Working on larger cubbies

This may take awhile, I'm just getting started, but it's been on my mind awhile. My 2nd gen SR5 has cubbies on both sides of the bed, but they give me barely enough room for straps and bungies before they're cram packed.

I haven't decided exactly how I'm going to make them deeper (height wise, downward into the fender) yet, so I don't mind seeing your suggestions. I'll likely be using sheet aluminum since it's light, doesn't rust, and is easy to work with. I don't have the ability to weld, so it'll be riveted.

I'm thinking I'll go 6" further down into the opening, so I can still reach to the bottoms of the cubbies, although I may be limited by how I have to physically maneuver them into the openings.

 

an idea for you:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-...ical-Switch-and-Outlet-Box-B117RSWR/202077341



i believe the enclosures are made out of fiberglass reinforced ABS plastic. a better option would be to use epoxy, and ABS sheets like this

$9 2 BLACK ABS PLASTIC SHEET 10.5"x10.5"x1/8" CAR/STEREO/AUDIO/INTERIOR

https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-PLASTIC-SHEET-STEREO-INTERIOR/dp/B003L7PCPC?crid=23NSP4E2YLOCC&keywords=abs+plastic+sheet+car+audio&qid=1705105525&sprefix=plastic+sheet+aud%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-6

 

Thanks, that's worth looking into. I wonder how bendable it is.

 

Id cut out the bottom, make a box to what size you need fit it to inside of the cubby, drill it to the original piece. Put the box you make in then put the oem cubby in and attach with screws. If that makes sense.

 

I mean if there’s room there’s room.

Dodge Ram offers fender compartments

saw a guy put on an old ram an opening bedside so it’s basically a door that opens up with struts.

then there’s body panels that can be changed to come off quickly. Like quick release pins to take a bumper off on a track car. But that’s more work to remove.

could get in the way of things like MOLLE panels

 

Tuffy makes a solution i have one on each side super useful i keep a viar 300p mounted in one, i got a deal on them used

$238 Toyota Tacoma Bed Security Lockbox

https://www.amazon.com/Tuffy-161-01-Toyota-Security-Lockbox/dp/B01NH2YRD7

 

That's pretty sweet, but I'm pretty sure I can do it for under $20. Mine aren't as secure as the Tuffy, but I did swap out the knobs for locks a few years ago.

 

Have you made any progress?