Let’s face it. Trucks, Jeeps, and guns go together like Legos. But whether it’s a firearm or just valuables you want to ensure are safe and out of sight, some things are much more important than others. That thought was the spark powering a search for storage options that were secure, sturdy, and easy to access.
After many late nights gathering and digesting information, our attention fell upon the Bestop Underseat Storage LockBox. The LockBox is made of 16-gauge carbon steel, featuring a sliding storage drawer with a very solid but easy-to-operate lock (with two keys), and is designed so that the leading edge of the drawer is located deep enough inside the steel shell of the LockBox that attempts to pry it open would be frustratingly difficult if not completely useless.
Bestop has numerous lockable storage options for various vehicles, but we decided to try the Bestop Underseat Storage LockBox that fits ’97 to ’17 Jeep Wranglers. In our case, we were outfitting a ’07 Wrangler. It can be ordered for the driver or front passenger seat, and, when installed properly, doesn’t interfere with factory seats. Installation is easy, but that’s not to say removal is. The box is installed underneath the seat brackets (between the brackets and the floor) and even though that means just four bolts, it also means taking the seat out.
We did the job in about one hour, and are quite happy with the results. The Bestop Underseat Storage LockBox’s exterior measures 17 inches long, 7 3/8 inches wide, and 3 1/8 inches tall. Inside we found a removable liner, and an interior that was 14 3/8 inches deep, 5 5/8 inches across the top, and 2¼ inches high at the center. The LockBox has a heavy-duty steel shell and locking drawer, is solidly mounted to the Jeep’s floorpan, and can be reached without getting up from the seat. We also like that if you pull the seat all the way forward after exiting the Jeep, the little floor-mounted safe is completely covered from view.
The Bestop Underseat Storage LockBox (PN 42640) kit for our ’07 Jeep Wrangler came complete with mounting brackets, bracket hardware, two keys, and a handful of zip-ties for rehanging the seat’s electrical wiring harness.
This view of the Bestop Underseat Storage LockBox’s underside shows its front and rear brackets mounted with the kit-supplied M5-0.8x8mm pan head Phillips screws, and the box’s contoured shape designed to fit as low and secure as possible to the Jeep’s tub. If Bestop doesn’t offer brackets that fit your rig, it’d be easy to fabricate brackets for any vehicle.
We placed the assembled Bestop Underseat Storage LockBox in position on the now cleared out floor to check mounting alignment, prior to (with help from a friend) lowering the seat over it and into position to be bolted back to the floor. The two front seat bracket bolts also go through the front mounting bracket of the LockBox. It’s a tight fit between the sides of the LockBox and the seat mount flanges, and it’s meant to be. We dare you to get both parts lined up and bolted in without scratching the LockBox — we couldn’t avoid a couple of nicks along the way.
Bestop
800-845-3567
www.bestop.com/underseat-driver-side-lockbox
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