Wood Truck Box and Lid

This is my home-made wooden topper. The box and lid are two separate parts. The lid which has a hinged board in the front, fits into wooden brackets attached to the box. This is the first version of the wooden truck topper I designed and made for my Ford Ranger. Over the years I have had to refinish it because of the sun and moisture problems. I used basic pine. My truck is parked outside at work, and I wanted something to keep the snow out of the bed.

This is the second time I refinished this topper. It has just gone through it's fourth Minnesota winter. Hopefully it will last a few more years. Any wood that will be outside must be protected with a varnish that has UV filters in it.

Keeps most of the rain out in the summer, and snow out in the winter. I put seals between the truck edges and the wood, which really helped keep water out. I attached the rubber seals to the bottom of the wood box, and on three edges of the flat part.

You can click on these small photos to see a bigger picture.

Here is a picture of the first version. The flat cover has a board hinged on to the front and slips into the wooden brackets I attached to the box. Then I added a broom handle by the tail gate that flips down to hold the cover up. Tongue and grove pine was used for the lid.

Here is the first version of the box lids. I like this version a lot better than the second version, as I didn't have to walk around on both sides of the truck to unlock it to open it up. Unfortunately, I could not seal everything well enough to keep the water completely out, and the screws ended up rotting out. The box is locked to the truck with padlocks. The box opens up to store groceries, and other stuff, plus you can slide long things under it from below. There are two small compartments inside for small tools, and one large area in the center.

Here is the first version while I was working on it in the basement. Notice the small compartment on the side. This was good for holding screw drivers, bungie cords, and things that I didn't want getting lost in the box.

Here is a picture of the lid being held open. The lid fits into the brackets mounted to the box, and is bungied down at the tail gate end.

On the second version I added the new box lid, my website logo, and restained everything dark. Then I coated it with lots of spar varnish. I used a piece of rough cut slab wood, cut and planed, and used a Dremel tool to carve in my logo.

I have been patching, refinishing, and praying that this topper holds together for just one more season..........well, we're going into the 5th winter now........everything has a brand new coat of spar varnish and is ready to go. I will update you in the spring of 2009 to see how everything "weathered" over the winter......

Throughout the years I have received many compliments on this project, and it has indeed come in handy. The lid comes completely off easily for when you need to haul tall things in the bed. Even if you didn't pre-plan on hauling something tall, and need to remove the lid quickly, it can be set in the bed upright and strapped down.

If you count the material, screw-ups, time, and maintenance, this whole project cost a lot more more than a metal box costs. I do believe that the next time I need a box, which might be very soon, I think I'll just spring for a metal one. I see that Northern Tool has just about every size and shape anyone could want. I have added some links to the right for several different products available.

If anybody has some specific questions regarding this project, please send me an email

This project is nice, but be aware that each year you should touch it up and check for cracks in the varnish so that water doesn't get through. It is a high maintenance project if you plan on keeping it for years. Sun and water take a drastic toll on wood. Be sure to use a varnish that has a UV blocker in it.

If you are looking for metal boxes, I found a few links that you may be interested in. I like the black ones.