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Old 05-13-2021, 09:49 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Prescott
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Year: 2001
Coachwork: Chevrolet
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Engine: 6.5L diesel
Under chassis storage

Hello, tried looking for threads about underneath storages for Skoolie but can’t find any. I had the condenser fans removed when the rear AC and floor heaters were removed. Now, I have this empty space (black rectangle on the photo) behind the driver side about L: 60”, W: 16”, D: 13”. Any ideas how to build a storage without welding access? Thank you.
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Old 05-13-2021, 04:05 PM   #2
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double check me on this?
but on my 2004 express with collins/midbus body (identical to yours) the underskirt condensor also handled the dash A/C?
so without it the dash air only moves air but no A/C.
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Old 05-13-2021, 04:18 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Jolly Roger bus 223... front AC is working without the rear AC. The folks in A-Z Bus sales out of Colton CA did the removal of rear AC and floor heater ($600). All I did was make an appt and they did all the work as it’s a tedious process. To me, it’s worth the money as I don’t have a garage or special tools for the job. Thank you.
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Old 05-13-2021, 04:26 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArmyRunner View Post
Hello, tried looking for threads about underneath storages for Skoolie but can’t find any. I had the condenser fans removed when the rear AC and floor heaters were removed. Now, I have this empty space (black rectangle on the photo) behind the driver side about L: 60”, W: 16”, D: 13”. Any ideas how to build a storage without welding access? Thank you.
The space is almost cavernous, but I've not had any luck finding off the shelf doors or flanges to mount them on.

On my bus the unistrut rails that hold the condensor etc can be repurposed to hang almost anything from. Not sure yet how to cut into the fiberglass skirt and mount a door/hatch/cover like the battery shelf.
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Old 05-13-2021, 04:32 PM   #5
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cool deal.
you got lucky.
my dash A/C and rear A/c share the same condensor so mine has to stay.
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Old 05-13-2021, 04:48 PM   #6
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Check with a truck outfitter that has tool boxes that mount to truck beds. May end up being a drill and bolt operation.
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Old 05-13-2021, 04:50 PM   #7
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Here’s what I did
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Old 05-13-2021, 04:53 PM   #8
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That looks good, real good. Did you use the whole box?
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Old 05-13-2021, 05:30 PM   #9
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The other day I saw some nice-looking lockable steel storage boxes at tractor supply in all sorts of sizes and shapes. I think they were intended to be bolted under the flatbed of a truck or something. They are not as nice as some of the custom boxes I've seen but something like that might be a relatively easy solution if you can't or aren't interested in fabricating something.


I did a quick internet search and didn't find it at tractor supply but here's a pic and search term to give the basic idea: "Black Steel Underbody Drop Door Toolbox"
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Old 05-13-2021, 07:51 PM   #10
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Correct me if I'm mistaken, but the opening is roughly 2-window lengths long, less than 60". Regardless, you basically have 3 choices.


1. Get a stock size pre-made toolbox and cut the opening to fit
2. Order a pre-made toolbox to your specific size (not cheap).
2. Build your own box. If you can't weld, use bolts or pop rivets. You could also cut down a factory made box to save effort.


Many boxes have drop-down doors, some have lift up doors (with gas struts to support the door when open). The flatbed I pull has double swing doors which would be my preference if ordering a box for myself.
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Old 05-14-2021, 05:31 AM   #11
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That looks good, real good. Did you use the whole box?
Yes. Its installed in the back and at one point I considered adding some more metal and making it a pass-through to the same box on the other side.

Buyers Products were the least expensive new boxes I found.
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Old 05-14-2021, 05:43 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur View Post
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but the opening is roughly 2-window lengths long, less than 60". Regardless, you basically have 3 choices.


1. Get a stock size pre-made toolbox and cut the opening to fit
2. Order a pre-made toolbox to your specific size (not cheap).
2. Build your own box. If you can't weld, use bolts or pop rivets. You could also cut down a factory made box to save effort.


Many boxes have drop-down doors, some have lift up doors (with gas struts to support the door when open). The flatbed I pull has double swing doors which would be my preference if ordering a box for myself.
I like the double door style also. There weren’t as many sizes of them. Mine drop down and I like that for having a place to set small things.

Fabrication cost I think is prohibitive. At least I wouldn’t do it.

One more option, though a little less desirable, is to get a slightly smaller box and fill whatever gap is left with sheet metal. After it’s painted it wouldn’t be noticeable.
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Old 05-14-2021, 05:48 AM   #13
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Oh, if you get Buyers Products, they come with minimal packaging and the fine folks at the shipper and the loading dock like to drop them so always unbox and inspect on-site before accepting the shipment. It’s also good to bring a carpenters square because sometimes it’s hard to see it was dropped on a front corner and it’s a 1/4” out.
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Old 05-14-2021, 05:53 AM   #14
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Here’s how I supported them
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Old 05-17-2021, 10:34 PM   #15
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Here’s what I did
That looks really good! I need to make a couple more storage spots under my bus.

As far as no welding, it would be tough, but could do like someone said with rivets. Alot of buses are held together with rivets. Rivets and seam sealer would work.

I plan to make close to a 48" long storage box on passenger side of my bus right behind the battery box on my bus. Extra storage is always needed!
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Old 01-19-2022, 11:20 AM   #16
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Here’s how I supported them
Digging this up, but i'm about to do something similar. How big is this box and how has it held up? How much weight is it carrying?
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