Pickup truck storage options?

[SCRover]

I love my 110 pickup, but weatherproof storage space is very limited. Anybody found a good in-bed storage solution that isn't the typical cross-body, hanging on the rails type aluminum diamond-plate tool box?

Doesn't have to be fancy, just weatherproof and big enough to hold some camping gear, recovery tools, etc.
A big Pelican box might be answer. A Zarges box would be nice but they are very pricey. I've seen a bunch of plastic cargo boxes like at Tractor Supply and Northern Tool, but was hoping to find something that looks like it belongs on and fits in the bed of a Land Rover (and not shiny diamond plate.)

Creative suggestions welcomed!

 

[mitherial]

I'm not positive about the measurements, but maybe try a smaller Rigid jobsite box? I have an orange one of these in my garage and like the looks/functionality (Home Depots in my area have them in stock):

RIDGID 32 in. W x 19 in. D x 18.25 in. H Portable Storage Chest Jobsite Box 32R-OS - The Home Depot

This chest is perfect for job sites, truck beds, garages and industrial applications. Carrying a 3-year warranty, it features fully arc-welded construction and has a durable powder coat finish for long-lasting

www.homedepot.com

 

[mitherial]

You could also use a weatherproof and lockable Tuffy storage box (which fits perfectly on the side of the rear of a D90):

Tuffy Security Storage Box Black RNA1710 | Rovers North - Land Rover Parts and Accessories Since 1979

This high security 16-gauge steel Tuffy storage box mounts behind the rear seat providing a secure place to store valuables. Its universal shape makes it ideal for many other applications. Patented Anti-twist push button lock system with a 10 tumbler double bitted security key containing...

www.roversnorth.com

I have one bolted to the back of my 90 that I keep recovery gear inside. It's quite sturdy (designed to be used in the back of an open-air Jeep), but mine takes so much force to open/close, to the point where I kind of hate it.

 

[mitherial]

Here's a similar box that someone else recommended on one of the Defender forums (had the advantage of being removable and lockable):

Amazon.com

 

[mitherial]

And (finally!) there's also a T-box made specifically for Defender pickups:

T-Chest - MSS-TC

Perfect wheel arch spanning chest! Our Aluminium T Chest is the perfect storage unit for any pick up. Our standard size is to fit a Land Rover Defender or Series vehicle, if you need it for a different vehicle model this is something we would be able to do for you, however additional fees are...

www.mobilestoragesystems.net

 

[SCRover]

All great ideas! Thanks!

 

[mitherial]

If you have a Hi-Cap pickup, be sure to measure your specific truck, because they have different dimensions than the regular LWB or SWB rovers.

 

[rocky]

I got one of these when I had a D1. Haven’t tried it in my 90 but it should fit, just between the wheel arches

Delta 808000 36in Long Aluminum Portable Chest

Delta Aluminum Portable Utility Chests offer you a combination of important features for improved performance. All models have a recessed hinge allowing the lid to fully open when the chest is against the bed wall. The reinforced lid and adjustable strike

www.ruralking.com

 

[pfshoen]

With a standard pickup you could add 1-3 boxes inside the wheel wells. It's common to see a pickup with one at the left rear from the factory.
They don't take up any cargo space and also don't stand out and attract the wrong kind of attention. Long items that don't fit there may fit behind the seats inside the cab. Hi-lift jack fits on the bumper.

 

[mgreenspan]

While I liked having a 110 pickup, it was not as useful as when it had the van sides and hardtop. Anything stopping you from switching configurations?

 

[pfshoen]

A lot of MoD 3 doors were built with side boxes with external doors in the flanks ahead of the rear wheels. Big enough for 2 Jerrycans.
There are also civvy versions for sale, including ones that mount behind the wheels.
The pickup bed loadspace is relatively limited to begin with, so working out a solution that takes none away may be worth the trouble.
LandieBox used to make primo and expensive lockable gear boxes that fit inside the wheel wells like I described earlier.

 

[SCRover]

While I liked having a 110 pickup, it was not as useful as when it had the van sides and hardtop. Anything stopping you from switching configurations?

Mine started out as a full soft-top, but accessing items in the bed was a pain. I'm carrying stuff in the bed every weekend, so it's getting used as a pickup. Maybe I need a 110 double cab or a 130

 

[SCRover]

With a standard pickup you could add 1-3 boxes inside the wheel wells. It's common to see a pickup with one at the left rear from the factory.
They don't take up any cargo space and also don't stand out and attract the wrong kind of attention. Long items that don't fit there may fit behind the seats inside the cab. Hi-lift jack fits on the bumper.

I do have one box at the left rear. It is lockable. Maybe if add some weatherstripping it will be more weather resistant, although it seems to stay dry as is. That would be a good use of otherwise wasted space if I could add another one.

 

[SCRover]

A lot of MoD 3 doors were built with side boxes with external doors in the flanks ahead of the rear wheels. Big enough for 2 Jerrycans.
There are also civvy versions for sale, including ones that mount behind the wheels.
The pickup bed loadspace is relatively limited to begin with, so working out a solution that takes none away may be worth the trouble.
LandieBox used to make primo and expensive lockable gear boxes that fit inside the wheel wells like I described earlier.

Another good suggestion, and another good use of otherwise wasted space. I'm not sure if I have space behind the wheels - I'm thinking the fuel tank might be in the way - although the Perenties have one there so that warrants further research.

 

[chris snell]

Perhaps I should put my custom lock boxes up for sale. My brother-in-law designed these for my old NAS truck. They're really nice but don't fit my Tithonous because of the bracing in the tub.

I was saving them for an eventual new truck or maybe a build for my boys but I'm getting sick of them taking up space.

MedlockBox

Explore this photo album by Chris on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Any interest?

 

[Tbaumer]

I like these. What are the dimensions & weight?

 

[Z.G]

Perhaps I should put my custom lock boxes up for sale. My brother-in-law designed these for my old NAS truck. They're really nice but don't fit my Tithonous because of the bracing in the tub.

I was saving them for an eventual new truck or maybe a build for my boys but I'm getting sick of them taking up space.

MedlockBox

Explore this photo album by Chris on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Any interest?

Great design, essentially the same as the troy box. Just got one & installed it in my 110

 

[Mirrajumper]

Perhaps I should put my custom lock boxes up for sale. My brother-in-law designed these for my old NAS truck. They're really nice but don't fit my Tithonous because of the bracing in the tub.

I was saving them for an eventual new truck or maybe a build for my boys but I'm getting sick of them taking up space.

MedlockBox

Explore this photo album by Chris on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Any interest?

Do you think they would fit in a row 90. PayPal? Thx

 

[chris snell]

Do you think they would fit in a row 90. PayPal? Thx

They should fit in the ROW 90, I would think. These were designed to be a bit shallower to accomodate the internal roll cage bar inside the tub of my old early 1994 NAS 90 truck. Unfortunately, the Tithonus 110's stiffening panels decrease the depth of the wheel wells even more than the 90's roll cage, so the boxes hang over the edge of the wheel well if installed in the Tith 110. But, in a plain ROW 90, they should fit.

I will measure and put up some specs tomorrow.

 

[chris snell]

Great design, essentially the same as the troy box. Just got one & installed it in my 110

It's a pretty close copy. Way back in the day, I wanted some Troy boxes but Troy said he was out of the game. I mentioned this to my brother-in-law, who is a civilian mechanical engineer for US Army Aviation and he was like, no problem, let's do this. With my guidance, he drew them out in Solidworks. They were designed to use the Tuffy box locks so that I could get them keyed alike to my existing Tuffy center console. They have two grommeted holes (water jet) cut into the back, out of sight. I was originally going to mount ham radio gear inside them but changed my mind. One also has a Marinco 12V outlet on the side facing the rear of the truck, which you wire from the inside of the box via the hole in the hidden side. I used this to power my Engel fridge.

I took my brother-in-law's design and sent it off to a place called Rapid Sheet Metal that the Army uses for bespoke rapid prototyping. It was expensive as all get-out, almost $1300 back in 2010, but they water jet cut them out of 0.074 cold rolled steel, folded them up, welded them, and sent them to me a few days later. It was kind of amazing and I'm sure that this would take six months in this 2022 bullshit supply chain, but I got them.

I took them to a place in Colorado Springs that specialized in powdercoating high end bike frames and had them do the crinkle-coat semi-gloss black. It came out incredible. One of those rare Rover projects where the execution is as good or better as the original concept.

They're ridiculously stout and heavy. You could probably park a truck on four of them.

I still have the Solidworks CAD file in case I ever need to make more.