Seat boxes

[chongo469]

So my new boat did not come with front seats.... After looking at purchasing seat boxes to mount seats to and recovering from sticker shock, i decided to come up with my own Idea.... I am going to use my old diamond plate truck box. I need to cut it down a bit on the bottom, but it gives me storage and a good mounting platform... Best of all, it fits almost exactly across the inside of my boat... Yes , they wont be split seating but beggers cant be choosers... The best part is, this box came on my old truck and I almost gave it to goodwill this last spring cleaning.... Anyone else ever use a truck box in there boats?

[AJ's Dad]

I have not but I would guess the top would need reinforcing. Truck boxes don't normally seem to be made to take a load on the lid. You can usually get aluminum angle at Home Depot. A couple pieces of that and some fasteners and you just might make it work.

Good luck

[Gringo Pescador]

I've seen it done before on a buddy's cataraft frame and in DBs. You can also mount seat tracks, that way you can either have one seat in the middle or slide it over for a 2nd seat..

[chongo469]

This box is made to stand, jump, sit, and load material on.... I've put 600 lbs of roofing 3 tab on it, and it didn't even flex... I'm sure it will hold a couple of butts ok

[Bodofish]

This box is made to stand, jump, sit, and load material on.... I've put 600 lbs of roofing 3 tab on it, and it didn't even flex... I'm sure it will hold a couple of butts ok

I'm more than certain you 'd be fine with your old box! Jam it in, use and abuse it! way to way to think out of the box!!!

[Idstud]

I have not but I would guess the top would need reinforcing. Truck boxes don't normally seem to be made to take a load on the lid. You can usually get aluminum angle at Home Depot. A couple pieces of that and some fasteners and you just might make it work.

Good luck

If you buy aluminum your better off going to a steel yard like Everett Steel where thats all they deal with is metal. I just bought 4 C channel 4ft long a little thicker than 1/8 inch for $26 to build a rack for my car. I forgot flat bar for mounting plates and needed it before the next work week and went to Home Depot to get the flat bar in Aluminum got 2 1/8 inch pieces of 3 ft and that cost me over $30. Steel yards not open on weekends. Things to ponder when you cut your box is if you cut off the bottom is the sharp edge rubbing on the bottom of the boat. Maybe leave room to bend over a lip under the box heat it a little first and be careful cutting I would stay away from grinding wheels Ive seen them explode from getting packed full of aluminum and getting too hot unlike steel flaking off. Sounds like a fun project.

[chongo469]

I plan on reattaching the bottom plate to the box.... I found a buddy of mine that has TIG welder and fab shop in his garage, so we are just gonna weld the bottom back on . The lid of the box is more than sufficient to hold 2 500 lb guys, even in choppy water. My buddy and I jumped up and down on it yesterday and it didnt flex at all..... I cut it down 8" yesterday so once I get swivel and seat mounted, it should be around 15" from floor to top of seat. I wanted them a bit lower for my kids, but not so short that grown ups are uncomfortable too.... Pics soon to come.... I didnt do sliders, but I can add those later if need be...