Tuffy tailgate lockbox anyone installed on yet?

[DickZip]

Directions show the plastic tailgate cover stays in place. Not sure I like that. Post some photos,

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[S2k Chris]

Interested in this. Will it hold a laptop computer? How about a normal sized backpack? I'd love something to lock up my work computer if I want to stop to/from work.

 

[DanW]

Interested in this. Will it hold a laptop computer? How about a normal sized backpack? I'd love something to lock up my work computer if I want to stop to/from work.

I'm interested because the dimensions show that it would hold my Tavor and magazines, pretty easily, but more importantly, securely.

The drawback is the added weigh would make me want the Mopar tailgate reinforcement. Now the price would be prohibitive, approaching $1k.

 

[Springtail]

I'm interested because the dimensions show that it would hold my Tavor and magazines, pretty easily, but more importantly, securely.

The drawback is the added weigh would make me want the Mopar tailgate reinforcement. Now the price would be prohibitive, approaching $1k.

OK....here is my opinion on this (Disclaimer: Keep in mind that we are making a slightly competing product so it may be a little biased Not a lock box but a table/MOLLE rack).

The lockbox mounts to the same factory mounts that the factory table does. One would assume that factory weight recommendations would be universally accepted as canon (not to violate warranty). The factory table weighs 9 pounds and factory literature states that the table has a load limit of 25 pounds....For arguments sake, we are going to assume that is not the limit of the table (or the door hinges) but of the mounting sites which are cast into the door.

That gives you a semi-official rating total of 34lbs total allowed on the door mounts. Could it take more??....probably??, but I can only imagine how expensive that magnesium/aluminum tailgate is and whether or not those cast mounts will hold up to the vibrations of off road use with any weight surpassing the recommended amount.

The lockbox has a shipping weight of 29 pounds (lets round that down to 25 pounds for assumed actual weight).

That gives you an "Official" allowance of 9 pounds of "secure" storage.....enough for a Tavor (not really much ammo though).

In any situation, I don't think that you are going to overload the door hinges enough to require the reinforcement kit....as I think that jeep states in stock form the door can readily take a 35 inch tire without modifications (one can assume that they too weight into consideration).

Doc

 

[DanW]

OK....here is my opinion on this (Disclaimer: Keep in mind that we are making a slightly competing product so it may be a little biased Not a lock box but a table/MOLLE rack).

The lockbox mounts to the same factory mounts that the factory table does. One would assume that factory weight recommendations would be universally accepted as canon (not to violate warranty). The factory table weighs 9 pounds and factory literature states that the table has a load limit of 25 pounds....For arguments sake, we are going to assume that is not the limit of the table (or the door hinges) but of the mounting sites which are cast into the door.

That gives you a semi-official rating total of 34lbs total allowed on the door mounts. Could it take more??....probably??, but I can only imagine how expensive that magnesium/aluminum tailgate is and whether or not those cast mounts will hold up to the vibrations of off road use with any weight surpassing the recommended amount.

The lockbox has a shipping weight of 29 pounds (lets round that down to 25 pounds for assumed actual weight).

That gives you an "Official" allowance of 9 pounds of "secure" storage.....enough for a Tavor (not really much ammo though).

In any situation, I don't think that you are going to overload the door hinges enough to require the reinforcement kit....as I think that jeep states in stock form the door can readily take a 35 inch tire without modifications (one can assume that they too weight into consideration).

Doc

Thanks, Doc. One thing I did not mention. While I've got a 35" tire on there, albeit a fairly light weight one (64lbs, not including the stock rim), it does rest slightly on the bumper lip, at 30lbs of pressure. If I air it up to 35 or even 37, it rests even more on it. I can still open/close the gate, but at the higher pressure, I have to be sure to shut it with a little more force. I do think that would dampen some of the jouncing from off roading and help to protect the hinges. Those stock hinges, btw, appear to be a helluva lot beefier than the JK's. My issue is that I tend to be very conservative with everything, so as to stay away from the edge of the envelope. In light of your calculations, which I think are very logical assumptions, I might be able to pull it off. I do also plan on adding the Rotopax 3.5 gallon fuel container to the spare mount, but that will only have weight on it on rare occasions, such as trail runs out west, so it won't be hanging on there enough to be an issue. Even then, the mount and full fuel container shouldn't add more than 30lbs, when full. (Gas is about 7lbs per gallon, right?)

Ultimately, I love the ability to very securely lock up a rifle, which would make me much more comfortable in carrying it along.

Thank you for helping me think this through!

 

[Springtail]

Two thoughts....

1) I think that you are at the precipice of needing to just go with a swingout tire carrier on a bumper....just do that and forget most limitations on the door.

2) Take it from a guy who has had a truck stolen (no gun left in it...thank god), it really makes you reconsider what exactly you leave in your vehicle....even for short periods of time. Personally, I would go with a less expensive yet reliable rifle that would suit your needs. I am partial to the KelTech sub2000 as it takes the same magazines as my carry gun, folds into a tidy package and fits the reliability bill. If subgun is not your thing....maybe a Palmetto State Armory "Pistol" with an arm brace may work.

Obviously (but it is worth stating).....that lock box will only keep out "honest" thieves. But it is at least discrete.

Doc

 

[DickZip]

Since my tailgate has lost considerable weight after its removal surgery, the tuffy website states it can carry 40lbs. Probably more than I'd ever put in it. More importantly is how does it look after installation, and how it holds up to use.
I think the tuffy box would do a good job of keeping the items out of sight, which I think is the point.

 

[DanW]

Two thoughts....

1) I think that you are at the precipice of needing to just go with a swingout tire carrier on a bumper....just do that and forget most limitations on the door.

2) Take it from a guy who has had a truck stolen (no gun left in it...thank god), it really makes you reconsider what exactly you leave in your vehicle....even for short periods of time. Personally, I would go with a less expensive yet reliable rifle that would suit your needs. I am partial to the KelTech sub2000 as it takes the same magazines as my carry gun, folds into a tidy package and fits the reliability bill. If subgun is not your thing....maybe a Palmetto State Armory "Pistol" with an arm brace may work.

Obviously (but it is worth stating).....that lock box will only keep out "honest" thieves. But it is at least discrete.

Doc

I agree again, Doc. But, 90% of the time, there won't be anything but an empty security box hanging from the tailgate. On top of that, I just don't like the weight of those bumpers and carriers. They also tend to eventually rattle, with the exception of a couple high end ones. My buddies all have them and they just don't appeal to me. Their Jeeps feel sluggish compared to mine because of all the stuff they've got hanging off them. They squeak and rattle over every bump. Even my 11 year old old JK feels tight as a drum compared to them.

Also, I've got a cheap AR pistol I built that would easily go in there. I also think it would be close, if laying diagonally, with even an M4gery with the stock collapsed. However, the Tavor is my current favorite. The only situations where any rifle would be in there would be when parked at a restaurant or gas station while on on a trip. Otherwise, I don't plan on keeping a rifle in there full time. Even at hotels, I would take it in with me and not leave it there. If I left it in there at home, my Jeep is always in a secure garage where there are other things that would tempt a thief more. I think much of the time, say regular work weeks and such, I'd probably put the shelves back in and carry motor oil or other odds and ends in there. Maybe recovery equipment, who knows? If I did keep one in there more often, the AR pistol would definitely be the choice. I wouldn't cry so much over losing it, just over the fact some thug might use it for something terrible.

Anyway, I think that the way I'd use this and the Rotopax, most of the time I'd only be hauling around the extra 29lbs of the box itself. The occasional rifle stowage is really the only major reason I'm considering it.

That Tavor is a pretty neat firearm, btw. Most of the summer I have it in 9mm configuration for steel competition. It is a hoot and is just so fast to get on targets, with the Trijicon MRO. Through the fall/winter/spring, I have it in 5.56 configuration because I'll go to friends' farms and such to plink around. It's just a really fun, accurate gun that just fits me in a way that is really comfortable. Interestingly, perceived recoil is the same, whether in 9mm or 5.56. Anyway, I just love that little gun, but I have gone off the topic....Lol! I'll save the rest of that for another thread...

 

[kirbyx]

About a week ago, I emailed Quadratec, a distributor of the Tuffy Tailgate Lockbox, paraphrasing Doc's above analysis that concludes that the maximum storage load for the lockbox is about 9 lb.
I haven't got a reply from them yet, which I think is a tacit admission that the 9 lb load limit is true, and that the 40 lb storage load limit is not true.

 

[thundermuffin]

Directions show the plastic tailgate cover stays in place. Not sure I like that. Post some photos,

Just installed mine today, I’ll post up pics and measurements Friday.

 

[DanW]

Just installed mine today, I’ll post up pics and measurements Friday.

Yes, please review it for us!

 

[thundermuffin]

Here's a writeup of the install process:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/tuffy-tailgate-lockbox-349-install.14430/

 

[thundermuffin]

Initial impressions:

I'll like it a lot more once I figure out where the squeaking is coming from.

Definitely big enough to hold a 14" HP Probook, which is probably on the large side for current laptops. A 14" laptop bag with a handle would be a tight fit.

If you pull out the shelves, you might be able to fit a backpack in there.

Here are some pics with measurements, let me know if any are unclear, of if you want me to test an item of a certain dimension.

 

[DickZip]

Thx for the photos but it's hard to see what's going on.

 

[Gadsden11]

Ok gonna revive this thread. Would anyone that has the tailgate lockbox be able to give me a measurement from the back of the rear seat (JLU) to the front of the box with the tailgate closed? I'm interested in getting one of these, but I'm unsure if my K-9 partners kennel will still fit.
Also any updates from anyone in regards to durability and squeaks over time with these?

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