What do you use to carry tools / parts offroad?

[Java]

I left to go wheeling this weekend with my CB, tools and spare parts sitting on my tool bench for no good reason except that I'm an idiot... so I'd like to make it easier on my dumb ass down the road, and I was hoping to get some ideas. So far it looks like a big tool box (atleast 40" long so I can carry shafts + some padding) that can be held down is my best idea. I have some heavy parts, especially axle shafts, and I want it quiet and secure.

[RockyMtnHigh]

I would be more inclined to keep spare parts separate from tools, no need pulling them all out if all you need are the tools for a repair.

I like the Husky large mouth tool bags at Home Depot. I have one for my tools, which keeps them pretty well organized and quiet. I always found metal/plastic boxes to be noisy with things rattling around. I also had one for recovery gear.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Tool-Storage/Husky/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarixZrd/R-202018002/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[Heather]

Paul, Robyn has a really cool setup in the back of her Jeep that she made out of wood. It takes up the whole back, and has double doors and it latches shut (and can lock). It could be compartmentalized to fit exactly what you need - and then a custom-sized spacious bed for Java on top. It would be REALLY cool if the compartments had pull-out bags/holders like Jock and Chris are talking about, so if you need one type of tool, you pull out that bag. Parts? The other bag. Axle shafts? They're quietly tucked into their own space. Just throwing ideas out there...

[4finger]

Before I bob'd the bed I made a box and cut out the same sized hole in the floor of my bed and flush mounted the making kinda trunk effect.

[jesse05lj]

http://www.tuffyproducts.com/p-182-131-lj-unlimited-security-drawer.aspx

this is what i plan on using for tools and recovery gear. or having something like it built.

[Brody]

I like using a soft contractor's bag with a zip top and handles. Then I use the roll up tool carriers for the wrenches, smaller zip top contractor's bags for various other stuff like deflators, electrical, RTV, etc. Works well, carries well, is durable and cheap. Lowes or Depo has this crap on sale all the time, too. Many of the smaller pouches I use come in a 3 pack for $10. A number of years ago I got a 5 gallon bucket bag with handles and 3 parachute bags on sale for $23. All are still in use.

[Andrew]

This:

http://www.ranetworks.net/images/rig/Rig18.jpg

Tools on the right side, spare parts on the left.

[Robert B]

metal tool box works for my truck and is pretty quiet :) just cause i have enough tools to fix 99.9% of anything on my truck :thumb: i didnt really want to show this until i got it finished but that requires taking all the woodworking tools down from the attic.......and all i really have to do is make a back "door" that will flip down and will latch/lock..... so here it is

[jesse05lj]

Very nice I want something like this

[Robert B]

like what ??? theres 2 diff ones lol

[Robert B]

oh i should probably also mention the front 2 boxes in mine (driver and passenger sides) use the rear seat mounting stuff and come out so i can still use my rear seat :thumb: the rear box can come out but it would be much harder and reqire 2 ppl cause where the bolts are located

[Squshiee1]

I have a tool bag with plastic organizers, the organizers have small boxes that help me organize my sockets and stuff.!

[Popsgarage]

Everyone beat me to this one. And they all work. It's simply a matter of "What's gonna work for me".:D Just make sure you can tie it down. Stuff hurts when it hits you in the head 'cause the unexpected happens.

[Java]

Everyone beat me to this one. And they all work. It's simply a matter of "What's gonna work for me".:D Just make sure you can tie it down. Stuff hurts when it hits you in the head 'cause the unexpected happens.

I also regularly have my dog in the back, so it has to work for her too.

[Beefy]

I use craftsman soft sided tool bags for tools (had them laying around) and they stay in the Jeep. Kind of made a Jeep tool kit that's separate from my regular stuff. Still not complete.

[Java]

Paul, Robyn has a really cool setup in the back of her Jeep that she made out of wood. It takes up the whole back, and has double doors and it latches shut (and can lock). It could be compartmentalized to fit exactly what you need - and then a custom-sized spacious bed for Java on top. It would be REALLY cool if the compartments had pull-out bags/holders like Jock and Chris are talking about, so if you need one type of tool, you pull out that bag. Parts? The other bag. Axle shafts? They're quietly tucked into their own space. Just throwing ideas out there...

Java- that's a big concern, especially with loose stufff that can hit her, but also not having hard stuff for her to crash into. I was thinking about something like you're talking about but up near the back of the seats (w/ the back seat out) so Java could be behind it and still have full use of the tailgate for her to get in and out. Padded top and back for her too, probably a hinged top instead of drawers because of the location. I like the idea of proper sized compartments, I'll have to remember to have the stuff thats going in it set before I build it. thanks!!

[Heather]

o Java could be behind it and still have full use of the tailgate for her to get in and out.
She could probably use a set of those electric stairs, too! How fancy would that be, for her to have extending motorhome stairs to get into the back of the Jeep? Kidding, of course, but that would be super cool.

[Java]

Everyone is right about the tool bags, I have two soft tool bags my wife bought me for Christmas, they're Husky brand from the home depot and I use them for this. I also have a Ryobi one that came with some cordless tools that I use for emergency personal stuff like clothing and food and such. I really need something to hold axle shafts and driveshafts and such- I'm thinking about just wrapping them in towels and cable ties, then wrapping the whole thing in a small rug with some straps around it. Towels and a mat are often handy too. Then I need something for everything, lockable would be awesome since I use my softtop alot. I like Jessie's tuffy link, something like that but a little lower and behind the seats would do. If it had atleast a diagonal measurement of 40" everything would fit.
Andrew... :bowdown: that is really good. I see you and Robert both put tie-downs on top, I'll do that too.

[Beefy]

I would just use some ratcheting straps to keep the big stuff from moving around. Multi-purpose that way too. Just a thought.

[Java]

I would just use some ratcheting straps to keep the big stuff from moving around. Multi-purpose that way too. Just a thought.

I was thinking that too, and they could hook on to the seat mounts, but over the top of one big box or something so it is removable. I also thought about having it attach from inside the box for security, but then I'd have to empty it everytime I took it out. it's a thinker.

[Cr33p3r]

I use the Husky bags too, keep them in the tool box all the time along w/ tackle bag & poles, and oil, cleaners and so forth.

[Robert B]

I see you and Robert both put tie-downs on top, I'll do that too.
i drilled mine right through the wheel well also for some metal support and my top wood is a fuzz over 7/8 thick of two different pieces and if you do the top hinge like mine (piano hinges are great ) you could probably get a gate lock for pretty cheap and a pad lock to stop most quick theives since even ply wood is some pretty strong stuff

[jesse05lj]

Both are good ideas and nice but i lilke the metal look of andrews

[scout man]

this is what i built. I love it cause I keep an entire set of tools in it at all times, and am always prepared! The front section you see in the pic is tool storage, behind that is a "trunk" type space for camping stuff or whatever.

starts on post 294 here: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?4152-scout-build-up/page15&highlight=scout+build if your interested.

- cant seem to link to the pics tonight, so youll have to click the link if your interested

[glacierpaul]

I have the Husky bags myself for the basic hand tools, and use a large craftsmen tool box for my sockets and wrenches(I have like 6 sets in one:rolleyes:). Also have soft bags for the recovery gear. The new Jeep has factory tie downs in the back so I could strap the bags and boxes down if needed. Parts are another story...I have none myself, at least for the new Jeep. Good luck Paul, lots of options.

[Java]

this is what i built. I love it cause I keep an entire set of tools in it at all times, and am always prepared! The front section you see in the pic is tool storage, behind that is a "trunk" type space for camping stuff or whatever.

starts on post 294 here: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?4152-scout-build-up/page15&highlight=scout+build if your interested.

- cant seem to link to the pics tonight, so youll have to click the link if your interested

That is really nice too!! I can't fit something like that in my Jeep, but it would be a nice addition to my garage. And that is a BIG F***ING HAMMER if I ever saw one!!

[scout man]

haha, the wood one or the steel one? The one is just a light weight mallet, but I do get tons of use out of my 5lb hand sledge in the pics. Provides just enough persuasion when you need it. I actually keep the box a lot more stacked then that, that was when I first built it. cant find any other pics though right now.

[jesse05lj]

The USMC is the same way I was a 0311 infantry! Semper Fidelis

[Brody]

Paul, Robyn has a really cool setup in the back of her Jeep that she made out of wood. It takes up the whole back, and has double doors and it latches shut (and can lock).

I built this for her and did the inside so that there are adjustable sections depending on what she carries in it. I just did some rabbits for the shelves to drop into and cut some additional ones. The only one that is fixed separates the amp from everything else. It bolts down onto the floor into the ribbing on the floor pan of the Jeep and the two doors are hinged on the sides with a center latch. The center seam is semi sealed with a piece of 3/4x3/4 aluminum angle and weather strip. It would be easy to do recessed handles and tie down points so that the top is flat. Access is though the top, but could be easily done with a slide out set of drawers, depending on how you wanted to access stuff.

[Java]

Paul, Robyn has a really cool setup in the back of her Jeep that she made out of wood. It takes up the whole back, and has double doors and it latches shut (and can lock).

I built this for her .

I should have guessed!! :lmao: I may pick your brain before I build

[Brody]

You would have no problem at all. Just give a shout if I can give some pointers.

[Pathrat]

I have a Craftsman bag for my regular tools, and the thing has tears around the zippers already. The thin metal rods around the mouth of the bag came out too. The bag is less than five years old. So Husky is the brand that is staying together for most people?

[Brody]

DeWalt bags are decent, too. Same thing happened with one of my other bags with the metal rods and zippers, too. I don't remember the brand. People make some of those bags like contractors are gonna treat them nicely. Right.

[RockyMtnHigh]

So Husky is the brand that is staying together for most people?

I have one that's about 5 years old now and it's held up nicely. I looked at the Craftsman and the ones that Lowes carries (can't remember the name), they just seemed really flimsy, canvas wasn't real thick and the areas like around the edges of the mouth weren't really enforced well or where you would see the most wear. The Husky ones seem to have more organization pockets in and around them too, where as some of the others were just large openings.

[Popsgarage]

People make some of those bags like contractors are gonna treat them nicely. Right.

Properly strapped down ammo cans and military boxes also work out really well. As long as they are strapped down correctly. Some of the bigger ones are even long enough to carry most short side axle shafts, deep enough to carry a complete diff, a short drive shaft broken down, and still have room for u-joints and other miscellaneous parts. And they are a whole lot tougher than the cloth bags. Not dumping on the cloth bags, 'cause I've got my fair share of 'em. Just giving another viable option.

[Rob]

Properly strapped down ammo cans and ... cloth bags.

I use both, inside a wooden storage box in the back of the FJC (which used to live in Jock's rig) and inside a strapped-down, cheap plastic foot-locker type box in the 40.

[Brody]

And they are a whole lot tougher than the cloth bags. Not dumping on the cloth bags, 'cause I've got my fair share of 'em. Just giving another viable option.

Most of my other rigs that I have had I have used the ammo cans, which are pretty much bombproof. The current heap, due to the stacked tool boxes in the back and the way the other room is used doesn't make for a happy fit with the ammo boxes or I would be using them. About the only reason I use them, too, as they are really only half ass for construction work...

[Java]

I have 4 ammo cans in 3 different sizes from my last Jeep, two that go on the wheel wells, one that mounts in the factory spare tire spot, and one that works as a center console, I just fished them out of the garage a day or so ago and plan on selling them. I like them, but they don't fit this jeep like the last one. In this pic you can see the spare tire one. FYI the food at Katmandu in Nederland is AWFUL!!

[jesse05lj]

I used Husky bags at my old job, they would always fall apart on me and the other co-workers