Stupid Question - Toolbox Mounting

beg, borrow, steal, (well, don't steal) a mag drill. Slow and steady pressure and lot's of lube makes a factory looking job on heavy metal.

 

The best way I have found is a good 1/2 drill with a handle on the front and a 1" ratchet strap. Hook over the frame rails and over the back of the drill and tighten it up. Oh and go to a real parts store and get some cutting oil and mix it in an old water bottle. Its inexpesive and will go a long ways if mixed properly. As for the mag drill they are not as great as one might think. You have to have enough clear frame rail where you want to drill and if its got any kind of rust scale forget it. If its borrowed and you let it hit the floor you will find out how expesive they are.

 

Geez, just buy/make L brackets and drill the frame.
I have toolboxes on my frame rails and they are mounted with L brackets via holes drilled in the side of the frame rails and grade 8 bolts of the right size.
If there is other stuff in the way, just space out the L brackets with some 1x1 box section and put that between the brackets and the frame. Job done.
I am plated for 117k lbs and have yet to have a frame crack etc doing it that way. Now if the holes were drilled and left empty, that is a different story.
A normal 1/2" drill on slow speed, a set of cobalt drill bits, and real cutting oil work wonders. Use WD40 etc by all means, but the real thing is too cheap to justify not using it IMHO. Also do not scrimp on the drill bits. Fastenal sell a nice cobalt set that will last forever if treated right.
Frames are a PIA to drill, but done right they can be nothing but time on your part. No need for a frame drill at all, just a good 1/2" drill.
The drill, the bits and the cutting oil need to be quality items, not some China junk from the nearest WalMart BTW.

Martin

 

The oil is just to keep the bit from overheating. Any light oil will do.

 

buy a tool box with a step on it and mount it where the step is now, no drilling,problem solved.

 

Granted it may work, and is certainly better than nothing. But I have actual cutting oil in my shop, just like I have actual tap oil too. Right tools for the job etc.
Just my .02

Martin

 

Another option is the Chassis Grabber mounts for the tool box. No drilling. Fast install. And you can easily remove and put it on another truck if you wanted to. Little pricey, but very good quality. Iowa80 has them, but you probably can find them cheaper elsewhere.

http://www.iowa80.com/DirectionsWEB...grabber&cart_truckType=&search.x=0&search.y=0

Just found another more cost effective option.....

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200416983_200416983

 

I've used water already. There are industrial machines that use water.

Normally I just use a aerosol can of penetrating or lube oil.

 

just get some bar stock to space it away from the other bolts that are in the way. alum bar stock would be eaiser to drill. make the bar stock long enough to help support the box on the backside and you wont need the braces.