1. Get a box you can manhandle out of the bed yourself, when it is empty.
That was my thinking exactly and I looked into the 'portable chests' with handles on the ends. The main problem was the dimensions didn't fit the bed very well. Either too short, too long, too wide or too high. I did find a 'portable tailgate chest' that fits near perfect (48 x 10 x 20), long and flat. But they're backorder only without a firm shipping date.
I went with a plastic box that spans the bed. It was built by Rubbermaid. Not the sexiest box, but is has servedme since the truck was new. I am sure some diamond-plate boxes are light enough, but I would worry about scratching things up*.
Rubbermaid stuff and I don't get along, and I'd be worried about security, since there couldeasily be $1000 or more in guns and tools in there. I wonder about the security of the aluminum boxes, too. Seems to me a drill and sawzall could cut open the top real quick, which is why the steel chest looked good. But again, I couldn't find one with the right dimensions and they weigh a ton. I wouldn't be able to get it off the truck without completely emptying it each time. And it will rust.
2. Attach it in such a way that it can be removed.
I installed bolts from below that would stay in place without the box being installed. They went through the bottom of the box and were secured inside with washers & wing nuts.
That's the way I was thinking of attaching it but, how do you keep the bolts from falling out when you remove the wing nuts?
Weatherstripping is an issue, but of limited importance around here. Rain is limited to winter and big storms are few and far between and I'm fortunate enough to have garage space for the truck.
Hadn't heard about problems with the powder coats, but they're more expensive. The clear bright diamond finish is fine and will probably be cooler in the sun.
fistful, if you lock the cab doesn't that lead the thief to think there's something valuable in there worth breaking the window for?Huh?
Not at all, but I'm afraid you didn't really get the point. And Fords are super-gay. ![Tongue](http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
Sounds like a great deal on that Delta, BTW. I spent a hundred bucks on a crappy, plastic box for my previous truck.
It even leaked.
If I could do things over, I'd buy a full-size crew cab with a short bed, and not worry about after-market, bolt-on sponsons.