This picture shows the first version of a cargo basket I made for my LJ. The basket is a Harbor Freight trailer hitch cargo carrier with the center section removed.
Version one worked great until I scored a “new to me” fridge. Then I needed to redo the brackets that mounted the basket to the tub in order to move the basket forward so that the fridge lid could be opened. You can see the two angle iron brackets that I used. Effective, but heavy.
This is the basket in its new, forward position. It allowed the fridge to open, but limited the ability to recline the front seats. I didn’t like that at all! I’ve been known to sleep in a rest area from time to time.
Here is version three that I put together this weekend. This version is mounted much higher which is fine but also is moved completely to the rear which makes loading and unloading much more convenient.
These next three pics show the new side support bar mounted between the sport bars and also the clamps I used to secure the support bar to the tubes. The clamping method is different front and rear because I wanted the side bar to be parallel with the window. The brackets on the sport bars are reshaped chain link fence brackets. If you see hose clamps below the fence brackets they are only there to locate the brackets while building this. This made it so I only had to measure one time.
Please note: I saw this basic idea several years ago on a thread on another site. The post I borrowed this idea from was lost when my old desktop died so I can’t give credit to the original poster. Also, the bolts on the sport bar clamps need to be trimmed and have a cap installed over the end for safety. I also need to reinstall the padding at the front and resecure the black cover.
In case anyone is interested, I used 1/4” structural pop rivets to mount the angle brackets to the side support bars. I’m not set up to weld aluminum at home. This was taken during construction
I might add that this version will also work well with the used fridge slide I just obtained. Stay tuned.
.
Version one worked great until I scored a “new to me” fridge. Then I needed to redo the brackets that mounted the basket to the tub in order to move the basket forward so that the fridge lid could be opened. You can see the two angle iron brackets that I used. Effective, but heavy.
This is the basket in its new, forward position. It allowed the fridge to open, but limited the ability to recline the front seats. I didn’t like that at all! I’ve been known to sleep in a rest area from time to time.
Here is version three that I put together this weekend. This version is mounted much higher which is fine but also is moved completely to the rear which makes loading and unloading much more convenient.
These next three pics show the new side support bar mounted between the sport bars and also the clamps I used to secure the support bar to the tubes. The clamping method is different front and rear because I wanted the side bar to be parallel with the window. The brackets on the sport bars are reshaped chain link fence brackets. If you see hose clamps below the fence brackets they are only there to locate the brackets while building this. This made it so I only had to measure one time.
Please note: I saw this basic idea several years ago on a thread on another site. The post I borrowed this idea from was lost when my old desktop died so I can’t give credit to the original poster. Also, the bolts on the sport bar clamps need to be trimmed and have a cap installed over the end for safety. I also need to reinstall the padding at the front and resecure the black cover.
In case anyone is interested, I used 1/4” structural pop rivets to mount the angle brackets to the side support bars. I’m not set up to weld aluminum at home. This was taken during construction
I might add that this version will also work well with the used fridge slide I just obtained. Stay tuned.
.
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