In the January 2010 issue of 8-Lug magazine we pointedout some of the real-world benefits of using a spray-in liner versus the drop-in variety in our debut Bed Tricks column. You may recall, the spray-in Line-X product we used completely revitalized our badly damaged F-250 bed, making future bed upgrades possible. Drop-in-style liners have their applications, but our project wasn't one of them.
| We selected these toolboxes for their affordability and quality construction. The UWS boxes from Thule offer the right combination of space and features. The cross box has a single-lid design that gave us space for bulky items. The box measured 60x19.25x13.50 inches.
We had a work truck, and the owner, who happened to be an electrician, needed literally every square inch of bed space for his tools and equipment. To complete the project, we needed to locate a few quality toolboxes. While there are many models available, we narrowed our choice down to Weather Guard and UWS from Thule.
Because toolboxes come in a variety of styles and price ranges, we learned that what works for one tradesman won't for another. In this case, an independent electrical contractor owned the truck, and he required a balanced configuration and specific inserts because of the variety of his equipment. While pricing was a factor, durability was his biggest priority.
The Weather Guard name speaks for itself. It is one of the most popular brands on the market-simply because of the fact that it is built to last in practically any weather. We selected the Weather Guard Pack Rat single-drawer unit, which mounted directly to the bed floor with a blind-style fastener. Its large, sliding single drawer made access to any compartment easy. The Pack Rat is designed for heavy loads and features a modular-type shelving configuration.
Because it's only about 12 inches tall and lies flat, the Pack Rat leaves plenty of room for other equipment on top or to the side of the unit. If you feel inclined, you can walk on it, thanks to skid-resistant strips and its tough, 14-gauge steel top and overall build quality. Each drawer compartment is approximately 9.75 inches wide. A one-touch latch system offers easy, one-hand operation. What we liked most is the weather sealing quality and 425-pound load rating.
To complement the Weather Guard, we went with two more affordable UWS 60-inch side mounts and a UWS 72-inch single-lid cross box. The Blue Label single-lid series from UWS is a low-profile box. The lid opens a full 90 degrees and offers plenty of room for bulky items like tool guns, small compressors, or buckets. Heavy-duty cylinders help raise the lid and hold it open. The single-lid toolbox can be set up with divided trays inside and its locking mechanism can be keyed to the other Blue Label boxes in your truck.
| 4. When you can't get a friend to help, a jackstand comes in handy to keep the box level while you mount it.
The UWS side mount toolboxes more than doubled the volume the truck could carry securely under lock and key. These side mounts are available for long or shortbed trucks. Like the single-lid series, the side mounts feature the insulated lid design and are secured to the bed with sturdy leg brackets, making them a good choice for construction use. These boxes mount on the bedrail above the wheelwell. They match the look and height of the entire Blue Label series.
Step Install
With the boxes mounted, we needed to locate a truck step that would give us easy access to the storage units. Just like toolboxes, there are many models of steps available for truck owners. Some steps are fixed, but the best we've seen is manufactured by AMP Research and distributed by Bestop.
Like the popular PowerStep, the new under-bumper BedStep is developed with the consumer in mind and features high-strength die-cast aluminum alloy material capable of supporting up to 300 pounds of weight. It is an easy, five-minute installation and comes with a three-year factory warranty. The hands-free action to raise and lower the step was brilliant, and so was the way it stowed nearly out of sight, leaving the receiver hitch free for towing or other hitch-mounted accessories.
The following pictorial should give you an idea of the mounting process of all the bed products we installed on the Ford. There were no special tools required and everything seen here can be installed by the do-it-yourselfer. Retail pricing for the side-mounted toolboxes started at $190, the cross box at $275, and the BedStep sold for $249 (prices may vary depending on application).
(Editor's Note: Much of the ongoing Bed Tricks series is being produced with Pickup Parts in Mission Viejo, California. These guys are the best when it comes to getting the job done on time and under budget. Give them a call and tell them 8-Lug sent you.)
