Replacing the little side boxes in the bed...

Hey all,
I finally pulled out one of the side boxes in the bed of my '10 access cab I4 Tacoma. I'm going to try and make a replacement box that drops down 4 inches or so. For having all the room below it, it seems like it is wasting useful space. I know that you can buy the heavy duty locking replacement boxes, but $180 a side seems ridiculous. Anyway, I'll keep everyone posted but I wanted to double check that no one has done this before.

Thanks

 

great idea, looking forward a DIY

 

Little side boxes???

I assume you are talking about the small ones over the wheel well and not the ones at the tailgate ?

If so, how did you get them out. Just this morn I was checking them out for a way.

 

Its the screws that are on the rim of the box. Use a small torx bit, take out screws, pop out box.

BTW OP: Those boxes (stock ones) cost several hundred to replace. So those metal ones actual are a bad deal compared to buying new stock ones.
Good Luck with your idea.

 

pics might help explain whats going on

 

Sorry everyone, I'm still at work so pics are hard to do until tonight at the earliest. I'm talking about the boxes that have a closing door (but not locking) towards the rear of the bed. This thread, http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/58359-tuffy-locking-bed-box-installed.html, talks about the replacement, locking boxes that are very nice but very expensive. Toyota wanting a small fortune for replacement plastic boxes is ridiculous and not surprising.

Just so no one gets too excited, I'm shooting for a non-locking replacement that is just a touch bigger. Sort of a hybrid between the stock box and the tuffy box. I may even harvest the front of the stock box to keep a stock look. I just want something deeper for my ropes/tarps/tie downs/bungees.

 

the small ones abve the wheel well just pop out

 

Thanks; just in case anyone else is interested I picked this up from the DIY bed light thread:

"I then took the side pockets out of the truck. They disconnect very easily without tools. Just grab the inside of the pocket and push upward, then pull in a downward-out motion. They snap right out. Play with them for a second, it’ll make sense."

 

This is on hold until funds for sheet metal come around. I have the plasma cutter and spot welder already but need the material first. Will keep everyone up to date though.

 

go by the local HVAC supply shop they have really cheap sheet metal. its not car grade or anything but it will work for what you want.