Anyone build any sort of storage that is suspended from roof of truck?

[cantspell]

Hi there, i've seen all the boxes some of you have make in order to stow, things, but it takes away from the capacity of the cargo area, maybe not much, but it does a little...
I go camping in my X occasionally, i need a way to store a like 2 cubic ft box, my high lift, and a fuel canister...

I was thinking of somewhat hanging some of it from the headliner...well using hooks and screwing them into the window plastic/frames, and hanign a light plastice box there...or a wire shelf...

And for the high lift - how about under the rear of the truck? Can't we do this, i'm sure i've seen it...

 

[rfuree11]

i like that idea- i need storage, but also use the cargo floor of my x- when i have time this summer, im gonna be working on it and any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[EMG7895]

ive seen roof storage things that mount were the sunvisors are in napa catalogs

 

[FourXFred]

be careful man. in an accident, that box will become a missile headin streight for the front end of your truck. MAKE SURE it is up there good, as people often underestimate the force of an accident. My buddy got a pretty bad concussion and had something like 65 stiches in the back of his head after he rolled his jeep, and a bottle jack hit him in the back of his head. I suggest getting a flatter box, a few tie down straps, and putting it on the roof rack.

and, not that i am a safety technician or anything, but i would NEVER store fuel inside the vehicle. not only would the fumes be incredibally bad for you, but again, in an accident, you dont want five gallons of fuel going wherever it pleases. the same friend that got the bottle jack in the head had a 4 quart bottle of motor oil in the back, which hit the winshield of his cherokee, exploded, and covered everything in motor oil.

and as far as the high lift goes, make sure it is attahced to SOMETHING, and put it anywhere you want. they are pretty much un-breakable, and water and stuff wont hurt it. i mounted mine on the roof rack of my old explorer by drilling two holes in the rack, and attaching the jack with a few bolts and some toggle nuts for quicker removal. Under the truck sounds like it would be an alright place, but if you need the jack to get you out of a mud puddle, do you really want to have to climb under the truck in the middle of a puddle to get the jack out?

my suggestion: get a safari rack, and mount everytihng you want on that. the high lift company makes an awesome quick release system for the jack, you can get jerry can holders for the safari rack, and it will without a doubt be the safest (and coolest looking) way to hold your 2 cubic foot storage bin. if you do decide to mount something to the ceiling of your truck's interior, go with something a little stronger than screws into the window molding. good luck man!

 

[cantspell]

i hear you one the crash/saftey thing, but getting s roof rack of that sort seriously affects your fuel mialge...i took down a bit of the headliner and there are sort of body rails that run along the corners and across the roof at points, they are certianly study enough to screw brackets into, that could hold my high lift dn shovel...

 

[zhanx]

i second the never store fuel in the vechile, if you can, and got a reese hitch goto you local welding sote and have them make you a duel fule can holder that will fix in the hitch, or get a basket made with fuel can holders on the outside

 

[cantspell]

where would one keep a fuel can storage rack? I'd like it to be on the rear tail gate, on the outside if possible i guess (better for fuel economy). I actully am a partner in a exhaust shop, so i'm sure i can have something welded up...just not sure what to make...

 

[Majisto]

Rick has the coolest jerry can holder + rear bumper setup on his Pumpkin Explorer. He has a tube bumper. Ask him about jerry can holders on the back. There are a lot of options with Explorers.

 

[JPA1982]

if u need something to be able to store a little extra stuff for the once in awhile camping trip, here is an idea

http://www.accessconnect.com/hitch_mount_basket_carrier_class.htm

my 2 cents anyway, for safety and ease reasons

 

[Positive Vibes]

I have a large tote, tool box and bag with spare parts etc. These I just rachet down with the current tie downs. Then when I go to make my bed up in the X. I just pull the boxes out and throw them under the truck during the night. Cheap easy and removable. The X is so much more comfortable to sleep in than the tent. Oh and I still pitch the tent and store stuff in there also.

The hilift. How big is it? If its the smaller one (48" I think or smaller) it can be fit under the rear bench seat. Try a search, there is a whole thread on that. Also you can buy mounts and mount it on the front or rear bumper. I think the mounts were around $25. Sorry just gave mine away.

And for the gas can, I would never ever store gas in the truck. The vapor and spill factors are to great of a risk. If you have a roof rack I'm sure you can rig something up there.

As for the storage using the rear reciever. How could you wheel anywhere with that thing. Your departure angle would be shot.

This would solve all your problems:http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105942

 

[rfuree11]

oh geez- i didnt even see that they wanted to store the fuel inside the cab
i gueses the removable box would work- i just think a suspended one would be pretty damn cool

 

[ericradford01]

how bout if sumone had sum diamond plating and made a custom box to go on a safari rack or sumthing i like to have one to go up there for a lock box i mean thats what i miss most aobut my ranger is not having a lock box to put dirty stuff in and tools... maybe sumone knows what there doing wen it comes to that stuff if i had a welder i would have already made one

 

[F14CRAZY]

i hear you one the crash/saftey thing, but getting s roof rack of that sort seriously affects your fuel mialge...i took down a bit of the headliner and there are sort of body rails that run along the corners and across the roof at points, they are certianly study enough to screw brackets into, that could hold my high lift dn shovel...

And...you couldn't go through an automatic car wash (if you're not man enough to wash your own car during a Michigan winter, like me)

 

[cantspell]

I started this thread months ago, when i wanted to store my high lift and shovel somewhere and and still have full use of the back of the truck...i now sore my high lift on the side of the inside of the cargo area, i saw on here how somone had mounted two bolts through the plastic on the side and put he hi lift there, and i then used some decking brakets and devised a way in which i also use those same bolts to hold botah the bigh lift AND the spade and my floor is clear. If i'm carring 4ft wide stuff, i do take it out, but that's only with drywall as it's soft, and everything is still inside the truck, good for keeping it safe and fuel miagle.