TRX250R.ORG

Workshop => Body and Controls => Topic started by: havinnoj on February 19, 2020, 01:07:42 PM

Title: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 19, 2020, 01:07:42 PM
I've never had an 88-89 toolbox in my hands so can't compare.  Sounds like a 400ex box will fit, but is it a perfect fit or any issues (like the 250R tools don't fit or something)? 

Or am I better off finding a nice 88-89 toolbox?
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: croat1 on February 19, 2020, 02:13:17 PM
Ryan, I’m almost positive the 400ex and 300ex are the same for the 88/89 R.  I’ll do some more research to verify fitment and if they do fit I’ll check on what year 400/300 boxes.

Joe
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 19, 2020, 02:58:51 PM
Any of the factory toolbox's are too spendy for me, I'll use a fanny pack or anything else to do the same thing. How about a dirt bike tool bag designed for the crossbar on the handlebars to do the job, in the factory location where the stock tool box goes. I bought an MSR fanny bag for $6.00 last year that will work too..
desertR

Thanks but I already have an internal fanny pack.. don't need an external one lol.  The dirt bike tool bag option is nice but don't want anything on the bars.. already have the tools, just need to know which box will fit back there on the spare bike.

Ryan, I’m almost positive the 400ex and 300ex are the same for the 88/89 R.  I’ll do some more research to verify fitment and if they do fit I’ll check on what year 400/300 boxes.

Joe

Appreciate it Joe!
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 19, 2020, 09:27:03 PM
What I meant was to put the handle bar bag where the stock tool box would go, attaching with zipties or what it came with.
desertR

Oh interesting idea. I may give that a deeper look.  But looks like the 400ex ones can be bought new for $30 or so. Probably the easiest route for me.
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: croat1 on February 19, 2020, 09:55:25 PM
From what I see guys are saying 99-07 trx400ex work.  One old school trick to keep the cap on is the wrap the threads on the box with a few wraps of electrical tape.  Another trick is to use a piece of bicycle tube on the threads.

Joe
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: Langbolt on February 20, 2020, 07:17:27 AM
I used a 400EX on my Laeger (which is '88-'89 mounts)....i just had to elongate one hole and it fit.... :D

I have pics at home.....I can upload later... :)
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: broken1 on February 20, 2020, 11:12:42 AM
Quote
Oh interesting idea. I may give that a deeper look.  But looks like the 400ex ones can be bought new for $30 or so. Probably the easiest route for me.

I have a 400ex tool box if your interested in it Ryan. Just pay for shipping & you can have it.
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 20, 2020, 04:32:48 PM

Quote
Oh interesting idea. I may give that a deeper look.  But looks like the 400ex ones can be bought new for $30 or so. Probably the easiest route for me.

I have a 400ex tool box if your interested in it Ryan. Just pay for shipping & you can have it.

Appreciate it Kevin! Let me make sure it will do what it needs and I'll likely take it off your hands Kevin.  8)
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: Langbolt on February 20, 2020, 06:09:10 PM
Pics Uploaded above

:D
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: 2ndmoto on February 20, 2020, 09:37:25 PM
Looks good
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 21, 2020, 12:51:41 PM
I used a 400EX on my Laeger (which is '88-'89 mounts)....i just had to elongate one hole and it fit.... :D

I have pics at home.....I can upload later... :)


Awesome!  Did the little bushings fit okay too?
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: Langbolt on February 23, 2020, 05:12:27 PM
@havinnoj

I made a couple aluminum spacers to get the offset i needed.

I did use the factory washers with the step in them if these are the bushings you are referring to.

;)
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 23, 2020, 11:06:56 PM
@havinnoj

I made a couple aluminum spacers to get the offset i needed.

I did use the factory washers with the step in them if these are the bushings you are referring to.

;)

Thank you sir!  So maybe easier to find a proper 250R one?
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: Langbolt on February 24, 2020, 08:53:37 AM
@havinnoj

Thank you sir!  So maybe easier to find a proper 250R one?

Maybe....but a 250R toolbox will be pricey.....you can get a brand new 400EX toolbox from Honda for $34 :D
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: broken1 on February 24, 2020, 10:22:07 AM
Ryan if you need spacers to make this work I have a lathe so I can turn some spacers real quick & send them with the toolbox if you want to go that route.
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 24, 2020, 02:17:21 PM
@havinnoj

Thank you sir!  So maybe easier to find a proper 250R one?

Maybe....but a 250R toolbox will be pricey.....you can get a brand new 400EX toolbox from Honda for $34 :D

True true.


Ryan if you need spacers to make this work I have a lathe so I can turn some spacers real quick & send them with the toolbox if you want to go that route.

Well hell Kevin, I can't say no to that!  Just let me know what I owe you w/shipping - no rush, just need by dune season lol.  I just took the Laeger apart.. spare is coming apart next.  You'd think I'd learn not to take them apart this time of year after 20 years doing R's lol.
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: broken1 on February 24, 2020, 09:48:34 PM
For material I have stainless, aluminum & mild steel. Which one of those 3 do you want & how long?
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 24, 2020, 11:14:22 PM
For material I have stainless, aluminum & mild steel. Which one of those 3 do you want & how long?

SS or aluminum would be better for rust prevention.  As for the spacer length, my grab bar extends straight back so probably doesn't need much (unless I'm missing something from the pics).  Maybe 1/8-1/4" would be more than enough.
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: broken1 on February 25, 2020, 01:04:50 AM
No problem.... There's a few other options for spacer material I forgot about. I have some brass stock or there's a few different hard wood options like black walnut, oak or exotic purple heart wood. I also have cedar & fir but they might not hold up as long.
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: havinnoj on February 25, 2020, 01:32:10 PM
No problem.... There's a few other options for spacer material I forgot about. I have some brass stock or there's a few different hard wood options like black walnut, oak or exotic purple heart wood. I also have cedar & fir but they might not hold up as long.

Thanks Kevin, I think the SS or aluminum would be great.. wood won't go with my build lol
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: All250R on February 25, 2020, 06:48:32 PM
Cedar does have a nice scent sometimes... make an R like a viking war ship.
I shouldn't post this on a forum, but some years of TRX250 have the same toolbox. You can sometimes find a deal from someone who doesn't know it fits the 250R as well. Here's one with a damaged hole that could probably be heated and reformed for $25. toolbox (https://www.ebay.com/itm/87-HONDA-TRX250-FOURTRAX-TRX-250-TOOL-BOX-ASY/400166203006?epid=1141714272&hash=item5d2bc3ae7e:g:p8EAAOxyJ8ZRhiEH:sc:USPSFirstClass!84138!US!-1)
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: broken1 on February 25, 2020, 08:29:09 PM
I recently hand planed & sanded a 6'x18"x2" live edge cedar slab for a work bench in my boy's room & it made the shop smell good for a week.... But not quite as good as when I start up the R to make the shop smell like race gas.
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: broken1 on February 26, 2020, 11:29:58 AM
From what I see guys are saying 99-07 trx400ex work.  One old school trick to keep the cap on is the wrap the threads on the box with a few wraps of electrical tape.  Another trick is to use a piece of bicycle tube on the threads.

Joe

The 400ex toolbox I'm sending Ryan had a loose cap. While looking for a piece of inner tube to slip over the end I saw a bag of used cool head o-rings & found the inner dome o-ring is an almost perfect fit. Buying new hi-temp cool-head o-rings would be an expensive route but you could take the box to an auto parts store & find an o-ring to fit & that will fix the loose cap problem... Or you could just buy a brand new box.lol
(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/bd/ad/b8/982ae71335345433.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/982ae71335345433)  (https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/b0/a5/e1/493fb71335344916.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/493fb71335344916)
Title: Re: Tool Box - OEM 88-89 vs 400ex
Post by: desertR on February 26, 2020, 03:08:44 PM
I've heard that a couple wraps of electrical tape will tighten them also. Must be common. Sounds like it needs a safety wire keeper.
desertR