Mounting a toolbox to a Tacoma with bedrails

I've been browsing Tacomaworld for a good method to mount my toolbox and wasn't really pleased with any of them, so I began searching for an alternative solution.
I found these clamps at a Leonard store, they are for securing a cap to the bed. The small piece that the bolt threads into is perfect for Tacoma bedrails.

 

Did mine w/ the brackets Lowes sells to fit the box. NOTE: find a way to cover the open space around the bolts. Ive found that if you have any dirt in the bed, when you wash it, itll blow stuff in the box... I took Duct Tape at first (put it top and bottom) then after I took the nameplate off my toolbox I used it. Cut it down to fit and drill holes thru to fit the bolts.

 

My dad had the same problem with dust in his tool box... So, I did what you did and went the extra mile and carpeted it. Also, I added more foam padding where the lid closes so even less dust would come in. So far not one spec of dust has not been found.

 

That's actually a pretty good idea, the typical J-bolts don't really fit well in the factory bed rail system.

 

yeah that's what i figured. i've been trying to come up with a way to seal out the water, how did the duct tape hold up?

 

Any idea what the clamps are called? I would like to get some out here or online... Thanks!

Edit: found some http://socaltruck.net/replacement_parts

 

some here too:
http://www.truckoutfittersplus.com/store/topper_parts_clamps.htm
$30 for a set of 4, may need some washers though.

the one you need is called "Toyota Tacoma/Tundra Clamps for Leer Truck Caps (Set of 4)"

 

The rails are pretty easy to remove, only 4 screws. I marked them with a permanent marker, removed them, and drilled 2 small holes under both rails for the J-hooks to hold the toolbox. It only took about 10 minutes to get the rails off and drill them where I marked them. The J-hooks with a washer and nut are about $1 each.

That looks great!

 

Here's a pic of my setup. The mounting hardware the OP found looks good if you don't mind spending a little extra.

 

Thanks for the link! Picked up the small kobalt one off craigslist and been sitting in my garage. It doesn't slide at all with weight in the toolbox?

 

I strongly considered doing that but in the end I decided to spend $30 over drilling. I'm glad the J-Hooks worked though, it turned out really nicely!

No it does not slide at all. I have about 50 lbs of crap in mine and it stays put. One thing to note is do not overtighten the bolts, doing so will deform the box as well as the bedrails. There is a great deal of friction provided by the plastic on top of the bed sides and it does not require much torque to keep the box in place even with heavy loads.
If you are very concerned about that issue then the J-Hook solution might be for you.

 

Cool, thanks for the info! I plan on adding some 'padding' on the bottom where the toolbox makes contact with the rails.

 

Tape held up great for me. I also cut a "runner" carpet and put on the bottom so stuff would slide around. I didnt go all out like 12 did though. That looks good.

 

Just ordered a set from Amazon... Hope it be a perfect fit for my side mount tool box, but looks like i will have to make 2 holes on toolbox

 

This looks like just what I need. I'm trying to mount a tool box on the bed of my Tacoma and use the factory bed rail system. So glad I found this post!

 

I took one look at the (few) dinky screws holding the Toyota tie down rails to the bed side and said "no way". If you ever see one of these cross-bed boxes fly loose in an offroad incident (fully loaded with tools and etc.) - you too would be looking for something sturdy to attach it to. I've also seen more than one topper lying beside the road. No thanks. I ended up using longer, larger (5/16) "J-bolts" to go down to the forward anchors in the bed side walls. You can just see these loops at the bottom of a photo in post #9. For good measure I used one of the skinny 1/8 J-bolts that came with the box to aid the larger hardware on each side. Where they come through the thin aluminum box floor, I installed a length of steel flat bar for them to clamp a fair amount of the box - spread the load over more of it. One of my welders used angle iron on his. I did want to re-use the forward Toyota tie down rail so I removed it to bolt onto the back of the toolbox. The removed piece had to be replaced with a full width piece of (painted) square tubing - this also holds the box far enough away from the cab glass to swing the box door full open. After it was in place - I sheet-metal screwed the front of the box to this tube.

I wired 40 amp DC power to my box so that it has interior lighting, air compressor, and work lights. Also fitted it with tarp rings at the forward corners and front - so you could cover a load easily. Obviously - not all of this is required - but added little by little.

 

Just ran into this issue. Amazon sells the small piece from OP's solution -- 4 pack for about $9. I searched "truck bed tool box mount"