We selected these toolboxes...
We selected these toolboxes for their affordability and quality construction. The UWS boxes from Thule offer the right combination of space and features. The cross box has a single-lid design that gave us space for bulky items. The box measured 60x19.25x13.50 inches.
In the January 2010 issue of 8-Lug magazine we pointedout some of the real-world benefits of using a spray-in liner versus the drop-in variety in our debut Bed Tricks column. You may recall, the spray-in Line-X product we used completely revitalized our badly damaged F-250 bed, making future bed upgrades possible. Drop-in-style liners have their applications, but our project wasn't one of them.
We had a work truck, and the owner, who happened to be an electrician, needed literally every square inch of bed space for his tools and equipment. To complete the project, we needed to locate a few quality toolboxes. While there are many models available, we narrowed our choice down to Weather Guard and UWS from Thule.
Because toolboxes come in a variety of styles and price ranges, we learned that what works for one tradesman won't for another. In this case, an independent electrical contractor owned the truck, and he required a balanced configuration and specific inserts because of the variety of his equipment. While pricing was a factor, durability was his biggest priority.
The Weather Guard name speaks for itself. It is one of the most popular brands on the market-simply because of the fact that it is built to last in practically any weather. We selected the Weather Guard Pack Rat single-drawer unit, which mounted directly to the bed floor with a blind-style fastener. Its large, sliding single drawer made access to any compartment easy. The Pack Rat is designed for heavy loads and features a modular-type shelving configuration.
 1.The aluminum UWS toolboxes...  1.The aluminum UWS toolboxes were light enough to make centering alignment simple. Hardware and instructions were included. |  2. Made from quality aluminum,...  2. Made from quality aluminum, the UWS cross box featured a low-profile design, heavy-duty gas cylinder, independent steel lock and latch, and divided tool trays. |  3. The side mount boxes are...  3. The side mount boxes are available in five different lengths. All of the Blue Label boxes had matching heights. |
Because it's only about 12 inches tall and lies flat, the Pack Rat leaves plenty of room for other equipment on top or to the side of the unit. If you feel inclined, you can walk on it, thanks to skid-resistant strips and its tough, 14-gauge steel top and overall build quality. Each drawer compartment is approximately 9.75 inches wide. A one-touch latch system offers easy, one-hand operation. What we liked most is the weather sealing quality and 425-pound load rating.
4. When you can't get a friend...
4. When you can't get a friend to help, a jackstand comes in handy to keep the box level while you mount it.
To complement the Weather Guard, we went with two more affordable UWS 60-inch side mounts and a UWS 72-inch single-lid cross box. The Blue Label single-lid series from UWS is a low-profile box. The lid opens a full 90 degrees and offers plenty of room for bulky items like tool guns, small compressors, or buckets. Heavy-duty cylinders help raise the lid and hold it open. The single-lid toolbox can be set up with divided trays inside and its locking mechanism can be keyed to the other Blue Label boxes in your truck.
The UWS side mount toolboxes more than doubled the volume the truck could carry securely under lock and key. These side mounts are available for long or shortbed trucks. Like the single-lid series, the side mounts feature the insulated lid design and are secured to the bed with sturdy leg brackets, making them a good choice for construction use. These boxes mount on the bedrail above the wheelwell. They match the look and height of the entire Blue Label series.
 5. Gas-charged cylinders keep...  5. Gas-charged cylinders keep the lid propped up when loading or unloading. |  6. The UWS toolboxes mounted...  6. The UWS toolboxes mounted to the bedrails. |  7. Self-tapping metal screws...  7. Self-tapping metal screws made the installation a breeze. Try drilling a pilot hole to get the screw started properly. |
 8. The much heavier Weather...  8. The much heavier Weather Guard box took a forklift to get it in the bed. The box can carry more than 400 pounds of equipment. |  9. Blind-type fasteners took...  9. Blind-type fasteners took out any guesswork. Before you do any drilling, first check for brake, fuel, or other lines that might be damaged by drilling. |  10. Measure twice, drill once....  10. Measure twice, drill once. If you want a clean, professional installation, be sure to check you measurements from front to back. |
 11. The 5/16-18 blind fasteners...  11. The 5/16-18 blind fasteners are simply tapped into position. You don't want any play in the fastener hole. |  12. Anti-seize or another...  12. Anti-seize or another type of lubricant works well to prevent rust corrosion of the hardware. |  13. We needed two wrenches...  13. We needed two wrenches at this point. You do not want the fastener to turn while you tighten down the bolt head. |