Tool box issue
 

Hi!

I have had my toolbox/spare tire holder sandblasted and due to som rust I needed to dissamble it to do some repairs.

I then noticed something strange: The plate that was mounted as a seperating "Wall" were only attached on one side, and the side panels were identical. No left and right hand side, so there were holes on the other panel, but in the oposite end.

Is there suppose to be two plates, leaving a space in the middle out of reach? Or only one plate? if one plate, should I weld up the extra holes?

And should the plate(s) be attached on both sides? The plate it selves had holes in both ends.

Perhaps someone did a mistake picking two identical panels before assembly.

hope you understand my issue..here are some pictures:



http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data...j5HWICiG-u.jpg

Heres the plate, only attached on one side. On rigth hand side you can se the same holes on the other panel, but in the wrong end. The side panel having the plates attached has no holes oposite for the other side panels holes:

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/uplo...1/Foto1087.jpg

:confused :confused :confused :confused

Svenn

I wouldn't weld up the holes yet
 

Hi Svenn


I would not weld up the holes yet, being something of a purest about anything that looks original I would not weld them up, there are lots of extra original bolt holes on my HUP and every now and then I find out something new about what was originally mounted there, or when a change was made. To make your box weather tight I think I would just put in some matching bolts and washers for now.

Do they look like the are original for example are they a mirror or identical to the opposite side? In which case they could a key element of how these boxes were produced. For example that the two sides are identical cutting down on number of different parts to be stocked. If they are different sized or look like they were drilled later than yes welding them up would be logical.

For example I welded up the holes in the front of my CMP where the turn signals had been mounted on the nose but I've left the bolt holes in the floor, just put pan head bolts in them.

Cheers Phil

Hi Phil

My two side panels are identical. It just dont seem correct that the plate inside should just have been mounted on one side, and even more unlogical that there should be two plates leaving a hidden space in the middle.

Hmmmmmm:blink:


Svenn

Has anybody else seen this on other boxes
 

Hi Svenn

Well if the plates are identical then it sounds like it was a production expedient to not have two different side panels to try and keep track of during manufacture and assembly. Which leaves another question has anybody else seen a box with this feature?

Keep up the good work, spotting little things like this is what helps the knowledge base that is MLU continue to grow.

Cheers Phil

Not unique to the CMP
 

I always thought these toolboxes only appeared on CMP's, but I was wrong. I've seen images of almost identical units on civilian Dodge trucks, especially those with wreckers and utility boxes. I'd guess the partition placings allowed you to have the 'long' box on the left or the right, or straight through.

The part that does seem to be unique to the CMP is the big clamshell half for the spare wheel clamp. The Dodges I've seen had similar, but much thinner, clamshells for holding the thinner civilian wheels.

Heres another picture of both side panels. Red marks the holes for the plate, and blue marks the missing holes.

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/uplo.../IMG_09273.JPG

Seems strange. I would presume that if they wanted to have just one type side panel, they would produce them with holes in both ends.

And the plate itselves has holes on both sides:

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/uplo.../IMG_09234.JPG

Heres another question regarding the tool box: Should there be a spacer/washer under the tool box feet where the blue arrow points to? This to compensate for the difference i height from the the left holes due to the cross member, (red arrow)

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/uplo..._-_Kopi_2_.jpg

Cheers

Svenn