Crew Cab tool storage

[WQ59B]

Searched, did see this thread :
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302907&highlight=crew+cab+tool+storage

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Scenario :: sole-proprietor home renovation contractor. Have a 2500HD crew cab, 6.5' bed. Do NOT want a bed tool box or a cap- I carry material in the bed too frequently. I use the (folded-down) back seat area for tools/supplies. It works well enough for me usually, but... I frequently have to 'change out' some tools/equipment for others, depending on the job. Also, sometimes, things fall over or slide around a bit, making a mess of sorts. I did build a 'tray' on the 2/3rds side, I think I can do better. Also installed a stainless steel bin I picked up @ a farm auction that hangs off the child seat anchor holes on the rear wall of the cab, that holds a lot, but would like to keep lighter stuff in there- it's getting weighty.

Proposal :: I want to take the entire rear seat out and build something in that 'folded down' space with drawers, like a 'tool chest', utilizing that space. I could go at least as deep as the trans tunnel on the bottom from each side, I did design a pivoting drawer that will work with the angled open rear door. Thinking about making the storage drawer unit about 15" tall, for 2 levels of drawers.

With this 'chest' where the seats used to be, I can have screws/nails/ seldom used individual tools below, and still keep larger items, cased tools, buckets/bags on top.

Question :: Anyone done anything like this or seen anything online where someone has built storage inside their truck?

 

[7th Kahuna]

Haven't seen anything like it, but it sounds good. I designed a couple of custom truck beds for a previous employer, similar to what you see on service trucks. We have several firms locally that build them. They also did a lot of custom work, not just the typical boxes behind the cab. If you have access to one of those firms, it might be worth a call to see if they had experience inside the cab and if so, could email you pictures. Similarly the firms that do custom van interiors. Might give you some ideas. Good luck.

If you proceed with the project, it would be great to see pictures of what you come up with.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Having a crew cab I'm interested in this too.

TheGrooveking

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Check out what CTech offers:

http://www.ctechmanufacturing.com/i...s&SubCategory=Truck_Bodies&ProductIDNumber=99

There stuff is a little pricey and might not fit or make the max use of the space, but they should give you some good ideas.

My neighbor/contractor and his #1 man use there:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_automotive+truck-boxes+side-mount-boxes

They seem to get a ton of stuff in them and they can still put a 4x8 sheet of plywood or a refrigerator in the pickup bed.

Have you thought about removing the pickup bed and putting an open Knapheide utility box on the back?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I tired a few thing in my suburban, and I think a 5' slide tray (like the bed slides, but out the door) anchored to the seat holes is the best bet, but I'm lazy and made a flat board and boxes work.

 

[balrog]

Does the second set of doors open like the front seat doors or are they like suicide doors that open backwards ? Would an intermediate tool chest with a couple drawers work?

Poke around online for custom car stereo installations in a similar vehicle as yours. The car stereo folks get creative in using available space for installs.

Take a look at Sortainers from Festool or Tanos. Pricey for what they are, but if it makes a one man show more efficient that might be well worth the investment.

Consider your workflow. You arrive to the job site and grab your commonly used tools from the driver's side of the cab. Put the consumables and less used tools on the passenger side. If you're running back to the vehicle for something, at least you will be on the sidewalk rather than being in the road.

 

[gdocktor3]

I've looked into this before. Go to google images and type in - backseat tool box. Many different ideas and options.

 

[WQ59B]

Silverado Crew Cab, 2004 : rear doors open conventionally.
Oh how I wish Chevy would build a suicide door crew cab!

Newer trucks have the rear seat bottom folding up & rearward, my generation truck they fold forward. Does give more access room since the widest part of the door opening (toward the rear) has no seat cushions there and the newer trucks have both there.
My truck is like this.

That's neither here nor there for my scenario, but much of the google searching is showing the later truck's factory under-seat storage bin.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Just make sure whatever you put in there that it is bolted down very securely and the box metal is reinforced in that area. Would not want to get in a bad wreck with all of that weight behind me. I installed a computer server in a Chevy pickup back seat area using 80/20 alum t-slot framing that bolted to the seat mounts. It was not light but not as heavy as a full tool box. Try to keep the center of gravity low as well.

 

[LXCam]

Are you still wanting to have a functional rear seat? If not I'd yank it and have build a welded steel frame that bolts to the seat belt mounts that could house drawers or cabinet space. Just do yourself a favor and whatever you do make sure it's securely fastened to the body and all your tools are contained so if you should have an accident, ya don't end up with a drill motor stuck in the back of your head, makes for a bad day ya know


I know you don't want this kind of set up. I had a commercial/industrial electrical contracting business for a couple decades. I didn't work in the field too often for the last dozen years but still needed to be able to keep a fair amount of tools with me for trouble shooting and unexpected stuff plus haul material and keep it secure. My favorite set up was a CC dually with a snugtop shell. I installed a pull out bedrat with my old side mount saddle boxes on both sides. Those held misc hand tools and allowed the boxes to be installed offset and to the sides plus moved all the way forward. This gave me a 3' wide 8' long open platform plus the back 4' clear for small palletized loads. Then I built four sectional covers from plywood with 2" x 2" aluminum angle frames that laid in place across the bed rails. Those got covered in black thin carpet. You couldn't see a thing in the bed. Doing it this way that provided a full platform up top about even with the bottom of the windows and I could stack them on top of each other towards the front if I needed the height.

The only reason I brought that up is you not having a full length bed hurts, I get it. But that set up allowed a **** pot load of secured space and if I were to have a accident, felt pretty good about not having all that stuff in my lap in the end.

 

[Strouty]

Have you looked into some of the heavy duty cargo toolbox drawers? I had an Adrian one and it was designed to have 2000 pounds on top of it. It was only about 12" tall including the mounting hardware. Completely designed to be outside, not cheap, but well worth the investment. I too struggle with this situation, I use a suburban for most things.

 

[Zeke]

I used this type in 2 successive trucks. I could carry anything that I could carry before. The only downside is when not parked on level ground, then it's a *****. Very secure. The box inside the cab would be even more secure and out of sight. Boxes mounted cross bed or along the bed rails are the most vulnerable to theft.

I have an extended cab nowadays and under the seat I have emergency tools as well as all my tie down stuff. I keep these items in old carry-on style suitcases that fit under there like a glove. I don't use the seat much and I sometimes wonder why I don't yank it.

But that'll be the day that I need to take 3 people with me and no one is sitting gay with me in the center,

 

[Strouty]

Zeke, that is similar to what I was talking about, I used to purposely park with the truck's nose point up more than down. A lot of the new ones had multiple locking detents, so it would not move once you got it open to a certain point.

 

[WhiffySpark]

That's what I was going to recommend as well

 

[Dhagan887]

Utility bed. I don't know how I ever did without it after finally getting one as it 15 months ago. Saves so much time having a spot for everything. I still have a little spillover into the back seat, but it's typically only a small bag of stuff that I know I'm going to be getting out, etc

 

[WQ59B]

1. I never got the 'you don't have an 8-ft bed so you're compromised' sentiment. No problem to put 8-ft sheets in and lean them on the closed tailgate. If I need 20 or more sheets, I'll get it delivered and charge the customer for it. I've transported 20-ft pieces (aluminum angle) in a rig I built that goes into the hitch mount (tailgate down).

2. Not going to buy/install a utility body. Know too many guys who've had to deal with rusting out bodies, too. Besides, between building lumber, firewood, stone, car parts, etc, putting a storage structure in the bed is out for me. I also prefer the security of it all being inside, locked, behind tinted windows (even tho I'm not in dicey areas for work).

I don't advertise and I don't have a lettered truck; the more it stays looking like a private vehicle the less people get nosy.

I appreciate the comments immensely- I don't expect to find what would work well for this ready-made, but I have no problem building something myself. I will do something this season here. Suggestions spark ideas...

 

[jjkrjh]

You could also look at stuff for law enforcement. Dog boxes ect. The stuff fits inside and secured. You might come up with some ideas that fit your application.

 

[Zeke]

1. I never got the 'you don't have an 8-ft bed so you're compromised' sentiment. No problem to put 8-ft sheets in and lean them on the closed tailgate. If I need 20 or more sheets, I'll get it delivered and charge the customer for it. I've transported 20-ft pieces (aluminum angle) in a rig I built that goes into the hitch mount (tailgate down).

2. Not going to buy/install a utility body. Know too many guys who've had to deal with rusting out bodies, too. Besides, between building lumber, firewood, stone, car parts, etc, putting a storage structure in the bed is out for me. I also prefer the security of it all being inside, locked, behind tinted windows (even tho I'm not in dicey areas for work).

I don't advertise and I don't have a lettered truck; the more it stays looking like a private vehicle the less people get nosy.

I appreciate the comments immensely- I don't expect to find what would work well for this ready-made, but I have no problem building something myself. I will do something this season here. Suggestions spark ideas...

The truck bed drawers are price as Strouty said, so they are probably not your solution. But remember that eventually 1000's of people will read this thread so these suggestions may help them.

I will say that the truck bed deal is pretty stealthy especially when you have some building materials on top.

I had a CC dually with the 8' bed and then went to an Astro van before the long WB came out. So I had 80" of bed space. Then I bought a 1/2T single cab 8 footer. I liked that truck so much that I drove it for 23 years. I now have the 80" bed again (or whatever it is in the '06 Ext Cab standard WB). so I can't load 8' sheets flat either but that hasn't bothered me much. I have the same hitch extender and it works a couple different ways, not just level with the bed floor. I can throw a few 8' studs in on the angle from one corner to the opposite. Carrying moldings is the hardest as I don't have a rack. I'm working on that but being retired now, by the time I get one built I won't be able to do the work.

I just want a single hoop behind the cab so I never have to lay anything on the cab. With the extender I can go get 20' lengths of steel for the shop.

 

[kctyphoon]

For the life of me, I cannot find any pictures online, or even find anyone online that makes the kits for these. I also can't even look at one since I'm out on strike right now - but these trucks don't have any rear seats. They come equipped with storage / shelving / drawers in the that area.. Maybe someone else can have better luck on a Google search or might be able to get you a picture of how they are set up.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

I am going to be purchasing an extended cab pickup as well and i am planning on doing the exact same thing. Totally strip the rear seat area of seat, trim etc and customise the whole area to fit all my stuff in. My truck will be a chassie cab with a utility bed as well though. I have alot of different equipment/tools and need a ton of storage but i also need a pickup that can be loaded with a payloader/bobcat for materials. I like having everything i need with me at all times. I have 3 different concrete saws, demo hammer, grinders, cordless tools, vacuums, leaf blower, mixing drill for mortar, hard hats, shovels, broom, bricklayer tool bag that all needs to go in there. The utility bed will be for all the mortar color, caulk, pump sprayers, muratiac acid, straight gas and 2cycle gas and anything else that i need for my business

I have been looking for a long time for someone that has done this but online all that i see is guys that literally pile all of their **** back there. I want it totally bolted and secured down incase of a wreck and i want everything to have a specific place so i can quickly see if something is missing. Unfortunately i am about a year away from my build so i cant help you there but i am interested in your ideas.

One thing that might help you that i am considering is bolted angle shelving. Its adjustable and you can just buy the tracks and cut the lengths that you need and they are modular so once you have them level and square you can adjust the shelves as you see fit

Good luck

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

I also think that you will not be able to purchase anything to do that....most stuff that is premade will never totally work for what you need. IMO you have to build it custom to suit your specific needs

 

[Zeke]

I've looked into this before. Go to google images and type in - backseat tool box. Many different ideas and options.

I did that and a few more search terms. Mostly stuff that preserves the seat. I was thinking something like this:

You might study your door swing checks and see if one or both can be modified to let the door swing more clear of the opening. I hear ya on the suicide doors:

This is hokey even with the doors:

 

[greasyfingers01]

The back seat area isn't a lot of room for tools. Why not a trailer? I think the best option would be a take off utility bed. You can usually find them cheaper than a slide out tool box and find a shop to make a trailer for it to sit on. Lots of tool storage, easier to find tools/supplies, and extra cargo area.





Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[Pipe]

That trailer is badass. I just sent a text about a miller 250 on craigslist before seeing this thread. I have the biggest weatherguard toolbox they sell on my 2500hd stuffed with roadside service **** and wish I could build something for the backseat. But baby is coming in August and I need a carseat.

 

[kctyphoon]

This might be a stupid question, but why now just a side box like this?

 

[WhiffySpark]

I tried the trailer route it really ***** losing maneuverability. I think he's trying to keep it out of sight out of mind

 

[WQ59B]

Yes; #1 criteria is to maintain a lower profile; IE; not have it look like a commercial/business truck. I have more work than I can handle with zero advertising as it is. Large external cargo boxes & trailers don't facilitate this desire well, and I don't really need that much capacity.

Also, I have been working (primarily) out of the back seat for 9 years running, it's 85% of what I need, but like anything anyone cares to mention: it could always be better. My sons are 19 & 22- we don't all ride together and I never have more than 1 passenger, so I don't need the folded up back seat to be there/ a seat anymore.

The extended cab trucks are often suicide door, but no one has built a factory suicide door crew cab that I'm aware of. It would be killer tho- esp with the rear doors opening to at least 90 degrees.

 

[kctyphoon]

Honestly, if you don't want boxes.. I think your best bet is to just run two shallow shelves across the back wall of the truck. I mean, you can spend a month trying to design and build some kinda elaborate system.

Plywood against the back wall, maybe some Windows cutout with wire to protect the rear glass, and two (folding?) 18" deep shelves with some kind of retention to keep things from sliding off under hard braking that span the entire rear wall. Leave room on the floor for heavy / bulky items..

Personally, I think that would drive me insane ( I'd rather have something in the bed, buy a van, a transit, a trailer ). But if it works for you.. It's hard to beat a van or a ford transit for the handyman deal. Sheet goods can be stored vertically, still have a lot of room for tools, and everthing is kept secure and out of the weather. Lots of utility companies going this route too.

Edit- you might like these

Shelving ideas, you'd have to adapt for the rear wall obviously

 

[WQ59B]

^ I hear that, but what about getting a ton of stone dust? Or hauling a bed load of rotted deck lumber? Or making a scrap metal run? Not going to work well with an enclosed van. I'm being pig-headed; I want the best utility qualities of a van AND pick-up in the same vehicle, dammit!

Hopefully going to start this process this month. Once I get 10 minutes of downtime to rub together, I'll unload the truck & take out the rear seats so I can see what I have to work with.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

I want the best utility qualities of a van AND pick-up in the same vehicle, dammit!

 

[kctyphoon]

(Cough) that's why people get trailers.... Jk

I edited my last post. Check out the videos.

 

[WQ59B]

Forgot to mention : WithOUT requiring a parade float permit.

 

[Zeke]

The thing about trailers is they are hard to park if have to park in a lot and most states require a reduced speed when towing. Not that anyone in CA obeys. I've seen boats being towed in the HOV lane.

 

[WhiffySpark]

^ I hear that, but what about getting a ton of stone dust? Or hauling a bed load of rotted deck lumber? Or making a scrap metal run? Not going to work well with an enclosed van. I'm being pig-headed; I want the best utility qualities of a van AND pick-up in the same vehicle, dammit!

Hopefully going to start this process this month. Once I get 10 minutes of downtime to rub together, I'll unload the truck & take out the rear seats so I can see what I have to work with.

if it's a 3/4 ton truck get a small dump trailer. It'll be worth it to

 

[kctyphoon]

Trailers are not so bad to tow around. You just need to get use to it. The good thing about them is they come off.. So you can use it when you need to, and have your regular truck back when you don't.. Parking isn't bad either. You might have to park a little further away at HD, but you can easily leave them in a customers driveway, or use a ball hitch dolly to get them in tighter spots. If you really have that much business, sounds to me like it's time for an upgrade and expand a little. Anyway, The Pro's greatly outweigh the Con's on the trailer discussion. The more you drive with them the easier it gets. If I can drive this thing around all day and parallel park with it (with a tow hitch instead of a 5th wheel no less) , a box trailer should be a breeze. Theres like a good 10' missing off that pole that should be hanging over the back too..

I know it's not what you want, but I like the dump trailer idea too. Leave the seats alone, get a nice cap and build some drawers or shelves in the back of that.. If my company ever settles this strike I'll see if I can can get some pics of their Silverado with the rear seat storage conversion.

 

[Strouty]

I saw a utility body that had a dump body insert, it was really cool. I think a utility trailer with a dump insert would be a neat idea as well. The problem with homemade trailers is that unless you have working brakes, DOT can give you some serious problems if it is being used in commerce.

 

[WQ59B]

I've towed car trailers a number of times- no issues.
Only time I used a trailer for a job was I borrowed my brother's equipment trailer when I cut up 10 Locust trees for firewood.
I do own a homemade 8-ft pickup bed trailer, but I really haven't used it much. As far as dumping, I pretty much process the stuff @ home or make use of a dumpster when I have one available… so dumping per say isn't a necessity.

kc- would be interested in seeing the Verizon truck systems, and thanks for the vid links- I did watch them all.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

^ I hear that, but what about getting a ton of stone dust? Or hauling a bed load of rotted deck lumber? Or making a scrap metal run? Not going to work well with an enclosed van. I'm being pig-headed; I want the best utility qualities of a van AND pick-up in the same vehicle, dammit!

Hopefully going to start this process this month. Once I get 10 minutes of downtime to rub together, I'll unload the truck & take out the rear seats so I can see what I have to work with.

Hopefully you keep us updated with your progress. I would like to see your ideas as well. I understand why you want to go this route instead of a trailer. I wouldn't want to drag a trailer every day either and like you need to be able to have a truck bed for bulk loading materials. Plus I occasionally pull a different trailer so its not possible to pull two trailers at a time....

Good luck and keep us posted, i cant wait until i can do this as well!

 

[Zeke]

Trailers are not so bad to tow around. You just need to get use to it. The good thing about them is they come off.. So you can use it when you need to, and have your regular truck back when you don't.. Parking isn't bad either. You might have to park a little further away at HD, but you can easily leave them in a customers driveway, or use a ball hitch dolly to get them in tighter spots. If you really have that much business, sounds to me like it's time for an upgrade and expand a little. Anyway, The Pro's greatly outweigh the Con's on the trailer discussion. The more you drive with them the easier it gets. If I can drive this thing around all day and parallel park with it (with a tow hitch instead of a 5th wheel no less) , a box trailer should be a breeze. Theres like a good 10' missing off that pole that should be hanging over the back too..

I know it's not what you want, but I like the dump trailer idea too. Leave the seats alone, get a nice cap and build some drawers or shelves in the back of that.. If my company ever settles this strike I'll see if I can can get some pics of their Silverado with the rear seat storage conversion.

When I was 18 I was a lineman for the phone co. I pulled that pole dolly couple times a week. The foreman was behind me but we didn't have no stinkin' radio. He just swung out in the other lane to block traffic when we came to a corner. Worked mainly tight in the city, lots of alleys. Never hopped a curb.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd consider having someone make a steel frame work that would just clear the trans tunnel and mount to the seat bracket holes. This would give you a strong base for you to build a system that could be mounted on top and possibly boxes/drawers that could be swapped out between different jobs or types of jobs.