I am boxless, school me on KRA boxes

[carterbeauford]

I am downsizing my tool collection with a focus on quality over quantity. finally got rid of my Extreme 72" cabinet. got $1400 out of it which I didn't think was too bad, I would have taken anything to have it gone. I have hated the drawer detents on it since I bought it. I've suffered with every type of Craftsman box and most recently this Extreme and feel I have earned a Snap On box.

I don't really want to be one of the people who finances a new box off the truck because I keep meeting them and they're idiots. either people think their boxes are worth their weight in gold, or are desperate to get rid of them and still want to play hardball. they are proud to tell me what they paid off the truck. I met a young kid with a KRA2422 in good shape, exact box I have been looking for. I had $2000 in new $100 bills in my pocket and he was asking $2400, wouldn't take any less than $2100 so I walked out and told him not to hold it for me. a mile down the road he calls and says he'll take $2000 for it. I don't have time to play games. I don't desperately need a box this minute either.

new is my last option but the local Snap On dealer has been the only businesslike professional I have met so far in my search for a box. I can afford a KRA5311, I'd really like the extra 4" depth on a KRA2422 but I can get by with 20" deep drawers for a few years. I am saving for a house and looking at becoming 100% debt free in the next two years so a $4-5000 box isn't part of the bigger picture. my budget is $2500 and I get get into a Heritage for near that.

what are the differences between Heritage and Classic boxes other than the depth? I don't need KRL quality.

 

[blown94conv]

I would hold out for the KRA. Better slides, thicker sheet metal, and extra room over the heritage series.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I don't really want to be one of the people who finances a new box off the truck because I keep meeting them and they're idiots.

You haven't met us all.....

 

[carterbeauford]

You haven't met us all.....

it's predominantly young kids. when I'm in my 50s and independently wealthy I can probably swing a new KRL1022. these new boxes seem to depreciate worse than new cars.

 

[Murphy4570]

Get a classic box. Extra depth. I have a KRA-2411, great box. Bought new in 2007, will probably keep it the rest of my life.

The heritage stuff is just too short and small IMO.

 

[tjmonsen5]

The kra2411 is a great box, same box as the kra2422 except it doesn't have the full length wrench drawer. It is also $500 cheaper than the kra2422. You can probably get it for 3500 with a snapon credit rebate. Otherwise. See which boxes are on his truck, they will be on the best deals. I feel that you will outgrow a heritage box very quickly, because they are only 20 inches deep. They are built very well though, slides are the same as the classic series.

 

[carterbeauford]

I would hold out for the KRA. Better slides, thicker sheet metal, and extra room over the heritage series.

my last box was 18ga drawers and shell which was sufficient. everything I've seen indicates even the cheapest Snap On box is a significant improvement over homeowner grade stuff sold at Sears and the like. can't find anything on sheet metal gauges in the catalog. I am using this in my home shop.

Classic and Heritage both have the same weight rating. I won't have anywhere near 2400lbs of tools in the box, anything heavy like a granite surface plate I keep in my Vidmar.

 

[carterbeauford]

The kra2411 is a great box, same box as the kra2422 except it doesn't have the full length wrench drawer. It is also $500 cheaper than the kra2422. You can probably get it for 3500 with a snapon credit rebate.

best he can do is list $4495 - $350 "down payment match" is that the same as the rebate? $4150 is almost double my budget.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

it's predominantly young kids. when I'm in my 50s and independently wealthy I can probably swing a new KRL1022. these new boxes seem to depreciate worse than new cars.

Ah, yeah, I get the "kids these days" thing.....

As for depreciation -- I'd never expect to even sell my boxes for half what I paid, and that was no where near list price.

I'd also have a hard time justifying 4K, or even 2k for that matter, for a box that's not helping me earn a paycheck.

 

[carterbeauford]

I'd also have a hard time justifying 4K, or even 2k for that matter, for a box that's not helping me earn a paycheck.

high end homeowner storage is the plan now, that's why I am leaning towards the Heritage. I restore tractors and make slab tables but making a business out of it is on hold, having a kid and trying to build a house. too much going on. just need a decent box to put my tools in.

 

[sberry]

my last box was 18ga drawers and shell which was sufficient. everything I've seen indicates even the cheapest Snap On box is a significant improvement over homeowner grade stuff sold at Sears and the like. can't find anything on sheet metal gauges in the catalog. I am using this in my home shop.

You must have other bills,,, why fuk around. HF 44 for 400 NIB ad cant find one reliable account of anyone wearing one out. Not only that,, I and many other long time professionals use Cman boxes.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I bought a kra4107 loaded with tools for 600 bucks. I bought another one For 350 that was about 2-4 years old from a guy quitting tech school. I bought the middle section for 200 and the top for 400. That is more storage than I currently have a need for. I bought on CL a piece at a time. I have more room for tall than wide. Mine is the 40" wide drawer models. I doubt I would ever sell it. I could probably make a killing on trade in values but will still end up paying CL pricing for a KRL 1023. I really would love the 1022 - 56" wide, 30" deep with a top and bottom. I don't have the room for a 50 ft wide box

 

[carterbeauford]

You must have other bills,,, why fuk around. HF 44 for 400 NIB ad cant find one reliable account of anyone wearing one out. Not only that,, I and many other long time professionals use Cman boxes.

house is paid for... truck almost paid for... I can treat myself. I bought a Craftsman Professional 36" combo in 2007 and the bolts holding the top to the roll cab pulled through the sheet metal... returned it and bought an Extreme which was much heavier duty but I always hated how the drawers closed. I don't use anything from Harbor Freight. not saying the 44 isn't an acceptable box but I just don't shop there.

 

[-Brent-]

Does the kid still have his KRL? If that's in your budget why not buy that?

 

[rice rocket]

Ask your Snap On guy if he's gotten any trade ins.

 

[gagreen]

I got a brand new 2422 for around 2200 ish... Let your dealer know what you want and he'll make it happen eventually. KRA 2422's seem to be pretty common truck stock boxes so deals and negotiation are definitely doable, just can't be picky on the color as truck stock box deals are for the one your looking at on the truck, no special orders etc...

Stick it out for the 2422 it was a great box until it gets full then it somehow turns into a payment and a krl1022 lol.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Ask your Snap On guy if he's gotten any trade ins.

..OR Deals.

Boxes are like cars, deals, rebates and specials all the time if you driver wants to play ball.

I paid less for 2 KRL's then what the kid wanted for his KRA...Brand new KRL722, 6 months later a KRL1056...

IMHO, Go KRL...your in the same position I was in...didnt "NEED" one, but "WANTED" one and could afford to wait for a deal. They come & go...guaranteed. Want to say there was a deal not too long ago on the KRL722 for +/-$2,400...
If you pay attention to most of the guys who got deals on boxes you'll find the common thread being the deal came to them, not the other way around...

 

[rice rocket]

You got a new KRL722 from a dealer for $2400?

Let's see the receipt.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

You got a new KRL722 from a dealer for $2400?

Let's see the receipt.

Use search function...I paid much less then that for MY Box, YES it was new as was the 1056 I got this spring, but I seem to recall in April or so most trucks having a smokin deal on 722's in a handful of colors in the 2400 range

 

[firebox40dash5]

You got a new KRL722 from a dealer for $2400?

Let's see the receipt.

Here's mine for $2700. No trade, put $1200 down on the spot when I ordered. I waited a bit for it to come along, but well worth it.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have a heritage box and use it professionally. I have zero complaints. I have had it for going on 5 years.

If you need the extra depth, get a classic box. But otherwise you can add double drawer slides and the box is very adequate.

I bought used. Paid $600 for my rollaway and $300 for the top chest.
Here is a link about my box, although the contents have changed some since these photos were taken. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226252

 

[rice rocket]

Wow, didn't realize there was THAT much markup at the distributorship level. Some cars are marked up less than that.

 

[carterbeauford]

Does the kid still have his KRL? If that's in your budget why not buy that?

yes, I just didn't want to deal with him.

found a 9 month old gloss black KRL722 for $2000 and am going to check it out tomorrow. I've been patiently waiting for someone desperate to sell and this guy is about to lose his house.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Wow, didn't realize there was THAT much markup at the distributorship level. Some cars are marked up less than that.

My Matco guy claims he has 80% profit margin on his boxes at list. Not markup, PROFIT MARGIN.

My SO driver called me about mine and said it was on special for ~$3100, I talked him down to that. I could've saved a few hundred buying used, but having the money laying around and finding the right deal weren't aligning for me. I'll live with that to not deal with driving around and dealing with the majority who ask more than that on CL anyway.

 

[Aaron10647]

Another happy owner of a KRL on the cheap. When you looking the deals feel like they are never there. I was looking for a KRL722 for under 2k for a good year and never found one. Then within a 6 month window I was the owner of a used Macsimizer cart and a new KRL for under $2k total. I wouldn't be able to pull off those deals today but to the person with time, they always come around and you have to jump on them cause they are gone by the time they leave your sight.

Also remember, students and industrial customers don't pay MSRP and dealers have promotions that we never see. Those savings can sometimes get passed down to you if your standing there with cash.

Long winded response but I was in a similar scenario where I didn't need a snap on box but I had the time to hold out. The box you want will pop up, don't settle.

 

[warmpancakes]

if you arent in a hurry , MAKE FRIENDS WITH A DEALER explain what you want and your price range, also be willing to finance through snap on EC to get the rebate, you can pay off next day, usually theres a Minimum 300 rebate on a box,

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

I agree with this^. Buy on snapon credit to get the discount, then pay off the next week with no penalties. I just did exactly that. I am very happy with my kra2432pc I just got Wednesday, just finished moving all my tools over to it. Got it for 30% off with the current promo and my dealer tossed in the stainless top for $200.

 

[peaceonesxwai]

Im on the same boat but I have no clue which box to go with. Was going to purchase a KRSC46 but I know i would fill that box up with all the tools I have now. I see couple KRL722s on craigslist for around my price range, but I want to know whats the difference with other boxes similar to its size that I should be looking for. I really like the 2 full size drawers on the KRL, and thats the only difference I can tell from KRA boxes. Im looking at a budget of under $2k aswell.

 

[fozzy]

I cannot compare boxes for you as you ask in your last sentence, but I can offer the following. I purchased a KRA2422 (Classic 96) for $1600 a few months back on Craigslist. It was in excellent condition (after a good cleaning) with just one dent on the top drawer that I was able to remove (mostly) on my own.

I also understand that this is a bigger box than you are currently looking for, but it should give you some measure of price if the availability is there for you. You don't seem adverse to buying from private parties.

I will caveat by saying that I am not a pro, just a shadetree mechanic. In your situation, if I had received $1400 for my previous box, I would have been $200 in the hole for what was more along the lines for what I was looking for. My post:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260293

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

..OR Deals.

Boxes are like cars, deals, rebates and specials all the time if you driver wants to play ball.

Heck yeah! I talked my SO guy into giving one of my guys in the shop who needed a decent tool box a nearly brand new (displayed on the truck) classic 78 KRA2411 in trade for a parking space for his tool truck for while when he didn't want to dive it home every night.

I also have found the best deals when I din't NEED a box, and even when I did, I put up with my situation 'till the deal was good enough.

 

[TheePsycho]

I got a KRL722 from my dealer with a stainless steel top for $2,800 and I didn't even have to talk him down for that price.

 

[Holzarbeiter]

Why not look for a good used deal? Took a little time but I ran across a KRL722, Cronwell cart and little compressor for 800$ on craigslist.
Check with all the local tool trucks and see what kind of trade ins they got.

 

[carterbeauford]

patience paid off. got a 9 month old KRL722 in 99.9% new condition for $2000. casters didn't even have dirt on them.

 

[SASORacing]

Buy used, you won't get burned.

 

[cg81]

That is a nice looking box.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

patience paid off. got a 9 month old KRL722 in 99.9% new condition for $2000. casters didn't even have dirt on them.

 

[carterbeauford]

the cell phone picture doesn't do it justice.

kid lost his ***

I win.

 

[Boredmechanic]

patience paid off. got a 9 month old KRL722 in 99.9% new condition for $2000. casters didn't even have dirt on them.

Twins?

 

[LGMechanical]

patience paid off. got a 9 month old KRL722 in 99.9% new condition for $2000. casters didn't even have dirt on them.

That box should have ISO Ride casters on it. Maybe that's why they dont have any dirt. They were swapped out for generic wheels.

My dealer bought several of those at a convention. He was selling them with the better casters for $3500 CDN brand new.

Nice box regardless.

 

[carterbeauford]

I don't think the casters were swapped, the catalog shows these casters on the smaller KRL boxes and ISO rides on the bigger ones. rather I think the box was just never moved. do they all come with ISO rides now?