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Personally I prefer Weather Guard boxes, they have held up well for me over the years, most are universal fit for over the rail ones.
I know you are saying its a universal fit, but I am looking at some of the boxes, is there a specific range of lengths Im looking for that would fit over the rails? I see 72 inches as the most available size, would that work?
I made a picture with details long ago. I bought a tool box from Walt off of his truck long ago ($25), it looked made to order on his truck, and I even brought it home sitting on the bed rails of my '77. I've had it with a plan to paint it, maybe add some polished aluminum diamond plate or stainless steel for looks, just not sure yet what / if I do with it.. I've even thought of doing it in bed liner, either whole or in part. It's all steel, no leaks, I can imagine it being handy maybe. I measured it and my '77's bed. My truck bed rails are 65" apart, and with the rubber rail guards, 72" across includes the bed rail "rubber rail guards". Looks like this tool box is 63-1/2" long on the portion that sits down between the bed rails in that 65" space, though it's 71" total long. My bed is 19" deep, but this box will drop about 9" into it, leaving 10" free space under it. The tool box is 20-3/4" deep front to back, so above the 10 inch point, my 8 foot bed would be more like just a bit over 6 foot free, but a full 8 foot plus for the lowest 10 inches. Looks like there would be 6-3/4" of tool box / lid above the bed rails, just enough to be seen in my mirror. I'd probably use the front most tie down holes I already have and an extra pair to hold it down, or maybe clamp type. I like the two 25-1/2" wide side opening lids with near 19-3/4" wide fixed center section. I need to find some keys though ... or something like fancy hasps?
I got carried away.
Yeah, 72" works.
A long full length lid will likely have two latches and may mean getting up into the bed to get into it for stuff ... it can get old.
Side opening twin lids might mean shorter items, but can usually be accessed from the side while standing on the ground. You can still put some long items in, but not huge box filling items.
While I have a chest box in Buford, I can go so far to say that the company Highway Products makes some excellent boxes. They will also custom make a box if you need, as I went through the design process for mine to be flush with the bed rails. I will warn that they aren't cheap, as my chest was around $1300, but they are all marine grade aluminum, welded construction, and they use good hinges and latches. I've purchased a couple, and their build quality is good. So, if you're willing to spend, it's an option. If it's just going to be a toolbox, and not for show at all, there are cheaper options. I went through them as they offered something different than diamond plate........but ........the finish you see in the picture they no longer offer. It was called the "Gladiator finish". I liked it as it worked with my prototype spare tire carrier, with the latch being all the way on the driver's side (which they can set it up any way you want). Anyway, just another option.
A common cross over the bed rail (tool box) for a "full size truck" will fit. A in bed full depth box (tool chest) for a "full size truck" will fit. You might want to check out a low profile lidded box's also. If it is a regular cab no issue seeing over the taller lid boxes. If you have a Super Cab a low profile lid will make it easier to see over the box lid.
FYI they even sell these clamps kits that let you clamp/secure the box to the inner bed lip, instead of drilling holes in the top of the bed. Or...go in the inner bed "lip" with the hdwr parallel to the bed floor. Just reinforce the lip with come flat stock.
Tape measure your truck bed, to be 100%. Go to a store and apply said measurements (max width, height, depth and get a look and feel of them. You buy it go set it right in the bed/on the bed rail or inside and see what you think. No like it, take it right back in. REFUND. Some time they look cool in the store, and not so cool in the truck bed.
If you get a in bed chest, think about water/rain drainage and trapped water, condensation and RUST. Mount a in bed box with self tappers is not the way to go.
If, like me, you hate the look of diamond plate, your options will be limited. Dee Zee has some in flat steel/aluminum and so does Weatherguard, I think. If you've never used a crossover box before, the gullwing style is definitely more user-friendly. I'd only go for the single door if I had the need to carry something long in the box. Either way, you will probably find yourself climbing into the bed to get something at some point.
Something else to think about is whether the crossover style is even the best option for you. The side rail style has some advantages if you don't need that much space. Mainly, everything can be accessed from one side of the truck. You get a shallow full-length shelf for smaller items and a reasonably deep well for larger items. In my case, I'm looking at this option partially to hide how mangled the bed rails are.
I bought a Lund 9150T (70.25”) for my OBS. Pricey, but seems well built, and made in USA. They sell them on jegs. I got this one on Amazon, free shipping. I’ll post pics of it.
It replaced the same style (can’t remember the brand of my old one) it was old and real beat up. I like the gull wing myself. I had my previous one on several trucks. My old one was drill through the bed rail and bolt type. The new Lund came with ‘J’ hooks that attach it to the bed rail. I used to use mine for work, and put full length shovels etc in from one side. I like it better than the type you have to hop up into the bed to open.
I believe mine is a Weather Guard and it works great for me. It is weather tight.
It came with another truck I bought back in 2013.
I like it because its not taller than the bed rails are.
I was seriously thinking of pulling this old one out and refurbishing it, it's plain steel and seals are old but there are deep channels to drain rain water off with no leaking in. It has some minimal scratching with minor rust in the bottom from "tools", and I'm thinking the new offerings, in a black, new seals, etc ... low top might be the way to go now.
It only drops 9" downwards into the bed, but then 4-3/4" of the base is above the bed, then the two side opening "clamshell" lids are 2 more inches up, so fully 6-3/4" of it are above the bed. Who knows, I might yet drag it into my shop and redo it as a "project" ... It would be tougher than aluminum. That was how it looked a few years ago, and while it's been outside ever since, it has been up on blocks and covered behind my mower shed, so it looks the same. Latches on the ends (push) work and both lids pop up easily on their own (springs), but I have no keys for it, but then I think maybe I can find new latches with keys? My narrower spare would slide under it too.
I had a box with the two lids. It seemed like every time I needed something, it was in the middle of the box. I eventually got a box that sits down in the bed, but I elevated it with a 6x6 and 2x6 so that I could slide 8ft material under it and still close the tailgate
I had a box with the two lids. It seemed like every time I needed something, it was in the middle of the box. I eventually got a box that sits down in the bed, but I elevated it with a 6x6 and 2x6 so that I could slide 8ft material under it and still close the tailgate
Good point there. The old blue one I have with a higher "reach over into" generated just because it sits 6-3/4" above the bed rail, IT would be a PITA to reach over into ... especially for my Wife. Maybe a piece of EMT with a hook, aka: a "Shephard hook" kept near by?
Easy to forget ... but that's a big part of reason I bought a low profile one a few days ago. Those "extra" inches more height above the bed rail translate to "double extra" more inches total reach required to reach up and over and into the bottom when standing on the ground beside the bed.
Good point there. The old blue one I have with a higher "reach over into" generated just because it sits 6-3/4" above the bed rail, IT would be a PITA to reach over into ... especially for my Wife. Maybe a piece of EMT with a hook, aka: a "Shephard hook" kept near by?
Easy to forget ... but that's a big part of reason I bought a low profile one a few days ago. Those "extra" inches more height above the bed rail translate to "double extra" more inches total reach required to reach up and over and into the bottom when standing on the ground beside the bed.
For me it wasn't so much that I couldn't reach the stuff, it was because I had so much stuff in there that several items needed to be removed to get to what I needed.
I forgot to mention Fenderwell tool boxes. Nice, yes smaller than a cross bed box. But fit behind the bed header panel, and stick out no further than the fenderwells. So if you have a short bed you can still put a 4 wheeler in there. I use full size ones in my Bronco. No way to carry anything.
Yes they stick out, but not past the bumper, I do not have a tailgate anyway.
Better pic. I even notched the lid to work with the getto light bar. And have sense changed the light bar to a proper roll cage and welded up those openings.
Lids can go on either way, or either flip open direction.
Yes those are 79 SC folder jump seats. I was in the R&D mode.
Grandkids love to sticker the Bronco. The tool box ends are free game.
Weatherguard #161. They make a full size version and a mini/smaller version. I am not carrying as much trail repair parts now days, so I am down sizing to the smaller ones.
I got mine off Craigslist for 20 bucks... https://www.weatherguard.com/product...s/WheelWellBox
They also have w wheel well tool box. https://mobilestrong.net/products/tr...torage-drawer/
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My narrower spare would slide under it too.
