Reversing tool box lid

Anyone done this? So that the lid opens from the rear; hinged at the front? With the seats I'm fixin' to put in the Tux, it would be easier to access the tool box this way...

 

I haven't done that, haven't even thought about it. I do see how it could be a bit easier though, picturing in my mind how my seat folds and tilts forward, with the lid leaning against the seat bottom. Is that what you are thinking?

 

Yes, pretty much. My current passenger seat doesn't fold completely into the floor anyhow (not sure why, seems like it's too thick to fold flat) and it's tough to access the tool box. The seats I'm going to put in for now do not fold at all, but I'll bet if the lid opened the other way I could get into it. It would be neat if the lid would open most or all the way and act as a prop to hold the seat up. Since I'm too lazy to go look, are the hinges spot welded to the floor?

 

One of those things one uses but doesn't pay much attention to, so I'm going to say I'm pretty sure they're spot welded.

 

Are the seats that don't fold low back?

 

No. But they aren't very tall, either.

 

I know I'll catch some grief here, but for 99 bucks apiece I'm going to try these.

Smittybilt Standard Front Bucket Seat - Black Denim

 

The guy who now owns the '71 I had put these in it, and they look and feel good.

 

Obviously the original, non folding seats went forward enough to access the tool box. I bought highbacks previously and mounted them on the original frame bottoms and the passenger seat wouldn't tilt forward enough to even open up the tool box lid. Did you try tilting the seat on the '71 that the guy has to check for access?

 

No, but he said he could "sort of" get in the tool box. I had highback seats out of an RX7 in my other '67 for a few years; higher than these, and I could get into the box. Sorta. No more than I have to get into it, if I have to pull the passenger seat out to do it, so be it. I think I'll look into reversing the lid. The biggest downside is the Dura Bak liner in the tub, applied over the hinges.

 

When I bought my CJ 5 the floor was rusted out including a bit of the front upright wall of the tool box. When I had the high backs I cut out most of the front wall so I could just reach in and slide things in or out. Plus now with the folding seat I can use the lid too.

 

You know, I could put a door or framed opening on the front of the box.....
If reversing the lid doesn't give me enough access I might look into it.

 

What about no hinges? Make the lid snap into place over the tool box opening. Picture something similar to the side panels on a street bike, they have a male prong that snaps into a female grommet.

 

Exactly. In fact, that's what I do now because the passenger portion of the bench seat doesn't fold flat into the foot well.

 

That's an option as well. See, that's why I asked..

 

So, I think I'll reverse the hinges when I swap the seats and brackets, and see how that works and go from there. Or maybe sooner since the seats and the brackets won't be here until Thursday... If I have a slow day at work.

 

I'd go look at mine but I don't feel like trying to crawl over the worktable to get to it.

 

Mine is crudely done, wouldn't take much effort to do as you said and have a much nicer job. It depends on what you plan to keep in there as to what kind of access works best or is necessary.

 

Pfft. I have 3 Jeeps out there I could go look at...