My Brunk, my Brunk, my Lovely Maverick Trunk (customized bed toolbox)

I love the Maverick but it is a replacement for my wife's SUV. As such we are missing the rear cargo area space especially when traveling with other people and shopping. I had an idea awhile back and had been searching for a bed box on FB Marketplace to mess around with knowing I wouldn't be out much if it wouldn't work. Finally scored a Craftsman 4ft box with gas strutted lid for $100. This is a side rail toolbox. with dimensions similar to those pictured:




It looked like it would sit right on top of the wheelwell arch flat on the bed floor to me but I planned for it to be on the driver's side


Figured out I could mount it using the front D-ring holes and the rear tie down holes w/o any mods or new holes so I measured and drilled the box floor and took out the rear tie down bolts, built a bracket out of angle iron with a tab on it.




I did end up urethane gluing a couple of pieces of cutting board to the bottom of the top shelf so it would sit flat on top of the wheelwell arches and the bottom flat on the bed floor.


After mounting the rear bracket I realized I could put the tie down back on and pulled the bolts out and put it back on so it can be used. Alternatively it can be mounted on the back side of the bracket I built. I also made some plates to distribute the load since the box material is pretty thin.


I had some non-skid mat and cut some to line the bottom. Glued in with rubber cement. I plan on lining it with boat carpet completely and will pull it apart and paint it black this coming fall when the temps aren't quite so hot.



Pretty low profile, unobtrusive, lockable, and watertight(I hope). Starting with a black one would be much easier. Really dreading painting it TBH but I have ~$103 in it after buying long bolts for the front. Hope ya like it.

Does your ecoboost bring all the boys to the yard?

BluegrassNbass said:

Does your ecoboost bring all the boys to the yard?

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My trunk...
is better than yours..
I could teach you..
but I'd have to charge...

That's super. Looks like it will work. I use an expensive tonneau and a bed divider. $100 vs $1000!!!

Well done Steve. Plans to do the other side? Estimate on how many pounds you carry in that one side? I'd wager the weight offset shouldn't matter too much.

Also, got any cheese?

Looks fantastic. Just bring it on down to my place and do the painting because it is just 109-114, so I am sure it is cooler than where you are located.

Nice job. I envy people who can work with metal like that.

SkeeterB said:

That's super. Looks like it will work. I use an expensive tonneau and a bed divider. $100 vs $1000!!!

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Thank you sir. I'm sure you have an awesome set up.

Montana said:

Well done Steve. Plans to do the other side? Estimate on how many pounds you carry in that one side? I'd wager the weight offset shouldn't matter too much.

Also, got any cheese?

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I'm gonna see if this holds everything I need it to before adding another.

After mowing 2 acres and brushhogging 4 more this weekend I have Fromunda cheese.

JBryant said:

Looks fantastic. Just bring it on down to my place and do the painting because it is just 109-114, so I am sure it is cooler than where you are located.

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Ouch! Not that terrible here but I plan to spray catalyzed enamel and the bunny suit (Tyvek)is hella-hot.

Barksdale123 said:

Nice job. I envy people who can work with metal like that.

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Than you sir. I was a diesel mechanic and trailer wreck rebuild mechanic for 20yrs so I have many years of welding and fab under my belt.

I actually built my own loader for my little tractor. Just a little more involved than this project lol.

Great job on both projects. That i a very good idea. Thanks for the share.

SkeeterB said:

That's super. Looks like it will work. I use an expensive tonneau and a bed divider. $100 vs $1000!!!

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It is good work, but the space he's got in the box, as well as the space remaining in the rest of the bed both are drawbacks compared to using a tonneau cover. My tonneau wasn't $1,000 and the space available is a whole lot larger than this toolbox.

colinl said:

It is good work, but the space he's got in the box, as well as the space remaining in the rest of the bed both are drawbacks compared to using a tonneau cover. My tonneau wasn't $1,000 and the space available is a whole lot larger than this toolbox.

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I never intended for this to be a comparison to a tonneau.

I had to tread lightly on taking up bed space or covering the bed since this is my wife's car. She was adamant that the bed stay open for ease of hauling her kayak.

I consider myself lucky to have been able to add this box the way she got bristly with me about it. I mainly wanted enough space to haul groceries and the things you pick up when out and about shopping. We use a cooler as well.

Steve Urquell said:

Thank you sir. I'm sure you have an awesome set up.

I'm gonna see if this holds everything I need it to before adding another.

After mowing 2 acres and brushhogging 4 more this weekend I have Fromunda cheese.

Ouch! Not that terrible here but I plan to spray catalyzed enamel and the bunny suit (Tyvek)is hella-hot.

Than you sir. I was a diesel mechanic and trailer wreck rebuild mechanic for 20yrs so I have many years of welding and fab under my belt.

I actually built my own loader for my little tractor. Just a little more involved than this project lol.

Click to expand...

Absolutely neat. My last effort was laughable.

Now!! Kayak hauling is the most important thing. Happy paddling.

My wife and I went out today and I made good use of the brunk. It has been subjected to heavy rain since I put it in and I checked it several times. It has remained dry. It was especially useful today when going to multiple small shops in a small town on Main St.

I just put the items in the brunk without opening the doors on the Mav. Plus one thing was liquids I didn't want the possibility of leaking in the cab. I like it.

Clever and affordable project. For those who prefer a tonneau cover, this box seems much more secure if one wanted to put tools in it. Personally I’d have probably mounted it on the other side, just to balance the load opposite the driver. Looks great. Well done.