Flatbed underbody toolboxes

[56FordGuy]

I'm looking to add at least one toolbox under the bed of my flatbed truck. My maximum dimensions are 36" long, 18" tall and about 21" deep. I prefer the twist style latches.

I found this one at Northern Tool; Northern Tool + Equipment Underbody Truck Box — Black, 36in.L | Underbody Truck Boxes | Northern Tool + Equipment

My question is, can y'all recommend any other sources that I should look at? I'd really like to get one with one slide out tray/ drawer at the top, but the only one I've seen at Northern like that has the non- twist latch, which is a deal breaker for me. Any opinions on the piano style latch versus the two individual pins like the one I found?

Opinions would be welcomed!

Thanks y'all!

 

[powerstroke444e]

I been looking for 2 of the same type for my dump truck build and have seen some on ebay. But will probbly go with the one at local TSC with out the slide drawer due to price.
The ones at northern look sweet.

 

[77bronco]

Look up Delta or Weatherguard tool boxes and see if there is a dealer close to you. Another place would be a truck dealership, they often carry tool boxes.

Delta - Total Storage Solutions

WEATHER GUARD Professional Van Storage, Truck Tool Boxes and Storage Equipment

 

[lostcause]

Tractor Supply Co. Single Lid Tread Aluminum Underbed Storage Box, Silver, 24 in. - 1091672 | Tractor Supply Company

this isn't as big as the one you are looking at, but it's aluminum and it is even a little lower in price. i've got a black steel one under my 10 year old truck, and i haven't dared use it in some time. rust is the enemy of anything low to the ground around here. the winter snow and salt really does a number on stuff. i'd go aluminum and if you live in the northern climate. the hardware is still likely to be carbon steel, so protect/monitor that somehow and it'll last a long time.

 

[flusher]

I'm looking to add at least one toolbox under the bed of my flatbed truck. My maximum dimensions are 36" long, 18" tall and about 21" deep. I prefer the twist style latches.

I found this one at Northern Tool; Northern Tool + Equipment Underbody Truck Box Black, 36in.L | Underbody Truck Boxes | Northern Tool + Equipment

My question is, can y'all recommend any other sources that I should look at? I'd really like to get one with one slide out tray/ drawer at the top, but the only one I've seen at Northern like that has the non- twist latch, which is a deal breaker for me. Any opinions on the piano style latch versus the two individual pins like the one I found?

Opinions would be welcomed!

Thanks y'all!

I like the boxes that Highway Products offers

Truck Tool boxes for Light Truck to Semi Truck Tarp & Tie-down Storage.

I plan to get one of these for my 2004 Isuzu NPR/EFI stakebed (8x14 ft bed).

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Check out Highway Products. They are supposed to make good boxes. They will also customize them...

 

[tlbuser]

Take a look at the Brute boxes
RB654 54" Brute Chest Box

Brute Under Body with Top Drawer

 

[56FordGuy]

I've looked at the Tractor Supply steel boxes and the Northern Tool boxes locally.

The Tractor Supply boxes were a big disappointment. The ones I looked at had really poor looking welds, and were very thin. 1/16th of an inch at the most. The face on the box where the door meets it is flat, with a rubber strip. The door edge is beveled inwards, and just jams into the seal. Half the rubber is inside the door, half is outside. The latch assembly was decent; it had one tab that caught the top of the box in the middle, and a rod that extended over to each side. Had it not been for the side rods, I feel confident a person could grab the corner of the latched door and bend it open by hand without much trouble. The long, piano hinge was pretty thin, too.

Pros? It's inexpensive, I liked the latch mechanism, and the Tractor Supply logo on the door looked like it was held on by adhesive, thus easily removable.

The Northern Tool box was better. It seems like it's made of thicker steel, and the welds look a lot better. The door has a channel that it seals around, but no rubber gasket. The diamond plate aluminum boxes that they have are the same door design, but do have a rubber seal. They're also $100.00 more expensive. My problems with the Northern box were that lack of a seal, and the latch. It only had one tab that latched in the top middle of the door, and it just felt cheap. I would like it a lot better if it had rods that extend out to the sides of the door as well. My last complaint with it is the Northern Tool logo on the door. It's a plate, held on by rivets. If it was removed, there would be rivet holes in the door to fill.

I'm still looking. I'll be checking out the links y'all have posted. Thanks!

 

[tlbuser]

I should have added this link, it has the manuf. dimensions, warranty and phone #
http://www.uniquetruckaccessories.com/pdf/BruteWebPDF.pdf

 

[56FordGuy]

I bought a box today. I went down to a local flatbed/ truck body place to see what they had.

The one I bought is a Phoenix brand. The steel is fairly thick, and the hinge seems sturdy. It has a rubber gasket that's completely covered by the door. It has the twist type latch, but only one tab in the top center. There's no brand label on the door to worry about removing.

My only complaint with it is the lack of locking rods that extend to the sides of the door. However, it looks like the locking rods can be added easily. I like this box, and it seems like a good compromise between cost and quality. It's not as nice a box as the Knapheide, Weatherguard, etc, but it was a lot less expensive. If I were putting my tools in it, I'd have probably spent more for a nicer box, but this one seems suitable for my ratchet straps, tow straps, etc.