the plastic panels with storage hatches start breaking up after a lot of use and don't provide any security when the top is off. so i asked Leonard's Custom Fab in Fullerton, CA to create aluminum replacements that have locking hatches. also had him create a custom lock box that is slanted at the front to fit the rear seats nicely. these two additions let me lock up tools and stuff when the top is off. i plan to add aluminum panels to the inner tailgate and inside the cab, and then rhino line the floor, fenders, bed, hardtop, panels, everything

 

That looks good, but I have to ask:

How bad is the road noise now?

 

what was the cost of the box in the bed? I may be looking for something similar in the future.

 

i don't think the swapping out the rear panels caused much noise, the stock panels are nothing but plastic ... taking out all my carpet probably added the most additional noise but i'm not concerned with road noise ... a lot of the time i drive with the top off anyway and i plan to add a soft top next summer ... plus i have M+S tires so that alone makes my truck hum down the road

 

i think it was $500 ... i'd have to check my receipt but that's not with me ... it's a real nice box ... i would have gotten it a little taller though, up to the seat height ... Leonard design the inner edges to be curved in and the top lid to curve over so it's rain proof and crowbar proof ... and the hinge and locking latch mechanics are all on the inside of the box ... the best part is that you can get it the exact height and width you want

 

That's cool. Tell him to fab up a bunch of side panels. I'd buy a set for my 88 runner myself here in Reno, NV. (Hint Hint)

 

Looks real clean! How much did he charge you? I was going to do that myself, but I think I'm too lazy and would rather pay someone. Besides that little lip above the wheel well adds a lot. I wouldn't be able to pull that off.

Can you PM me with contact info for that shop or at least location? I live in Fullerton. I dint find anything through yellow pages.

 

Man that is sweet! One of my big projects is to do the same thing with the rear plastic sides. I have the aluminum, just need the time. I was going to get some hush mat too and put that inside to kinda kill the noise and insulate the back a little better.

 

here is the web site: http://lenordscustomfabrication.com/

(i spelled lenord's wrong so that's why you couldn't find it)

 

Thanks man! hahha I know them. How much did they charge you? I think they did the panels on my dads sand rail, years ago.