Secure storage in Jeeps has always been a problem. Are you going
to rely on the flimsy OEM center console or less than adequate glove box to
safely secure your valuables? I don't think so. Tuffy's fine line of consoles,
rear storage lockers and glove boxes has solved the problem for small items. But
what do you do with all of your large gear? Tuffy has finally addressed a long
over looked storage flaw with open top vehicles.
Enter the Tuffy Rear Cargo Security Lockbox. Tuffy introduced
this product at the SEMA show and judging by the overwhelming demand and
subsequent sellout of their first production run I think Tuffy has a big hit on
their hands. With their second production we at Off-road.com were able to get
our hands on a Rear Cargo Security Lockbox for testing. By the time you read
this Tuffy should have adequate inventory to handle just about any size order.
This box is big! It measures 30" L x 16" H x
35-1/4" W. It is made of 16 gauge steel and has two cylindrical locks for
security. These are the same style locks as used in the other Tuffy products.
The lid is held closed with a paddle style latch and is supported by two
gas struts when opened. In addition to the lid you can easily load and
unload your gear via the drop down tailgate. For added convenience the drop down
tailgate can be removed. The box uses existing seat mounting holes in Jeep
vehicles so in most cases no drilling is required.
Enough of the chitchat. Follow along as we install this box in a
1989 Wrangler.
Parts 
Quality packaging ensured a safe and sound
delivery. |
The Rear Cargo Security Lockbox arrived securely packaged
and undamaged in a heavy cardboard box with additional protective inserts for
the top and bottom. The box contained an instruction sheet, a registration card,
a length of foam insulating strip, an assortment of bolts and washers and two
keys.
A quality product starts with quality packaging. All too
often I've had packages arrive with the contents damaged due to inadequate
protection. This is a large box and Tuffy has taken extra measures to ensure it
arrives to you in one piece.
Click
here for some additional pictures of the packaging. Tools You'll need a 1/2" (or 3/8") drive ratchet,
assortment of Torx sockets (thank-you Jeep) and an assortment of SAE sockets. If
you are installing the box into a non-Jeep vehicle then a drill and bits is
necessary to create some mounting holes for the box.
A note on drilling. If you do drill your own mounting
holes make sure to check the underside of your vehicle where the holes will be
for brake lines, fuel lines and gas tank interference before firing up the
drill.
Installation
Installation is very simple. It will take a few hours
depending on if you leave your carpet in the Jeep or not.
The first step is to remove your back seat. Then remove
all of the seat attaching hardware and the rear seatbelts. This includes the
folding latch catch on the side of the wheel wells. Since these holes will not
be used again I re-installed the small bolts to plug up the holes.
Now remove the folding hinge support. Two bolts hold down
each support. The bolt towards the front of the Jeep will not be used to secure
the box. Replace the bolt in this hole to prevent water and exhaust fumes from
entering the vehicle.
Finally, if you plan on keeping the carpet in your Jeep
you may need to remove some excess carpet so that you can easily find the bolt
holes when installing the box. I left the carpet in for sound deadening and to
prevent metal-to-metal contact between the floor and the box. I found that I
needed to nudge the box back and forth until I lined up the bolt holes. In doing
so, the carpet underneath moved a bit when I nudged the box into place. By
removing some extra carpet I could easily line up the bolt holes with the
mounting holes predrilled in the box.
The box is a bit heavy and awkward for one person to put
in. Have a friend stop by and help you drop the box into place. Line up the
holes and using the supplied bolts and washers bolt the box to the floor. I used
the three seatbelt mounting holes in addition to the two rear mounting holes of
the seat hinges.
Remove the rear seat... | 
Remove the rear seat belts... | 
Remove the folding latch catch... | 
Then remove the folding seat hinge... | 
If necessary, remove excess carpet material... | 
And finally bolt the box down using the OEM bolt
holes. |
The final step is to install
some thin insulating foam along the inside edge of the drop down tailgate
and the lid of the box. This will help reduce noise rattles.
Testing
Loaded and ready to hit the trail. |
Now the fun begins.
Like many people, I tend to carry waaay too much stuff
with me on the trail. The picture to the right shows only a fraction of what is
really in the Tuffy Box. Of course up front is a toolbox. To the left I have a
small bottle jack. The green bags contain winching equipment. The two small
Rubbermaid Action Packers in the back (these things are great) contain small
parts and supplies, jumper cables and welding equipment. In between the Action
Packers is a Sears Craftsman socket set and spare rear driveshaft. And I still
have a few inches of room on top of everything to put tarps, clothes, my air
hose and a small tent!
As I mentioned earlier the box can be accessed via the
lid or the drop down tailgate. The lid must be open to access the latches on the
drop down tailgate. If your rear window is closed it will need to be opened in
order to get to the locks and paddle latch of the lid. Of course another way to
use the Tuffy box is to remove
the drop down tailgate, lock the box lid, then lock your tailgate to prevent
access to your valuables.
In testing off-road I had no more worries of my gear
flying into the back of my head. A few more strategically placed pieces of foam
cut down on some lid rattles but all in all the box worked great. Even better I
no longer had to load and unload my Jeep after every trip. There is still
adequate space behind the front seats for a duffel bag or a very small cooler.
Another added bonus with the Tuffy Box is that Wrangler
owners will now no longer have CJ envy. You can finally have a fold down
tailgate for those lunch time sandwich breaks.
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