ARCHIVE Wits' End LX450 LockBox GroupBuy

[NLXTACY]

I'm ok with waiting through the issues. Thank you for the extra effort.

Prefer to wait for the black Medeco hardware anyway.

Purchased an APU-2 and fuse kit to help offset the pain a little.

Thanks!

The large boxes (without lids) are tumbled. The modified lids are tumbled. The small boxes and lids are being recut tomorrow. The lids and will have the lock baskets welded on by Friday and then those go to the powder coater. I'm waiting on status on my "rush" hinge order. Rush really means nothing to that company. But at least we got past a little bit of stupidity this morning.

 

[NLXTACY]

The lids, for the tall LX boxes are done. Had to recut the lids because they had the wrong keyhole. But lids done and going into tumbling again. Just waiting on the newest batch of hinges to come in. I'm getting tired of waiting.

 

[NLXTACY]

Ok quickie update. All of the boxes and lids are done and ready to be welded then powder coated. Everything is in boxes now just waiting on the hinges and then it's go time. I'm on my way now to pick up the rest of the Medeco order with the black locks. Everything is in place and ready to go as soon as the hinges arrive. Unfortunately there isn't much I can do right now until the hinges show up. The shop said they have some open time if I need anything done so I may do another run of the Scout lockbox since I wouldn't have to wait too long. I bought extra hinges anyway so I wouldn't have to wait that much longer.

 

[NLXTACY]

Hinges are shipping out tomorrow!!!

 

[NLXTACY]

They are finally here!!!! Dropping these off to the metal shop to hopefully get done ASAP!

 

[NLXTACY]

The welding is supposed to be done tomorrow but I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to pick it up tomorrow but I will definitely try. This means the LockBoxes can go to powder coating and then laser etching. Soooo close now!!!

I also finally picked up the threaded spacers I had made to make these boxes work right.

 

[NLXTACY]

Woohoo! Today just keeps on giving. Found this shipment just now and inside were all the black #medeco lock and tumblers I ordered. How timely now that the boxes are ready to be picked up tomorrow!

Now I just need to laser etch these keys.

 

[NLXTACY]

These LockBoxes were ready on Thursday but I was so busy I wasn't able to pick them up til this morning. I loaded them up in the truck and picked a random one to test. The lid scraped against the plastic center console!! Nooooo!! I can't let this go out like this. The shop was supposed to test fit each. Guess what, they test fit a couple that were ok and then stopped test fitting. So I left everything there so they can start grinding the edges down and radiusing the corners a little better. Ugh, another damn day of waiting.

I'll be picking these up in the morning and dropping off at the powder coater's.

 

[NLXTACY]

Boxes dropped off at powder coater's. Waiting to hear back from them on when they should be ready.

 

[NLXTACY]

LockBoxes were picked up and dropped off at laser etching first thing this morning. I will hopefully be picking up EOD Wed or Thurs. I have everything else ready to go and should be able to start shipping by the weekend.

 

[Orangeanger]

LockBoxes were picked up and dropped off at laser etching first thing this morning. I will hopefully be picking up EOD Wed or Thurs. I have everything else ready to go and should be able to start shipping by the weekend.

I want one.. Id like one with the combination lock instead.

 

[NLXTACY]

I want one.. Id like one with the combination lock instead.

You can. Just put a note about using the combo lock. BTW, the combo locks are nothing special, just whatever McMaster has is what I have. I will need to modify the locking cam some to get it to work with the tab that was designed for the Medeco but its just a little bit of time.

 

[NLXTACY]

The LockBoxes have arrived! They are being assembled and packaged up now. Unless something idiotic happens these will all go out today.

 

[NLXTACY]

I SWEAR this project just likes to punch me repeatedly in the d!ck. Arrrggghhhh.

Everything was good. Everything was fine. I got everything kitted up by late Monday night so that I could send everything to the post office and call it good.

Not so much.

During the very last step of the assembly, just before wrapping them, I realize that the cam lock I have been using won't work now. It turns out the lock tab on the box is not only about 1/8" lower then all of my other LockBoxes, but the LockBasket is sitting a full 3/16" forward of the wall of the LockBox. I can't use these cams.

Quick call to the metal shop yesterday was followed by a promise to have new cams made and ready by today. Well now they call to say they won't be ready til Saturday. WTF?!?!

Solution? I'm not waiting any longer. I'm going to sit my ass down in front of the bench grinder and I'm just going to go to town in these. So much aggravation. Sheesh. Don't worry guys, slowly but surely I'm failing you.

 

[NLXTACY]

Just a quick update. Medeco called me and said they may have some of the cam locks I need in stock and if so I can get them today. Crossing fingers. Buuuut, another issue...

I installed this on my own truck and everything bolts up nice, no problem. On my neighbor's truck, that has been sitting in the sun for the past 10 years, the bolts I supplied aren't long enough. Rather, they only get one thread of engagement. Since I have no way of knowing the condition of your consoles I am going to be supplying several lengths of the hardware. I am ordering now and will have it delivered tomorrow. When you get your package for the LX LockBox you will be getting three different lengths of hardware (6mm, 10mm, 12mm) plus the washers. Please start with the longest hardware first because I don't want you to just go the shortest and then decide that one thread of engagement is enough. There is already very little room to work with on the LX, don't make things worse. If the hardware is too long, and it WILL bottom out on the OEM stud, then just switch to the next shorter bolt. The whole process will literally add an extra 45 seconds.

Sorry guys! Trust me, I want to move on with my life with this one. Its frustrating beyond belief.

 

[NLXTACY]

Ugh. Well "technically" it was next day delivery but did they have to wait til 6:45pm to show up!!!?!?!!?

I'm packaging up now. These will get dropped off in the morning at the post office.

 

[NLXTACY]

 

[newtomelx]

@NLXTACY Have you considered cutting out the bottom of the console as well as shortening the bracket underneath (since you removed the CD changer that is) there is some room to be gained. If so then the lockbox could be moved down another couple of inches......just an idea...I have my interior out to Dynamat and insulate and seen this possibility.
What do you think?

 

[NLXTACY]

@NLXTACY Have you considered cutting out the bottom of the console as well as shortening the bracket underneath (since you removed the CD changer that is) there is some room to be gained. If so then the lockbox could be moved down another couple of inches......just an idea...I have my interior out to Dynamat and insulate and seen this possibility.
What do you think?

There is a support bracket that would need to be removed that I think was spot welded in. Once that's gone here is nothing to support putting your elbow on the arm rest.