Truck Safe

Rjeezie · November 3, 2011, 09:28 AM

Not sure if this is the right section...

I just bought a truck (F150 4x4 Lariat) and was wondering if anybody has installed a "safe" for a handgun (I have a Walther PPS). I've seen a few before where you could take out the factory console and install a safe there, or even a spring loaded one that is bolted between the seat and console. Unfortunately, I don't know any of the names of these, or not sure if they are any good. Just looking for some thoughts on keeping your gun nice and safe/secure in a truck.

ScotchMan · November 3, 2011, 10:15 AM

I suspect this might get moved to the gear forum.

I have a small "GunVault" brand lockbox with a steel cable that wraps around my seat. The safe itself gets shoved under my seat. It cost $19.99 at Gander Mountain, so it can probably be had for $10 online. I could probably get it open with a pocketknife if I wanted to, but I don't leave guns in the car unattended for long periods of time, and it is hidden as well.

I have seen some custom gloveboxes or center console boxes designed for guns, but I'm of the opinion that guns shouldn't be left in cars unless you are just running into the post office or somesuch.

loose_holster_dan · November 3, 2011, 10:26 AM

I have a holster mount in the console box on my avalanche. it came with a steel cable that you could run through the mount and around the back strap that would pull tight and lock with a standard padlock. that will stop a casual, unprepared thief. anyone who knows it's there could get through it with bolt cutters or a pry bar could rip the mount out of the console

to this point tho, if you are in a bad enough neighborhood that you are worried about your truck getting broken into, shouldn't you have the gun ON YOU? in my opinion, as long as it is out of sight and not enticing a would-be thief, you are pretty safe from theft in most situations.

Don H · November 3, 2011, 10:43 AM

Rjeezie, this thread may give you some ideas: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292503

Rjeezie · November 3, 2011, 11:07 AM

No I'm not really in a bad enough neighborhood where people break into cars, but I just want to err on the safe side you know. And I don't plan on just leaving the gun in the car all the time, but again, it's just to be on the safe side.

Rjeezie · November 3, 2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Rjeezie, this thread may give you some ideas: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292503

Thanks for the thread, I'm going to look through it at home (can't pull up the pictures here at work).

C0untZer0 · November 3, 2011, 11:34 AM

What stops a thief from just unbolting the bolts from the bottom?

I was thinking that you'd need some special kind of nut on the bottom - like those special lug nuts for wheels (not sure of bolt size) but regular nuts seem to be a weak link in installing these types of safes in trucks.

FAS1 · November 3, 2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

What stops a thief from just unbolting the bolts from the bottom?

I was thinking that you'd need some special kind of nut on the bottom - like those special lug nuts for wheels (not sure of bolt size) but regular nuts seem to be a weak link in installing these types of safes in trucks.

All you need is lock nuts on the inside of the box and use large diameter fender washers for added strength under the floorboard and in the box if it is not made of very thick metal. Here's mine.

Here's how it works:

http://youtu.be/CcJUGuB35y8

You could sideways under a rear seat as well but this was the best place for my vehicle since I wanted to have access from the driver's seat.

shanzlik · November 3, 2011, 12:39 PM

I have an FAS1. It's a very good product, much beefier than the vast majority of small gun safes and no need for a key or batteries. It will fit inside of many of today's larger consoles.

Rjeezie · November 3, 2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

I have an FAS1. It's a very good product, much beefier than the vast majority of small gun safes and no need for a key or batteries. It will fit inside of many of today's larger consoles.

How do you secure it in the console? Same way as the floor?

shanzlik · November 3, 2011, 06:54 PM

Yep, bolts through the console and floor. I like it in the console so it isn't visible unless the console is open.

**4V50 Gary** · November 3, 2011, 08:34 PM

Moved to correct forum.

C0untZer0 · November 4, 2011, 09:12 PM

So the bolt comes up from the bottom, and the lock nuts are in the inside of the safe?

MLeake · November 4, 2011, 11:18 PM

C0untZer0, the point isn't to make an impregnable safe in the vehicle. It really can't be done on a normal person's budget. (For that matter, a top-end gun safe in your house isn't impregnable, if the thief has cutting tools, skill, and time.)

The "time" thing is the critical bit.

A thief can break into my console vault, but he probably can't do it rapidly, and he probably can't do it inconspicuously. He will look like he is breaking into something, and it will take him long enough that people are likely to notice.

That's the deterrent value.

November 3, 2011, 09:28 AM	#1
Rjeezie Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 232	Truck Safe Not sure if this is the right section... I just bought a truck (F150 4x4 Lariat) and was wondering if anybody has installed a "safe" for a handgun (I have a Walther PPS). I've seen a few before where you could take out the factory console and install a safe there, or even a spring loaded one that is bolted between the seat and console. Unfortunately, I don't know any of the names of these, or not sure if they are any good. Just looking for some thoughts on keeping your gun nice and safe/secure in a truck.

November 3, 2011, 10:15 AM	#2
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	I suspect this might get moved to the gear forum. I have a small "GunVault" brand lockbox with a steel cable that wraps around my seat. The safe itself gets shoved under my seat. It cost $19.99 at Gander Mountain, so it can probably be had for $10 online. I could probably get it open with a pocketknife if I wanted to, but I don't leave guns in the car unattended for long periods of time, and it is hidden as well. I have seen some custom gloveboxes or center console boxes designed for guns, but I'm of the opinion that guns shouldn't be left in cars unless you are just running into the post office or somesuch. __________________ Everyday Loadout NRA Instructor NRA Member

November 3, 2011, 10:26 AM	#3
loose_holster_dan Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2011 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 2,461	I have a holster mount in the console box on my avalanche. it came with a steel cable that you could run through the mount and around the back strap that would pull tight and lock with a standard padlock. that will stop a casual, unprepared thief. anyone who knows it's there could get through it with bolt cutters or a pry bar could rip the mount out of the console to this point tho, if you are in a bad enough neighborhood that you are worried about your truck getting broken into, shouldn't you have the gun ON YOU? in my opinion, as long as it is out of sight and not enticing a would-be thief, you are pretty safe from theft in most situations. __________________ Favorite range gun for the money - CZ 75B or STI Spartan V 9mm Go-to carry setup - Walther PPS or PPQ in FIST kydex holster 1AK Favorite semi-auto design - HK P7 "A Sig is like a lightsaber - not as clumsy or random as a Glock."

November 3, 2011, 10:43 AM	#4
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	Rjeezie, this thread may give you some ideas: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292503 __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

November 3, 2011, 12:39 PM	#9
shanzlik Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 547	I have an FAS1. It's a very good product, much beefier than the vast majority of small gun safes and no need for a key or batteries. It will fit inside of many of today's larger consoles. __________________ TSRA Life Member, NRA Endowment Life Member, SAF Life Member My EDC - STI Shadow My blog - firearm reviews, etc.

November 3, 2011, 11:07 AM	#5
Rjeezie Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 232	No I'm not really in a bad enough neighborhood where people break into cars, but I just want to err on the safe side you know. And I don't plan on just leaving the gun in the car all the time, but again, it's just to be on the safe side.

November 3, 2011, 11:34 AM	#7
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	What stops a thief from just unbolting the bolts from the bottom? I was thinking that you'd need some special kind of nut on the bottom - like those special lug nuts for wheels (not sure of bolt size) but regular nuts seem to be a weak link in installing these types of safes in trucks.

November 3, 2011, 06:54 PM	#11
shanzlik Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 547	Yep, bolts through the console and floor. I like it in the console so it isn't visible unless the console is open. __________________ TSRA Life Member, NRA Endowment Life Member, SAF Life Member My EDC - STI Shadow My blog - firearm reviews, etc.

November 3, 2011, 08:34 PM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Moved to correct forum. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 4, 2011, 09:12 PM	#13
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	So the bolt comes up from the bottom, and the lock nuts are in the inside of the safe?

November 4, 2011, 11:18 PM	#14
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	C0untZer0, the point isn't to make an impregnable safe in the vehicle. It really can't be done on a normal person's budget. (For that matter, a top-end gun safe in your house isn't impregnable, if the thief has cutting tools, skill, and time.) The "time" thing is the critical bit. A thief can break into my console vault, but he probably can't do it rapidly, and he probably can't do it inconspicuously. He will look like he is breaking into something, and it will take him long enough that people are likely to notice. That's the deterrent value.