If this violates policy please disregard and do not reply. I couldn't find anything but just wanted to throw it out there just in case. My buddy is thinking of selling this to me for 400 - includes the headache rack and toolbox - both for $400. But they are well used and toolbox leaks and will need lots of cleanup.

Is this a good deal?

If you have one of these, whats the best way to install, knowing I will have to remove for a canopy.

Has anyone ever plated the aluminum in black? I like aluminum shine but I think black would look cool - until one of you brings up some common sense thing that I am unaware of .

Thanks for the time.

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A new box alone is about $300

 

Your not selling you are asking if you should pay x for something, this does not violate any rule I have read on here. It is a good price if it does what you want it to do, markets vary so much across the country.

 

I would suggest "powder coating" instead of painting...

 

I think it is a good price. My dad just paid $350 for a new tool box.

 

why paint or powder coat it? Its aluminum, leave it bare or polish it, but if you must, get it anodized

 

No policy violation, so don't worry about that.

Great price on the combined goodies.

I second the vote for powder coating in terms of appearance, but that will certainly bring the cost up and may make the deal not worth the total investment.

Never had a camper shell, so I cannot speak to the potential need for having to remove the headache rack except for this... if you install a camper shell (I assume that is what you're referring to when you say "canopy"), I would think that the need and value of the headache rack is minimized. The tool box would obviously have to be removed. I also doubt if the headache rack structure would actually fit between the camper shell and the back of the cab.

 

Good price IMO. Regarding the black, I bought a used Al headache rack and painted it black. Cleaned it, scuffed it up, wiped with acetone, sprayed with self-etching primer and then matte-black rustoleum. It has been on the truck for about 15 months and is holding up well, couple chips on the back where I've banged stuff into it. Powder-coating would be more durable than paint.

 

Thank you all for your input, originally the thought was this setup retailed for 2k or more, but when I checked it was actually much much less. Hence just checking with you guys. Originally I was thinking of anodizing, but need to look at some results of it. I do agree, changing aluminum shine doesn't seem natural, but then when you change everything to black, black, wheels, etc... the aluminum shine doesn't quite "fit", but again I am not looking at making a HUGE BLACK rig only either - although it seems to be the unintended direction. I like the idea of powder coating. Thanks again for all the feedback.

 

...what they said.

I dunno how well this works, or how long it lasts if it does work, but you might try this stuff....

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s7p_U1-xcEk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

...and spray it on the inside seams of the tool box.

Stewart

 

seen info on painting aluminum for longivity,you need specific primer along with proper prep.to stop oxidation .

 

all in the prep...the shinier the aluminum, the brighter the anodizing. Check out heim joints, tierods..etc, at summitracing or your local offroad shop. If you b.s. with them enough, and depending on what color you go with ,they'll just "add" your parts to the batch, and pocket the cash...dig those deals.