Between the River Hills & the River Bottom

[bugnut]

Sorry for the loss of your grandfather.
Take good care and think of him when you see his toys!
May he be with you forever!

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

Your Grandfather was a man with talent and good taste, sorry for your loss.

 

[XJSuperman]

Sorry for your loss man, its not a great feeling. I lost my Grandmother during all this craziness and the real comfort is knowing it was their time. Losing one's mind is a bad way to go, in the end, it was probably for the best. If you ever need to talk, you know how to get ahold of me.

The cars look great, you guys really did a nice job on them.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Thanks everyone!

It’s never an easy situation. It’s something we’ve been preparing for awhile now. It’s just good to know he doesn’t have to go through everything anymore.

 

[cliftonbros89]

To change the pace and add a lighter note I rearranged my screwdriver drawer this evening.

Aside from the other tools I sell I recently became I distributor for Ernst Manufacturing as well. I decided to add some more screwdriver organizers to shape things up a bit. But this is by no means the finally product. At least I should be more aware if something is missing. I should’ve taken a before.

These are the drivers that didn’t make the cut. Actually the biggest flat Snap On and the biggest flat Craftsman were just relocated to another drawer for now. The others I took to the house to go to the basement toolbox. Also known as the land of overflow tools and tools I don’t really use but I’m not going to just give away.

My plan is to actually gradually switch to all Wera. I’m not just saying that because I sell Wera now. In all honesty it’s because I really do like their screwdrivers. Which is why I sell them to begin with.

To be down right honest I never was really overly impressed with my Snap On screwdrivers. Especially at the cost. So besides a few odd balls in that drawer, majority of it in the future will be strictly Wera. Overflow will just go to the house I guess. Although I’m sure someone would be willing to throw out a few bucks for a classic USA made set of Craftsman’s. It seems like you can never have enough screwdrivers. But I think I may have enough screwdrivers.

Oddly enough I really don’t use screwdrivers a ton. With the most common being a 2 Phillips I can typically just use a bit on a small drill or an impact for majority of those. It’s not very often I run into too much else. My most used at the flat Chiseldrivers and I’ll pick them up over a flat Snap On every day of the week. They’re tough to beat.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Side note, there is one Toolbox Widget brand organizer in there. It came free with the purchase of some of those Grypmats that I bought. Both products of which are supposed to be US made. As is Ernst.

I’ll say the toolbox widget does work. You can also easily add or take out sections as you wish, where Ernst organizers come in 6, 8, and 10 tool organizers. At least with their gripper organizers. So you’re either limited or may waste space with it depending on what you have.

However, the toolbox widget doesn’t hold things in place the greatest, especially the smaller tools. The kind of flop around. The don’t necessarily fall out of place. I just like the Ernst grippers better. Not to mention I’m not sure of the cost on the Toolbox Widget. But I think Ernst is a lot more cost effective.

I’ll also add I don’t really care for the Grypmats either. Too expensive for what they are for one. Secondly, they do not at all grip as advertised. They told me dirt is a contributor that will cause them to not stick. But even on something clean, with clean tools, when the mat has been cleaned nothing sticks, grips, or holds. Neither the mat nor the objects on the mat.

I’ve used the Grypmat for small parts occasionally. Screws and what not. But it’s really not different than the magnetic trays or the storage tubes (I forgot the name of those things, also US made) for small parts. The only plus I’ve found is the largest tray/mat can give me a designated location to lay tools while in use. To avoid loosing something at least. Especially, when my little cart or the creeper aren’t handy. But even then it’s not all that worth it. I can definitely find a cheaper alternative to do the same thing.

Just a note and an opinion.

 

[XJSuperman]

I agree that you have too many screwdrivers. I don't use mine all that often either. Mainly a Snappy ratcheting, and a large and small Craftsman. Nothing special. Seems like on machinery you are using a driver or drill with a bit more often than not (at least in my experience).
I disagree on the Grypmats though. I love mine. I have them laying in various spots and move them around the garage as needed. I don't expect it to hold on a steep surface like their ads, but I figure its saving whatever surface I'm laying it on from the tools and grime I would be laying on it directly. Currently one is laying on top of the partswasher, another on a board across a "table", and the third is in a cab maybe? All holding tools or hardware or something. I can organize it better than magnetic trays too. Theres a HF alternative now too I saw recently if you don't mind the lack of USA and want them cheaper.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I agree that you have too many screwdrivers. I don't use mine all that often either. Mainly a Snappy ratcheting, and a large and small Craftsman. Nothing special. Seems like on machinery you are using a driver or drill with a bit more often than not (at least in my experience).
I disagree on the Grypmats though. I love mine. I have them laying in various spots and move them around the garage as needed. I don't expect it to hold on a steep surface like their ads, but I figure its saving whatever surface I'm laying it on from the tools and grime I would be laying on it directly. Currently one is laying on top of the partswasher, another on a board across a "table", and the third is in a cab maybe? All holding tools or hardware or something. I can organize it better than magnetic trays too. Theres a HF alternative now too I saw recently if you don't mind the lack of USA and want them cheaper.

I feel like I can somewhat justify my screwdrivers though. The Wera Chiseldrivers are a must for me anymore. Without a doubt my most used.

There’s also a set of Torx screwdrivers. They are handy on saw, weed eaters, and recently discovered, a few new parts on the planter.

I also have a Pozidriv set. Not super necessary. But I have ran across those a few times.

The insulted set is likely the least needed in the drawer. But I will say those slim tips are great for switching out outlets, switches and breakers.

Majority of the rest are miscellaneous. I do like the stubbies and the long handled stubbies for certain things. I have particular jobs for each one. But there are quite a few things I’ll use a 3 and 4 size Phillips for, which tend to be not super high torque fasteners despite the size. I’d just rather use a screwdriver than a bit for a lot of those things so nothing breaks or strips out.

I’m not a big fan of my Snap On stubby ratcheting driver. But I do like the Wera ratcheting driver for things once in awhile. It’s definitely nice for the price.

As far as the mats go, I’m glad to hear someone likes them. I’m just not super satisfied with them. I also have 2 of the Gripty brand (I think that’s what it is) mats that I was keeping in the service truck. Again, not as handy as I thought they’d be. But the larger one does at least serve as a good location to lay tools and parts when in the field so nothing gets lost, as long as it’s on a flat surface. I saw HF has them too. But I figured they likely wouldn’t be any different than any of the rest.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well things are getting busy, between rain showers anyway. We’re way behind. Things are going to be piling up before too long.

The truck bed search is not going well. I’ve searched and searched for a used bed with no luck. Everything is either a total piece of junk or its too long or made for a cab and chassis frame and won’t properly work on my truck. It seems is even harder to find a bed for a dually. At least one that isn’t a super long 11’ or longer bed.

I’ve talked to multiple dealers in the area, both Missouri and Illinois. Most of them all have beds on back order, that’s the popular thing these days. We’re not talking just a week or two either. We’re talking 2 months or more minimum.

I’ve looked at a few different types.

These aluminum ones are sweet. You can also pulled a gooseneck with them. But the price is really sweet too. By the time you add a few shelves and a few drawers. Then they throw in all their hidden fees you’re looking at a real sweet $18,000.


Dad really likes the looks of these CM flat beds with boxes. I don’t care for them because they don’t have near the amount of storage I would like to have. But he insist we be able to pull a gooseneck with this truck, even though we have the F250 and F550 to do that. Not to mention we also have an adaptor for the International 8600 to pull a gooseneck trailer with too. There are 2 places that have this bed in stock. But even it, bare bones you’re looking at over $16,000.


Finding a service bed has been impossible. No one has them in stock. They’re all on back order. I did find one place have one in stock at would fit my truck. But it is bare as well. No shelves, no drawers, no nothing. Less storage than my old box. It’s over $12,000.

I don’t have the money to throw around on one of these right now. Especially, one of the aluminum ones. That’s damn near what the truck cost me. But at the same time I literally have absolutely nothing right now. So I’ve got to find a solution of some kind.

 

[jollygreengiant]

Man, I feel for you right now. There's just no good solution to it; everything is expensive and on a big waiting list. Ordinarily I'd just say you should build one, but with the price of steel you'll be way over those already insanely high costs and you'd still need all the time to build it.

What about buying an enclosed trailer? That way you could set it up like contractors do: build your own shelves/cabinets from plywood and use store bought toolboxes/cabinets. Then you could just put a cheap plain flatbed on the truck.

 

[XJSuperman]

I like the plain jane service body for what you're doing, but your dad might have a point in being able to tow a gooseneck. In a pinch or once in awhile it might save you. How about online auctions? Surely theres a company updating its fleet and selling off service beds right?

 

[cliftonbros89]

I meant to get back with you guys. But I was having no luck. My patients was wearing thin. I had to do something. An expensive something.

We bit the expensive bullet. Not exactly the route that I had in mind. It’s nice, don’t get me wrong. Just not what exactly I was looking for.

I know, if it’s not what I was looking for, why did I go with it? Well again, patience, thin, etc. But also, in the word of low supply, high demand, rising prices, I had to pull the trigger at some point.

I told dad since I bought the truck, the farm was paying for the bed, for now anyway. I definitely didn’t have the kind of money to spend right now.

So now I’m going to need help. I need ideas. Specifically storage ideas. I know you guys can think of some stuff. Most of you should have a good idea of what I was carrying in the old truck, the type of stuff that’s handy to keep around. What’s some ideas to save space and store more?

I think I’m going to have to invest in some type of job box/knack type of smaller box to sit in the middle to have more room.

I did ask about drawers for the larger boxes. You could get a set ordered. On back order. At least a month out. But also at an additional $3,400. I’m sure they’re top notch, heavy duty drawers. But that seems a bit pricey to me.

Any ideas??

 

[cliftonbros89]

 

[captain14]

The new box looks much smaller than the last truck. Are you planning on removing the second row of seats in the cab and making a set of shelves accessible from each side? I’ve seen mods like that on other trucks.

Any issues installing it? Plug and play for the wiring package?

I’m sure you want to keep as much as possible out of the weather.

 

[cliftonbros89]

The new box looks much smaller than the last truck. Are you planning on removing the second row of seats in the cab and making a set of shelves accessible from each side? I’ve seen mods like that on other trucks.

Any issues installing it? Plug and play for the wiring package?

I’m sure you want to keep as much as possible out of the weather.

Definitely smaller as far as storage goes. I’m thinking of getting a smaller job site box. So I can have some extra storage. Every idea I have dad thinks it’s stupid and an inconvenience. He also thinks it was unnecessary to carry everything I was carrying.

They didn’t give me a plug and play harness I didn’t know anything about that til we went to install it yesterday. I’m going to have to call them tomorrow to see what we need to do about that.

Yeah I definitely what you keep things out of the weather. I got to used to having the bed cover I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I have to start carrying the compressor and a box of parts with me. Im
Also not sure how to carry my small ladder along either.

 

[captain14]

I would think if each box assembly is built for a particular chassis, it would make their shop installers life easy instead of 1003 **** connectors and splices held together with tape. But hearing some of the trailers that are delivered with subpar wiring and lights nothing surprises me.

 

[XJSuperman]

I think some side boxes would be better than the jobbox you mentioned. Easier to reach, less digging when you need something out of them, and you could can ones with drawers. Another option is something like a pair of roadboxes from a toolbox company. Can you fit a compressor in one of the existing cabinets? Maybe build a compressor/generator house for the back instead of a jobbox. Could you build custom frames to slide whatever tools you want into in the existing cabinets? I mean like a wood frame so you can fit milwaukee boxes or dewalt or hardware bins or whatever. Id actually vote angle iron, but wood might be a nice temporary idea to see if it works for you.

 

[captain14]

Just an idea I’ve seen on YouTube for interior cab storage. There plenty of videos for ideas.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I would think if each box assembly is built for a particular chassis, it would make their shop installers life easy instead of 1003 **** connectors and splices held together with tape. But hearing some of the trailers that are delivered with subpar wiring and lights nothing surprises me.

Called this morning and no plug and play option for this one. That’s annoying.

Yeah it seems like everything keeps getting worse that’s coming out of these manufacturing facilities. It’s not just trailers. I hear it’s getting worse on everything.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I think some side boxes would be better than the jobbox you mentioned. Easier to reach, less digging when you need something out of them, and you could can ones with drawers. Another option is something like a pair of roadboxes from a toolbox company. Can you fit a compressor in one of the existing cabinets? Maybe build a compressor/generator house for the back instead of a jobbox. Could you build custom frames to slide whatever tools you want into in the existing cabinets? I mean like a wood frame so you can fit milwaukee boxes or dewalt or hardware bins or whatever. Id actually vote angle iron, but wood might be a nice temporary idea to see if it works for you.

I would hate the inconvenience of the job box. But trying to mount more boxes is almost impossible. The center box the lid opens from the top. So that’s a no go. I thought about a larger compressor/generator in the center as well. I know that won’t be a cheap purchase either.

I was considering some temporary wood shelves for now in the larger front boxes. But I’ve got to drag everything out and see where I can fit things. I considered just buying a used older Craftman top chest to hold wrenches and such as it would fit in the front for sure. But I feel that might also inconvenience the rest of it for other items. I currently do not have anywhere to store larger items like some of my bigger pry bars long 3/4” breaker bar.

I wouldn’t mind completely taking out the back seat. But I’ll have to at least the one section of the seat. Times when my uncles helps us move and we’re going back and forth there has to be room for 3 at least.

I’ll post some pictures of the boxes.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Just an idea I’ve seen on YouTube for interior cab storage. There plenty of videos for ideas.

I’m likely going to have to check out a lot of these.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Front box is about 31”x28. 14”deep at the bottom, 17” deep at the top. Boxes are the same on both sides. One side will be where I keep my oils. It’s taller than the front box on the old truck. I think I could add a shelf and it could also hold the grease, parts cleaner, can lube, things like that.


Rear box is 22”x13”x14”. I figure if I can get a shelf in one it would be better suited for bottle jack, chains, straps.

For some reason the picture of the center box won’t load. But the lid lifts from the top. 33-1/2”x14”, 8” deep I thought it may be good for sockets, things like that if I can keep them in place.

It also won’t load picture of the lower compartment right now. It’s actually underneath the bed. Expanded metal bottom in between the frame. It’s not very tall but it is long. I’m thinking of place some PVC pipe in place. That may provide a spot to put a shovel and sledge hammer. Then maybe I can store my 3/4” breaker bar and long pry bars in there. With caps on those of corse.

I’m going to need to add a step somewhere around the bumper to get in about out better. I also don’t have a place for the vise yet.

 

[welder57]

I've seen Vises put on the receiver hitch and then it can be put in the floor of the bed after use.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I've seen Vises put on the receiver hitch and then it can be put in the floor of the bed after use.

I considered that. But I’d almost want to put it in a box when not in use. I don’t want it to walk off.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Well it’s really going to take me awhile to catch up now. We’re way behind. Weather has been a pain in the ***. River jumped way up over the weekend. It’s falling now. But came up enough to cause some issues.

As of today we have 0, yeah ZERO, acres planted. It’s getting late for corn. Also, with in the last couple days it just seems like it’s on problem after another. It just keeps going. More and more work to do. Less and less time.

Now we’re really going to have a lot to cover. I have an album in the photos of my phone of things to post just for this thread. There’s 256 photos in that album dating back to December 29. So much to catch up on that I know I’ve likely forgot a lot of details. It’s going to take a solid day to update all that.

It seems like what spare time I used to have has gone toward focus on the tool company, or just more farm work. But we’ll get it worked out.


Still not sure what I’m going to do for the storage in the truck. But I’ll have to come up with something soon.

 

[west_perf]

Sorry for the loss of your grandfather.
Glad to see you're still doing well, even if you had to settle on a truckbox.
Dad says it's been in the 90s there all week so your ground should be drying out.

Always enjoy your updates although it makes me a little sad that my grandparents are gone and I can't spend any more time farming with them. Stopped into SEMO Co-op last summer and they gave me a hat, nice folks. Always stop at that Bucheits' in Perryville every time we drive through the area.

How is your farming operations being affected by the (unreasonable) high fuel prices?

 

[XJSuperman]

You'll get caught up when ya can. Just skip the small stuff, no worries.

If you have nothing planted yet, that means Iowa has the jump on you. We've got seed going down as fast as possible up here. Rain stopped and the fields dried just enough. I was in MO last weekend if you saw that, it was pretty damn wet down there. I'd imagine being on the river is 10x worse than what I was seeing.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Sorry for the loss of your grandfather.
Glad to see you're still doing well, even if you had to settle on a truckbox.
Dad says it's been in the 90s there all week so your ground should be drying out.

Always enjoy your updates although it makes me a little sad that my grandparents are gone and I can't spend any more time farming with them. Stopped into SEMO Co-op last summer and they gave me a hat, nice folks. Always stop at that Bucheits' in Perryville every time we drive through the area.

How is your farming operations being affected by the (unreasonable) high fuel prices?

Thanks.

Well things are drying up. But that means it’s pretty much crusting over with this quick change in weather. There’s moisture underneath but a dry crust has formed on top. That can make it difficult to corn or beans to emerge from the ground.

I’ve honestly been trying to avoid Buchheit unless needed. That place just annoys me sometimes. Not to mention there’s so often they don’t have what I need or what I’m looking for.

Price of diesel hasn’t really necessarily affected anything except the bank account. There’s very minimal cut back we can do as far as use of equipment and what not. Just have to deal with it. If you figure the added expensive of the higher fuel it definitely raises you input cost. But that’s everything else too. Fuel, fertilizer, seed, chemical, parts, it’s all seen a raise.

 

[cliftonbros89]

You'll get caught up when ya can. Just skip the small stuff, no worries.

If you have nothing planted yet, that means Iowa has the jump on you. We've got seed going down as fast as possible up here. Rain stopped and the fields dried just enough. I was in MO last weekend if you saw that, it was pretty damn wet down there. I'd imagine being on the river is 10x worse than what I was seeing.

I saw that but wasn’t exactly sure where you were.

It’s been tough here. Every time things have just about been dry enough then we get rain. Or it was just dry enough to get a few things done. Then rain. Not a whole lot. It’s just always been enough to screw things up for a few days in a row. Then we didn’t want to get carried away just to have a really hard rain on some corn or some worked dirt. So things have been put off.

Yeah the river really got us this past week. Lots of rain west of us and it really raised the river. Just enough in time that it happened this week, the nicest week we’ve had. It’s dropped down now. Hopefully just below flood stage by the end of today or tomorrow. But it was enough to allow a good amount of seep water to get in some of the fields along the levee as well as some of the lower lying spots in a few fields.

Chance of rain tonight/tomorrow. We’ll see what it does. I have a feeling with the sun and humidity it’ll be enough to keep the line heading our way strong enough to produce something. But these damn weather people can’t figure it out. They have no clue what’s going on.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Adding to the truck bed discussion. I’ve been thinking that a easier/cheaper idea for the boxes would be shelves, for some items anyway. The 2 front boxes, the larger boxes, have these channels in them for t-slot nuts for shelves. The service bed has this same design with shelves.

I was thinking I could get the t-slot nuts. Make a bracket and for now just a plywood or maybe metal shelf.

Problem is that I can’t quite find a t-slot but to fit. I’ve looked online and can’t find one. There’s lot of options but most places don’t show dimensions. I’m tried to contact CM about it. But nothing so far.

I think it’d be a decent way to go about it for now. It’d be easy adjustment for shelves or drawers of some kind. I also wouldn’t have as much wasted space as I would with some random toolbox or the like to stick in it. That would fit and store some items but still leave space that wouldn’t necessarily fit other items.

You know what I mean? Does that make sense. Depending on what I could fit in those would really help me figure out what to do with the other boxes.

 

[captain14]

When we start mounting equipment in the fire apparatus, we usually try to keep like tools with like tools. Meaning anything related should be kept together. I know I would want as much as possible at ground level and not have to climb in the bed of the truck. Also heavy items at ground level. It appears the new box does not offer as much ground level storage as the old box.

But mobile equipment repair has to have it on hand now and not chase down tools or parts at the shop. I know it’s going to be a challenge for a while to get it organized to your liking.

 

[welder57]

I found this web site, it may help you in future, with suggested ideas on storage and what not. It has all kinds of trucks + other stuff.
www.govdeals.com. like Captain14, fire trucks have to have alot storage for all situations. Found a fire truck (1 Ton) in Wright, MO. Note; Just a suggestion.

 

[racer-john]

Problem is that I can’t quite find a t-slot but to fit. I’ve looked online and can’t find one.

Are you familiar with UNISTRUT? They have spring loaded nuts that one can load anywhere in the channel because the two opposit corners are rounded off.

 

[bugnut]

I think racer john has you on the right path. That looks like half height unistrut.

https://www.unistrut.us/products

https://unistrutstore.com/Unistrut-catalog

 

[jollygreengiant]

Sorry to hear that you guys have been struggling with weather down there. Any planting progress lately? It finally dried off enough here that the last week has been absolute chaos. Hoping for a rain day tomorrow to catch up on sleep.

 

[cliftonbros89]

When we start mounting equipment in the fire apparatus, we usually try to keep like tools with like tools. Meaning anything related should be kept together. I know I would want as much as possible at ground level and not have to climb in the bed of the truck. Also heavy items at ground level. It appears the new box does not offer as much ground level storage as the old box.

But mobile equipment repair has to have it on hand now and not chase down tools or parts at the shop. I know it’s going to be a challenge for a while to get it organized to your liking.

I definitely agree with those points. That’s why I’m trying to get things figured out. A mix up things would drive me crazy. If I put a box in the actual bed it will definitely be for the less used items. More used items in the boxes for easy access. It’s going to be a process to get it figured out.

I’ll definitely have to check out that site though. When I get the chance.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Are you familiar with UNISTRUT? They have spring loaded nuts that one can load anywhere in the channel because the two opposit corners are rounded off.

I’ll have to look into it

 

[cliftonbros89]

I think racer john has you on the right path. That looks like half height unistrut.

https://www.unistrut.us/products

https://unistrutstore.com/Unistrut-catalog

I’m definitely going to check it out

 

[cliftonbros89]

When we start mounting equipment in the fire apparatus, we usually try to keep like tools with like tools. Meaning anything related should be kept together. I know I would want as much as possible at ground level and not have to climb in the bed of the truck. Also heavy items at ground level. It appears the new box does not offer as much ground level storage as the old box.

But mobile equipment repair has to have it on hand now and not chase down tools or parts at the shop. I know it’s going to be a challenge for a while to get it organized to your liking.

I meant to attach this to my other response. But yes I definitely agree with that ideology on keeping the regular stuff handy and organized. It’s just going to be a project getting it all figured out.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Sorry to hear that you guys have been struggling with weather down there. Any planting progress lately? It finally dried off enough here that the last week has been absolute chaos. Hoping for a rain day tomorrow to catch up on sleep.

Weather has definitely been a factor. We put in a whole lot of hours this week. Planting is definitely under way. But there has definitely been some difficulties. Several really. It’s been pretty chaotic here as well.

We’ve had some spotty pop up showers the last 2 days. We missed the ones yesterday at the fields we were working on. But this evening another round came through. Got a couple tenths out of it. It would’ve have been bad if it wasn’t all in 10 minutes.

I can agree on the sleep though. But you can’t put in 100 hours in 7 days if you’re sleeping 8 hours a night.

Ok. I lied. It was only 97.5 hours.