How To Install A Truck Tool Box With J Hooks? If you own a truck, there’s no way you can survive without a toolbox. Even if you keep your truck services, you can’t take chances. A breakdown happens when you least expect.
And when you buy a tool box for your truck, the first thing you need to do is install it. Most people might recommend that you drill the toolbox so that it could perfectly fit on the truck. But that’s not always the only or ideal way to do it.
You can use J hooks to install the toolbox on the truck. And it’s simple. You don’t need any mechanical experience to do it.
The following is a simple guide on how to install your truck tool box without drilling by using J hooks.
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How To Install A Truck Tool Box With J Hooks
If you don’t prefer to drill holes on your tool box, then J hooks will make it easy. Most trucks come with predrilled holes in areas where the tool box should be installed. And if your truck has the holes, then it’s easy to use J hooks. To know if your truck is drilled, look at the rubber plugs at the bed front.
And once you’ve identified them, follow the simple steps below to install the toolbox.
Step 1: Get the right tools for installation:
It goes without saying that to completely mount and fasten a toolbox on your truck, you will require specific tools.
Putting together everything you’ll need ahead of time can guarantee ease and success of installing the toolbox.
The following are the specific tools that you would require before you begin the installation job.
- The truck toolbox
- J-hooks
- Nuts, bolts, screws
- Screwdrivers/a pair of pliers/spanner
- Any padding material or foam
- Measuring tape
- Protective overalls
- Working gloves
- Open-ended wrench
Step 2: Choose Where To Install The Toolbox
Before you begin, you must find a location for your toolbox that is handy for you. This will mainly be determined by the type of tool box you have chosen. So, measure your toolbox and see if it can fit in whichever sport you’d like to install it.
Also, check whether the truck has pre-drilled holes around where you wish to install the toolbox.
But most importantly, choose an area where you can easily access the toolbox.
Here are the different toolboxes that could be installed on your truck.
- Low-side tool box
- High-side tool box
- Gull-wing tool box
- Flatbed tool box
- Crossovers toolbox
- Chest-style toolbox
The cross-ver and chestyle are the most popular tool boxes you’ll find in the market. This is because they easily fit on the pickup trucks.
Step 3: Set up the padding equipment
Now, this step is very crucial. To protect your cargo compartment from damage, you need to place foam cushioning on both the bottom and the side.
Remember, placing a toolbox on the plain truck’s bed (without foaming) risks damaging the cargo area and equipment. Even using the highest-quality tool bag or tool belt and professional installation cannot negate the risks.
Therefore, accurately measure the foaming material or rubber foam padding and fasten it to the installation location.
Pro tips: Please also remember that if your truck comes complete with a bed liner, installing foam cushioning is unnecessary.
Step 4: Align the existing holes with your toolbox
The bottom surface of the majority of cargo bays is pre-drilled with holes.
Typically, these holes are blocked using rubber caps that must be removed for simple alignment.
To match the box’s holes with the truck’s bed, you’ll also have to open the box’s lid to make things clearer and simpler.
Step 5: Fit the J-hooks and other bolts.
Once the holes in the toolbox and truck bed have been properly aligned, you may begin placing the bolts along with j-hooks.
The j-hooks and bolts easily secure the toolbox to the truck bed. To make the toolboxes as strong as possible, you’ll need to employ around six j-hooks.
Determine the j-hooks you intend to use, considering the nature and length of your toolbox before you start inserting.
To deal with common noises that could come from the tool box ensure that you use the right j-hooks, bolts, and nuts. Use accessories that perfectly fit with the type of toolbox that you have.
Step 6: Tighten the nuts and bolts properly
Flipping the j-hooks and other bolts is the first step. But, you are yet to tighten them securely. This step is easy to complete with an open-ended wrench or a spanner.
Remember, you may badly damage the bed rails and mattress if you use more power than is necessary during tightening and twisting the nuts and bolts along with the j-hooks.
Make sure there are no space between the toolbox and the bed, tighten the nuts, bolts, and j-hooks properly.
But most importantly, use the right tools to tighten the bols and nuts. If you use wrong tools you might struggle when you wish to remove the toolbox.
Step 7: Inspect Your Installation
Make sure that the toolbox is correctly and securely mounted to the truck bed. Before you focus on anything else, ensure the lid opens properly. Try driving and listen if the toolbox is making any noise. You can even tell someone to check if the toolbox is moving or shaking as you drive.
If you notice anything, then install it properly.
Final Step: Clean
After you have installed your toolbox, the next thing is to clean your truck. Remove anything inside the toolbox. Clean the truck bed too. Also check that there’s nothing between the truck and the toolbox that could be damaging either of them.
Read More: How To Clean Aluminum Tool Box? (Step By Step Guide)
FAQs: How To Install A Truck Tool Box With J Hooks
How do you attach a toolbox to a truck bed?
To attach a toolbox to a truck bed, position the toolbox at the desired location along the bed’s interior. Secure it using mounting brackets or bolts, ensuring they’re tightly fastened to prevent any movement during travel.
How do you mount a truck toolbox without drilling?
To mount a truck toolbox without drilling, consider using adhesive mounting tapes or industrial-grade Velcro strips that are designed to hold heavy loads. Ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying the adhesive, and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for weight limits and proper application.
How to install a Delta truck tool box?
To install a Delta truck tool box, position the toolbox onto the truck bed against the front wall, leaving enough space for the lid to open fully. Secure the toolbox using the provided J-bolts, brackets, or a mounting kit, making sure they are properly tightened to ensure a secure fit.
What is the best tool box for a truck with a tonneau cover?
When choosing a tool box for a truck with a tonneau cover, consider a low-profile, crossover-style toolbox that sits below the bed rail. The Dee Zee Low-Profile Crossover Toolbox and the Weather Guard Low-Profile Toolbox are popular options, as they provide ample storage while maintaining compatibility with tonneau covers.
Final Thoughts: How To Install A Truck Tool Box With J Hooks
You don’t always have to drill your tool box. The above procedure will help you install the box easily and on yourself. The most important thing is to ensure you find the right toolbox. And even better, get the right tools to do the job.
If you’re not sure about the right tools to use on your toolbox, consult with a specialist. Ask your mechanic and they will tell you the right tools to buy.