Bed Toolboxes

I got a good deal on an old Delta toolbox that fits the 1st gens (no one makes toolboxes for mid-sized/compact trucks anymore!) It was almost impossible to find since about 90% of toolboxes on Craigslist are for full sized trucks.

My '98 has the stock bedliner installed (and no access to the bed rails). Would clamping the toolbox to the bed hook alcove be sufficient? (basically just anchored to the thin plastic bedliner indentation) or would I have to cut into the bedliner to access the rail? I won't be carrying anything heavy in the box, just a jack, jumper cables, water, tools, etc.

(The linked picture is the closest thing to the stock liner I have installed, but mine has the liner covering the bed rails and bed sidewall tops.)

On an unrelated note, does the '98 2.7l 3RZ-FE engine have a timing belt, or chain? I can't seem to remember.

 

I'm not familiar with bed tool boxes, but I had a liner with a camper shell. I had to drill 4 - 2" holes in the liner for the clamps that hold the shell to the rails. Worked fine.

Your 2.7l has a timing chain.

 

1. First gens are considered compact trucks. Second gens are considered mid-sized.

2. If you want the toolbox to stay sturdy, I wouldn't bolt it on to the plastic bedliner.

3. Your 4cyl has a timing chain, while the 6cyl has the timing belt.

 

That's considered compact? It handles and parks like a cruise ship, haha. Guess I'll cut into the liner and anchor it properly.
Just out of curiosity, could the 4 cyl tow anything? I've always wanted a boat but I don't know if my 2.7l can handle it. Heaviest thing I've seen towed on my model is a porta-john, har har.

 

I think the 4cyl on these first gens are rated to tow 3500lbs. I'd recommend trailer brakes though.

 

Is transmission cooling an issue? Would I have to install a tranny cooler?

 

you have an automatic? tranny cooler doesn't hurt if you are pulling something on the heavier end of the scale, or if you're pulling through hills and mountains. looks like you're in the bay area, so that'd probably be a yes to that.

 

It would help for heavier pulls. For the lighter stuff you don't really need it IMO.

 

Not sure what my 6X6X12 enclosed single axle trailer weighed fully loaded with all my shit a few years ago and my old 96 towed it just fine. I would just pick up speed going down hill to make it up on the opposite side. Truck did a hell of a job for a 2.7. It was a 96 extended cab 4x4 manual tranny with 2.5" of lift and 31" tires. should have kept that truck!!

Found my truck box at lowes, its 12" by I think 62" with the beveled bottom to fit the wheel wells and is also the low profile. Paid $99 bucks for it on sale and military discount. I didn't plan on putting too much into it either but shit happens, it's completely full now and if I had the room I would add more thats sitting on my back seats. Yours will be full soon enough. lol

 

I found my box on craigslist for $10 and its bolted in. You just have to look and youll find smoking deals.

 

Wow! That's crazy, I picked up the EXACT same toolbox. Paid 40 for it. Compared to the other toolboxes on Craigslist, it was a good deal. Came out of a 80's Ford Ranger. It's super rusted in a lot of places, I sanded the gull wing covers down to bare metal, and places where water can pool has almost solid bonded rust that not even an angle grinder can remove. I wanted to paint it black to match my truck, but I'm kind of liking the white look.