I'm sure this isn't a new mod

[2003TJ]

While looking over TJ, today, and getting ideas on what mods I may want to make, I recall having a couple of 80MM ammo boxes in the garage and thought how could I use these.

I remember members talking about not having much space behind rear seat in the TJ, (I AGREE) so I set these boxes in the back (near perfect fit), and thought of how I would mount them, and what I would I would put in them......

Opening the lids on each would mean moving back of seat slightly forward.......

I am thinking, first of all, to get each painted. Next, I thought about running a metal bar across and perhaps bolted, centered about halfway up from bottom (on narrow side). On each side of floor is a tie down. Perhaps run a high strength wire clipped to one tie down, around the metal bar, and clipped to tie down on other side. This to prevent boxes from flying forward in the event of accident.

One can could hold tools (even a bottle jack) and for the other one perhaps tie down/chains/pull straps etc..
For each can, I have a CAN LOCK strap and padlock. Got all this, so am thinking this might be a good mod.

 

[L0jik]

Be sure to show us the finished project and how you got there

 

[jgaz]

Are you against drilling a couple holes in the bottom of each can?
You could make a base plate out of 3/4” plywood, add some pronged tee nuts, and mount the cans to the plate.

The rear edge of the plate can be secured with the M8 bolts that hold the rear hooks for child safety seats. For the front edge you may have to get a bit creative. Maybe use the seat belt anchor in the center or the a seat bracket bolt on the edges???

You would build smaller version, without the cut outs, of this full length plate I made for my LJ with the seat removed.

I used spacer blocks on mine where the bolts passed through in order not to crush the carpet when you tighten down the bolts.

 

[2003TJ]

LOjik, for sure I’ll post photos of what I do!
Jgaz a great idea you have there, and I will give it some thought! For me removing the rear seat is not an option! Grandkids doncha know! After this ‘rona gets over with, they want to GO!!! Thank you both for your posts!

 

[jgaz]

@2003TJ I completely get leaving in the the rear seat.

I showed my base plate only as an example of what you might want to think about in a shorter version.

 

[2003TJ]

Jgaz exactly as I assumed you showed your base plate. A shorter version would have to be made, in my case. Think these Ammo Cans will work well!

 

[Goatman]

Could you build a base plate as big as the whole rear deck and use longer bolts to mount the bench seat through the 3/4 ply, and then into the floor mounts? You'd get a super stable mount for anything you need. Pull the seat and have other boxes mount right in. Ready for an offroad weekend in a Jiffy.

 

[jjvw]

Those cans are pretty tall. Think about needing to reach into the bottom to retrieve stuff.

Generally, I like several smaller soft bags to store things in the back.

 

[2003TJ]

Goatman, a thought to ponder!
jjvw I have my tools in one soft sided bag. I did thing about another bag just like it for pull straps etc. might do that instead of bags.