Just got a 2011 F-150 (6.5' bed). Does anyone know if they make a chest-type (sets on the floor of the bed) toolbox that is adapted to clear the gasoline filler tube hump inside the bed? I'm not looking for a cross bed (sets on the bed rails) type tool box and I'd like to get something bigger than a 48" wide box...any such animal out there like that??

 

Congrats on the new truck!

Have you asked over in the F150 section? Vehicle specific questions are usually answered quickly and with better responses in their dedicated forums.

Sorry I couldn't help but I'm a Super Duty owner.

 

ditto. lol. but try a google search for aftermarket custom shops for trucks and u might narrow it down better. best of luck in ur search!

 

Yeah, I looked in the F-150 thread and while I wasn't the one who posted it, the same question has been asked there. And with pretty much the same results.

I've searched the 'net high & low for about the last month (ever since I bought my truck) and I've been forced to come to the conclusion that no tool box manufactures have adapted their designs to accommodate Ford's change (at least so far).

One guy suggested bolting on the floor, some 'C' channels or I-beams on which to raise up a standard box enough to clear the filler tube hump. That's about as close to a solution as I've been able to come up with (unless, of course, I cave in and just do the 'cross bed' thing).

 

Knight, in all your searching has anyone brought up Toyota boxes or have you seen any discussion about which boxes will fit them? Have you ruled them out?
I worked with a guy a few years ago who bought one of the new full-size Toyotas (Tundra?) and I believe he might have told me that Toyota was the only one making a box to fit his truck at the time (I believe due to fender well interference.)
Would a box for say a Ranger or Dakota not work? I know there are some smaller chest-type plastic boxes I've seen in compact trucks that may be a lesser expensive temporary option to provide you some utility for a while in the meantime until the After Market catches up with you.
Also, what about the Knaack/JOBOX/Greenlee-type chests? Have they all been ruled out as well?

Just trying to think outside the box here.
(sorry couldn't resist)

 

Sorry to hear ur having such a hard time.

 

Hey BK just a idea. Maybe you could find one that you like that almost fits over it and then get someone to mod it to fit over it.

I searched around and have not had any luck finding anything for you either besides the rail slip overs.

Not knowing the truck lay out- where is the fuel pipe hump in the bed?

 

This is the set up that I have been running. Just throwing out an idea.

The little box by the tailgate is perfect for a full set of tools. Very quick and easy to get to the right tool. The box by the window is overflow. Raised about 5"

 

hhmmm
So I notice most of the respondents drive Super Dutys.
It has me wondering if your solution might not end up being driving that F-150 back to the dealer for a SD?

On a hunch that 're-purposing' a crossover type box made for a smaller truck might be an option, I checked the Better Built catalog this morning and came up with this list of part numbers. You say you'd like a box wider than 48 inches and these run at 49" and 52". Being made for Nissan Frontiers, Dodge Dakotas, etc, the top width is around 60" and so should sit down inside your bed like a chest box.

79210988 73012110
79210989 73212111
79011014 79210990
79011025 79011018
79011010 79010936
79210918 79211055
79011054 79010946
79210916 79211760
79011010 79011005
79210918 79210917
73010884 73010854
73210943
73010869


The left column is standard square cornered boxes. The right column had an indication of some angle or stair-step notching for fender wells, etc.

I noted the "Low Profile" Crossover style boxes had essentially the same dimensions as the chest-type, but you could get a 52" wide crossover, whereas you're limited to either 48" or 56" width in the chest-type.

Also, I don't know how much weight you would plan to load into this box, but you might possibly go with a 56" wide chest and mount it a few inches off-center to the passenger side of the bed and it shouldn't matter too much on how the load rides.

62060192 79010983
62210098 79210993

Imperfect from a 'looks' standpoint, but it will be below the bed rails and out of sight anyway . . .

Keep us posted. I'm going to be interested to see what solution you ultimately come up with

 

got me thinking "outside the box" too! {pardon the pun}

It forms a hump inside the bed, just in front of the left (driver's side) wheel well. That leaves about a 9" space (floor space) between the front wall of the bed and where the hump begins. So the tool box would have to have a pretty narrow "footprint" right at that point.
--
Thanks for your research jayft8, I'll definately take a look at what you've posted and your idea about boxes for other makes (other than Ford) - good idea. I had gotten "fixated" on looking for just F-150 stuff. DRRXR, the thought had crossed my mind to 'mod' something but hadn't quite given up on finding *something* that would work w/o having to do that. And jayft8, I'm not opposed to something that could be 'offset' to one side a little (it wouldn't take much; that hump only comes out about four inches or so & it's about that high above the floor of the bed too).

I'll post whatever it is I wind up buying. Meanwhile, it's off to look at all the things jayft8 found...thanks again!

 

Just another idea

Swingcase




THIS MAY BE THE ONE
for you

http://www.etrailer.com/question-24543.html

I suggest calling the one above and see what they can do for you. The Dewalt is a little high priced but I hear tha they are very dependable.

Well I take it back. I went in there and entered your truck model and all and it jumped to another. Still you may want to contact them to check.

The site took me here
http://www.etrailer.com/tool-2011_Fo...-Chest_Toolbox

 

Knight, you mentioned that you had posted about this in the F-150 threads, so I went over and read in there.
Based on your intended use for the box and the need for security, I wonder if you might prefer a steel box over aluminum.
Also, one of the posters suggested the Tradesman brand (I'd never heard of) and posted a picture of the box with a beveled bottom edge.
I looked at their stuff and unless you end up wanting one of the JOBOX/Knaack/Greenlee type safe-boxes for the security, I'd be willing to bet a donut that Tradesman could end up being the one you like best for what you said you were looking for.
You can get a white steel or black steel, but the one that really caught my eye was the Rhino Liner coated steel.




They give (most of) the dimensions here:
Tradesman Truck - Rhino Lined Flush Mount Boxes design provides a clean look and an unobstructed view of the road
If my calculation is accurate that base plate should be 52.25" x 16.25"

Their application guide indicates it should fit your F-150
http://www.tradesmantruck.com/my-tru...tion_Guide.pdf
(I think the Crew Cab short bed they're talking about is the 4 door with the 5.5 foot bed)

If you should measure and find out the steel box ends up a bust, there is a slightly smaller aluminum one that should work: part no TAWB56/BK is 56.75" wide at it's widest point which should make the base 48.25" x 16.25"

it also comes in black

and btw just as an afterthought - here's the link to that Better Built catalog I was looking at this morning-
http://www.dawsbetterbuilt.com/image...tmpl=component
It has lots of pictures!

 

Tradesman. They come really close to fitting. They're also made in Texas - out southwest of Fort Worth. I've forgotten the name of the little town, it's on the way to San Angelo. Thought seriously about driving over there some day to see if what they have may actually fit the new F-150s. Apparently, they're a true Texas "home grown" manufacturer (even went so far as to look at their plant via Google Earth). And yeah, it's their steel box, I'd be most interested in - haven't given up on them yet (just need to probably call them and see what they have to say).

 

and after careful measurements of the bed and talking with their Customer Service, their chest box jest ain't gona fit.

But I'd have to say to my fellow Texans, they seem like they've got a good quality product and if you want to "buy Texan", they'd be a great way to go!

 

Well. Time for a Super Duty.
Just kidding.

Glad to hear the thumbs-up report on Tradesman. I sure like the looks of that Rhino liner box and would be after one if I was in the market for a chest.
I was really hoping that would work out for you.
Has the idea of using a couple pieces of 1" square tubing or the like under the box to gain a little lift and avoiding interference from the wheel wells been brought up/discussed/ruled out?

What's the latest chapter in the Great F-150 Texas Truck Box Saga of 2012 there, Knight?

managed to run across anything like this?