I'm always looking for "off label" uses for many things in hardware and auto stores.

I found this trailer tongue box at Harbor Freight that fits perfectly behind the CJ7 rear seat. Mine's mounted to the floor with the supplied hardware.

35" Steel Trailer Tongue Box

 

i just finished putting my cj tailgate on my yj
i used the same latches this guy used and they work good
the only problems i had was fiding small enough hardware that would hold up but the latches themselves work great

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/lockable-cj-tailgate-hardtop-duster-owners-1007833/

hope it helps you out bud:cheers2:

 

Hey gojeepin, do you have a picture of that mounted behind your seat, that seems like a good deal, does it open to the top or from the side. Was wondering cause i have fiberglass tup with no tailgate opening so looking for something that opens from top

 

I don't have a picture right now. I could take one tomorrow since it's dark right now.

It opens from the top but unfortunately for you, I have to open the tailgate to unlock the box.

 

my first post was just to help you latch the tailgate from the outside
it is also lockable so you could get a flat piece of metal to put across the wheelwells so the space beneath would be locked up
just a thought
good luck:thumbsup:

 

My thought on that same thing (lockable storage in rear), has been to make a standard rectangular box in the rear (Diamond plate) - Piano hinge it a few inches back from the front eadge (MAYBE), The rear of the box can extend almost to the tailgate (just enough for a pushbutton lock (or 2 or 3), like on tuffy consoles); Drill & secure the box to the seat floor bolt holes, Move the seat back 1-3 inches, secure the front of the fold & tumble seat to the front edge of the box lid (maybe the seat will actually tumble into the resulting space); cut down the seat supports so that the seat is pretty much flat on the box lid (still raising the seat a couple of inches, due to box height), make sure that there's "hold down" in the rear for seat belts.

At the least, this should provide:
A) Storage across the wheel wells, About 6" deep x 2' front to rear;
B) Stop rear seat riders from having to peek over their cramped knees (& smacking their lower jaw on their knees on potholes);
C) Give rear seat riders with grown-up feet a little room for their hooves

 

this is a little bigger than you were talking about but could be made smaller Custom Jeep Drawer Cargo System | Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures

 

just go to to any reputable lock smith and they usually have a verity of locking handles to choose from that will fit many different applications. pick out a handle and build the box like you were thinking, with the diamond plate and piano hinge.

 

One of the coolest things I had in my YJ, that should fit a CJ, is an old wooden military box - I can't remember if it was used to hold rockets or what, but it fit length-wise just behind the rear seat, rested on the wheel wells, and was about a foot deep and three feet wide.

Check your local army-navy store. I can't seem to find a picture of what I'm thinking of, but it had a latch for locking and rope handles. Wish I knew what happened to it, I kinda want one for my CJ now.

 

Custom Jeep Drawer Cargo System | Pacific Northwest Backroad Adventures

Interesting, I'm not really a fan of drawers, or using plywood (any real weight to strength / loss of space ratio gain over - Alum or Steel?)

GoJeepn - I would consider the tailgate issue to be a positive thing - one more barrier to someone attempting to break into the box. In fact, having the lid be a few inches below the tailgate (with hang-down on the lid lip + a way to lock the tailgate - seems like a really good thing.)

 

Thanks for all the responces..........not sure how or if the drawers will work...not alot of room back there. Gojeepin, I would love to see some pics as well......I am more of a visiual kind of guy, so pictures are best for me.

 

OK... I have three shots.

 

^^^ Your tailgate hinges are on upside down. That's why your tailgate rests at an angle, it should be flat.

Oh and nice storage box.

 

Yeah, I know. Before I had the box I used them that way to hold things in. As you can see the tailgate is higher than the floor. I think I'll flip them now.

 

gojeepin - That trailer tongue box looks great and fits the space perfectly. We have a Harbor Freight store about 30 minutes drive. I will be making a call later today to see if they have the box in stock. Thanks for sharing.

 

I found a factory storage box on Craig's List, which sounds similar to what you are wanting to build. If you are handy with a welder, maybe you could model yours after the factory box and add your own custom touches. Aluminum would a cool, but expensive. Some 18ga steel would be a cheaper alternative and most of the supplies are available at most steel supply shops. Let me know if you would like the dimensions for the box in the photo. FYI, the attached photo was referenced from a google search, but I have the same box, so I can get more detailed photos and dimensions if you would like.

 

This thread has been great for me....i've got the Tuffy lock box (big ol' SOB) in the back...with no rear seat. Once I get a rear seat, the box that gojeepin posted looks like it was made for this thing! Plus, i'd imagine if you don't lock it (or close it all the way), that you could open it without dropping the tail gate....and when it's time to secure it up, you lock it and close it all up....either way..pretty dang sweet!

 

Go, that box is a steal! I went to a military surplus to see if i could fine something that I could use. They wanted $128.00 for one similar to yours.

 

I like the harbor freight box 35" Steel Trailer Tongue Box
I think I may have to construct one, only because I want it to look more like it was part of the jeep when it was first sold, basically a tighter fit. I like the diamond plating idea as well. I want if possible make it removeable (maybe, not 100% sure on that tho). I have a 1978 cj7 with the tail gate that opens down, but the latches are on the inside of the jeep, I have to figure a way to get at the latches. Maybe only two sides to the trunk, a back that follows the seat angle, and a top that locks. The sides can be the wheel well wall. So I guess only when I unlocked the trunk then I am able to get at the latches to open my tail gate. Now....to figure a way to lock it......have the lock in the center of the top close to the tailgate so it actually locks with the tailgate? Or on one of the sides? Hmmmm just had an other thought, if I piano hinge the back side bottom and place some slide dead bolts on top but sides, I then can lower the trunk flat and out of the way when I tomble my rear seat forward, giving me my open again when I go four wheelin. What do you all think? Does anyone have a better idea or improved idea on this? Any pics?

 

i got this one for christmas for. i found it online and asked my mother for it. 79$ free shipping.

 

Where did you find that? Looks great!:thumbsup:

Edit: http://www.autopartsdealer.com/specialty_series_dz6535p-p830004-p.html

Do you have any pictures of the inside?

 

Gojeepin, that's a VERY nice box. The one complaint I would have with it is that the key is positioned where you have to open the tailgate to unlock it. A small issue, I know, but I usually don't drop my tailgate. My cheap plastic toolbox is easy to remove.

 

I thought about the same things. Don't care if I have to open the tail gate. The easy to remove for your plastic box is a huge drawback acutally, its something I want to prevent. Too many cars here in the Atlanta burbs get broken into. If someone can walk away with it, they will.

 

I can't remember I just found the size I was looking for then googled it to find the best price.

 

A few years back, someone (mag or TV show) built a lockable box into the floor under the rear seat. It was like 6" deep x 18" x 24". It fit between the frame rails and left enough clearence for the pumpkin. Pretty slick, especially if you have a fold and tumble rear seat.