I am looking to purchase top side tool boxes and possibly a headache rack for my ccsb f350. Has anyone had good luck with specific brands or are they all more or less the same?

 

Oh there are very big differences. Professional lines like RKI and Weatherguard will hold up significantly better and have serviceable components. Big differences are #1 the locks, but also in how the lids are reinforced, seals, quality of the finish, the thickness of the metal, and just overall fit and finish of the product. Low level boxes like box-store rebrands are cheaper for a reason.

Look at it like this: how much is the stuff inside worth? If you're putting ratchet straps in it and only opening it once a month, buy whatever you want. If you're putting in a few thousand dollars worth of tools that you're accessing every day, maybe buy a big steel box with better locks. Nothing will keep thieves out forever, but there's an obvious difference between a 200# steel box with recessed locks and a 60# aluminum box with a latch that wasn't aligned correctly from day one.

I wouldn't buy a box that wasn't Weatherguard, RKI, or maybe a Delta Pro, but I keep a little more than just ratchet straps in mine. You could call locally and get one recommended by an up-fitter, there are less well-known brands that don't focus on consumer sales so much as B2B sales for builders to put onto utility body builds.

The list of what I'd call mid-tier boxes is pretty huge, you have Delta (Jobox) and UWS, maybe DeeZee. A lot of options that pair with other accessory products like Ranch Hand (apparently they don't sell toolboxes anymore, but you can search pictures of their old stuff), a lot of those have quirks like using recessed disc locks instead of the latches. Tractor Supply is the only private label I'd recommend, the Husky/Colbalt boxes look very very cheap IMO.

 

check craigslist. The tool boxes are pennies on the dollar.

 

If you buy new make sure you buy one made for a super duty. Super duty boxes are slightly wider at the front than dodge/chevy. Most boxes you will find in the big box stores are made to fit the narrower boxes and barely reach the box sides on a Ford. Most of the better names (weathergaurd, delta, ect) make boxes that are a few inches wider specifically for super duties.

 

Ive had united welding service boxes for years and have had great service out of them but these cam locker boxes sure look NICE! Just kinda a little costly for me.

 

I also had a UWS on my first truck and loved it. Weather tight. Lid closed solid and locks/latches were good quality.
Next truck, I skimped on price and regretted it. I bought a cheap box from NorthernTool and it never shut right from the start. I'd have to climb into the bed and put pressure on the center of the box to latch both sides shut. If I stood on the side and closed the lid, only the side I was on would latch and not the far side because the lid was too light. I've seen some add cross bars to add weight to the lid, but it was definitely made lighter. It suffered dents with the slightest contact from moving objects in the bed that would hit it. The lock would jam easily. Struts weren't as smooth. You definitely get what you pay for with these. If you're going to use it for work and beat on it, used on CL is probably the way to go.

 

I have a Delta box on mine.
I use a WickumWeld- Toolboxes and Cab Racks cab rack because everyone else seems to have a Protech.
I like that I can unscrew the posts from the top, when I'm not hauling stuff over the cab.
They can do custom touches where you need them.

Both Protech and WickumWeld are built in the Vancouver Washington area.

 

I have a black low profile UWS on mine. Seems to be a pretty nice box.

 

I have a Highway Products headache rack with the chain tray in the gap between the headboard and the toolbox. I LOVE the looks and functionality of the rack. Behind that I have a DeeZee crossbed box. The second one I have purchased. The first one I bought in 2010 I think, was pretty good quality, held up well. Only problem with that was the struts didn't have enough pressure to open the lid temps under 30 degrees.

My new box that I have now is a POS. The bottom is bulged out, it has a noticeable sag in the middle, and the locks are el cheapo compared to my old DeeZee. I carry approx 50lbs of tools, a fire extinguisher, a set of tire chains, and a couple straps and hitches in the box. Nothing that I feel is too heavy for a toolbox.

We use Pro Tech boxes at work (farming) and have had great luck with them. They are spendy though.

 

I decided that I'm getting a cheap light POS off craigslist with j hooks so if I need to take it out of the bed I won't need a crane or two other grown men to move it. Also I don't want my poor flimsy bed sides getting stressed out.

 

Get an RKI chest, at the rate the EPA is going it'll outlast on-highway diesel engines, and it won't sit on the side rails

 

I love RKI boxes there are some nice ones with the older logo for sale. I really do want to look at one in person and grab one end of it because I can't believe the damn things weigh 200 lbs are you kidding me?!?!?!

 

I am pleased with my Backrack headache rack

 

I finally decided which tool box I want..I'm gonna get the weather guard 124-5-01 aluminium gull wing. Definitely gonna be off of Craigslist. Some pics I jacked off of CL...

 

And yeah....my truck kinda needs a tool box now......