I've been thinking some additional locking storage space in my new Jeep would be a good thing, especially since I'll probably have the top off most of the summer( I realize that the plastic isn't much protection, but it is a deterrent, since a lot more people would reach in and lift something than would unzip or cut the plastic to do so.) As I don't always have the rear seat up, I've essentially ruled out those products that create a trunk between the rear seat and the tail gate (insta-trunk, add-a-trunk, etc) I've been thinking about the fenderwell boxes by TUFFY
Bestop makes a product similar in idea, but it's plastic, not steel and has a cheaper lock, (deterence rather than protection) but I'd be lying if I said the price wasn't appealing, about $115 as opposed to the $300 for the tuffy boxes.
So I guess my question is, what do you think of any of the above products, or should I go in a different direction?
Thanks for all your help,
Chris.

For my Jeep CJ7, I took a military ammo can, bolted it through the bottom to the rear fenderwell just behind the roll bar mount. I put silicone caulking around the bolt heads and put a hasp and keeper on the ammo box. It creates a tough, waterproof and secure storage area for gear. If you need more room, put one on each side.

This is also a secure way to mount rear speakers. Just cut the speaker hole in the side of the ammo can, mount the speaker on the can and lock the lid down. The best thing about it is that ammo cans are cheap and waterproof. Hope this helps.
George

I was recommended Tuffy products on this very board and that's what I use for my camera gear and electronic gizmos in my JC 00. They make good and solid pieces that fit nicely with interior of your car. On my old Jeep (JC 92) I tried ammo can and lock approach and it also worked fine but didn't look as nice and when going on the dates I was getting rised eyebrows. Maybe it would be cool to pick up girls from Minsk but not here <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />... As you realized there are cheaper versions out there made out of plastic with wanna be locks mounted on them. The most common tools carried around are knifes, hammers and screwdrivers. Look at the cheaper box and ask yourself how long would it take you to smash it up. Thieves don't try to open the box in the nice way. Couple of hits and if they can't get in they move on. Would the cheaper safe survive couple of solid hammer hits? If it's made out of plastic than probably not. Is the lock so flimsy that you can move the bolt just by jamming a screwdriver in it? I looked around and got Tuffy becasue of their solid feel. Now there is also another option depending which jeep you have. Rear seat raises up and reveal a compartment for tools, parts, etc... Friend of mine gutted it out and lined it with rubber to carry his rifles with him. He welded a bolt to the bottom of the compartment. In the rear seat he drilled/punched thru a hole to accomodate a threaded electrical pipe. On the inside of the seat he put a huge washer (2-3 inches) and on the top he screwed in a nice regular washer with a rataining nut. At that point bolt that was welded slided nicely thru that pipe with room to spare. The top of the bolt had a hole in it which accomodated one of those padlocks with rubber coating. From the outside it looked like a seat belt buckle. Just an idea.

Matt

Hutch, back when I had a series of CJ-5s (damn, I miss those .... the last of the real Jeeps!) I used a Bestop storage box and never once had a break in, even though all my Jeeps were rag tops. It may be plastic, but it's pretty tough stuff, i.e., it'd take a thief awhile to cut through it. If you're concerned about the lock, you can drill that out and install a standard hasp and padlock arrangement with little trouble. That's what I eventually did.