Rear Fender Storage Box -custom

I built this rear fender storage box to hold my recovery stuff chains straps and stuff. First i made sure it was going to be back far enough from the tire wheel well and the brace. Then cut the hole and made the door. It is just a flat piece of 16 gauge. I inset the hinges a bit so that the door would sit flat. The latch is from an ambulance cabinet at the junk yard. Im not sure what they are called. I had to shave down the pins to work with a key I already had. I also used the same latch on the under seat box. They are a bit touchy and pop open when you accidently hit them but if you lock them theres no problem.
The box itself i made from a sheet of stainless from an old barbecue. I cut a cardboard template and worked from that. I tack welded it around from the inside then seam sealed it all over. If you have nice paint this will be a problem for you! My tail lights are inlaid so the plate light doubles as a light for in the box! Pretty slick. I also painted it white in there to help with that and put a board on the bottom to prevent noise. Im very happy with it. Its easier to access stuff I think rather than having a hole cut in the top like military jeeps. Plus the roll bar is in the way and water would get in easier. Hopefully somebody can get some ideas

 

Great idea

 

x2!

 

I was a hairs breath away from doing something very similar on my build but got impatient and decided to skip it. Great job!

 

Good job. I like it

 

I'll be taking advantage of the space in that area too, when I get to it.

 

Good idea.

 

That’s alright. I’m pondering putting some auxiliary fuel tanks on each side.

 

Do it!

 

Thats a GREAT idea

 

Wasn’t there a company in the 70’s that made those for sale? I am looking at getting at getting a high freq. tig welder to make them out of aluminum or maybe a regular dc welder to make them out of stainless. I am not a welder to speak of but have the willing to learn. Still pondering on how to do this. Anybody hear of Everlast welders, they come with a five year warranty and the reviews look good. It peaks my interest. If I could justify doing body panels with this welder.

 

I have started using the tig on body panels every chance I get. So much better than the mig! Heat control is much better. Dressing the welds with a grinder afterward is minimal and the welds are softer so they planish nicely. There is more front end prep to be sure, and you really want to make sure there is no rust present, but you get to avoid hours of blending mig welds. The only thing I use my mig for on body panels now is filing holes and on really thin, rust pitted pieces.

There you go... JUSTIFIED!

 

Waiting for the tax refund. Just curious what size electrode are you using for your bodywork?

 

I started out using 1/16 electrodes on body work but, being lazy, now I pretty much exclusively use 3/32 on everything. I just grind a longer, thinner taper on the point if I am going to be welding thin stuff.

 

Thanks, I have a lot to learn

 

I built boxes into the rear fenders of my 3B tub about 1975. The tub was glass so I sandwiched a sheet of 1/4 marine plywood under the entire rear extending out to the fenders. .090" 5052 was used around the wheel wells to enclose the front sides and it was all laid up with glass on both sides. I guess it was a success as forty something years later still completely functional. You can stash a lot of trail gear in those. The left side one is a bit compromised by the fuel tank filler but there remains enough room for all the extra fluids, v belts, and other supplies. All the welding stuff is in the right side box. The only real downside is you still have to unload the bed to get at them.