Tool kit storage

[BIGdaddy]

My tool kit fits in a 3 drawer craftsman red metal toolbox. It sits on a rolling cart that I use to work on things at home.

It's very easy for me to close it up, and put it in my jeep when going on a trip, but space is hard to come by, so I'm wondering where to put it.

anyone have a lockable storage setup on their roof?

My toolbox is the size you'd expect, just the classic red toolbox. (full wrench, socket set, and lots of specific tools, too, like a multimeter, pliers, hacksaw, tape measure, punches, ac/power steering hose disconnectors, etc)


Other than the weight up high, I have no issue with it on a roofrack, as long as it was protected from the elements. I use my rear seat, full time, so its the rear load area, eventual spare tire carrier mount, roof rack or..??

Is your toolset something that you simply need to be in the back of your rig?

thanks!

brian

 

[Metcalf]

Jeeps are always fun to find space in. My best advise is to whittle down the list of tools you take. Tools are heavy, and 99% of the time you can get by with a smaller lighter tool kit that contains the tools you need to fix the common problems for the vehicle you drive. Its WAY to easy to carry the world with you.

My preferred location for tools on TJ/YJ/CJ Jeeps is between the rear of the front seats the the 4" step in the floor. I usually use two soft tool bags in these locations. One for tools, one for recovery gear. Generally they are small enough that people don't really notice the lack of rear foot room. Not many people can tuck there feet between the step and seat anyways and there feet just ride on the bags. Footman loops can be added to the floor easy enough to allow you to strap/lock the tool bags down. If the bags are the same color as the floor not many people will even notice them. With the gear in this location the weight is also very low and ahead of the rear axle, win, win.

I would suggest building a dedicated tool kit that you can leave in the Jeep at all times. That way its always there if you need it. It doesn't have to be fancy expensive tools either.

 

[UNI]

We also use two soft side tool bags. We took our rear seat out of the JK and installed an inside rack. No seat, No need for the foot wells behind the front seats. We do as Metcalf, tool bags behind the front seats on the floor.

Metcalf Posted: Footman loops can be added to the floor easy enough to allow you to strap/lock the tool bags down.

Metcalf, do you have your tool bags straped down?
Thats a good idea (Tool Bag Straps), I'd like to see how you bolted the straps down. (Got Any Pic's ?)

 

[BIGdaddy]

Jeeps are always fun to find space in. My best advise is to whittle down the list of tools you take. Tools are heavy, and 99% of the time you can get by with a smaller lighter tool kit that contains the tools you need to fix the common problems for the vehicle you drive. Its WAY to easy to carry the world with you.

My preferred location for tools on TJ/YJ/CJ Jeeps is between the rear of the front seats the the 4" step in the floor. I usually use two soft tool bags in these locations. One for tools, one for recovery gear. Generally they are small enough that people don't really notice the lack of rear foot room. Not many people can tuck there feet between the step and seat anyways and there feet just ride on the bags. Footman loops can be added to the floor easy enough to allow you to strap/lock the tool bags down. If the bags are the same color as the floor not many people will even notice them. With the gear in this location the weight is also very low and ahead of the rear axle, win, win.

I would suggest building a dedicated tool kit that you can leave in the Jeep at all times. That way its always there if you need it. It doesn't have to be fancy expensive tools either.

1. tools will be behind load barrier, or on roof. I have 4 people that mean the world to me that will not have to fend off my toolset in the event of a rollover, if I can help it.

2. I've whittled down my tool set to a small red toolbox, as stated.

3. Not going to buy a set of tools to leave in my Cherokee. When my LJ wrangler was stolen last year, I had a lot of stuff go with it. I keep my rig in tip top shape, so other than a lug wrench, I don't find I need anything more than a AAA card, for in town use.

4. I don't buy cheap toolsets cuz I use my tools like crazy, and if the tool isn't up to it, its broken cussed at and thrown away.


Thanks for your perspective, though.

 

[BIGdaddy]

We also use two soft side tool bags. We took our rear seat out of the JK and installed an inside rack. No seat, No need for the foot wells behind the front seats. We do as Metcalf, tool bags behind the front seats on the floor.



Metcalf, do you have your tool bags straped down?
Thats a good idea (Tool Bag Straps), I'd like to see how you bolted the straps down. (Got Any Pic's ?)

i have three kids. need the rear seat.

I hate tool bags. it takes forever to find the right tools. maybe a pelican/storm encased tool box would work, but I need to be able to
find a tool when I need it.

I've actually got a very nice tool bag that sits in my garage, having been rejected for exactly the reason above. Remind me if you are ever in san diego...its your's free if you want it!

Cheers...

Back to the orig. question, how do you store your tools in the back of your rig, or on your roofrack?

Thanks for any info to that end.

 

[Metcalf]

Sorry no pics. Last TJ I did is long gone. I did just pick up another 1997 TJ though and will be doing the same thing. I just used two footman loops for 1" webbing. They bolted to the floor with some small bolts, on the rear, on the shelf area since it's single wall in that part of the tub. On the forward one under the seat you can use either self tapping screws or build a small bracket to tie into the rear seat mounting bolts. I then used a small boat strap to hold everything down. I don't like not having stuff tied down in the cab.

Soft bags don't work for everyone. They work for me since they don't have a lot of wasted space and can be shoved into odd places. I generally keep the tools in 'rolls' inside the main bag to make everything easier to find and more organized.

 

[Amauri]

I'm thinking of building something like this for the back of the zj but with some tool storage boxes on the sides, maybe a lockable top. I can just throw all the soft stuff on top(sleeping bags pillows etc.). Or maybe add one of those dog cage things so i dont have to worry about stuff flying forward.

I don't know I'm still playing with the idea and design, I'm running out of room and i don't even have kids. :coffeedrink:

 

[rusty_tlc]

I use an ammo box. I have a shelf system in the back of my FJ40 and it stores under that. If that was not available I'd put some tie downs in and ratchet strap it down, probably on the fender between the roll cage pillars. Once I found a good home I'd through bolt it in place and install a padlock hasp. That would keep it reasonably secure when the top is off.

I like ammo boxes because they keep all the moisture and dust out. To keep it organized I use carbines for the wrenches, a bag for pliers screwdrivers etc. and some small plastic boxes for spare hardware. I'm still looking for a good way to store sockets, right now I use the rails thingys. I'm not impressed. Any empty space is packed with shop rags to stop rattles, odds are if you have the tool box out you'll probably need one anyway.

I couldn't see my tools on a roof rack. I want them easy to get at on the trail.

This is the shelf I built in the back of the 40, You might be able to do a shorter version. The top is through bolted to the fenders with fender washers and tee nuts.

I know it's ugly, when time allows it will be replaced with higher grade materials.

 

[BIGdaddy]

I use an ammo box. I have a shelf system in the back of my FJ40 and it stores under that. If that was not available I'd put some tie downs in and ratchet strap it down, probably on the fender between the roll cage pillars. Once I found a good home I'd through bolt it in place and install a padlock hasp. That would keep it reasonably secure when the top is off.

I like ammo boxes because they keep all the moisture and dust out. To keep it organized I use carbines for the wrenches, a bag for pliers screwdrivers etc. and some small plastic boxes for spare hardware. I'm still looking for a good way to store sockets, right now I use the rails thingys. I'm not impressed. Any empty space is packed with shop rags to stop rattles, odds are if you have the tool box out you'll probably need one anyway.

I couldn't see my tools on a roof rack. I want them easy to get at on the trail.

This is the shelf I built in the back of the 40, You might be able to do a shorter version. The top is through bolted to the fenders with fender washers and tee nuts.

I know it's ugly, when time allows it will be replaced with higher grade materials.

I LIKE ugly. thanks for the input on your setup. Can't see the pics at work, but I'll check em out at home.

I want to keep my load area clear for cargo (like today, I have to pickup a tire), but I wonder if I could fab up a simple slide lock idea, so I could slide and lock my tool box in the back when I'm on a trip. Then I could pull it right out for repairs, or to unload the jeep back into my garage.

 

[SilverBullet]

Just a thought, if you buy power tools for home that come in those molded plastic cases, don't throw them out. Use a dremmel or something and cut out the forms inside, then use the small case for hand tools. These have been used around my house for Tent Trailer tools, trail tools, recovery gear, and even a food storage bin. They are small, lightweight, and can hold a surprising amount of stuff.

 

[Amauri]

Just a thought, if you buy power tools for home that come in those molded plastic cases, don't throw them out. Use a dremmel or something and cut out the forms inside, then use the small case for hand tools. These have been used around my house for Tent Trailer tools, trail tools, recovery gear, and even a food storage bin. They are small, lightweight, and can hold a surprising amount of stuff.

Good idea!!

 

[BIGdaddy]

Just a thought, if you buy power tools for home that come in those molded plastic cases, don't throw them out. Use a dremmel or something and cut out the forms inside, then use the small case for hand tools. These have been used around my house for Tent Trailer tools, trail tools, recovery gear, and even a food storage bin. They are small, lightweight, and can hold a surprising amount of stuff.

I have a tonne of those. That's a great idea.

I'm gonna see what I have at home.

 

[southpier]

if the toolbox you have has drawers, i would certainly not rely on the top/ lid latch to hold the drawer closed while driving.

any of the standard crafts-type boxes i have had could be yanked open on the bench even with the lid closed.

cannot imagine how tools shifting under dynamic load wouldn't shake the drawers open, or at least distort the drawerfront enough to lose some tools.

 

[BIGdaddy]

if the toolbox you have has drawers, i would certainly not rely on the top/ lid latch to hold the drawer closed while driving.

any of the standard crafts-type boxes i have had could be yanked open on the bench even with the lid closed.

cannot imagine how tools shifting under dynamic load wouldn't shake the drawers open, or at least distort the drawerfront enough to lose some tools.

agreed.

Do you see a work around to that?

Maybe something like a jerry can latch that captures the lid and slides?

 

[BigAl]

I would stay away from any box or case, they will always take up more room than necessary. Save the highly organized drawer system for the shop. Lowes sells small heavy duty pouches/ditty bags. I separate my tools into 4 small bags. Those go into a softsided tool bag.

I used to use an ammo can. During filming of my avatar picture, it nearly took my head off. Make sure, whatever you use, you ratchet strap it down:ylsmoke: