Rear In Floor Storage Lock Alternative

[Airdaddyo]

I hope I have finally found a way to give back to this community that has provided me so much. Thank you.

I may be jumping the gun...but I’m pretty confident (and excited) about this.

I have been looking for an alternative to the commercial locking plates that are available on the market for the storage bins in floor in the back seats of our trucks. I was torn between $80 + for something that looked tough but really if someone wanted to get in they will pretty quickly - if they know it’s there or find it. It’s only a deterrent.

I think I found a compromise between the - it’s only ever being a deterrent perspective - and cost.

Amarine-made Chrome 2" Flush Pull Slam Latch for Boat Deck Hatch 1/4" Door - Locking Style https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0186YVYG0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zpbrBbC5CQTPX

I took out the the factory latch tonight and measured it up (the hole too just to be sure) and compared it to the specs on the lock linked above and it all lines up AND for $12!

I know it will not be Ft. Knox but it’s an acceptable compromise of cost vs benefit for me. I hope some of you will find the same.

If the specs are accurate it will be a 5 min swap.

Thanks again to what you have given me in the way of information since I picked up my Ram last fall. I love it!

 

[mighty noid]

Would love to see it once you are done with this mod.

Here are the some that are black that is the same size...
https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=C9W6YV1RMVFMM36W6PY3

 

[Wahrsuul]

Those would be great if they fit.

 

[WTM75]

That looks like a good cost to benefit ratio. They say for 2-7mm thick, are the covers that thick?

 

[TXCOMT]

Not to rain on the OP's parade, but wouldn't a determined thief just cut out the bottom of these things? I sure would...I'd tell any passersby that I dropped my keys under my truck! A few seconds with a cordless Dremel and a cutoff wheel and done! Of course, there's a risk of damaging whatever would be in there but some folks wouldn't care.

TXCOMT

 

[shadowhawk]

Not to rain on the OP's parade, but wouldn't a determined thief just cut out the bottom of these things? I sure would...I'd tell any passersby that I dropped my keys under my truck! A few seconds with a cordless Dremel and a cutoff wheel and done! Of course, there's a risk of damaging whatever would be in there but some folks wouldn't care.

TXCOMT

Heck, for a determined thief, they might just smack that thing with a stiff rod and a 3lb hammer and be in. The better solution is a welded box that fits inside the existing cubby and has a thicker lid and more robust lock.

As for the ops post, I'm intrigued and want to hear how it fits. I like the idea of keeping some things away from little curious fingers (kids).

 

[TXCOMT]

Heck, for a determined thief, they might just smack that thing with a stiff rod and a 3lb hammer and be in. The better solution is a welded box that fits inside the existing cubby and has a thicker lid and more robust lock.

As for the ops post, I'm intrigued and want to hear how it fits. I like the idea of keeping some things away from little curious fingers (kids).

Yep, a welded box would definitely be the thing to get if real security is a concern...hmm, maybe I need to fab some up and head to SEMA this fall!

TXCOMT

 

[Wahrsuul]

There are a few of those out there.

http://www.lockerdown.com/i-21-suvault-2009-to-2018-dodge-ram-model-ld3029.html

 

[shadowhawk]

@Airdaddyo let us know when you have them installed. If they work, I'll get a set for mine, too

 

[Kinetic]

So does anyone actually use these boxes as a cooler like the salesman keeps telling me? lol

 

[bigred90gt]

So does anyone actually use these boxes as a cooler like the salesman keeps telling me? lol

I dont believe I've ever honestly had anything in mine EXCEPT beer, lol

 

[Airdaddyo]

Response 1/2

Remember I said this was a compromise?

Well it fits and works!

As some of you have mentioned there are much more secure ways. See you at SEMA?

There are two key differences that are not accounted for in the dimensions provided. The first is the length of the latch itself. The one I linked in the original post (Amazon) has about a 3/8" reach on the latch and the OEM is about 1/2".

The other is the length of the catch. More on that later.



So you need to use the opposing catch that is provided (Below).



Throw away the lock's mounting screws (left), they are too short


You should be able to find the correct ones (right, above) here (below). I hope we all have a drawer like this one. Saves a trip to the hardware store.


Once you have the correct hardware there are two more slight (very slight) modifications.

The first is to trim the bucket insert - your beer cooler Bigred. You don't have to take much off, you are really just squaring up the hole so the catch will fit through.



Then you need to grind down the length of the catch. Not much, go slow you can't put metal back on. If you have to mount and grind some more do that rather than go too far.

Stand by for 2/2

 

[Airdaddyo]

2/2

This is how far I went.


Then you need to mount the catch. Remember that drawer we all have? Find two more screws to mount the catch.



Put Bigred's beer cooler back in, mount the lock to the door and you're done.



The whole thing took about 40 mins from start to finish, including digging in the drawer for the screws I needed.

Keep in mind this is not Ft. Knox worthy - not even close. For me this is a place to put something that I don't want people in the truck to be able to get too, mostly the little people in my family. It could be the place to put a camera. You could even install a lock one and not the other. put the Coors Light in the unlocked one and the good stuff in the locked one. Your friends will wonder why when you grab another beer you are bring back something they don't have access to.

A couple observations. Be warned, if you don't have floor mats in the back this may rattle, I have floor mats. Don't know have not driven it yet. The plastic ones may have less rattle, don't know don't have any. The other is THIS IS A PLASTIC CONTAINER don't over tighten anything.

For me this was a reasonable compromise and balance of cost vs benefit.

My hope is that someone will benefit from this as I have benefited from yours.

 

[British Bulldog]

I have just seen this really old post. Anyone else done this mod or have any input?
Those MOPAR OEM locks are almost $130 for two instead of under $50 for these boat locker ones.
So…..anyone else done this?

There was a fair bit of interest back when

 

[GTyankee]

I seem to recall when they first installed the Crew Cab rear seat floor storage boxes.

Some inventive people were experimenting,
One person made a larger hole in the floor
Then built a metal box with a lip welded to the open top
Then a locking lid was fit to the lower part of the box, it also had a lip on it, i believe that the two lips were riveted to each other

 

[British Bulldog]

Thanks. I actually wanted to know about the locks themselves. I have seen the ‘boxes’ and lids available.
I don’t really need a lockable box, no gun or ammo etc but it was just a little mod I saw. If I can do it for $50 I will. BUT not buying those genuine MOPAR locks……$120/130????? I don’t think so!

 

[British Bulldog]

Truth be told, I was trying to find something my youngest son could buy me for my birthday lol.
I don’t NEED anything but he is not getting away Scott free with that excuse! So, the locks

 

[British Bulldog]

Just did this…….$25 for two locks on Amazon

 

[British Bulldog]

And the inserts still come out

 

[Puckstopper55]

And the inserts still come outView attachment 499157

Reviving a really old thread. Any links to the locks pictured above?