Kobalt toolbox install w/ grip rites

Have you tried graphite in the lock mechanism?

 

I've never heard of this but just looked it up. Do you think it would help with the initial action of getting the key in the keyhole? Because that's the problem I'm having, is that I have to go up and down, left and right, just to get the key started.

EDIT - I just went out and tried to really look at why the key wasn't going in. It looked like the little cover plate that goes over the hole does not get out of the way easily. I figured out a way to move the key so it goes in a little easier but the keyhole just seems to be cheaply made.

Matt

 

Op nice step by step I've been wanting to get a tool box again for my truck

 

Honestly, i just said phucket and ran a self tapping screw in each side. I would like to get these if i ever end up removing it often though.

 

once again this was a great idea. I installed mine a few weeks ago following the steps provided by DMB. Only thing I didnt use a bolt to slide in the rail. I used the tie down and used a 3/8 washer, sliding it in front of the flat metal part of the existing tie down to make sure that part didnt spin when tightening. Tightened everything down and its not going anywhere. Thanks again

 

I installed mine with 5/16 x 3" long J-hooks from Lowe's. They were about $1 each. I put a washer and lock washer on there before the nut. I took the bed rails off of each side (4 screws) and drilled 5/16" holes in the bottom of it where I wanted the J-hooks to grab. Before doing that, I placed the box on the bed rails and marked the accessory rails with a dot using a permanent marker so I would know where the toolbox slits were. My toolbox came with slits already cut in it for the J-hooks (top right pic), so I needed to line it up with a hole in the rails. I just tightenend the nuts down to the point that the box metal started bending. Make sure there is some rubber or foam padding between the box and the rails.

Pictured below: J-hooks under rail (left), inside the box with washers and nut (top right), and accessory rail where I drilled two 5/16" holes (bottom right).

Edit: I had someone ask me about drilling holes in the rails. They are made of metal even though they appear to be plastic. They are strong and will hold the box fine. If you tighten the toolbox down too much, the box will break before the rails bend.



Here's a side view of the (Lowe's) Kobalt toolbox that is about 61" Long x 12" Wide.



And here's the overall look of the truck. I think this narrow Kobalt toolbox is perfect for the doublecab short bed Tacomas. I only have a 5 ft bed, so a 1 ft wide toolbox looks perfect.

 

I have a UWS low pro in polished aluminum now, but I like the Kobalt in black but I don't see it on Lowes site anymore just the polished aluminum. If I knew i could get the black I would consider going to the Kobalt since it's more narrow.

 

Yeah their website is weird. It doesn't show up on their website, but if you Google "Lowe's mid size kobalt toolbox black", it will show up in the results and take you to the page. I couldn't order it on the Lowe's website because it wouldn't let me select a store for pick up. I went to my local Lowe's and asked them to order it for me (Item #14646), and they told me another store 15 min away had it so I got it there. I'm guessing the item is discontinued, but you can still order it through the store. The store where I picked it up had 3 on hand, but the other 3 Lowe's in my area didn't have any.

 

Awesome thanks I'll check and see what I can find out.

 

i does come in black. got mine for 200. same slim line low profile kobalt.

 

I going to do this thanks

 

Looks good...

 

anyone else have a plastic bedliner with their's?

 

Just an FYI these low-pro 12" deep Lowes boxes go on sale for $99 once a year. Throw in another $20 for paint and walla black tool box.

 

I had one of those... I traded it to some idiot for my topper!!! Haha gotta love Craigslist

 

Maybe he wasnt an idiot. He probably wanted a toolbox over the topper and that was good enough or him

 

1000 topper > 150 toolbox... Haha

 

Thought I'd pass on what I learned today. None of the Lowe's in my area carry this box in black. I called Lowe's customer service, and was told the nearest one was approx 100 miles away and that they could ship it to me for $50. C/S rep said that the stores in my area couldn't order it b/c they didn't normally stock it. I called the nearest store and spoke with the manager. He was very surprised that no one in the North Alabama/Southern TN region carried this box. He is going to check on getting it in his store and let me know what he finds out.

 

so in other words you recently traded someone a topper for a toolbox huh...

 

ahh the best and cheap way doing it,,great!!!!!!!!