Fitting A Top Box

I won this top box on Ebay, I almost got it for £25 but the bids went up to £52.50 in the last few seconds.

But I am very pleased with it, as new with all the fittings, and it was only about 10 miles away for collection.

The box was grey and black like most others these days, but I wanted it white to match the van so I called at the local Hombase on the way back for a couple of tins of spray paint which is supposed to be OK for plastic; time will tell. Luckily Homebase were having a 15% off week-end so I got the paint for £8.25 a can.

Sprayed the box several coats and used up all the paint, possibly could have done with a couple more coats as it is a bit patchy in places but I had spent enough on the paint. It was a very hot day so the paint dried really quickly.

I had planned to fit the box the following day, but the paint was completely dry within an hour so I decided to carry on and get the job done.

The back of the transit where I was fitting the box has a raised square section and just sitting the box in place it seamed a bit wobbly as there was perhaps a 4" to 8" overhang all round, but that is where it had to go so I was hopeful that when it was secured down that it would feel more solid.

After a lot of measuring I got the box in the correct position and proceeded to drill the holes for the self tapping screws. The box came with the usual fittings for securing it to roof bars, part of the fittings are 4 metal plates about 6" x 2" with 2 holes drilled in each about 4" apart, these were ideal to use as backing plates inside the box. Drilled the 4 holes in one side then lifted the box and put plenty of Sikaflex around an in-between all the screw holes, then it was just a matter of starting the screws off to keep it in position while I drilled the other side.

The other side was done the same way and then all the screws tightened, a liberal coating of Sikaflex was then applied to the screw heads and round the brackets, although they are inside the box still better to seal them. And I am glad to say no wobbling, safe and secure.

So that was it job done, picked up painted and fitted in less than 4 hours, one thing now I need a way of climbing up the back to get into the box.

I have been looking at various van ladders on Ebay but they are either too flimsy or far too expensive.

While discussing this on the self build Facebook group someone mentioned that he had used these grab handles instead of a ladder, and they looked to me to be a very good alternative and a not too bad price of £35 for 4.

So they are ordered and I will get them fitted as soon as they arrive, need to buy bolts for them and some large washers for the back but I will wait till they arrive to make sure I get the right size.

Hopefully they will arrive in time for me to fit them before Saturday as I will be away in the van for a couple of days from Sunday. More photos and a blog on fitting them as soon as it's done