My Rear Storage Box (ADVICE!)

[caseycamby]

So I'm getting started on putting my rear storage box together and I need some advice, so instead of clogging up my build I thought why not start up a new thread!

This is gonna be a mini build thread of the storage box as well as a place for questions, comments advice and things of the sort.. So bare with me!

 

[caseycamby]

PROGRESS!


Update 12/4

The beginning stages of measuring and cutting..

Starting to put it all together.. (sorry for the crappy pictures)

The basic structure of the box. Still more to add on which I'll elaborate a little later on..

Close up of the material I choose.. It seems pretty thick and durable and it wasn't too pricey..

And here it is wrapped up! (Again, sorry for the awful pictures, my phone and the lighting are not agreeing haha)

And that's a wrap! (get it? wrap? :lolz

So my plan now is to have a piece to split the box in the middle going vertical for a divider and mostly to give it support. I don't know if i have enough material to wrap it as well.. I may just paint it. Then I'm going to add a pretty lightweight, but still durable backing. Again, not sure if I'll have enough material to wrap it (maybe just the side that's going to be seen through the box..) but if not I'll paint it as well.

I'm also planning on making some kind of adjustable shelves (like you see in a lot of refrigerators) I just haven't quite figured out exactly how I'm going to be able to do it. I've thought about actually buying some drawer hardware and using it or just screwing in some long wooden rectangular pieces and sitting them on that, of course having some way to keep them from flying out when I have to goose it

Regardless on whatever design I come up with for that, I'm going to have some different material that will stretch over the front of the box to keep whatever I'm storing in the box. I want something kind of elastic and slightly see-thru. I was thinking about attaching the four corners of the material via some hooks on the four corners of the box and a reinforced hole in the fabric.

Most of this is still possible to change, just a basic idea laid out. Give me your opinion (good or bad ) and tell me where you think I'm going wrong or could do something better! It won't hurt my feelings!

 

[caseycamby]

That one reserve will probably be enough but.. you never know

 

[caseycamby]

Ok, first question..

Tomorrow, I'll be putting up the 4 walls of the box and then I'm working on to covering it up... I wanna do some kind of material, as opposed to paint, but I wanna keep the cost kinda low.. So I'm open to any kind of suggestions you guys have as far as that goes!

I'll have some pictures up tomorrow!

 

[Xterrafauss]

Subddddddd

 

[mudchet]

The box I built is covered with 3/8" HDPE. This covering hides scratches well and holds up to use. I just wipe it down with a damp cloth. I attached the plastic with screws from the inside of the cargo box. If I ever decided that the plastic is too scratched, I can simply remove the screws and replace the plastic and voilla, my cargo box looks brand new again.
Because the plastic is 3/8" thick, it has some rigidity to it and I cut pieces to cover the "cubby holes" between my cargo box and the side of the truck. The plastic is easy to cut and shape as well.

Hope this helps. PM me if you want to chat more.
Here are some photos.

 

[caseycamby]

Wow that's really cool! Just one quick question.. Where do you buy that stuff? haha

 

[mudchet]

You will need to order the plastic from a plastic supply company. There was one here in Nashville that I used, can't remember the name right now. I am building another box right now, and I need to order some more plastic. Let me do the research on suppliers and I will get back to you.

 

[caseycamby]

That sounds good, man! I appreciate it!

 

[Timrich]

You will need to order the plastic from a plastic supply company. There was one here in Nashville that I used, can't remember the name right now. I am building another box right now, and I need to order some more plastic. Let me do the research on suppliers and I will get back to you.

Can I haz your old box Kevin? lol

 

[caseycamby]

Updated with progess, pictures and plans! Like it says up above, give me your opinions! It won't hurt my feelings a bit!

Thanks guys!

 

[Tay-Lo]

How tall is that? I'm guessing around 18 inches....

 

[caseycamby]

How tall is that? I'm guessing around 18 inches....

Close haha it's 15" tall. 18" long and 36" wide.

 

[Bloodvayne]

One of the better one's I have seen for sure. Atleast you put some effort into making it look nice ontop of being functional

 

[caseycamby]

One of the better one's I have seen for sure. Atleast you put some effort into making it look nice ontop of being functional

Thank you! We'll see how nice it is once we get done with it haha

 

[mudchet]

Can I haz your old box Kevin? lol

Tim, I think it is sold. But if not, I will let you know. If you like, I will build you one. PM me and we can talk.

 

[caseycamby]

Tim, I think it is sold. But if not, I will let you know. If you like, I will build you one. PM me and we can talk.

I wish I had known that before!!

Just messing! I'm usually not too hot with fabrication but I thought I could handle a wooden box

 

[mudchet]

Tips for a good storage box: screw AND glue your joints. I use both and it makes a strong box. I'd be happy to build you a box if you would like.

 

[caseycamby]

I've actually got my box started and I did the screws and glue. It's pretty sturdy as it is. I did the little rectangle type bracing in all the edges of the box. You can see them on one of the pictures on the first page. I'm happy with it so far!

 

[mudchet]

I did see the pictures with bracing. Nice work!

 

[caseycamby]

Thank you, it means a lot coming from you! Your box is awesome! Really clean! I'm hoping mine comes out that clean.

 

[Roadwarrior]

I'd be happy to build you a box if you would like.

This would a great thing to bring up if you wanted to make a few extra bucks, I feel like I'd buy one.

/threadjack

Casey, that box looks sweet. Are your subs going to sit on top? Are they going to block your view?

 

[caseycamby]

Casey, that box looks sweet. Are your subs going to sit on top? Are they going to block your view?

Thanks man! And.. yes and yes haha.

I've already been lurking on Amazon and places to find a rear view camera. I'd like to have the option of running all the time, not just in reverse. Of course, I couldn't use it all the time but just if I ever need it while in drive. So I'll probably have to have a seperate screen as opposed to getting a new radio deck and wiring it to that.

It's not something I think I'll have to have immediately but I'll probably wanna get on that pretty soon after install.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Ever thought a out down grading the sub size, and getting the same sound out of a smaller sub? You could not block your view and still have the heart-beat altering, mind numbing, ear drum rupturing bass you are used to.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[caseycamby]

Ever thought a out down grading the sub size, and getting the same sound out of a smaller sub? You could not block your view and still have the heart-beat altering, mind numbing, ear drum rupturing bass you are used to.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

I honestly have thought about that.. And I wouldn't be totally opposed to doing that if I could get what I want out of mine.

I have a truck sub box for a 10.. I could put that on it's back and it'd really be out of the way... Something to think about.

 

[Timrich]

Tim, I think it is sold. But if not, I will let you know. If you like, I will build you one. PM me and we can talk.

I'd take you up on that but that would be a pain to ship...lol I need to make one one of these days.

Sent from over there...

 

[mudchet]

You will need to order the plastic from a plastic supply company. There was one here in Nashville that I used, can't remember the name right now. I am building another box right now, and I need to order some more plastic. Let me do the research on suppliers and I will get back to you.

Ok. I just got a new order of plastic. I ordered it from Plastic Supply of Nashville ( http://www.plasticsupplyofnashville.com/ ). A 4' x 4' x 3/8" sheet of HDPE runs about $85 w/o shipping. There seem to be a bunch od other companies that sell,plastic as well so I suggest looking for a local company that you can pick up your order from to save on shipping.

I use 3/8" because it is thick enough to allow me to fasten it down w screws instead of gluing. If the plastic ever gets trashed i can unscrew it and replace it. There are two finishes you can get on the plastic, smooth or "cutting board" finish. I like the cutting board finish. It looks a little nicer.

Thinking a bit more on this, i am not even sure you could glue the plastic if you wanted. I dont think hdpe will bond well to regular glue. I will have to experiment with that and see.

 

[Timrich]

What about liquid nails? That stuff is good on most everything.

Sent from over there...

 

[Diadaga]

Use glue messes with your removable/replaceable plan though.

Sent from my mansion in Grouchland.

 

[caseycamby]

Ok. I just got a new order of plastic. I ordered it from Plastic Supply of Nashville ( http://www.plasticsupplyofnashville.com/ ). A 4' x 4' x 3/8" sheet of HDPE runs about $85 w/o shipping. There seem to be a bunch od other companies that sell,plastic as well so I suggest looking for a local company that you can pick up your order from to save on shipping.

I use 3/8" because it is thick enough to allow me to fasten it down w screws instead of gluing. If the plastic ever gets trashed i can unscrew it and replace it. There are two finishes you can get on the plastic, smooth or "cutting board" finish. I like the cutting board finish. It looks a little nicer.

Thinking a bit more on this, i am not even sure you could glue the plastic if you wanted. I dont think hdpe will bond well to regular glue. I will have to experiment with that and see.

I appreciate that man. However, I already got some fabric, it's kinda textured and a dark grey/black. I got enough to completely cover the box for less than 20 bucks. I definitely will keep in that in mind if/when I do another project of this sort haha

I'd kinda like to save some money on the covering and use it more with the drawer/shelving aspect of the build.


I haven't updated this in awhile.. I've been swamped with finals stuff, my brother just graduated college and we had a party and now were heading to Tennessee to celebrate so it's kinda been on the backburner. I should start making some more progress on Wednesday, hopefully!!