Recovery Equipment Storage

TJVach

TJVach

Observer
Hello everyone again,

I just wanted to knew if any of you folks know of a container/bin that is shallow around 4-7" and 30"-50" wide. I looked into the Thule and Yakima containers but they are too big for me it would just look really really weird.

I am trying to increase the non existent storage in my TJ. I have a rack and was thinking of mounting a shallow box to the roof rack for all the lite gear ie rope, straps, bungee cords & maybe the occasional shackle or two. I didn't want a really heavy metal box simply because of the COG problems it will give me, not that I don't have them already.

I was looking at the Pelican Weapons Cases but I couldn't bring myself to drilling holes in 1.) a $100+ case and 2.) a very nice $100+ case!!! If you can think of a good way to secure it to the rack by all means let me know. I wanted it permanent/semi-permanent so it's not easily taken, because you and I both know that if someone see's that up there they will at least think about it. :)

Thanks for any help!!!
 
UK4X4

UK4X4

Expedition Leader
US military first aid boxes......around the right size....waterproof
aluminum light weight.

Check on military surplus/supliers
 
outsidr

outsidr

Adventurer
Look at the pelican cases with the snap on hand carts. You drill the hand carts and bolt them to your rig then the cases snap into them. Two birds one stone.....check out the Campaatt www.Campausa.com . That is what Chris did with those....

Honestly straps get nasty and you might just want to put them in a bag or rap them around your spare to hang on the trail if that is what you are storing....
 
TJVach

TJVach

Observer
I actually plan on putting ratchet straps, rope, line, and anything else that I can fit up there without tipping my truck over lol...


Do you happen to know which model it was that had the "clippable" mounts? I searched Pelican.com and also the Storm Case website.
 
Green Ganesha

Green Ganesha

Adventurer
outsidr said:
Look at the pelican cases with the snap on hand carts. You drill the hand carts and bolt them to your rig then the cases snap into them. Two birds one stone.....check out the Campaatt www.Campausa.com . That is what Chris did with those....
Click to expand...

I'm very curious to know more about these snap-on carts. I've seen Chris' trailer, but never noticed the mounts. Are they a Pelican product?
 
ckkone

ckkone

Explorer
Have you looked into those universal plastic gun cases, all you need to do is take the foam insert out...
 
BigAl

BigAl

Expedition Leader
I don't know how set you are on having a hard case on the roof, but I've found this pack http://www.karstsports.com/loscreekmont.html is an excellent way to store recovery gear. The gear does not need protecting so a hard case may just take up more room than necessary. I have a standard tag pack that holds 2 30' tow straps, tree saver, pulley, short chocker and 3 d rings. The pack is very heavy duty. I always keep it readily accessable. It doesn't take up much space and can be stuffed in to nooks.
 
paulj

paulj

Expedition Leader
Do you already have the roof rack? For several years I've debated getting a Bestop plastic basket
http://www.bestop.com/index.php?s=47
At 43" x 23" it is about the right size to fit between my roof rack cross bars. It doesn't, though, address the issue of weather proof storage.

I've toyed with making a shallow storage box about this size from plywood and/or hardboard.

paulj
 
TJVach

TJVach

Observer
offroad_nomad said:
You're looking to modifiy your TJ, especially storage considerations . . . you need to check out my friend Paul's website:

4x4 Icon

Storage:
http://www.4x4icon.com/offroad/toolbox/tool_box_large.htm
Click to expand...

I have checked out Paul's website many many times. I tried to find the boxes that he uses and also the ones that he recently "found" with no luck.

I do have a roof rack already. I actually like the Bestop rack that mounts where the rear seat would be almost like a mountaineer rack. I will probably do this for additional storage if not then I will build a "toneau cover" so I have some secure storage. I already have a underseat security drawer so mounting is a little bit different for things like the Extenda-trunk etc.

I plan on keeping the stuff in the truck at all times simply for the convenience and I don't drive it everyday so I don't have to worry about fuel prices as much. Maybe use a HD Dry bag or a heavy pack like BigAl said but with a Dry bag cover to keep it out of the elements. Now I would only have to worry about keeping it secure to the rack.

I really do like the "clippable" Pelican case idea though because then I can store things that would be a little bit more awkward in a bag.

**EDIT** How do you folks store your sockets. That is one of my problems at the moment. I bought this beautiful 241 pc. Mechanics Tool Set because it had a almost totally complete socket set, but didn't come with a case. How do you store all of them???? I was thinking of using a 1550 Pelican Case (Expedition Exchange) and organizing everything in there. Maybe build a wooden organizer or get the Pelican one. I really didn't want a metal tool box simply for the weight factor. A 4 drawer metal tool box I believe is around 46-50lbs and a Pelican Case with close to the same amount of cubic inch space is roughly 11lbs.
 
Last edited:
ntsqd

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
There's a thread on storing/hauling tools around here somewhere, some good ideas in it. Sockets appear to be the biggest challenge. I swear I recall Snap-On or Mac selling a urethane socket rail, but I've not found it in anything on-line.
 
J

j_nigrelli

Adventurer
(socket storage)

Sears, and probably others, have those metal strips with all the tabs to place the sockets on. then you just need a bag long enough to put the whole "stick 'o sockets" in.
 
TJVach

TJVach

Observer
The problem I have run into with the metal clip rails is the sockets fall off pretty easily. I was looking into maybe doing something magnetic.

This was my idea, now here me out lol :) :
Use the 1550 Pelican and put a 12"x12" magnetic plate on the bottom. Get the regular plastic socket holders (the ones that have the studs only upside down so the socket portion ie the standard or metric side is inserted NOT the 1/4", 3/8", & 1/2" sides) and effectively "sandwiching" the socket holder in between the sockets and magnetic plate. This should hold the socket rack pretty well and the sockets shouldn't come off because of the additional magnetic force. LOL How about that?
Downside.....It'll be pretty expensive to do depending on the amount of sockets I want to take, those racks go for $30-$40 a pop.
 
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