TrekBoxX LX base alpha install

[tincan45]

Hi Folks,

Finally got around to installing my @TrekboxX base alpha drawers today. I wanted to document as much as possible and hopefully provide information for others who may be interested in this solution.

SEAT REMOVAL

LX seat removal is the same as LC removal with the exception of the wiring harness and slightly different plastic moldings. I was able to remove the trim w/o tools with a firm pull from the bottom up on each panel. Quite easy really. Then it's 4x14mm bolts on each side and you can remove the seats. (~10 Min)

MOUNTING HARDWARE

The box is mounted on 4 simple brackets. The instructions are very clear to use the outside bolt holes and all arrows need to point to the center of the truck.

PRO TIP: The only way to get to the passenger side box bolts is through the 2nd row access hole. If I had to do it again, I would pre-install the passenger rear bracket to the box (hand tight) and bolt it to the truck after sliding the box in. Luckily I'm 6'1" and my arm was barely long enough to reach all the way to the front of the drawer. (~30 min with the help of a friend)

Slide the box in the back with the wings up and be careful not to mar any plastic. It's a heavy beast, but once you have it in the back there is enough wiggle room to get it right where you want it. Tighten all your bolts down and be sure to only pull out one drawer at a time.

FRIDGE DRAWER COVER

I opted for the fridge cover since 90% of the time I'll be using this as a service vehicle during the week. The cover is held in place with thumb screws that are a bit fiddly to get in place. I'm may be looking for a better way to secure the cap behind the 2nd row. It's not something I want to change everyday.

WEIGHT

I decided to weigh my truck before I removed seats and install the TRekboxX. This is my before and after weight with a full tank and I am NOT in the truck. The result was surprising. The net difference in weight was only 100lbs. When these arrived, I'll be honest, I was a little concerned about the weight. Turns out, Lexus likes to build heavy seats too so it was a bit of a wash.

OVERALL

So far - fantastic! I could hear a slight rattle on my initial test drive. I will have to try and hunt it down. The quality of this box great. It's also great to support guys like David who have a passion for their craft. I'm hoping to get lots of use out of it. I wish the color was a little lighter to match the Lexus parchment, but the standard tan is not bad at all. I know most prefer the darker colors, but I sure like the visibility lighter colors offer.

Oh and "Kady" seems to enjoy it as well...

 

[Forerunner]

Looks amazing! Did you do anything to wire power for your fridge?

 

[tincan45]

Looks amazing! Did you do anything to wire power for your fridge?

Nope, not yet. I have big plans though. I do not plan on running AC aside form the 120W inverter that already exists in the truck. My biggest challenge right now is deciding on layout.

I have attached the DC schematics I pulled from Victron. I will not be running a second battery up front. I prefer to keep things stock under the hood with the exception of a couple battery leads to the rear.

In terms of my control interfaces. This is a mock up for the passenger side wing using blue sea 360 panels. These are all subject to change as this project evolves. My biggest challenge is fitting it on the existing Trekboxx wing. I may be making my own wing cover out of aluminum or steel. I really like that the 360 panels are modular and I can swap things out as this build evolves.

 

[tincan45]

Update - After 18 months of ownership..this happened.

The latches on these are secured with a rather weak rivet. You can see the abuse the latch has taken. They really need to be serviceable.

My fix. Drill it out and make it serviceable.

 

[kcjaz]

MOUNTING HARDWARE

The box is mounted on 4 simple brackets. The instructions are very clear to use the outside bolt holes and all arrows need to point to the center of the truck.

PRO TIP: The only way to get to the passenger side box bolts is through the 2nd row access hole. If I had to do it again, I would pre-install the passenger rear bracket to the box (hand tight) and bolt it to the truck after sliding the box in. Luckily I'm 6'1" and my arm was barely long enough to reach all the way to the front of the drawer. (~30 min with the help of a friend)

Slide the box in the back with the wings up and be careful not to mar any plastic. It's a heavy beast, but once you have it in the back there is enough wiggle room to get it right where you want it. Tighten all your bolts down and be sure to only pull out one drawer at a time.

Searched for install tips before I just installed mine and found @tincan45 's thread. Regarding the above tip, the drawer design must have been changed and now there is a removable panel on the back of the passenger side drawer that allows access to the rear mounting bolt with the drawer extended.

Oveall the install is easy with the only real hard part being the weight of the unit. You really need tow guys. I made a platform and used some Teflon cutting board sheets to help reduce friction sliding it in.

 

[kcjaz]

One thing that got me thinking during the install was the mounting hardware and "mounting system" itself. While very clever, it far less robust than the original seat and seat belt mounting system. I know the reason for this is likely US crash test standards vs. an aftermarket accessory design with no "rules". Essentially, the whole thing is mounted to the floor with 4 M8 bolts threaded into a rivet nuts pressed into an aluminum bracket. This is not even close to what was holding down the original seats.

Just makes me think what would happen in a serious crash with 275 lb box loaded with another 100lbs of stuff. The size of it probably makes it hard to actually fly forward, but still, I'd like the mounting system to be more robust

Edit: the threaded mounts are not the crushable type rivet nuts. They are like this:

So they better and more like a captive nut. Still not as robust as OEM seat mounts.

 

[CharlieS]

Hmm, I don't remember a mounting plate like that on my 200 Trekboxx Bravo. It was a few years ago that I installed it, so I may be forgetting. Mounting was a bit of a hassle, but it hasn't moved a bit.