I've searched the forum with no luck so now I'm asking the stupid question....What is the best way to install a tool box that mounts flush (sort of like a low profile box vs a box that hangs over the bed rails) with the bed of the truck?


I don't have any liners but I do have a thick rubber mat made for the bed of the F250. I'm wondering should I just drill the hole through the box, rubber mat, and use self tapping screws (I think the screws are 1/4 or 5/16)??? Should I include chaulk, gasket sealer, or something else??? Should I cut the rubber mat flush with the tool box (in case I need to remove it for cleaning)???


Thanks in advance for answering my dumb question of the day!

 

Can't recall exactly wehre the bed bolts are located... but if they're reasonably centered in the bottom of the toolbox, I'd cut holes in the rubber mat (I have one to) and bolt the toolbox with those. It avoids drilling any new holes.

Just my opinion!

Tom

 

Sheet metal screws wont hold a toolbox with 100s of lbs in weight on bumpy roads for long. I drilled through the tool box, bed liner, box and bolted with two bolts with big washers on each end a lock washer.

 

I know from experience that sheet metal screws through the heavy rubber mat don't work. I've never had a problem with them directly into the bed or through spray on liner, though. I have bolted them down, too. The bed bolt idea might work - I'm not sure offhand just where the fronts are located since mine are covered up with my toolbox, but be sure they're long enough if you're going through a heavy rubber mat. I think I'd just use 4 bolts with big washers on both sides. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

David

 

I may be different, but I just set it in there and use a 2X2 along the back to wedge against the wheel well. I don't keep that much in it and it is real easy to take in and out for hauling. The only time there is much in it is when I am towing the trailer and it is pretty heavy then.

Frank

 

This is how I did it in the past...

Place the tool box exactly where you want it. Then trace around the tool box onto the rubber bed mat. Remove the tool box and rubber bed mat. Cut the rubber bed mat to fit the tool box.

Now with the rubber bed mat still out of your SD...place your tool box in the same location as before. Measure and mark 4 locations for the bolt holes. I would recommend 3/8" bolts...just for peace of mind. Of course...make certain nothing below the bed gets a hole too.

You can use a good quality gasket maker to help seal the holes.

Good luck...

biz

________________________________
2003 F250 SD SC 142" XLT FX4 V10 Auto 4x4 3.73s

 

My '90 F250 had the factory in-the-box spare tire mount, but the tire was mounted underneath. I used this tire-mounting surface with a bolt and nut to anchor a plastic in-bed toolbox to keep it from tipping or sliding. You could fab a piece of steel from the lip of the bed down to where the box curves, and bolt your toolbox to that. This would avoid punching holes in your rubber mat or the bed floor.

Steve

 

Here is a link to the install I did. http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...3562&members=1

I have had zero movement in the box and didn't have to drill holes in the bottom that might let water in should I need to help Noah build another ark

It also allows me to remove the box quickly if I need to make a dump run and need the space.

 

Cmpr,

Wow, neat, woulda never thought of that!

Just how hard is it to remove that box? Around here, everything seems to grow legs and take up residence at a pawn shop.

 

Well, I got lots of stuff in the box so it's very heavy. All it would take is a few strong guys and a few minutes to unscrew the turn buckles. I would say I run a bigger risk of the box being broken into and emptied than being stolen whole. No tie down system will prevent that.

I thought about putting a bike lock, the long shank kind, through the trucks tie down then through the turn buckles to keep them from being unscrewed...never did it. Another thought was a chain running from turn buckle to turn buckle behind the box would do the same thing. I had to space the box rearward from the front of the bed so the lid would open leaving room for that setup. I should have used sturdier hardware on the box as it wouldn't be too hard to just bend them out of the way.

This just keeps the mostly honest people honest.

 

What are the tie downs holding?

 

I guess I don't understand th question... The tool box is my first answer

I installed eye bolts into the side of the tool box then used a turn buckle between the factory bed tie down points and the eye bolts.