Ever since buying the 4Runner, I've been looking for a way to organize all the random tools, straps, gloves, and miscellaneous junk that inevitably accumulates in a daily-driven vehicle. In the F250, everything lived in a toolbox mounted in the bed. It wasn't fancy, but it worked. Moving to the 4Runner meant I needed a new solution.

Naturally, I started looking at storage options online. Unfortunately, that's when I discovered the world of "overland" storage boxes. Apparently, if you put the words overland, adventure, or expedition in front of a plastic box, the price immediately triples. Don't get me wrong, some of those systems are impressive, they're also expensive. The reality is I don't need a storage box that can survive being dropped out of a helicopter in the Australian Outback, I need something that keeps my jumper cables from launching across the cargo area every time I take a corner.

Enter the Plano Storage Locker.

For around thirty bucks, it checked every box I cared about. It fits almost perfectly in the rear cargo area, holds everything I wanted to carry, and even matches the interior surprisingly well. Most importantly, it cost about one-tenth of what some of the overland alternatives were asking. Of course, I couldn't leave it completely alone.

I drilled a few holes and used some leftover paracord to create carrying handles. A piece of blind cord became a lid tether to keep the top from opening too far. Nothing fancy, just a few small improvements using materials I already had lying around the garage. It looks clean, keeps everything organized, and doesn't draw attention to itself. Exactly what I was after.