DIY Cargo Area Metal Shelf Bracket - PART 1 - Wrangler JL

⬇️MAIN TOPIC:
Learn how to DIY strong and secure cargo area metal shelf brackets for your Jeep Wrangler. It will only cost $40 (CDN), and requires the use of just a few basic tools.
Commercially Available Cargo Rack Example:
amzn.to/37UOtum
⬇️TIP:
Get a tip on optional shelf material choices
⬇️MAKE¢ENTS:
A subscribers shares a camping trip related to chuck boxes
With this content, Jeep fans will definitely get the most for their money to get the most for their Jeep.
*(DISCLAIMER: Any and all content provided on the website and KZbin channel is Cheaper JeeperTV’s opinion and for educational and discussion purposes only. Seek a professional’s advice where appropriate for your vehicle.)
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* Where possible, Affiliate links are used for products featured in the videos. This means that should you decide to make a purchase through the provided links, CheaperJeeperTV will earn a small commission that will go towards supporting the channel. Thank you.
⬇️ Things used in the making of this video:
1. Canon M50 4K Camera: amzn.to/2ZXPFZZ
2. Sennheiser MKE4 400 Microphone: amzn.to/2QRJGBZ
3. Camera Tripod: amzn.to/2ZRjfjM
4. My MacBook Pro for editing/uploading: amzn.to/2ZTb6eC
⬇️ Items Featured In This Video:
www.CheaperJeeperTV.com/featured-products/
⬇️Music:
Beyond The Line - Royalty Free Music from Bensound
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[@HYPERPANTHER]

Looking at a 2dr jeep and this would be a godsend for storage for the random camping trips. You're awesome.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Oh, go on! lol! Hey Logan, I’m glad you find the idea helpful. I plan to improve the bracket to include attachments for other things like storage and a fire extinguisher. Video to come. Cheers and thanks for watching.

[@jkxtc2016]

That's a really good idea...and not hard to do..thanks for the video...seems like am gonna be busy this summer...have lots of ideas now...making my ultimate jeep camper...

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey JK XTC, That is awesome. I hope that any videos in my Camping playlist can help. Cheers.

[@warniesalcedo3225]

That’s a great shelf solution. Thank you for sharing that.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Warnie, I'm glad you liked it. As I use it, I intend to figure out some other variations, such as attachments for other camp gear. Thanks for the feedback.

[@AliciaInJeep]

What a great idea! Thank you for this video! Very creative.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

You are welcome. I’m glad you found the video helpful. Cheers.

[@LizardBoy007]

Wonderful project!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Steve, Thanks.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

superb.I have a MORE bracket for an on board ARB compressor which uses the forward 2 of the 3 bolts for the hard top on one side... making it difficult to make a shelf. Mose of the manufacturers use those bolts. Anyways, I've bumbled about for ages cutting up plywood to solve this issue. Now you've given me a terrific solution!! Also, I'm a ham radio operator. I'll be able to revers this idea to make a high shelf to raise the radio out of the way, leaving the storage area free for cargo. Great stuff! Now I'm a subscriber. Tha you so much.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Patrick, Thank you so much. Here is an idea for an upper shelf. DIY Cargo Area Metal Shelf Bracket - PART 2 - With Swing Away Attic Storage Shelf - Wrangler JL

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

DIY Cargo Area Metal Shelf Bracket - PART 2 - With Swing Away Attic Storage Shelf - Wrangler JL kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX7Ed2Z4Zc2dgdE

[@patrickmolloy6994]

@@CheaperJeeperTV excellent, thank you 🙏

[@AliciaInJeep]

Lovely tips!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

👍

[@randylowden1902]

Wow... what a great idea!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Randy, Thanks for the feedback. It really comes in handy when you want to lash something down when carrying items, but also a great surface to use when camping. It's an extra shelf space at the back of the Jeep to organize gear, or as I used it in the "DIY Camping Equipment Test" video, a great space to make some coffee. For those who wish to camp inside their Jeep, it's a useful space. Thanks for watching. Cheers.

[@thomasgarrison3949]

Another great idea, thank you for sharing.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Thomas, I appreciate the feedback. I actually have plans for a upper shelf bracket for an upcoming video. Sort of a dual shelf bracket plan. Video coming soon. Cheers.

[@ctr_1602]

Wow this was frakin awesome!!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey CTR_1 6 0 , I'm glad you found the video helpful. The video in the following link is somewhat related. Let me know what you think? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX7Ed2Z4Zc2dgdE Cheers.

[@gmsimanson]

Great video! I did a few small modifications and got my shelf installed.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey George, That’s awesome! I’m curious, what were your modifications? Cheers.

[@gmsimanson]

@@CheaperJeeperTV I made the shelf surface area a little bigger as I plan to build a configuration that will allow us to make a small kennel for the cats. We are in AZ in the winter and Oregon in the summer. I am very happy with this design as it allows me to keep so much more storage area. Thanks again for the great videos

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey George, You’re welcome. Also, great idea to make the shelf larger. Cheers.

[@TrailWalkerCB]

Very nice, wish I had of seen this before I bought one!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey TrailWalker, I appreciate the feedback. You might like the DIY on the Sleeping Platform. I have some other Camping related DIYs coming up too. Cheers.

[@storminmoorman7444]

Nice!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Stormin’, Thanks for the feedback.

[@SakimikeRenehan]

Nice idea. I am going to try it out. The only thing I would do differently is I am going to use plastic spacers from the box store, and I am going to add lock washers to prevent loosening and movement of the bracket at the frame.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Sakimike, Great ideas. Also, I am posting a mod for this bracket for my next video. You may be interested in that. Cheers.

[@erickdiaz6152]

Wow, I was about to shell out $300 to buy a table, but this looks easy enough! Thank you! You know, I've had another idea related to tables....I feel like on the tailgate, somehow a tailgate table could be created for the JLs by removing that black plastic on the tailgate, and replacing it with a thin metal sheet of the exact dimensions. This would serve as a flat mounting place where you could put a piano hinge with a piece of wood for the table. Only challenge I see is getting the dimensions of the metal sheet correctly, and figuring out how to fasten the metal sheet to the tailgate...thoughts? Maybe another DIY video idea?? 😂🤷. Some of these exist already like the Trailgater tailgate table, however I have yet to see a DIY tailgate table for the JL

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Erick, That is a brilliant idea. Yes, perhaps an upcoming video idea indeed. Thank you.

[@lmcc8798]

Slick

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey thanks L McC! Cheers.

[@billbraski2452]

I'd be interested in a JK version because of course I have a 2017 JKU.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Bill, I don’t own a JK but if you inspect you roll bar, you’re likely to find the soft top bolt holes.

[@MrFakit]

I'd recommend a carriage bolt with the nut on the outside of the brackets at the shelf (anti-knuckle/ stuff damage)

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey MrFakit, Great tip. Thank you. Cheers.

[@stevenhudek2535]

I wonder if something like this would work on a tj, I dont want to spend $250 on a highrock. Im working on a poor man's truck conversion and looking for ideas to add a bit of extra space to sit above the tonneau that doesn't have to utilize the tub holes but this is a good start point to look at. Thanks bud, subscribed

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Steve, Glad to hear you found the idea interesting. Let me know if you are able to transfer the idea, and I'll share it with others. Cheers

[@DavidRoland12]

Just did this today! My bolts were long but nothing a couple extra washers couldnt fix

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey David, That’s awesome. You should check out my DIY Camping Equipment Test video to see the shelf in action. I used it to make coffee on, in the morning. Thanks for letting me know. Cool.

[@charlym9550]

Great way to get have more space. I was looking into mud guards for the JL and the only ones with good recommendation are the Rokblokz ones but the pricing is imo ridiculous. Do you plan in doing a diy video for mud flaps? That would be very helpful and who will be better than cheaper jeeper:)

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Charly, Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely think about doing a video on that. Thanks for the idea. Cheers.

[@teyjizzle]

Hmm need a shelf or cover in back of jlu. Might use this and something else

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Teyjizzle, I made the shelf narrow to use as a shelf when camping. You can see in the “Camp Equipment Test” video. However, I quickly noticed with the back seat up, if I made the shelf a little bigger, it would completely cover the rear cargo area. I might make another larger shelf and cover it with black carpet to be a cargo area cover and shelf too. Have fun with your project. I’m glad you found the video helpful. Cheers.

[@teyjizzle]

@@CheaperJeeperTV ya basically a cheaper cargo cover so can hide stuff in trunk so thinking wood and paint it black or carpet but just found your channel great stuff

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

@@teyjizzle Hey thanks man! Feel free to share with anyone you think might find some of the ideas helpful. Cheers.

[@Lingers24]

Awesome idea mate. Might try make something similar in the back of my JKU! How sturdy is the PLY? Much flex or not too bad?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

It's very firm. That's my full weight on the plywood in the thumbnail, and as you can see, barely any flex. Thanks for watching.

[@stevefloyd7607]

I love this ideal. Do you know what the measurement is form the floor of the cargo area to the bottom of the shelf?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Steve, Thanks for the feedback on the idea. I've sold the Jeep and the shelf brackets, so I can't go and measure it. The good thing though, is it can be made to whatever specific height you'd require. Cheers.

[@kylaevans9062]

Very creative. Did you end up bolting the plywood to the bracket to prevent it from sliding forward or backwards? Just wondering if that would be an issue. Great job, love your videos and Lenny is very cute!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Angela, for safety it needs to be bolted. Using the width I gave wedges the shelf between the brackets pretty tight though.

[@coachconclave3861]

Great idea! How sturdy do you think it would be if you were to run shelf all the way to front seat (rear seats folded down)?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

I think you would need to add supports the longer you extend from the rollbar.

[@antmon123]

is there any bracket or trim cover to put on the outside part of the roll bar where the soft top attachment would go? removing my hardtop and seeing the empty holes, just looks a bit weird - thanks!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Not that I am aware of. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[@antmon123]

@@CheaperJeeperTV all good, thanks 👍

[@JaqOverlander]

Ive been trying to find those bumper stoppers you put on the angled galvanized steel but cant find them online anywhere.. I live in Canada. Do u know where I could purchase them?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

I got mine at the Guelph Ontario Home Depot.

[@JaqOverlander]

@@CheaperJeeperTV okay I'll check one in my area thank you. :)

[@knolan75]

About how much weight do you think this can handle? I see the pic of you on the shelf in the video link. Just wanna Mahe sure I don't put too much weight here and cause damage to those screw holes. Thanks.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

I weigh about 160-165 lbs., and the shelf had no problem supporting me. If you do store heavy items there, make sure you secure them with eye bolts or something so that it's safe during any sudden stops. Cheers.

[@knolan75]

@@CheaperJeeperTV thanks. I'm thinking about getting 2 more pieces of slotted angle metal to place horizontally in the front and back. That way, I'd have a slight lip all around the rack to keep things from sliding too much. I guess those lengths would be based on the lengths of my M8 bolts and the sizes of my nut spacers. How long were your M8 bolts?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Kevin, I don't recall now, but it was something like 1.5" All thread though, no shoulder.

[@petervergel]

Hi Do you have cargo solutions for JK? Thanks

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

I don't have a JK, but I know the soft top is similarly attached to the roll bar. I'd just make similar type brackets attached to the bolt holes in the JKs roll bar. I've done the shelf brackets for my JL, but I also plan to do a video where I tie into the brackets for extra shelving for storage. Thank you for watching.

[@dustykidphoto]

how do you secure the board to the bracket?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Screws from underneath. Cheers.

[@roncolaninno5866]

Would M8-1.25 x 25 mm work to fasten the brackets?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

It would “just” fit. I wouldn’t feel secure with just a few threads going in the bolt. Maybe a little longer would be better. Sorry

[@roncolaninno5866]

@@CheaperJeeperTV Okay! Thanks for the advice!

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

@@roncolaninno5866 No problem. Let me know how it turns out. I used my shelf in this video, and loved having it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXWbp4mIZtWEsNU

[@elizabethetienne1595]

Do you sell the brackets?

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hi Elizabeth, I just made them for myself. I didn't manufacture any to sell. I'd be happy to help you. I am in Ontario. If you are located elsewhere, perhaps you can show the video to a friend who can make it for you?

[@NunYa953]

Im all for saving money but I cannot understand why anyone would spend all the money on a Jeep only to bolt a bunch of tchotchkes to it.

[@CheaperJeeperTV]

Hey Nun Ya, Some people camp with their Jeeps. If one needed extra shelving space, they have many commercial options available to them. This is just a less expensive option. Cheers.