SuperCab Storage Idea

[Rockstar04]

I am thinking up ways to organize tool, recovery gear, first aid and other items I would like to keep in my truck. I really like the Idea of using ammo crates because they are steel, so pretty sturdy, water tight, and pretty cheap.

I don't like the idea of them just being thrown behind the seats though, so I took some measurements and started messing around in solidworks. Now since I haven't actually bought the crates yet I don't have exact dimensions and details from the crates themselves, just the overall dimensions from the sellers website, so the frames to hold them are a rough guess at best, but it does look like the crates would, for the most part, fit on top of the little "Hump" against the back wall of the cab.

Here is my basic design

The support frame would be made from 6061 Aluminum angle, and flat stock for the strap support going up the back. The crates would be held in with either ratchet straps or cinch straps.

Comments, Ideas, Suggestions, Questions

 

[4.0B2]

Looks awesome. I like the thought.

One thing I'd look at is doing a bottom tray for all of them. 4 total. And not stacking the top ones on the bottom ones. Why? So you can get the bottom one out without moving the top one. And it would be sturdier.

Either way it's an awesome idea. Do it. Take lots of pics.

 

[CHKNFKR]

do what 4.0 said.

Also, i have a handful of those boxes, once you fill them up with recovery gear/tools/rations, they tend to get a little heavy, and especially awkward in tight quarters like the back seat of a ranger. what you might consider doing is keep 1 or 2 of the 40mm boxes for the bigger stuff you don't use too often, then 4 -6 smaller boxes for things you use more frequently. 7.62 boxes work great for nuts, bolts, batteries, and stuff. .50 BMG and 5.56 loose cases work for general storage, and 5.56 link (saw cans) work for common tools.

 

[Mark_88]

I have been looking into this also...I took out the jump seats and can fit quite a bit of stuff in the slots...I have one of those storage traysd for loose nuts and odds and ends but I want to put all of my tools, ropes, and other things inside the cab...I haul junk and ladders so I want the bed cleared as much as possible...

Good design, and I like what 4.0 said about not stacking them...a seperator would do wonders for getting at the lower items...

 

[Rockstar04]

So here is another design with some different size crates on the top shelf.

This is a load simulation with 300 Lbs of weight on the top shelf, The distortion is exaggerated 23 times more then what the actual part would be deformed. Using the 6061-T6 Aluminum I am planning on, this would give me an overall FOS (Factor of Safety) of over 3.5. Meaning this would be three times stronger then the minimum to support the weight.

 

[4.0B2]

that's some fancy stuff you got there...i wish i knew how to work it.

and btw-- i LOVE the second drawing you did. using different size ammo cans you can be more organized.

 

[Rockstar04]

The price for the aluminum for the 2 teir system is $92.18. Thats including shipping from Onlinemetals.com.

Total weight for the brackets (both sides) is just under 17 Lbs, can can support over 600Lbs (300 per side)

 

[4.0B2]

sounds like well invested money IMO.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You will want to come up with a way to secure them too, them things flying around in a rollover wouldn't hurt... they would just kill you.

And after you get that done, figure up the energy involved in a wreck and run your structural test again.

I don't seem them staying on the racks with nothing in front of them under realistic driving conditions as the models look right now.

 

[Rockstar04]

I was going to get some 1" ratchet straps for the big crates, and some 1" pull tight straps for the smaller ones. I also plan on running them through either guides welded in ro holes cut into the bracket itself to keep the straps in place.

If you look at the first design you can see that the vertical bar has a hole in the top for a strap to go through.

 

[daniel3507]

Would you be interested in building one for me? That looks pretty awesome.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you look at the first design you can see that the vertical bar has a hole in the top for a strap to go through.

With it up against the frame and nowhere to put the other end I didn't catch that

 

[Rockstar04]

Would you be interested in building one for me? That looks pretty awesome.

I'll have to see how the prototype set work out first lol

 

[bobbywalter]

i love ammo boxes.....


but they damaged my piglets.....


no more ammo boxes inside....

 

[CHKNFKR]

No one wants to hear about your piglets bobby....