[ScottHarr_TJ]

i was wondering if anybody has fabbed up an under seat slideout toolbox? i know tuffy makes one, and thats what i want to base my plans off of but has anyone else done this.
i'm thinking of raising up the rear seats a little bit for a little more room and using some MDF to build a slide out box to haul around some trail gear and tools as well as keep it all from wandering eyes. any ideas, plans or pics of ones you've made or seen? thanks

[zachbh]

how would you raise the seat up? brackets of some kind?

[Dmcastino]

Why mdf? I dont think I would use it if I was building something like this personally. For one that stuff is unnecessarily heavy. 2. If I remember right its a lot more expensive than alternative wood, I think it was 32 bucks for a standard sheet when I built my sub box. 3. I seem to remember them not liking water very much, could be wrong on that one though.

I just think there are lighter, cheaper alternatives than mdf

[ArrizX]

MDF is incredibly dense. Thats why its used for audio applications, and usually always covered with something because it soaks up water like nuts. They look cool lined with something though.

Anyways, 5 layer ply would be fine for this, just paint it black, or line it or cover it with fabric.

This is a good idea, although I took out my back seat or else I would be all over doing this.

[ScottHarr_TJ]

Originally Posted by zachbh

how would you raise the seat up? brackets of some kind?

i would use some sort of homemade bracket to raise up the seats a little. not too much so as any passenger wont rock their head on a rollbar and for comfort. grade 8 harware is a must, seats are one thing i want to be positive i torque down fully for safety.
the MDF was just my first idea on wood. i figured they were pretty strong and durable, but ply wood sounds better and cheaper. i want to line the outside of it with maybe some exterior carpet of some sort for looks though. im making up the plans right now so i'll be sure to post up my blueprints for my sweet little cargo box.

[black05tj]

I don't like the idea myself - not the wood part. Reason being, I just can't see the wood being safe to mount the seat and seat belt anchor to - in the unfortunate event of an accident. I've not seen the Tuffy one personally, and that's one question I have about their box - how sturdy is it if you have a collision which results in 300 lbs. of people going forward and pulling on the seat belt mount (which is only one bolt anyway)? I'm not an expert on the strength of mdf, but I would fear the wood busting apart and your passengers flying through the winshield in this scenario. Same with a roll-over. How well will that box hold up to the weight of your seat and passengers hanging from it?

[Jacon]

I have been toying with making one myself. The main points of the idea that I have so far are to use either a fabbed metal box or some type of sealed electrical box (large size). Then use rack mounted server rails to attach it to its own frame (bolted to the floor) that would allow it to slide in and out.

Here is a link to server rails if you don't know what I am talking about-

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=281271&CatId=331

[ScottHarr_TJ]

Originally Posted by black05tj

I don't like the idea myself - not the wood part. Reason being, I just can't see the wood being safe to mount the seat and seat belt anchor to - in the unfortunate event of an accident. I've not seen the Tuffy one personally, and that's one question I have about their box - how sturdy is it if you have a collision which results in 300 lbs. of people going forward and pulling on the seat belt mount (which is only one bolt anyway)? I'm not an expert on the strength of mdf, but I would fear the wood busting apart and your passengers flying through the winshield in this scenario. Same with a roll-over. How well will that box hold up to the weight of your seat and passengers hanging from it?

The safety aspect of it is still something im trying to figure out. I would use some brackets to lift up the seats, so the seat wouldnt be supported by the box. and the seatbelt anchors are something i've been trying to decide what to do with. i want to retain the stock anchor as much as possible but i dont know how possible it is. i've throught about reinforcing them with some heavy duty brackets and lock washers but that still doesnt sound very sturdy. i may just end up taking out the back seat if i cant figure out a way to keep it safe as well as functionable. any body have any info on how the tuffy box re-uses the seatbelt anchors? thanks for the constructive criticism. i need that to help make this thing work.

[jrgillespie1345]

couldnt you just throw some i dont know say piece of wood under neath the seatbelt anchor and the back seat brackets and then put holes where the bolts would go, then go buy grade 8 bolts the would fit in the stock bolts place? does that make sense?

[Bigbob]

Originally Posted by jrgillespie1345

couldnt you just throw some i dont know say piece of wood under neath the seatbelt anchor and the back seat brackets and then put holes where the bolts would go, then go buy grade 8 bolts the would fit in the stock bolts place? does that make sense?

He wants to put a drawer under there. The center belt anchor location will be in the way. A under seat drawer will have the center belt anchor mounted on top of the drawer. So the drawer unit needs to be pretty stout to be safe. Or you could use 2 drawers, but even then the center belt will be too short.

I see where a lot of folks raise the rear seat. My son rides in the rear of the Jeep and he is tall so raising the seat is not an option to me.

[Rigged]

I have the full length Tuffy underseat drawer, and it does raise the seat about 3". I am 6'0" and it isn't too high for me ie. my head doesn't hit the roof. I was originally toying with the idea of building my own as well, but it just didn't seem safe enough to me.

Basically the seat belts bolt to the middle of the drawer with grade 8 hardware. There is a brace that goes the complete width of the drawer to each side bracket where the rear of the actual seat bolts to, and large fender washers that give it more support.

How often do you use your backseat? This was the deciding factor to me. I don't use mine all the time, but enough to merit keeping it in. If you don't use your backseat then I would just build a box for the rear. Another option would be to use the Tuffy expanding box so you just keep your backseat tumbled forward. It is an expensive option, but it would give you a lot more storage and a small inconvenience.

What do you plan on storing in this box? Do you need tons of storage because an underseat drawer is somewhat limited. Here is a picture of the drawer.

[ScottHarr_TJ]

im starting to decide against the idea of it being under the seat. i need more room for more gear and the safety factor is just too much of a risk for me. i think im just going to get rid of the back seats. no more back seat drivers or driving people places. ha ha. i'll post some pics p when i finish making it.

[Rigged]

Awesome...Good luck!

[ScottHarr_TJ]

I'm almost finished with the box you guys. i just need to mount it on some heavy duty sliders and into the jeep. it came out great and i'm going to do a little write up with it. i used 1/2 inch plywood and made the box 35 1/2 x32 1/2 x 8 1/4. it slides in and out of the tailgate and is very functional. i think it is a great addition and way to lug around some extra gear safely. i'll post up the link for the write up soon.

[ex m38a1er]

I hate to join the party so late but i have another idea , for other members since you went with your set up already.
I saw somewhere a slide out toolbox sliding towards the front seats.Like that the seat belt bolt will not interfere(but has to be replaced with a longer one)
Another idea(i'll take the credit) is to make a fixed toolbox(i think i'll go with this option someday) that will use the seat as a top cover.Like that everytime you want to have acces to something you'll just have to tumble the back seat...
What do you guys think???