Bed rack storage

fixing to get a bed rack on my truck and will have to sell my toolbox. However, I'm going to need a new way to store things in my bed. Ideas?

 

You could do lockable ammo cans bolted to the bed.

What kind of rack? like a contractor's rack or something like the ?

 

All-Pro but I'm building it myself.

 

Yeah, I'm wanting to get the weld-together kit, too.

Sounds like you have a welder... Want a project?

I've been thinking about this idea for whenever I get one.

Make a box out of 1/8" plate (or thinner, really), and just follow the lines of the fender wells, and bring it up to be flush with the bed, or the pack rack's storage shelf (if you're getting one of those). The opening could be a bit of work to make sure it doesn't hit the rack sides (teh storage shecf would also mean you'd probably need an opening on the side (rear), but I think it's do-able. Depending on the cutting equipment you have you could just get all the dimensions (I use cardboard templates) and have a machine shop cut them for you, then just lay them all in the bed and tack n' go.

As you can see, it's not a fully hashed out idea. I'm usually the type of person to just make it up as I go along. But that's usually how you get exactly what you want: build it yourself...

 

Oh no no, I'm not buying their kit. All the material to make it only costs about $80 in aluminum. Bending the metal and all myself. I thought about doing that, might give it a go.

 

You're way cooler than I am. I don't weld aluminum (I can barley weld steel, lol).

Can you hack your current tool box to fit? Section the middle and re-weld...

What about some side-access boxes that fit in between the rack supports? Like this or this

You'd have to shift the box back so the lids clear the rack support and would waste some space in front, but you could make your own, or hack up an existing one to fit better, too...

Or maybe something like this?

 

I'll take a look at the links. I don't wanna hack this box though. $450 toolbox that's still in awesome condition. Be better off selling and using the money for material or a new setup.

 

If that last link ones fit my truck I'd be all over that. Lol

 

Yeah, I like that last one, too. There's gotta be something like that out there that fits the Tacos.

 

If there's not, I'll do it. Baha

 

I got a rack that was short enough to still utilize a bed box, beings you're making.yours that would be an easy enough adventure?? Mines still big enough for a RTT or anything id need it for really. I was worried it would look funky at first but once i mounted it up its not outta place or look doesn't funky.

On my other truck i dont run a rack but i do have a chest in the back for storage, not some dumb home storage chest or anything like that either. Its a real nice well built truck bed storage box with a diamnd plate lid and smooth sides. Has to be used at the back of the bed though cause of the wheel wells not allowing fitment. But since it dont eat up any bed rail it dosent affect bed rack installation in any way.