Plans for Truck Box

Here is a link to a folder containing pictures of boxes that I have been collecting for years.

My current setup is in there, and is a combination of different ideas assembled from different friends on here. My box is basically 1"x 10" lumber for vertical supports for the tripods screwed to 1/2" plywood and 1"x4" screwed to 1/2" plywood for the prism poles. My box is modular, and is in sections that sit on top of each other.

I don't have plans for mine. I basically bought some lumber, and built mine to fit the equipment I have. My box is 4 feet wide, My tripod slots are approximately 10" wide. I set my tripods up there, made a mark, and screwed the vertical supports to the plywood. I did the same for the prism pole box.

I threw the extra space in the spot for the shovels, blades, etc. on the far right.

Survey Truck Pictures

Good luck!

Be sure to share your pictures when you are finished so I can add them to the collection.

I have a plain jane box for tripods, rods etc with 5 squares for stuff, about 8" high. Everything else just kind of gets on top for quick removal on a need to do basis. Works great, but truck is also used for my own personal needs. '05 Tundra with a cap and side cap windows. Enclosed trailer for my quad on a need to use basis as well.

I'd kinda like to see the box that Bruce Small works out of in his '67 Firebird or something along those lines. That's just good stuff IMVHO. Come on Bruce, humble us... pleeezze.. 😉

IF you look at the box under Cyril Turner, that is mine. It is the first box I have built. Since the pictures I have had it sprayed with bed liner and have taken the tubes out. Being wood it had had some swelling issues from being rained/snowed upon but has held up for the most part. For roughly $100 dollars of material and a few hours worth of time I think it has been worth the money for something that has lasted well over a year and probably has another years use before I need to replace it. Unfortunately I don't have plans for it, drew them up as I was building and didn't keep them.

Thanks for saving these! Nice to be able to look at other ideas.

This is what I came up with

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9x7Txn80advfmdvUUFxQktBd0IwLXBuV2pWenFRblpXeWwwS3I3akNhM18tQTlYY3pCUDg&usp=sharing

If I had to do it again I would make the spaces for tripods a little larger. Its a tight fit to get them in.

I'll have to take some pictures when the sun is up tomorrow.

Cool. Post'em and I'll add them to the family album!:-P

You are welcome. I appreciate everybody sharing them.

Here's what I did with a Ford Ranger.

BTW - no dimensioned plan sheet because every truck bed is a little different. I just start at the bottom and build up.

Now we're talking! This is what I was wanting to see. Thank you so much. Any pictures of the box installed and loaded down?

Anybody else have a dimensioned plan of their truck box?

Thanks so much guys.

CB

My 2 cents, consider weight when constructing a box. Fuel costs are down right now, but they may not stay down for ever.

Yes a strong box as shown in several of the pictures are strong and functional, but heavy.

We paid big $$$ to have one made from welded diamond plate about 10 years ago. We figured over the life of the truck it would probably pay for itself three times just in fuel cost, not to mention the reduced weight is easier on transmission, suspension, brakes, etc.

Are those pullouts not on "rollers" like a counter top drawer has? Seems like the swelling of the wood would make it tough to open.

No rollers. I leave enough "slop" in the drawer dimensions that swelling is not an issue. About 1/2 inch.

About three sheets of plywood so it's not too heavy. I can get it in and out by myself.

Where do the instruments go, Dave? I usually have three boxes to carry about. It seems like they take up a lot of my available space.

I buy extended cab Rangers and instruments stay in the cab behind the front seats.

Nothing fancy here. Just a couple sheets of plywood and 2x10's. I have an ARE cap. The left side has bins for prisms, tribrachs, flagging, nails etc. The right side opens for easy access to tool box, cones, bucket of hubs, extra boots etc. etc. I also have an extended cab. Instruments ride in back seat.

Whatever box I had or made I would make sure it is anchored to bed somehow to prevent bouncing while you are 4 wheeling on uneven ground and heaven forbid, any rollovers. Weigh alone is not sufficient.

MHO

12" diameter sonotubes are light, and inexpensive. I use 4 of them in the back of a Trailblazer. PVC pipe is good too, but more costly.