Truck storage box

Abstract

A method of retrofitting a commercial truck having aerodynamic body panels with a storage box. A first body panel located between the front and rear axles of the truck below the cab of the truck is removed from the truck to provide a space for the storage box. The storage box is secured to the chassis frame rail of the truck. The first body panel is then secured to a front access door of the storage box. The storage box is dimensioned such that when the first body panel is attached to the access door, the body panel is located in the same position as it originally was on the truck prior to being removed.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of retrofitting a commercial truck having aerodynamic body panels with a storage box comprising: 
 removing a first body panel from the truck, the first body panel being located between a front axle and a rear axle of the truck and below a cab of the truck to expose a space to be used to accommodate the storage box;    providing a storage box configured to fit within the space provided for the storage box, the storage box having a vertically hinged front access door, the storage box being dimensioned such that when the first body panel is attached to the front access door and the storage box is mounted to the truck, the first body panel is located in essentially the same position on the truck as it was prior to being removed from the truck;    securing the storage box to a chassis frame rail of the truck; and    securing the first body panel to the front access door of the storage box.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , and wherein the truck comprises a second body panel which partially overlaps the first body panel when the first body panel is mounted to the access door of the storage box, and wherein the overlap is proximate the hinged side of the access door, the method further comprising overlapping the second body panel over an outward facing surface of the first body panel.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , and wherein the truck comprises a second body panel which partially overlaps the first body panel when the first body panel is mounted to the access door of the storage box, and wherein the overlap is distal from the hinged side of access door, the method further comprising overlapping the first body panel over an outward facing surface of the second body panel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , and wherein at least one body panel brace from the original manufacturer of the truck is reused in mounting the first body panel to the access door.