[Motorcharge]

Just did one for my Dakota, but it's pretty universal so I figure someone might benefit from this thread.

5.56 ammo can - $16 at local military surplus store
4x white LEDs - $10 at Advance Auto
1x toggle switch - $5 at Lowe's
6x 1" #8 self tapping screws - $1 at Lowe's
1x mailbox lock - $5 at Lowe's
total: $37

other supplies I had lying around:
Flat black spray paint
16ga wire

tools needed:
drill
drill bits
wire strippers
grinder (if you want to remove the handle on top and the front so that they don't rattle)
cutting blades

The lock, LEDs and toggle switch are all that will be going on it for now. Sometime in the future, possibly next weekend I'll be adding a second toggle switch and exterior LED's on either side as long as strips under the dash for footwell lighting when needed.

5.56 Ammo Can





hole layout for toggle switch on drivers side



LEDs, toggle switch, and lock



hole layout in rear for LEDs



test fit for LEDs



holes layed out and drilled for where I'm mounting it

[Motorcharge]

Finished it by welding a small piece of steel onto the side on the inside for the latch on the lock to catch. Forgot to take a picture of that, but got everything else.

Removed the front handle. You could use a grinder, but I just hit it with bolt cutters.



Did the same thing with the top handle. The top hole I cut out for the lock.



Cut the hole for the switch next.



Lock and switch test fits.





Once everything was all fit in place I threw some semi-flat black paint on it.

[Motorcharge]

I didn't take pictures of the wiring process for a couple reasons. One, it frustrates me enough doing electrical work without stopping to take pictures, and two not everyone will wire it the same. I tied mine into the 12v constant for the cigar lighter. I just pulled the dash cover, radio, and stereo. Wired the positive into the 12v constant and the ground wire to the ground strip for the radio. Ran both lines down through the openings in the dash and down behind the ashtray molding where they dropped out the bottom.



As for mounting it to the floor, I simply ran a pencil on the pre-drilled holes in the box, then drilled pilot holes in the trans tunnel, there's plenty of space without hitting anything. Then I put washers inside and ran 1" #8 self tapping screws down and it's plenty sturdy.

Anyway, here's final pictures.














Unfortunately one of the 4 LEDs was broken out of the package. I'll end up replacing it later.

[Texsun]

Awesome! Stealing idea!

[MachinistMade]

nice man! Cheap too, especially because i already have a couple of these ammo boxes lying around collecting dust. i like the integrated LED's.

[fitzp20102]

Love it... Good pictures. Thanks...

[Cutlass327]

Good idea, but I'd have hid the switch in the hinge side - less chance of bumping.. and what is the lock supposed to latch to? I think I'd have tried to incorporate it into the big hole in the handle - if you cannot lift the handle, you cannot open it..

Just random thoughts, but like I said, good idea!

[Motorcharge]

Originally Posted by Cutlass327

Good idea, but I'd have hid the switch in the hinge side - less chance of bumping.. and what is the lock supposed to latch to? I think I'd have tried to incorporate it into the big hole in the handle - if you cannot lift the handle, you cannot open it..

Just random thoughts, but like I said, good idea!

When I did this originally it was on the trans hump in my Dakota. Plenty far enough from my leg and in a good spot to flip it on if I needed to grab something real quick.

I welded a piece of 1/8" plate to the inside wall (no pics of it, sorry) for the latch to catch on.

I'd be comfortable storing most anything I own short of a firearm in it, but realistically if someone really wants to get into it they're going to find a way.