Defender Rear Roof Shelf

[Kelly928]

I have seen a couple of variations of a high mounted rear shelf. This is mine.

It consists of 2 brackets (58cm, galvanised) and a sheet steel mesh shelf (119cm x 60cm). Bought from IKEA for $12 (1 pair brackets) and $42 (shelf). They are from the Broder series. The brackets have a lip and are designed to go with the shelf.

Note that this shelf is completely mounted to the cargo barrier.

Had to slightly modify the bracket with dremel ($50 Ozito kit, Bunnings) to allow it to extend through the cargo barrier mesh.

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Marked and drilled holes (5mm) in bracket after aligning it with cargo barrier frame. The holes are slightly out of alignment as they follow the slight bend in the cargo barrier.

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Then marked the holes on the cargo barrier frame with the bracket and drilled (5mm) through the frame. Make sure the bracket is level then mark holes.

The brackets were then secured to the cargo barrier using 5mm x 30mm high tensile bolts, washer, spring washer and nut.

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The shelf then sits on the lip. I deceided to drill new holes and used smaller bolts with washer and nut as the shelf did not line up exactly with the predrilled holes. No biggie.

[Kelly928]

The shelf is mounted just above the sliding windows. The shelf extends about 3/4 towards the rear door.

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Its strong, solid and costs about $60. Very happy.

[Xtreme]

Here's another variation which makes use of the internal roof space in the rear of a Defender.

This rack was made from a section of pool fence. It's hinged at the front and drops down to load gear and is secured at the rear by a couple of wing bolts fitted to a bracket that replaces the OE handles above the rear door.

Once again, cost was minimal - a few welding rods and a can of spray paint - hinges are a couple of 8mm bolts with washers and nylock nuts.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1044.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/1045.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/638.jpg

[jddisco200tdi]

Good work, nice and light.

John D - Defender 110 2.4

See attachments for my version, designed to hold a centre pole canvas tent.

[scott oz]

[QUOTE=Kelly928;1210913]

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QUOTE]

Mate nice bracketing job. The toll in this pic is that a Dermal size tool it looks a lot more substantial

[Kelly928]

yea its the ozito brand dremmel from bunnings. Was $50 and came in a kit with a lot of different tips and also a flexible hose extension. Always wanted one guess this gave me a good enough reason. BTW the $50 one is a newer model. There is also the $30 ozito one without the accesories and is an older model.

[The Cone of Silence]

I did the same as Xtreme, with the pool fence and it was really easy.

Slightly different set-up at the door, slightly more rustic (!) and everything available from Bunnings.

I'm toying with the idea of fabricating a hinge in the shelf so that it can be folded and stored against the cargo barrier without taking any of the attachements off....but i'm concerned for it's structural integrity if I do that.

Fortunately I have a spare piece of pool fence that I can play with to see if I can make that work.

[Iain_B]

IKEA sell some wire baskets that are meant to hang under their shelves. They are around 180mm deep and 250mm across - four of them fit perfectly across the top of the cargo barrier, and are just the right height so that you can't see them in the rear view mirror. I attached them to the cargo barrier with a few cable ties, and they hold all of our beach towels, costumes, spare jackets etc. About $8 each when we bought them IIRC

I'll bring a camera home from the workshop and take some photos.

[jc109]

IKEA sell some wire baskets that are meant to hang under their shelves. They are around 180mm deep and 250mm across - four of them fit perfectly across the top of the cargo barrier, and are just the right height so that you can't see them in the rear view mirror. I attached them to the cargo barrier with a few cable ties, and they hold all of our beach towels, costumes, spare jackets etc. About $8 each when we bought them IIRC

I'll bring a camera home from the workshop and take some photos.

G'day Iain,

Please excuse my impatience, but I'm pretty keen to see these baskets!

How'd you go with getting a camera?

James

[Iain_B]

This is what the IKEA baskets look like - full of our beach stuff, jackets, clothes etc.

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Close up of a basket

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Side view

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