The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Under-Seat Storage

Hi all. I apologize if there is a thread on this already, I searched Google and the Forums for over an hour and hit on absolutely nothing related to this topic.

I have a restored 1950 Chevy 3100 and would like to carry a small tool box, etc. along with me in the cab. There seems to be plenty of room UNDER the seat, but its a pain to yank if you need something while out on a drive. Somewhere along the way of watching dozens of restoration videos I saw a scheme for modifying/adapting the below-seat sheet area in order to get access to that space for storage... now however can't find it for anything.

Does anyone have a link or pictures of such a solution ? I hate to go in and start cutting on original metal for this... I think the solution I had seen was some sort of replacement for the metal wrap, but at this point I really do not remember.

Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be appreciated.

Joe

Here ya go!

[LINK]

To add to Phak's link, here's a link to Deve's writeup on his website: http://devestechnet.com/Home/SeatDrawers

Deve's writeup is pretty neat.

Back around 1976 a friend did something just like this but later put it all back like it had originally been. In his case the drawer slides (which were new ball bearing glides with nylon wheels) rattled so much it was a constant distraction. He told me the drawers didn't seem like they would rattle when the truck wasn't moving but something about the AD suspension caused them to make a real racket when the vibrations of driving entered the picture. He said he was able to shim them closer together so they didn't rattle quite as much but then the drawers didn't slide out as well. Hopefully the slides this guy used were better. Good luck if you decide to do this.

Or put a truckbox in the bed and forget about it.

I have one of those tool boxes that was made out of a military issue jerrycan. I plan on mounting the bracket for it to my running board (1-ton so I have plenty of space on my running board). It locks and looks just like a period-correct fuel can. I got mine from Sportman's Guide, but I think they're available from other vendors, too.

This is the toolbox/jerrycan mounted on my M-37

For those interested in the jerrycan/tool box John is referencing, web search results show best price for model with built in drawers (red or black) available at:

https://rampageproducts.com/trail-can-utility-tool-box

Can mount is sold separately.

There is a less expensive version that does not have drawers (top lid opens for single compartment) available from same source.

There are a couple of other sites offering this product at little better price, but all indicated currently "out of stock".

I went the easy route. Plain tractor tool box bolted to the running board and a small padlock to keep the curious out.

I made the biggest box possible from 1 sheet of 3/4" plywood and put it in my flatbed. The birch wood is winter weight.