Need truck tool storage ideas

[brihvac]

I just took the Weatherguard tool box off my truck and put a cap on it. I am now looking for ideas for storing my tools and some supplies in the back. I like the wheel well tool boxes but they are extremely expensive. Im not gonna keep a lot in there. I was originally thinking about a in the bed toolbox but that will sit in the bed and I would not be able to slide things under it. I keep looking at Lowes and Home Depot at the plastic tool boxes and storage containers, but Im still stumped. I want to keep things off to the side. Anyone have any ideas? Its a Dodge Ram with the 6'4" bed.

 

[mdbeck1]

I had a full size chevy with a cap on it at one time. The PO had put a piece of plywood down (even put pieces around the fender wells) and put in pad and carpet. I found that I could carry a LOT more stuff if I built some wood "ramps" for the pickup. Get 2- 2X6's (or a 2X12) and cut it where it just barely fits inside the cap (on top of the sides of the bed). Then put two cross pieces on it so that it can't slide left and right too much. Make two of them. Now you can put plywood sheets or 8' lumber in the bed and still get to everything on the bottom (Move one of the "ramps" to the front and one to the back).

BTW: Watch when you take off and stop. Sometimes a 2X4 will go THROUGH the back window of the top.

I also kept a garden hoe in the back. Much easier to reach stuff at the front of the bed.

As far as the tools.... I remember using 5 gallon buckets, small toolboxes, and milk cartons a lot. I was always worried someone was going to break into the top and steal them so I made it look like there wasn't much in there.

 

[brihvac]

Great idea about using the cross pieces