Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe
Huck,
Nice work. Hopefully they are buit to last.
Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Had to build a new box to replace one that twisted too badly. Finally got around to it this weekend.
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
The top is covered with aluminum diamond plate, for strength and weatherproofing. Here you can see the guides for the side drawers that sit behind the wheel well.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Life just wouldn't be the same without a tailgate.
toolgate"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
sounds political
tailgate
toolgate
vanity plate
it's all good!
;-)
now, don't know your truck's bed so gotta ask? can you access what seems would be dead space voids in FRONT of your wheel wheels but under the diamond plate?
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
can you access what seems would be dead space voids in FRONT of your wheel wheels
Nope. My last setup like this (on a smaller Toyota 4x4 pickup) I built a hinged door on top to access that small area, but it was always a hassle to move stuff out of the way to get to it, so I opted not to on this one. Its really much smaller than the space I'm using behind the wheel well (which you can kinda see in this pic), and I didn't figure I really needed it.
View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
aw - ok.
Thanks
(nice setup!)
Only dead fish swim with the stream. Author Unknown
Gettin' my smaller side drawers built - man it's hot weather for working at home, 'tho!
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
...the right side (need to build one more, but its just too hot to keep workin')
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
The left side is a little farther along - the drawers have fronts, and handles.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
the top drawer is long
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
...for my 6' level, and maybe my straightedge clamp, or some long bar clamps. Haven't figured out where everything's gonna go, yet.
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
nice set of drawers, just great looking . and still room for plywood and sheetrock etc on top . and plenty of room for lots of stuff. it looks like you have similar set up on floor of your trailer. And I agree about the space in front of your wheel wells too small to worry about. youve done a great job designing them. thanks for posting the pics and giving us ideas .
Carpentry and remodeling
Vic Vardamis
Bangor Me
wont that diamond place eat up a piece of plywood or drywall if you slid it on.
throw the helper on there first.
wont that diamond place eat up a piece of plywood or drywall if you slid it on.
Nope. Do it all the time."...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Hey Huck
I was thinking of doing something similar to your setup. What do you do for drawer slides. I was wondering how easy they worked once the got loaded down good.
This is without a doubt the most-asked question that this setup generates. The first drawers I built for my Toyota truck are now in the back of my trailer, still going strong after about 20 years now. There are no slides. I did put some formica strips on the bottom of the big drawer sides a long time ago - probably worn through by now, I haven't checked lately! Its pretty easy for me to open and close them, but then I'm a construction worker. Probably not so practical, if they were designed for use by office workers or girly-men.
I did a trial run on these with a small furniture glide (just a hard rubber pad made to mount on furniture legs so that the furniture will slide on a hard surface) at the front bottom of the carcase, where the drawer sides sit, and the same at the back bottom of the drawer itself. It worked great - but I haven't tried it yet fully loaded. I'll post some pics, once the drawers are completed and working. I'm really not too worried about it. Maybe I should be? If I don't like the furniture glides, I'll probably put some formica on the bottom edge of these drawers also.
The other question everyone worries about is if the drawers can be fully extended. Yes, they can. They rest on the tailgate, and full extension is no problem. This is a very low-tech project!
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Looks great but one question.........How many/much tools do you need? I have a deep tool box that spreads for one side of the bed to the other which holds just about everything that I need. If I need my com. miter, or compressor then it just goes in the bed covered with a tarp.You don't seem to have any room for those type of power tools.
Looks awesome though and it shows your craftsmanship to your clients.
~Mike~
What I carry every day:
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Compressor, miter-saw, portable table-saw, etc., can just go in the bed covered with a tarp (or in the trailer). Plenty of room in the bed for that kind of stuff, on top of the toolbox. That's the idea - a toolbox spread out across the bed, with a tough top so that I can still use the truck bed pretty much as I normally would."...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
OK, all the drawers are complete. So now its time to start thinking seriously about where each and every item will go. Of course, I don't want it to be so "customized" that it becomes a hassle to upgrade, replace, or add tools. But every tool's gotta have a place here, so I've got to figure out where that is. And what tools I want to have with me every day.
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
I put furniture glides on the bottom of the big drawer runners at the front, and on the bottom of the drawer itself, at the back. The kind that nail in (I'll get some pics when I get new batteries, the heat killed my camera batteries and stopped my photo shoot!) It works great, even with the weight - so far, anyways.
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Cutting tools seem to fit pretty well in this drawer - so I'll put a divider between the knives and the saws.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Wrenches and pliers in this drawer - again, there'll be a divider added to keep the longer ones separate from the shorter ones.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
6', 4', and 18" levels in this drawer. The empty space in the big drawer will get some lift-out trays, and probably I'll keep caulking gun, hammers, tin snips, etc. (lots of that!) in that area.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Straight-edge clamps and bar clamps in the long drawer on top of the right side. Another lift-out tray over the belt-sander in the adjacent drawer.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
This drawer will be divided into three sections: forstner bits; chisels; and flat-bars, cats paws and putty knives. I have lot more to put in, but I'm mainly just checking for size and fit at this point
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Long screwdrivers toward the back, with a divider to keep them separate from the shorter screwdrivers in front.
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Drill bits here - dividers to be added to make several sections for different sizes and types (spade bits separate).
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Can't you tell this workhorse is just chompin' at the bit!
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
I've been following along for a while. Nice work. I have 1 question I don't think anyone's asked. How do you keep the tailgate locked if you have to go into a store or call it a night? -D
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http://www.aztrucks.com/product.asp?product=84
And the nice thing about it is that anyone looking in the back of the truck for goodies will not see anything but a diamond plate truck bed. Its been my experience that that's 90% of the battle."...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Poplocks, eh?Learn something new each day at breaktime. I had a "poplock" on my van as OEM. They just popped it in and cleaned me out.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I had a "poplock" on my van as OEM. They just popped it in and cleaned me out.
Yeah, there's no system that's 100%.
That's why I say, the nice thing about it is that anyone looking in the back of the truck for goodies will not see anything but a diamond plate truck bed. No clue there's anything of value below deck. Its been my experience that that's 90% of the battle."...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Very cool. You strike me as a person that likes things in it's proper place. You must go absolutely mental when your labourers don't put your tools back in the right spot.
LOL
Dave
You strike me as a person that likes things in it's proper place. You must go absolutely mental when your labourers don't put your tools back in the right spot.
I'll assume that comment was directed at me? No one loads my toolbox but me. The crew has their own tools, what they use of mine gets locked up at the jobsite at night, but I'm the only one who can get stuff out or put stuff away in my truck toolbox. One reason I like the tailgate lock!"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Doctor, The credit goes to Huck, it's his work and his truck. I just followed along and posted a question about how he secures it. -D
Nice!
"I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."
OK, I guess I'm done. Well, almost. I've still got a little weatherstripping to put on, and I've got ideas now for some more boxes to supplement these. And I may shift some tools around as I go. Does a project like this ever really end? Here's the drill bit drawer.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
The screwdriver drawer. (I think I can get rid of a few, now that I can find them when I need them!).
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Edited 8/12/2007 5:02 pm by Huck
pry-bars, cats paws, putty knives, chisels, and forstner bits.
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
bar clamps and straight-edge clamps
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
router, disc sander, organizer trays, clamps, miscellaneous
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
same drawer with the lift-out trays removed
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
here you can see some levels, handsaws, drywall taping tools, sandpaper for various applications
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
and the same drawer with the lift-out trays removed - you can see where I keep the belt sander, palm sander, skilsaw, cordless circular saw, impact wrench, jigsaw, grinder (under all those cords)
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
the big drawer has cordless drill and impact driver, sawzall, 1/2" hammer drill, nail guns, misc., and lift-out trays
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
same drawer with one lift-out tray removed
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
same drawer with all the lift-out trays removed
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
wrenches, pliers, and such
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
knives and smaller handsaws
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"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
levels and
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a few cold chisels
"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
so I guess I'm ready to go to work now
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
or not
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View Image"...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
Excellent job!
Now Bambam has ideas. Be a shame to throw them screwdrivers away though.
Ok, I admit, I have a screwdriver fetish! My brain + his brawn = a perfect team
You can never have to many screwdrivers!
I asked for some new ones for my birthday! That and a circular saw and some new chisels! Hoping my hubby don't forget by then. LOLMy brain + his brawn = a perfect team
Cool thread, great pics and a nice project, but where does the beer cooler go?
Up front with him of course!My brain + his brawn = a perfect team
that's beautiful huck
I'd say you're addicted. Obsessed. I even bet you dream about it...lol.
Real nice project and well exicuted and best of all its for you.
Sure'd hate to have that truck stolen..ugh. Almost as bad as having a Snap-On truck carjacked.Ever consider LoJack?
I'm about to start my van tomorrow. Building some furnature grade cabs for it. At least the face frames will be. the floor will have something similar to yours but not as deep down. I'm thinking for a van where theres no tailgate to support a drawer bottom I'll have to concoct something else. I was wondering how a garage door track might work. I have some ideas...just looking for the best one.
I also noticed something in the HTTP://http://WWW.Finehomebuilding.com site someone did for theirs.
there's always that Extend O Bed company but that'd be cheating plus what fun is that and what they cost think of the tools I could buy...lol.
Great job Huck!!!
"the most amazing buddhist prayer song I have ever heard during my trip through the hidden mystique countries like Nepal and India. I've heard it playing everywhere in Kathmandu - buses, ashrams, hotels,streets, etc... "author unknown
how it sounds^-->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2shskL0AYuE
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Edited 8/13/2007 1:10 am ET by andybuildz
Here's what I did with my van:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=90589.1
It's not a perfect solution, but maybe you can get some ideas from it.
I agree about the tailgate issue you mention. I had considered making a drop-down "gate" that would function similar to a tailgate, but instead, I decided to make the cabinet section shorter than the drawers so I can get to the far end from inside the van.
Thanks Don. Really really nice! Thing for me though...I want it all open through the middle. I'm thinking more of making something like those already made Extend o Beds or whatever they call em. Something about as high as the wheel well oo so. I'm working right now on cabs with mahogany stiles and rails with raised panels for the doors which I think I may use maple for.Gonna put those against the wall behind the drivers seat. I need to figure out how to pull drawers fron the floor out. What I was thinking today was it may work to have drawers that pull out from the rear that only go as deep as the side doors of my van then at the side doors have drawers that pull out that way..from the side of my van.
I didn't read much of what you wrote yet regarding those photos but what I did see where you said that the drawers may look simple but they became a whole project....I thought...NO KIDDING! I already figured that just looking at those. Some people don't realize how much work just about anything and everything is...unless you buy it already made and even then they put ya to work ....lol.
Nice job...I'll go back N' check em' out closer later. Maybe I can get some kind of idea there I can riff offa in a different way.
"the most amazing buddhist prayer song I have ever heard during my trip through the hidden mystique countries like Nepal and India. I've heard it playing everywhere in Kathmandu - buses, ashrams, hotels,streets, etc... "author unknown
how it sounds^-->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2shskL0AYuE
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
"What I was thinking today was it may work to have drawers that pull out from the rear that only go as deep as the side doors of my van then at the side doors have drawers that pull out that way..from the side of my van."
I knew a finish carpenter who had his van set up just like you describe. The drawers were below a platform, similar to my truck boxes, so that there was plenty of room in the van for compressor, miter saw, etc."...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
I knew a finish carpenter who had his van set up just like you describe. The drawers were below a platform, similar to my truck boxes, so that there was plenty of room in the van for compressor, miter saw, etc.<<I think the good thing I came up with in my head was splitting it so I can utilize the side doors and the rear doors and not have to have all really long drawers. I'm surprised I thought of it. I miss the most obvious sometimes...don't we all? lol
Hope I have time to finish it before I start another job...although another job is more important...geezzzz...no wonder I "still" haven't made storage in my van. Hope I don't die and never had built it...I'm so sick of spackle buckets and crates full of tools...going on 35 years now with that system.
I could never bring myself to just putting up plywood shelves in my van which is why its been spackle buckets N crates all these years.
Heyyyyy...I even started the mahogany stiles and rails today!! : )
Tomorrow first thing I'm on my way to the lumber yard for some more 5/4 : )
"the most amazing buddhist prayer song I have ever heard during my trip through the hidden mystique countries like Nepal and India. I've heard it playing everywhere in Kathmandu - buses, ashrams, hotels,streets, etc... "author unknown
how it sounds^-->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2shskL0AYuE
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I think the good thing I came up with in my head was splitting it so I can utilize the side doors and the rear doors and not have to have all really long drawers.
That is the good thing - because with a van you don't have the tailgate to prop the drawers up, so you need shorter drawers. And its nice to have access from a side as well as the back, because sometimes that's more convenient.
Hope I have time to finish it before I start another job...although another job is more important...geezzzz...no wonder I "still" haven't made storage in my van.
Honestly, one of the biggest obstacles for a project like this is fighting discouragement. So many reasons to put it off, so many reasons it might not work. In fact, one reason I chronicled my progress here was just to give myself a push to finish it. And even then it took me forever! Glad its finally done now, 'tho, and I'm already lovin' it and asking "why didn't I do this ages ago?""...an open mind is a powerful thing. The ability to listen to others is invaluable."
Jim Blodgett
I know it doesn't bother you, but I think I would take a can of white spray paint to that tailgate!
It could be worse.
View Imagejt8
"One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency." -- Arnold H. Glasgow
Aaarrrggghh!!
Frankentruck!
Got the big drawer pretty well completed, and most the parts for the other two big drawers cut and ready to assemble. The sides are twisted, so before I assemble them I've got the lumber stickered with a twist in the opposite direction, to straighten them out a little. Anyway, everything should straighten out when it gets assembled.Until its finished, its just a big space-waster in my garage. And even though my old boxes from my Toyota are set up in my trailer, I still feel like I'm working with one hand tied behind my back, until I get the new boxes set up in the truck bed. Amazing how set we get after 20 years of working a certain way.And did I mention - everytime I get some time to work on this, Momma comes up with some honeydo's? I know, I know...Do I wanna be right, or do I wanna be married! OK, she's a keeper, so you know what I'd pick. Doesn't mean I can't gripe a little, does it?
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Edited 10/30/2005 4:19 pm by Huck
Heck,Huck you'l never be in Hock cause you aint no Hack nor a Hick!!
Mr. T. MOTOL
"They keep talking about drafting a constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it's worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore."-- George Carlin
"I think natural selection must have greatly rewarded the ability to reassure oneself in a crisis with complete bull$hit."
I'm Swiss!
Heck Mr.T, I been heavily in hock, when my overhead got a hefty hike from my ex, who was coveting my income like a hungry hawk, and took me to the "child-support" cleaners by using my daughter, who fortunately now lives with me, and just turned 21, so I'm finally off that horrible hook!
Huh?
<g>The heck, you say?
Was thinking with all that extra weight you will becarrying around you should consider getting some helper springs for the rear.
http://www.supersprings.com
http://www.amtechsprings.com
Here's another source for suspension-boosting:
http://www.hitchestogo.com/Roadmaster.htm
Thanks for the Roadmaster link - have you used their product? How did you like it? I had Helwig's on my last vehicle, and they worked good when the vehicle was loaded, but made the ride real bouncy when it wasn't. I noticed the Roadmaster website indicated that problem didn't exist with their product.
I have the Roadmasters on a 1/2 ton Toyota. I noticed an immediate improvement in handling without a load - less body roll in turns. I didn't perceive any increase in ride stiffness.
I estimate I added a good 500# of capacity; according to the scales at the dump I've hauled at least 1,700# reasonably comfortably. There is no way I could have hauled some of the stuff I have withouth them.
Thanks, I appreciate the links. On my Toyota 4wd I used Helwig's to beef up the suspension and lift the bed back up. Any preference on brand?
I am getting a new Tacoma in a few weeks and I plan on putting a set on after I get a lumber rack. Don't know which brand yet. And yes they do not affect the ride when your truck is unloaded. That is one of the reasons I like those two brands (they are very similar ie, roller shackles).
Over at http://toyotanation.com/forum/f61 a couple of guys have the super springs on their trucks and really like them.
Edited 11/6/2005 5:49 pm ET by reinvent
Ah, I envy you! If it was in my budget, I'd be getting one too! My last truck was an '86 Toyota 4WD, and it ran for 250k mi., and was still going when I sold it! Them Toyota people do know how to build a truck to last!
sweetness Huck sweetness
little bit of progress...
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Edited 11/5/2005 10:08 pm by Huck
Something like that light work well for me too. Not sure what I'd do about my compressor and miter saw though. Doesn't look like it would add that much weight...
I have a cover on my pickup but can't find $h!+ back there.
What plywood are you using? What do you do as far as weatherproofing? What is that grey coating you are putting on the wood? It looks like you are putting polyurethane on the drawers?
Thanks
Edited 11/5/2005 11:00 pm ET by Matt
Matt - the prototype was built for a camper shell application, and it worked great for many years. Eventually the shell began to leak, and my tools got wet when it rained. So I added a drawer front behind the original drawer front, making it essentially a false front. I cut out the bottom between the false front and the real front, so water could run through.
It worked great, and so I'm doing basically the same thing here. The drawer front is offset far enough back that no water should get in. My crude cross-section drawing is an attempt to illustrate this. The carcase is primed with gray oil-based primer, and is designed to avoid accumulating water (The bottom of the carcase is essentially open, only the top is a solid sheet. And the truck bed that the carcase sits on is ribbed, facilitating runoff of any water). The drawers are getting varnished with Behr Patio Furniture Varnish.
I do not plan on using a camper shell with this setup. I will waterproof the top platform of the carcase when the toolbox is completed, possibly using aluminum diamond plate. I haven't really decided yet. I may also use this product.
The plywood is 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 shop grade. Like I say, once its completed I think the plywood will be pretty well protected, with minimal water contact in the rain.
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They have this new invention called "weatherstripping".I'm betting that you could figure out ways to use it to seal your rig up pretty good.Failing that, what about the even newer invention... "Tonneau cover". Make your own. (Again using some of that other invention... weatherstripping. LOL)...=0)
"And, in my humble view, neither Democratic nor Republican party politics has anything to do with lib or con anymore. It's now just pandering to the visceral hatred that's been bred amongst those who refuse to waste their time and energy performing one of the singular most difficult tasks known to man: thinking." -SHG
"carpenter in a tube" would work even better!!!
Mr. T. MOTOL
"They keep talking about drafting a constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it's worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore."-- George Carlin
"I think natural selection must have greatly rewarded the ability to reassure oneself in a crisis with complete bull$hit."
I'm Swiss!
Naw. With weatherstripping, you can take it back apart.
"And, in my humble view, neither Democratic nor Republican party politics has anything to do with lib or con anymore. It's now just pandering to the visceral hatred that's been bred amongst those who refuse to waste their time and energy performing one of the singular most difficult tasks known to man: thinking." -SHG
same with caulk dude!!!
Napalm!!
nuff said???
Mr. T. MOTOL
"They keep talking about drafting a constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it's worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore."-- George Carlin
"I think natural selection must have greatly rewarded the ability to reassure oneself in a crisis with complete bull$hit."
I'm Swiss!
r.e. weatherstripping - I hear ya! (I'll work out the details when I get to that stage...this is a design as you go project!)r.e. "Tonneau cover. Make your own" - Well shoot, I kinda figured the top platform of my box unit IS a homemade tonneau cover!
When I built toolboxes for the company trucks, I used weatherstripping, and general flashing knowledge to keep them weatherproof. (I cut rubber innertube for a membrane over the piano hinge. Made it so that could be easily replaced in a couple years when the inner tube finally wore out.)Seemed no one else, including the boss, could wrap their brains around the concept of flashing on a toolbox. I made mine. The boss stole my truck. (Company truck, of course. LOL) Then told me to make a box for every truck.Making the one for myself was fun. Making the rest became a chore...I hear you on the tonneau cover. But I was thinking of something that would sit on top of the bed rails. That would also give you an extra pocket of dry space.
"And, in my humble view, neither Democratic nor Republican party politics has anything to do with lib or con anymore. It's now just pandering to the visceral hatred that's been bred amongst those who refuse to waste their time and energy performing one of the singular most difficult tasks known to man: thinking." -SHG
They have this new invention called "weatherstripping"
Yup - we've had a few rains now, and I can report that the boxes, and their contents, stay dry. Ran a strip of half-inch foam self-stick weatherstrip along the top edge of the platform - keeps it dry on the tailgate side. Any water drains along the front edge, which the boxes are sealed from.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Cool !=0)
Yeh... That'll work.
OK, I realize any interest in this thread has long since died out, but I have a few more pics I took to submit for publication, & they round out the explanation of the project, so I'm aadding them to the thread. 1st - Weatherstripping at the tailgate
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
inside the carcase
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
tie-down (I routered an edge on the bumper strip)
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
security
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
hopefully, the main security feature is the OSOM factor (out-of-sight, out-of-mind).
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Huck,Had the tv on in the background a few minutes ago, and what were they building? A toolbox similar to yours!http://tinyurl.com/3dquv4FWIW, I like the details of yours MUCH better. Thought you'd be interested. Best,
Steve'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
well sun of a gun, thar it is! Thanx for sharing that.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
http://www.herculiner.com/
I've had success with store bought roll on liners. I've never used them on wood, but they last forever on metal.
I was just going to post the same link to Herculiner. I did the truck I traded in with that stuff and was happy with it. If I ever get around to it, I want to do the plywood floor of the trailer with it.
It's also slip resistant which could be a good thing to have on Huck's set up. Standing on the boxes to tie off stuff to the racks.
Thanks Dustin and Diesel - sounds like a great product for my needs! I esp. like the "touchup" feature.
Huck,
I remember the article because I copied your boxes for my Nissan pickup. I think it was more than several years ago. Must be at least ten? My boxes went through two trucks and a rollover on an icy road near Mt Hood, before becoming shop storage boxes and then planter boxes for veggie starts in a greenhouse. Thanks for the memories.
Tom
Make that three trucks.( Forgot the Toyota). I usually had a shell on the back but I threw a coat of poly on the top ply once in a while and the tools stayed dry when I went uncovered.
Edited 11/6/2005 2:53 am ET by McFish
I think it was more than several years ago
lol - time does fly, doesn't it? The truck was an '86, and the toolbox was designed and the article published not too long after I bought it. Maybe '88 or '89? BTW, my boxes are going strong, a little worse for wear, but modified to fit in my 5'x 8' enclosed trailer (until I get a chance to build some proper shelves).
It was Sept 1987. Here's the link to the article in the archives (you need $3.50 to view it.)
toolbox
I'm curious as to how you keep the drawers sliding freely. In my mind, which is small, the wood drawer sides would bind to the wood floor over an 8' length.
I'd like to build a set of these for my truck, but would like more details if possible. Do you have some diagrams or drawings?
Eventually, I stapled some scrap strips of Marlite to the bottom, and I'd spray it with a shot of silicone every once in awhile. Worked great for 18 years!
edited to add: there were detail drawings in the article - the only real difference in my new boxes is Kreg pocket screw joints, and the box bottoms fit in a dado about 1/4" up on the sides.
Edited 1/16/2006 1:58 am by Huck
In the 1987 article, you had a frame of steel angles & tubes welded up to support the drawers while they were extended. From your current photos, it looks like you did not do the steel frame. Is that right? Are you reusing the steel frame from your old setup?Also, it looks like you are creating a bunch of plywood boxes that fit in between and around the wheel wells, with one big box that supports the drawers.
Must be a different article! My boxes have always slid in the carcase, while resting on the tailgate when fully extended, no hardware. I don't remember the issue mine was in, but the cover was a plasterer doing a ceiling medallion.
Was it December 1989 (#57)? If it is, the article is not available online.
Mark
Yep, that's the one. #57.
View Image"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Thanks for the link...I forgot I subscribe to that service so I saved it to my desktop.
john
Huck-
Did you ever finish that set of drawers?
I just slapped a set together for myself. Not as nice as yours, but I think they'll be functional.
View Image
Edit: Yeesh, I gotta clean out my truck.
zak
"so it goes"
Edited 7/19/2006 6:58 pm by zak
Y'know, Zak, I haven't yet! My daughter got married, and after the dust settled from that ordeal, my work picked up and I've been swamped, working 6 days a week, 10 hrs. a day. I've gotten a little further on it, and I'm not that far from finishing it if I could just get a few days off to work on it. Meanwhile, I'm working out of my trailer, and telling myself I need to finish that toolbox every day I have to spend 45 minutes loading up at the end of a long day!"he...never charged nothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too" - Mark Twain
Well I'm glad to hear that you're getting plenty of work.
I figured I'd put a set of drawers together, and if I need to, I'll upgrade them one step at a time. zak
"so it goes"