My dad and I are beginning a restoration project on a 66 F-250. Being a Blacksmith/Toolmaker I like to carry tool and equipment. Please give your opinion on options for these trucks. Utility bed, Camper top with built in toolboxes, Highside boxes, Lowside boxes or Crossboxes.
Thank You!

 

I worked as a carpenter for about 14 years and tried a camper shell......I didn't like it because every time I needed a tool it was out of reach, same with the cross over type...

I reckoned if I got to get up in the bed any way...might as well have the big box that's bed mounted, no holes in the gun'l style ..like a JobOx....about 30W x 50L x 30H with a big lid and sliding trays down inside.

If you don't mind, I'd recommend the following....a low slung trailer fabbed from a 65 or 66 Ford truck bed...with cross over tool box and the side mount tool boxes either side...this way you've got your truck bed open and most of the trailer bed .....whatever...and easy access to your tools...and when you park your trailer at home your tools aren't out with you on the town should you go down to the Tasty-Freeze for a malted...or the Winn-Dixie to pick up milk.

Now...one thing I saw that was really slick was a dude with like a hardtop tonneau, fixed tray below that and a deep long drawer that slid out to reveal his tools....he had legs that folded down to support the end. Very stealth when all buttoned up...I thought it was cool even though he was driving a Do_g_

That's my 2 plug nickels..anybody got any change?

TH1567
A good friend (name withheld to protect the innocent) liked his Ch__vys..I didn't hold it against him...later on he came over to the fold wtih a big 68 F250....and never turned back...he muttered something about power, ease of maintenance and reliablity, then we went in and had beer...

 

Utility bed is probably the most useful but will totally kill the resale value of the truck, if that concerns you.
I had a cross box in one of my trucks and never liked it. Have not used the other options other than a cap/topper which I'd only use if you had side access in addition to the gate.