JLU Cargo Area Concealer and Divider

[RussJeep1]

Using 3/4 plywood I created two pieces:

* a larger one that sits on top of the tub, extending sideways to where the 6 (of 8) bolts to hold down the hard top reside, extending depthwise from the upright back seats to the end of the Sports Bar in the rear, and

* a smaller one that begins where the Sports Bar ends in the rear, to the back window.

(Note: for Dual Top Owners cut space in the back left of the smaller section piece to allow the 2 cables for the hard top to come through. )

On the larger piece I cut out two "U" shapes to accommodate the where the Sports Bar returns into the tub with a jig saw.

Each piece was initlaly cut an inch or two bigger than needed. I removed the soft top windows--(or in the case of the hardtop, it's rear section) and scribed lines with a pencil in the underside of the wood where it exceeded the side dimensions, cutting along these lines.

I then cut holes in each section where the 6 (of 8) hard top bolts reside (i.e. not the 2 bolts on the roof in the front.) and used those bolts to keep the wood in place.

The larger piece is held down by one bolt in each side, the smaller piece by two bolts on each side.

The remaining two bolts that connect the hard top from above get stored in their slots.

Soft top owners only may wish to purchase these bolts from MOPAR or 3rd party ones. Since I'm a Dual Top owner I had the bolts and bought these to tie down stuff stored above the wood.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Pack-Tie...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Those who don't own these bolts may wish to "kill to birds with one stone" and get the bolts and tie downs all in one, for example:

https://www.gpca.us/shop/jeep-wrangler-jl-jk-hardtop-quick-release/

(which also don't require the Wrangler wrench.)

I spray painted the wood black.

To tie stuff down below the wood I attached these to some of the 6 clips that came from the factory, on the floor of the cargo area:

https://www.harborfreight.com/jumbo-aluminum-hook-92077.html

If the time comes that I might need the entire height of the cargo area, and can't store something on its side, and still need to seat 4 or 5 people, I can always remove the wood.

Then I asked myself, "what's the use of this storage area if safety mechanism don't exist to prevent unsecured objects above from flying into the passenger area on a short stop?"

Two of these screwed into the front piece of wood with 5/8" screws

https://www.lowes.com/pd/SteelTek-3...tructural-Pipe-Fitting-Floor-Flange/999930950

A bunch of pipe not to exceed 1 1/16" on its outer dimension, at about 8', cut into 5 pieces....


two of these:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/SteelTek-3...l-Structural-Pipe-Fitting-Cross-Tee/999930906

and an Allen wrench

and your done.

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