I don't have a SD, just a Ranger, but when I did a search for "Weatherguard" all the hits came from this forum, so I figured I'd post here...

I need to buy a tool box for my truck... I've dealt with crappy boxes before, so I know to get a good one... I've decided on a Weatherguard, but I have a few questions:

1 - I know the steel boxes are tougher than the aluminum boxes, but just how much tougher are they? I've never seen an aluminum one in real life before...

2 - As good as a Weatherguard is, a steel one will eventually rust, right?

3 - Are the hinges the same between the steel and aluminum boxes? I want to have the box as close to the window as possible... I think I read somewhere that the steel boxes sit closer to the window...

4 - Will a black box heat up bad in the summer? One of my tools is an acetylene torch...

I've narrowed my selection down to three possible choices:

136-3 137 137-5

I guess I need assurance that the aluminum one is tough enough for serious work... I know the white steel one would be perfect for my needs, but I want to avoid any long term rust problems... I plan to keep this truck a long time...

Finally, if I do go aluminum, which color would look best? My truck is white... I plan to get a black Line-X spray-in liner...

Thanks for the help!

 

I have the diamond plate weather guard box. They are the best around. Have you ever seen a box on a truck all twisted to the point where it won't close? If so, look at the brand and you'll notice Husky, Craftsman, etc. but you'll rarely see (if ever) a weather guard box that's bent to that point.

I have my box all to the way to the front of the truck bed and it doesn't hit the window when open but it's very close. They must be designed not to hit.

At work we have an older steel box (not bent of course) and it's got some rust on it. I would think steel will always rust if the paint is scratched.

Yeah, black will get hot. I don't know if it'll get hot enough to bother the torch but you shouldn't store the torch in there anyway. I think the DOT would have a problem with that.

Lastly, did you shop price yet. Plan on paying 3x's more then another brand. Trust me it's money well spent. I've got about 1,000 lbs in my box and it doesn't even budge when I push on the floor.

 

I too have two Weathergaurd saddle style side boxes and they are awesome. No problems with leaks or durability. They are diamond plate aluminum, I would definately recommend it over steel as it is super strong and looks sharp too. Just make your truck a diamond plate theme instead of blacked out. They are expensive but very high quality. I don't know about the hinges but I would guess they are all the same. Hope this helps... KP

 

I have a big acetylene one and a small propane one.. I mostly leave the acetylene one in the bed but I sometimes toss it in the box if I'm going to be away from the truck for a few hours since people will steal just about anything... I downloaded the installation PDF and it said:Personally I've never had a problem with my torches and powder actuated fastening tools, but you can never be too safe I guess...Yeah, I've priced them on the Internet at between $400-550... Hopefully I can find a distributer locally with a similar price because I bet the shipping on one of those would be a lot... I'd rather buy a good box the first time around than to go through several crappy ones that leak, sag and aren't secure... Besides, I can take the box with me if I ever sell this truck...I'll search around to see what a white truck would look like with the diamond plate theme... There's no white trucks in their catalog...

 

I have 5 Weatherguard boxes, one chest type aluminum, one cross box aluminum, and 3 Steel on my pickup's. The steel ones have been in the weather since 1989, I have had them repainted but no rust. Other than replacing the shocks when they get tired, the hinges have held up great and with carrying tools in them they have not bent or wharped like other boxes you see. I tried the "other" brands and was not satisified with their quality. As previous stated, be prepared to pay over $500., but worth it. Keep an eye on Ebay, I bought the chest box for half retail delivered to my door, in brand new condition.

I have a buddy with a black Weatherguard, and its fine. I would imagine it is hotter inside in the heat. Personally, on your white truck, I would go with the polished diamond plate.

The tool boxes sit in the very front of the box, Cross boxes have no problem, and the chest type has the lid set back to clear the back window when open.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Dave

 

Well, I went out today to get a chrome diamond plate box, but *nobody* stocked anything for the smaller trucks, especially the deep boxes for the long bed like I have... I ended up driving 80 miles away and ended up with a 137-5... I got it installed and it is perfect... I compared it to the $230 black aluminum Husky box at Home Depot and it makes the Husky look like a toy... The best part is I was able to put the box almost at the front of the bed... I think there is a 7/16" gap to leave room for the top to open... The only bad part is the keys I got with it don't work, or maybe I'm using them wrong (?) or something, but I'll call them in the morning about that...

Oh yeah, it was $430 plus tax...

Thanks for the help!

 

I have a weatherguard diamond plate box,,, its about 6 years old,, on its 3rd truck now. Its a chest type that sits down inside the bed. Never leaks, never had any problems with it other than the leaves that get between the box and the front panel of the bed. I traded my truck last week and when i took the box out of the old truck there were rotten leaves between the box and the bed,,, If it hadnt been for the rhino liner i think the 2 years of leaves would have rusted the bed at least on the surface..!!!

 

I got the locks switched out today...

I posted more pictures on my truck page:

Click here!

 

Looks good, your gonna be happy with your choice...

 

Ahh a fellow Arsian!

Anyway... the black was definately the choice to make there... looks great!

 

I can't tell by the pics, but does the box go all the way down to the bed??

Thanks,

Russ

 

No, there is a 5-6" space left...