Nice. Much better than my rig job.
Attic racks made cheap and easy - 80 series
- Thread starter LandCruiserPhil
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I'm thinking about finding a smaller raised side rack, about the dimensions of the side window, hinging it at the bottom of the window with two straps on each side so that it becomes a fold down shelf that you can swing back up when not in use. Anybody do this already?
Of course I wouldn't put anything big or heavy on them, but it could be a good thing to have.
Of course I wouldn't put anything big or heavy on them, but it could be a good thing to have.
Look into the metra shelves. Extra 10 bucks, a lip all around and no flex.
I am definitely going to replace it with a metra shelf, I just needed something for this weekend. The closest container store is 27 miles away, or as we say in southern California, about three hours away. I found this at Home Depot for $9, and it's "nickel" colored. It matches the grey interior pretty well!
txgringo
SILVER Star
I've been thinking about how to make a pivoting shelf for a while now and then ran across this thread. I like the grid panel option discussed here. It's a lot easier and cheaper than the option I was considering. I have some ideas on how to make the pivot work. Will post up once I get the parts in hand and get time to play with the design.
A couple people mentioned wanting a rubber coating, or wanting the shelf in different colors. Plastidip spray would be great for this application and has a lot of color options:
https://www.dipyourcar.com/colors.html
A couple people mentioned wanting a rubber coating, or wanting the shelf in different colors. Plastidip spray would be great for this application and has a lot of color options:
https://www.dipyourcar.com/colors.html
A new Container Store opened here, so I added the metro shelf and hanging drawer as well. $59 after tax. I got a piece of slotted angle iron from home depot and some washers ($9) and cut down the angle iron to size with sawzall. Had to "massage" the angle iron a bit with a small sledge to bend it to more of a 60 degree angle, but works great. Took the handle into Home Depot with me to make sure the pre-drilled holes would work with the screw holes.
The hanging drawer already has a stop on it to keep it from sliding out while driving, and does not slide out so easily that it vibrates. Nice little addition!
Included a shot of the rearview mirror to show that it doesn't affect sight line.
The hanging drawer already has a stop on it to keep it from sliding out while driving, and does not slide out so easily that it vibrates. Nice little addition!
Included a shot of the rearview mirror to show that it doesn't affect sight line.
And the fasteners I used, $2 each at Nuts and Bolts:
Hornd
SILVER Star
Whose gonna make shelf in expanded metal with a 1x1x1/8 Angle Welded around and brackets already attach to bolt and go?
This guys is. Jealousy pics to follow
This guys is. Jealousy pics to follow
SwissArmyScott
SILVER Star
These look awesome, thanks for the ideas. I'm trying to fit a bed in the back of my 80 and a hanging rack would be great for extra storage.
So here is a question..
I love this idea (everyone seems to) and just ordered the inter-metro shelf from the container store. It seems to have the right load ratig, lip around the perimeter, and is black. All the solutions look good, but this seems to be the best for only about $5-$10 more.
I notice the round corners for the posts are nicely exposed and was thinking of different ways to use them rather than let them go to waste. Like most I load the back with my camping gear. On one side i have a cooler with soft stuff on top. On the other side are two large storage bins (the heavy duty yellow top ones). One is in the truck at all times and has tools, parts etc. The other is loaded for camping and has all the kitchen, fire and misc stuff. Sleeping bags, chairs, tents, etc all pack on the sides in the space left.
I love this idea (everyone seems to) and just ordered the inter-metro shelf from the container store. It seems to have the right load ratig, lip around the perimeter, and is black. All the solutions look good, but this seems to be the best for only about $5-$10 more.
I notice the round corners for the posts are nicely exposed and was thinking of different ways to use them rather than let them go to waste. Like most I load the back with my camping gear. On one side i have a cooler with soft stuff on top. On the other side are two large storage bins (the heavy duty yellow top ones). One is in the truck at all times and has tools, parts etc. The other is loaded for camping and has all the kitchen, fire and misc stuff. Sleeping bags, chairs, tents, etc all pack on the sides in the space left.
- So my question is this, Why not cut down a full size unit, or build one with 4 legs and 2-3 shelves, and just be able to stack things more easily. I realize with a drawer system or fridge this might get clumsy, but think most could do this and make loading / unloading easier. The only drawback I see is the depth. Has this been done before?
- I like the idea of a barrier behind the second row. I don't like the idea of all my gear (yes, its secured) flying forward and killing my kid in a rollover or crash. I have seen the custom barrier that someone makes for about $400. Has anyone made one from this material or the display panel? I have seen the cargo net but it looks horrible
^^ So your kid isn't worth $400?
I jest, but the unit you refer to is very nicely built and I feel confident that it would hold back a fair amount of gear in a significant accident. At a minimum it would slow things down quite a bit. I just wish, and am somewhat surprised, that the vendor doesn't offer an attic option.
I jest, but the unit you refer to is very nicely built and I feel confident that it would hold back a fair amount of gear in a significant accident. At a minimum it would slow things down quite a bit. I just wish, and am somewhat surprised, that the vendor doesn't offer an attic option.
Sort of a dick response. I am saying that I am seeking a solution to the problem. I am saying I have seen 2 options (the cheap and ineffective net, and the pricey and probably very effective barrier made by a member here), and I am asking if there are any options that I have not seen that others have found. I am asking for information on products so I can make the most informed decision without people telling me about solutions I have already read (ie, "search is your friend")
The material for the attic rack seems ideal for a filler material if someone had a proper perimeter built to support it and I am asking if anyone has done this. For example placing the shelf side to side with square or round tubing around the perimeter, trimmed to fit I have already contacted the MUD member here who makes these, but all his posts on the matter appear old and I am not sure if he still makes them, so I am looking for options, because I see the potential for problems.
I'm sure the thousands of MUD members who did not buy these consider their family worth >$400, despite never buying the product. However as a Paramedic for over 20 years who has seen accidents you can't imagine, as well as being the parent of a child who has a TBI and has been disabled since birth, I think of these things, and want to make the best decision, But thanks for your 2 cents J/A
Apparently you do not understand what 'jest' means... 
I do, But telling someone they don't consider their kid worth $400 and then saying Just kidding still ain't cool. If I insulted your wife, or kids, followed up by a just kidding, Id still be a bit of a jerk..right? Don't want to hijack thread with drama so lets let it be.
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- #137
In my old 80 years ago I made a barrier with wire shelving. Worked good the kids are still alive.
That's the sort of thing I was referring to, Thanks for posting. However it looks like a roll-bar hoop you have there and at that point buying the member built one is a more realistic option. Family camping and offroading, so I'm not likely to need a roll-bar, at this point anyway
I also had the idea to add a cargo retainer to my attic rack, so I did it. Yes. I'll use more clamps to attach the rack to the angle iron. No its not a perfectly crafted cage. Yes. I'm proud of my low budget rack.
The angle iron is just some cross braces I removed from an old bed frame. I drilled 6 mm holes though, to bolt the angle iron where the grab handle had been. I stacked some nuts to make stand offs so the angle iron cleared the rear speakers.
I clamped the angle iron for the top rail in a vice, so I could twist the front of it. That way the vertical angle iron was actually vertical. I trimmed the top end of the long (hypotenuse) angle iron, so I could fold it over the top angle iron. I bolted the angle iron triangle together with 1/4" grade 5 hardware.
I think there is a fair chance that a major impact will tear the rack out of the (4) 6mm bolts that used to hold the grab handles in place; but I think the cage will hold together. The cage does not fit over the rear seats, so it will save me a headache at least once.
The angle iron is just some cross braces I removed from an old bed frame. I drilled 6 mm holes though, to bolt the angle iron where the grab handle had been. I stacked some nuts to make stand offs so the angle iron cleared the rear speakers.
I clamped the angle iron for the top rail in a vice, so I could twist the front of it. That way the vertical angle iron was actually vertical. I trimmed the top end of the long (hypotenuse) angle iron, so I could fold it over the top angle iron. I bolted the angle iron triangle together with 1/4" grade 5 hardware. I think there is a fair chance that a major impact will tear the rack out of the (4) 6mm bolts that used to hold the grab handles in place; but I think the cage will hold together. The cage does not fit over the rear seats, so it will save me a headache at least once.
Now Thats slick! Thank you
