--- title: "These Nifty Passthrough Truck Bed Boxes Were Around Way Before Rivian Made Them Cool" description: "Long before Rivian debuted the R1T's Gear Tunnel, aftermarket companies were making mid box storage for pickups." date: "2024-02-21" modified: "2024-02-21" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/these-nifty-passthrough-truck-bed-boxes-were-around-way-before-rivian-made-them-cool" categories: - "Aftermarket" - "Car Tech" - "News" tags: - "Chevrolet" - "Colorado" - "pickup" --- # These Nifty Passthrough Truck Bed Boxes Were Around Way Before Rivian Made Them Cool ![]() *\Rick's. YouTube\* When the[ Rivian R1T ]()was first revealed, one of its most exciting features was its Gear Tunnel, a long and practical passthrough compartment in between the cab and bed. It's a genuinely great idea that makes use of the R1T's electric vehicle packaging. However, while Rivian was the first manufacturer to offer such a passthrough from the factory, it wasn't the only company to offer one. Aftermarket companies designed passthrough compartments for the first-gen [Chevy Colorado]() in the early 2000s that effectively did the same thing as Rivian's Gear Tunnel, albeit not as gracefully. It was commonly called a "mid box" and it was exactly as it sounds—a box in the middle of the bed and the cab. It's unclear exactly how these mid-box trucks were designed since the bed looks unchanged. However, it seems as though they'd stretch the wheelbase out and move the bed back, drop a shorter bed, or maybe even swap a regular cab onto a crew cab frame and fit the mid box in the extra space. ![]() **Rick's. YouTube** With the mid box installed, the Colorado had a Rivian-like passthrough space that could be used for a variety of things. Long items like shovels or skis could be stored in there, or anything you'd want to keep out of the elements. Some owners even had multi-drawer toolboxes fitted, which would be hugely helpful for tradespeople. Regardless of what customers put in there, the mid box freed up tons of bed space and kept its contents dry. However, it certainly looked odd. With the mid box in place, the Colorado looks oddly long, even if it isn't much longer, if longer at all, than a Colorado crew cab. But what visually throws it off most is its normal-looking door. On the Rivian R1T, the Gear Tunnel is cleverly hidden, so you can barely tell it's there when the door is closed. On the modified Colorado, though, the mid box doors sport the same handles as the the truck's main doors. It's a wonder why there aren't more companies making aftermarket mid boxes anymore. The Colorado wasn't the only one, as another company made mid boxes for the 11th-generation[ Ford F-150](). Rivian proved there's still a market for mid box storage and it would be interesting to see more modern pickups, especially work trucks. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()