rfitzpatrick
Well-known member
They offer a tool box that fits below the radiator and between the frame horns.
Is this a quality tool box? What do you know plz?
TKS
Is this a quality tool box? What do you know plz?
TKS
Bratton's Tool Box
- Thread starter rfitzpatrick
- Start date
Just remember that
1. A tool box in that location blocks the crank hole. Maybe not so much of an issue on the road but if you use a crank or a socket to rotate your engine when you're working on it. it can be a pain.
2. Too much weight there may make it harder to steer.
1. A tool box in that location blocks the crank hole. Maybe not so much of an issue on the road but if you use a crank or a socket to rotate your engine when you're working on it. it can be a pain.
2. Too much weight there may make it harder to steer.
nkaminar
Well-known member
There are two different ones, I think. I have the square one, see https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976981&cat=41753.
It bolts to the same hardware that fastens the front irons that the front bumper is mounted to. You just take the 4 nuts off, add the box, and re install the nuts. The box is good quality and the lock is good. It holds a lot of stuff. I used mine for engine oil, parts, coolant, and some rags. The car came with it on and I took it off shortly after that because it looked out of place to me. After running out of room for all my stuff in the trunk I put it back on but have recently taken it off again when I pulled the engine to fix an oil leak. The problem with the box is that you cannot use the hand crank for timing or to start the engine with a weak battery.
If anyone wants to buy my box, I will let it go for $99.99. Pickup only, no shipping.
It bolts to the same hardware that fastens the front irons that the front bumper is mounted to. You just take the 4 nuts off, add the box, and re install the nuts. The box is good quality and the lock is good. It holds a lot of stuff. I used mine for engine oil, parts, coolant, and some rags. The car came with it on and I took it off shortly after that because it looked out of place to me. After running out of room for all my stuff in the trunk I put it back on but have recently taken it off again when I pulled the engine to fix an oil leak. The problem with the box is that you cannot use the hand crank for timing or to start the engine with a weak battery.
If anyone wants to buy my box, I will let it go for $99.99. Pickup only, no shipping.
Last edited:
ed thibodeau
Senior Member
I have one that when mounted follows the curve of the frame horn, so the front is
lower than the back. I opened a hole in the back in line with the crank hole with a small
cover over it. Lossen a screw and it swings out of the way and give access to crank
hole and is low enough in the front to clear the crank swing. It was made in lower Mich.
back inthe 90's. and works good.
lower than the back. I opened a hole in the back in line with the crank hole with a small
cover over it. Lossen a screw and it swings out of the way and give access to crank
hole and is low enough in the front to clear the crank swing. It was made in lower Mich.
back inthe 90's. and works good.
The Bratton's unit is super nice quality and plenty heavy duty. The smaller one whose top matches the top curvature of the fenders is more stylish but has a lot less room. To my knowledge, these smaller ones are no longer made as the fit was difficult if the mounting studs on the car were bent or otherwise mis-aligned. Manufacturer could not figure a way to standardize the mounting to "please" everyone whose studs or front frame horns were "out of whack".
Y-Blockhead
Well-known member
I have the tool box that I believe you are referring to. I get a lot of compliments and questions. And yes, they are no longer being produced. I think they were sold thru Mike's.
Attachments
Last edited:
Bob Bidonde
Well-known member
Since 2016 I have Bratton's 25080 Tool Box on my Victoria. This tool box is easy to install and it is high quality. The powder coat finish is excellent and durable. Besides being a tool box, it makes a handy seat. The only negatives are the box blocks the use of the hand-crank, the lock lacks a cover to keep water out of it and you need to be more careful when placing a floor jack on the center of the front axle. This rectangular tool box holds considerably more stuff than the contoured tool box.
I keep a bag full of hand tools, a scissor jack, tire irons, an ignition coil, a modern starter drive, a water pump, a fan belt, a set of radiator hoses, a distributor, a distributor body & cap, a tube patch kit, 2 boxes of small parts & hardware, a torque wrench, RainX, jar of Bar's Stop Leak, a multi-meter, a roll of duct tape, rags and paper towels in the box. Using magnets, I attach paperwork to inside of the top including a laminated head torque diagram.
I keep a bag full of hand tools, a scissor jack, tire irons, an ignition coil, a modern starter drive, a water pump, a fan belt, a set of radiator hoses, a distributor, a distributor body & cap, a tube patch kit, 2 boxes of small parts & hardware, a torque wrench, RainX, jar of Bar's Stop Leak, a multi-meter, a roll of duct tape, rags and paper towels in the box. Using magnets, I attach paperwork to inside of the top including a laminated head torque diagram.
Attachments
Last edited:
i had one mounted on my fordor sedan. I was able to keep a gallon of coolant, and tool box, quart of oil, and lots of other small misc parts and pieces. Some people don't like not being able to get a crank through the crank hole. In the 20 years i had my car i never used the crank to turn the engine over. I used on the nice ratchet nut wrenches (which also fit into the box) to turn the engine for timing. and the one thing people aren't mentioning it makes a nice seat at shows to rest.
ModelA29
Well-known member
The Master Cylinder
Well-known member
Your's appears to be the same a Bob's but is mounted a lot lower. It appears to be lower on one side also, compared to the radiator shell.
shew01
Well-known member
I have the tool box that I believe you are referring to. I get a lot of compliments and questions. And yes, they are no longer being produced. I think they were sold thru Mike's.
Skyler Deviney (an employee of the original manufacturer) built one for me in 11/2020. I don’t know if he still makes them or not.
tool storage
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...ead.php?t=297308&share_type=t&link_source=app
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ModelA29
Well-known member
My car came from Fresno - so doing the math it must be one you made......
Good job.
My trunk was made by [FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Bill Dohnke of [/FONT][FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Tres Burros Garage in Fresno.
[/FONT]
Last edited:
SDJason
Senior Member
I have the tool box that I believe you are referring to. I get a lot of compliments and questions. And yes, they are no longer being produced. I think they were sold thru Mike's.
On the off-chance that someone is interested in one, and is near Grand Rapids, there is one for sale (local pickup only) on ebay for $250.
Synchro909
Well-known member
I made one like that many years ago. It blends in so well, not many notice it.