Hey gang, Rev here. I've been a longtime lurker around here, and I've learned a heckuva lot because of it. So thank you. I've always been of the opinion that if I didn't have something meaningful to contribute to a conversation, to just let the conversation continue. But I've finally decided to try and be a more helpful member around here.

So know that you know my excuse, I've got a question to start. EDIT: I moved the question into the general discussion forum, thinking more people might peruse over there. Thanks guys.

When I get a chance, I'll throw up some pictures of my toolboxes. I think a fair number of guys would find them useful.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...ackets-145636/

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Glad you stopped just peaking thru the window and walked in. I really like those D-Ring mounts. Look like a great alternative to a receiver D-Ring mount.

 

Welcome the truck looks good!

 

Hey thanks! Betty and I have been through a lot together over the years. Hopefully I can make some more improvements now that I convinced my wife to increase my allowance

 

Well, got the front hitch installed and the valence trimmed.
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Looking back, I might weld one in between the frame so that it comes out the valence hole. Give myself a little more ground clearance that way.

I also took some shots of my toolboxes, as promised. I did them up a couple years ago. They give me a nice place to store my straps and tools. And if I need the space, they're on lift hinges, so they just pop right off.
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Finally, does anyone know what this little guy is? I found it hiding behind my radio, and my factory manual on my computer decided to be a grumpy b.... today.
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P.S. I know it's a newb question, but can somebody clue me in to how to put pictures inline on here? I know thumbnails are a pain.

 

You have to use an image hosting site like imgur or photobucket and paste the img code.

Also, those boxes are awesome! did you completely fab them or are they a mass produced box that you figured out hinges for.

 

I fabbed 'em up and sent them out for powdercoat. I came across these once upon a time, but didn't feel like paying that much for molded plastic. They're hanging on a giant piece of angle iron, which is mounted through the two holes near the rear of the bed. Come to think of it, I don't know what those holes are actually for...

Thanks for the heads up on the pictures. I'll try and get a photo account setup so that my posts are a bit nicer to look through.

 

Is that something you might be interested in repeating ?

 

It's always a possibility, though I hate to think of the shipping bill to FL.

I'm pretty sure I've still got the CAD models, if you've got a local shop that could cut and bend the sheet for you.

The only complaint that I have about them, is the restraint latch. At the time, the best, quickest thing I could come up with was gate latches. Don't get me wrong, it works great. But they're too loose so they squeak going over bumps. One of these days I'll get around to putting in a system that doesn't squeak so bad. Though I suppose I could always throw a bye-bye (bungie) cord around them. For now, the "turn up the radio" mod works.

Worst come to worst, I could see about getting the formed sheets done up and check on shipping for you, and if you know your way around a welder they're not bad to put together.

And as a bonus, they're sized for 12 oz cans! If you blow a couple drain holes in the bottom they work great for tailgate coolers.

 

I could actually probably make them myself, but I'm interested to see what you have for hinges closer. I have a camper shell for my truck that I'm putting back on once I recheck my body lift bolts and am tired of my box filling the entire back to where the center of the bed is kinda useless

 

This is the type of hinge I threw on there: McMaster-Carr The narrow profile lift off ones.

I'll try and grab you a couple of closer pictures in the daylight tomorrow. I also had to turn down the head height of the bolts I used to attach them to the truck so that they opened nice and wide like that. But that's no biggie, a grinder takes care of that just as well. Iirc, I did use the post hole to allow access for the backup wrench on the mounting nuts too, just as a consideration if you're throwing that camper back on your truck.

Are you ok with cad files, or would prints do you alright?

 

Prints would probably be better. I dont really have a way of machining them. We have got a plasma cutter that I would use. I'd probably use cardboard cutouts for everything. Only difficult part I forsee is the bends, which could be redone into angled straight pieces farily easily. How thick was the steel you used when you made yours?

 

Again, I'll double check tomorrow, but in the back of my head is 16ga. Of course, knowing me it's probably more like 12ga. Stupid overengineering. I also put hems on all of the exposed edges so that someone didn't slice the **** out of their hand trying to grab something out.

I'll try and remember to shoot you a set of prints tomorrow when I get on my CAD computer.

 

I appreciate it. I've never really cared for that box style, but it looks to be perfect to use with a topper setup

 

If you want to PM me your email, I'll shoot you over those drawings.

 

Anybody know what this connector is for? It was hanging out behind my radio
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