raised shelf for cargo area.

[bama16]

I built this for our camping trips. Our little ones are getting bigger and like to get out more and more often. Stacking everything on the floor quickly became as mess as we have 4 sleeping bags, tent, folding chairs, cooler, all of our other camping essentials and our dog. This lets me keep all of our bags off the ground and some supports to strap other items to so they don't move around. I saw this on an xterra forum and decided to give it a shot in the 4runner. It's a harbor freight hitch cargo carrier, but i just bolted the two halves together and left the 2" receive out. They can be had for about $50 with tax with some of the coupons they are sending out. From there I welded some supports and bolted to the wheel wells. So far it's working great and leaves us with the extra space and organization we need.

I'm debating on some sort of quick release setup so i don't have to unbolt to remove, but how to execute is still undecided.

 

[xcmtb83]

Cool idea. I understand how quickly things get strewn about the cargo area. As far as a quick detach nothing comes to mind without changing the leg design. Just remember to keep any loose items tied down so they don't become projectiles should you get into an accident.

 

[Tass]

I needed room for 2 dog crates, side by side, and came up with this:

3" pvc, 1/2" plywood (hinged in the middle to make it easier to handle) and covered in carpet remnant. Storage underneath holds soft crate, first aid and other extra's. Between is chair storage and foul weather gear.

 

[dgoll75]

bama16 it looks killer. I got 2 of these 30" wire racks from Home Depot for $25 each then flipped the shelves so the rim was up to hold stuff in place. I had to cut one leg to make it go over the wheel well. Couple zip ties to the each rear seat head rest to keep them in place. I don't have your fab skills but wish I did. Yours looks amazing. Well done sir. Ill take an "L" shaped one when you start selling them! :bravo:

 

[Atrox Caeda]

I wonder if somewhere overseas there is a company that makes rear cargo dividers for 4runners/surfs for police use. That would be super ideal to have caged off incase of a roll over or something. Just don't install those big heavy gear boxes that are in all the Tahoes. They weigh 300lbs.

 

[bama16]

thanks for all the input guys. This isn't going to hold a whole lot of weight, no more than 40 lbs total. I debated on the leg width and triangulation, but when it came down to it, it seemed unnecessary, took up valuable space below the shelf, and became a lot of extra work with the hump for the filler neck. The items placed on the shelf will be held down by ratchet straps so they don't go anywhere.

 

[tre9er]

The items placed on the shelf will be held down by ratchet straps so they don't go anywhere.

Those bungee nets are kinda slick, too. Amazon has a ton of different sizes. Been wanting to get a few different sizes so I don't have to fiddle with a bunch of different straps, just throw the net over everything.

 

[heyoceanfloor]

Those bungee nets are kinda slick, too. Amazon has a ton of different sizes. Been wanting to get a few different sizes so I don't have to fiddle with a bunch of different straps, just throw the net over everything.

I like this idea too, I'm just not sure where to attach everything. Putting a few rings in so that it could be easily removed would be nice (i.e. for longer trips where the rear seats might be removed). 'Course I'm really new and hesitant to start throwing bolts just any old place.

 

[Jc12]

You could try putting in 4 bolts like you have but without the rack being mounted then put the rack on top of the existing bolts/nuts and screw it down with oversized wing nuts which might make it easier to remove. Then leave the bolts in there as a permanent fixture

 

[tre9er]

You could try putting in 4 bolts like you have but without the rack being mounted then put the rack on top of the existing bolts/nuts and screw it down with oversized wing nuts which might make it easier to remove. Then leave the bolts in there as a permanent fixture

I was thinking pins going through the legs, through the mounting brackets.

 

[MStudt]

I'm debating on some sort of quick release setup so i don't have to unbolt to remove, but how to execute is still undecided.

Put some tube connecting nuts in each of your 4 legs. Drill 4 holes in the rack, and pick up some thumb screws to hole it in place.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The first one posted [MENTION=49376]bama16[/MENTION] looks dangerous.

Anyone with a head high enough (young adult / adult) and sitting in the back, even seat-belted in, would be at legitimate risk of braining themselves to death if the car was in a significant accident.

 

[4x4mike]

To the OP. Is that rack the standard size or the ATV size. Inside of the 4Runner it looks a bit narrow but don't have measurements on me.

I'm looking to so something similar for the same reasons.

 

[4x4mike]

Thanks for the PM bama16, I used your idea for inspiration.

Here is what I came up with: http://www.ultimateyota.com/showthread.php?10733-3rd-Gen-Cargo-Shelf




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