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DIY Instant Trunk-YJ

1K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  schitzangiggles 
#1 ·
Hi everyone,

I don't write a lot on here but I thought this was a helpful thing for other people on this forum.

I made a DIY instant trunk for my YJ. I started with a metal shelf that was 30"x35.5". Since the shelf was already the size of the trunk, I didn't really have to cut much off of it to make it fit. After all the cutting was done, I went to Home Depot and got 4 gate latches. I welded these to the shelf in the predetermined places. After all the welding was done, I test fitted the shelf in the back of the Jeep. Then, I marked the outline of the lock on the tailgate to be cut out of the shelf.


Afterward, I marked where the latch pins would go into the tub and drilled corresponding holes.


This is what the shelf looks like when everything is cut and drilled. It still needs to be painted though. And don't mind my welds, I'm still new to welding.

This is the front left latch:

This is the front right latch:

This is the back right latch:

And finally, the back left latch:

This is the bottom of the shelf, the back 2 latches can stay in the tub and the shelf can be pivoted up like in this picture:

This is what the bottom looks like when all the latches are out and the shelf is down:

This is the top of the shelf:

Here is underneath the shelf with my toolbox and ammo box under it:
 
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#4 ·

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#5 ·
Those spring latches would be cool to have because they would make putting the shelf in much easier. When I was still thinking about how i was going to make the shelf, the idea of using some c-channel, eyebolts, and a spring crossed my mind. It would have ended up being the same thing as those spring latches but with a hole in the end to grab rather than a t-handle
 
#6 ·
The five pack is @ $7 on amazon prime...
:cheers:
 
#7 ·
Very nice. I had something similar in my old scout in the form of a wooden box built level with the fender wells. This works better since it traps everything under it, keeping that stuff from landing in your lap if something goes bad.
I would recommend a bushing in the fenderwell. The vertical pounding of the gate latch in the thin steel of the fender will begin to egg it out. Something like a door hinge bushing, sheet rock anchor, or a piece of steel tubing welded to a mounting flange would do the trick.

http://www.amazonsupply.com/miniature-flange-mounted-bearing-diameter/dp/B0045E0EEO

Or the cheap plumbing alternative.

or the cheap plumbing alternate
 
#9 ·
You can also weld a grade 8 fender washer to the sheet metal.
 
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