Rear storage/load barrier idea'r...
- Thread starter BIGdaddy
- Start date
toyota_jon
Adventurer
looks great!
BigAl
Expedition Leader
Did you do this already or is this someone else's? It look's good. I've built 2storage trays for cherokees, I use angle bolted to the side just under the upper trim (remove the side pannel first). Then I set a full width tray on the angel brackets. If you're not planning a full cage, it may work for you. If you've already done this, disregard. Here's a picture of a similar tray I did in a tracker.
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
I like it too but...
In a rear end collision its going to be a cranium cracker.
If your little ones are still in full car seats it won't matter but once in boosters...
In a rear end collision its going to be a cranium cracker.
If your little ones are still in full car seats it won't matter but once in boosters...
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
Sorry for the lack of clarity, BigAl, I haven't done this yet, but I hear my welder calling...lol.
RM, I was thinking maybe I could attch padded headrests it for when the kids got older (they are still in carseats, actually) or when I take my buddies to lunch while at work...
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
That may work.
Have you seen the thread on NAXJA where the guy added head rests to the stock rear seat? It looked OEM when done. I can try to find the thread if you are interested in having a look.
The other option is to retrofit a WJ rear bench. I like that idea too. It is not a bolt in thing though.
I mention these options because I'm not keen on attaching headrests to a steel barrier. I initially thought I'd do that but after stewing on it for a while I decided that there would not be enough "give" in the event of a real accident. 2-3" of foam strapped to a cinder block still hurts when it drops on your foot.
Using a "normal" head rest setup means that the load is cantilevered off the back of the seat and it will have some give when needed.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. But I'll probably need to do something soon since my little guys have both finally migrated to booster seats (without rear seat back).
FWIW, currently I have a Raingler rear barrier. It works well enough for my needs. I've been thinking about finding a finer rear cargo net out of another car from the wrecker. String that up behind the rear seat so that smaller items are constrained as well. We always try to have everything strapped down in the back but occasionally if in a rush a small item or two might be left unsecured. Or even think about bags of groceries. It would be nice to not get an orange in the back of the head if something were to happen on the way home from the store. LOL
Sorry to be a continual killjoy for your ideas - I really don't mean to be. Maybe I'm too fussy/anal about these kinds of things - you should hear the names the guys in our local 4x4 club have for me. LOL
:snorkel:
Have you seen the thread on NAXJA where the guy added head rests to the stock rear seat? It looked OEM when done. I can try to find the thread if you are interested in having a look.
The other option is to retrofit a WJ rear bench. I like that idea too. It is not a bolt in thing though.
I mention these options because I'm not keen on attaching headrests to a steel barrier. I initially thought I'd do that but after stewing on it for a while I decided that there would not be enough "give" in the event of a real accident. 2-3" of foam strapped to a cinder block still hurts when it drops on your foot.
Using a "normal" head rest setup means that the load is cantilevered off the back of the seat and it will have some give when needed.I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. But I'll probably need to do something soon since my little guys have both finally migrated to booster seats (without rear seat back).
FWIW, currently I have a Raingler rear barrier. It works well enough for my needs. I've been thinking about finding a finer rear cargo net out of another car from the wrecker. String that up behind the rear seat so that smaller items are constrained as well. We always try to have everything strapped down in the back but occasionally if in a rush a small item or two might be left unsecured. Or even think about bags of groceries. It would be nice to not get an orange in the back of the head if something were to happen on the way home from the store. LOL
Sorry to be a continual killjoy for your ideas - I really don't mean to be. Maybe I'm too fussy/anal about these kinds of things - you should hear the names the guys in our local 4x4 club have for me. LOL
:snorkel:
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
I have the cargo area divider, but no extra shelf. I thought about building one, but I carry such a wide variety of stuff, it would have to be easily removeable.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
I have the cargo area divider, but no extra shelf. I thought about building one, but I carry such a wide variety of stuff, it would have to be easily removeable.
hmmm...thats really nice, too and I am liking the mininal amount of weight added with that structure. I really like the shelf thats added with the design I originally suggested, I wonder if I could integrate a shelf into something like your design.
Thanks!
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
:sombrero:
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
Yes, they're secure. Even if they were to fall, notice that the sharp heads are covered by protective plastic. At any rate they aren't in the passenger area, they are in the cargo area. :ylsmoke:
I get the shocked response far more often than I ever thought I would when I started using this setup. However it never ceases to amaze me how little though is given to the layout of this setup before the words of caution are given. :snorkel:
I get the shocked response far more often than I ever thought I would when I started using this setup. However it never ceases to amaze me how little though is given to the layout of this setup before the words of caution are given. :snorkel:
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
I would recomend making the shelf a seperate unit somehow.
For the record, this piece is sturdy enough to support my 33" spare being strapped to it thusly....
WOW, I need to vacuume up the cargo area
My wife's reaction was very positive...
I like it, too.
-solid
-simple
-adds shelf
- still allows for big items like a stroller or cooler, etc.
thoughts?
Hey that looks like some good work, why didn't I think of that?
Oh wait that is my jeep....
I did it because I have 3 kids and last October I rolled my last XJ on the trail. My kids were not in the jeep at the time but if they had been it would have been bad. My tools went every where. I pulled a lot of things out of the back seat that were once in the rear cargo area. I wanted to keep my tools in the back and away from my kids.
If I get hit hard enough from the rear with something large enough to hit that high up to push the cage into the rear seat cargo shelf or not there are going to be problems. I've had it in now for about a month I guess and I am very happy with it. The only issue I have is the expanded metal is SHARP and I need to pull it out and have it powder coated to cover the edges.
Backwoods Rambler
Explorer
I'm not sure powder coating would do the trick. What about that rubber tool coating stuff. Results would be something like rubberized playground equipment.