Ya gotta love ammo cans

[jcbrandon]

Ya gotta love ammo cans. Consider a mil-spec weatherproof steel box that you can buy almost anywhere for a few dollars. And they come in a bunch of different sizes, too.

So, how have you used these gems to make your vehicle more functional? Post up your pictures and descriptions. Share the love and amaze your friends.

 

[jcbrandon]

Truck bed storage

I'll go first:

I mounted a pair of .50 caliber ammo cans in the bed of my truck, behind the wheel wells. I use them to store recovery gear. I also modified them to accomodate two padlocks, keyed alike. And since I had the padlocks, I added a couple short lengths of steel cable to bring a bit of theft-deterence to my bed-mounted shovel and pulaski. I can still fit a sheet of plywood between the wheel wells.


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Here's a detail of the padlock and cable system:



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[jcbrandon]

Adding locks to ammo cans

You can buy ready-made parts to add a lock to an ammo can. But these are generally just a big bolt that fits through the existing hole in the can's latch. The diameter of the bolt severely restricts the size of the lock you can use. Most of the ready-made systems I found required a lock that wasn't much sturdier than those on cheap luggage. And the small diameter bolt means attaching the lock is sort of fiddly and delicate. Not so good when your hands are cold and muddy.

So I tried something different.

All the components you need to lock up an ammo can. Just drill a couple of holes in the can and attach a stainless steel U-bolt. I bedded the fasteners in clear silicone to prevent rust and leaks.



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The latch on the can makes a pretty sturdy hasp. Just cut a slot to accomodate the U-bolt. I used drills and files to make the hole.



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Want to secure a shovel, axe, or something similar? Get a piece of steel cable and form a large loop in each end. Drill a hole through the handle of the tool. Pass one loop partially through the hole. Pass the second loop completely through the first and lock it to the ammo can.

This won't thwart a band of sophisticated pulaski pirates. But it will keep an opportunist from just grabbing your stuff.



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[toy_tek]

I modified my Q-maxx compressor to fit inside a .50 cal box. Its usable without removing the compressor from inside.

 

[ntsqd]

I've no picture of it, but the "Cheep Utility Trailer" has a European 20mm ammo can of some sort bolted to it's tongue. Inside are all of the things needed to be able to tow it. The coupler is on it's own receiver slider (ready for a Lock-N-Roll if desired), there are various wiring jumpers depending on the tow rig's configuration, the safety chains, and the lug wrench. The lid is secured with a combo lock. If you know the combo then you can borrow the trailer at any time (key to the lock in the chain around it's frame and the tree is inside too). The rule is that if your tow rig has no lights jumper match then the price of the borrow is to build a jumper that works. Modifying an existing jumper results in the combo being changed.

 

[wentz912]

BOOYA! :Ar15:

Here's the start of my storage set up. That's a tall 40mm can on the left held down by a couple self tapping screws that I dug out of the scrap bin at work, also got the can for free (used to be orange) from a local gun show. And the high lift is held down by some old bumpstop mounts off my dads old jeep and a few spare bolts I had lying around. The spare tire hold down/mount is made out of scrap steel that I had sitting around the shop and all I had to do was heat and bend or cut the desired shape and off I went.

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There's more storage to come, of courseI still have an old rocket box laying around, just got to figure out how to mount it or if I'm going to end up getting a delta tool box from a guy I know...

 

[Antichrist]

Not to make mine more functional, but to entice people to do some off-roading.

 

[FlyingWen]

Here's Mine...

Ok, so maybe mine is a little girly, but I am a cool chick that has an ammo can in her rig. How many girls can say that... uh huh! :shakin:

 

[mrstang01]

I've no picture of it, but the "Cheep Utility Trailer" has a European 20mm ammo can of some sort bolted to it's tongue. Inside are all of the things needed to be able to tow it. The coupler is on it's own receiver slider (ready for a Lock-N-Roll if desired), there are various wiring jumpers depending on the tow rig's configuration, the safety chains, and the lug wrench. The lid is secured with a combo lock. If you know the combo then you can borrow the trailer at any time (key to the lock in the chain around it's frame and the tree is inside too). The rule is that if your tow rig has no lights jumper match then the price of the borrow is to build a jumper that works. Modifying an existing jumper results in the combo being changed.

Must See Pictures!!!!!! This sounds awesome, deserves it's own thread!!

Michael

 

[bmonday]

Not an ammo can, per se, but I used a milsurp medical storage crate as my tongue box. Same weather-proof capabilities as surplus ammo cans.

 

[KG6BWS]

Not an ammo can, per se, but I used a milsurp medical storage crate as my tongue box. Same weather-proof capabilities as surplus ammo cans.

could you post a few close ups of that box?? i really like that but im curious how the latches are arranged on it. and what are the dimensions of it?? thanks.

 

[4307]

Here's my ammo can drawer project....

A couple YouTube video's..... Ammo Can Drawer Slide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwWpdXgaJWw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOoFnceCUDI&feature=related

The full drawer slide build thread is here.... it's on page one

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20110

:gunt:

Second ammo can slide for the driver side coming in the spring.:jumping:

 

[daverami]

Not an ammo can, per se, but I used a milsurp medical storage crate as my tongue box. Same weather-proof capabilities as surplus ammo cans.

Where did you get that crate at? Those look like great storage units.

 

[bmonday]

They are officially "medical transport chests", and you can find them at your usual milsurp outlets if you google for them. They come in a number of sizes (I think I have the smallest).

I found some on Sportman's Guide: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=336762

I'll post up some closer-up pics tomorrow. i don't think I have any currently.

BMonday

 

[j_nigrelli]

...a tall 40mm can on the left held down by a couple self tapping screws...

will self tapping screws take the rigors? i would think through bolts with bf fender washers might be the way to go