have just completed the ultimate toolbox that I would like to carry in the back of my Bronco. The only problem is it weighs 75+ pounds and I know if I am ever in a accident Murphy's law will have it heading strait toward my head. I am looking for suggestions as how to lock it down in the cargo area, but still be able to remove it when needed. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I used to have the same problem. I had a stout plywood box to drop it down into. The box was secured with bolts to the floor. I used a bungee strap to hold it down. If I rolled over it would have probably come loose tho...

 

The roll over is what I am really worried about since I drive a Bronco

 

I just had an idea. What if I bolt down a base for the toolbox to sit in and use a couple of old belts (the type that go around you waist) to hold it down? Do you think that would be strong enought to hold it down?

 

How about a couple big clamps like the ones that hold down a battery in a battery tray? They don't have to be too big, and you want them easy enough to handle quickly but the principle is the same.

 

I fixed that problem by taking the bed off and putting on a utility body. It's great having doors all the way around. Now I don't have to fix the truck THAT often, but I carry tools for my job, so when the truck dies, I usually have whatever I need to get it going.

In your case, I would make a base out of angle iron, little bigger than the boxes footprint, then have 2 pieces of flat stock,(lets say 1-1/2"X1/4") have those 2 pieces bent like an "L", and hinged at the bottom to the tray. (at center, front and back) The top of these would have another small bend on each end and a hole drilled though.

Now you would set the box in, swing up the two clamps and click a padlock through the hole. This would also deter anyone from breaking in and stealing the tool box and it'll keep it in place even if the truck goes over.

 

Run some angle iron under the floor. Have bolts come through the angle iron, through the floor, and then through the toolbox bottom. Use a piece of smaller angle iron as a plate and bolt the toolbox to the floor.

If you have a drawer on the bottom remove the drawer and make sure the length of the bolt will not hit the drawer. Usually you have at least an inch.

If you do not want to do any welding, to keep the bolts and brackets in place, set it up like this

Starting from the bottom:

bolt
lock washer
washer
floor
washer
lock washer
nut
toolbox
washer
lock washer
nut

 

Thanks for your help guys! I will try to plan something up this weekend. The only problem I have now is trying to find time to do it Thanks again

 

I did this to a friends truck and it worked great. Buy a set of those hood latch pins, the ones you find on race cars. Bolt the pins to the bottom of the toolbox. Drill a hole in the floor for the pins to go through. Cotter pins hold it securely under the vehicle.

 

Well I have it all done and installed. I went with Freight Trains idea since I thought that would provide the easiest way of removing the toolbox. It works great! A little work but worth the piece of mind. Anyway thanks again guys!

 

I read about a great idea for attaching your toolbox in petersons. go out and get some velcro strips and use them instea of bolting it on and dispite any doubts you may have it takes two people to get it off and you cant even notice it is not bolted on. Just a little tip for people who take off their toolboxes sometimes, it saves a lot of hastle and time

 

Sounds like you built the box yourself. Cool. If you don't need to take it out, what about mounting it threw the body mount bolts? If there are mounts that would work, get longer hardware and bolt it down. Then it woud be a perminent part of the truck.

 

Simple plan: Ratcheting straps. Works great for just about anything! The only thing you need to do is make sure you have a good anchor point to attach the straps, but I'm sure you can figure something out.

 

You can look at my truck for inspiration. It defines tool box. I have a toolbox very similar to what you have (and more). I carry it in the big compartment, it doesn't seem to move around much.
Where is the weight concentrated? Top, bottom, or evenly dist?
Have you thought about putting in a lapbelt in the floor and securing the box that way?
Either that or hang the box from something in the truck.