Hello, I own an SE7 but when I bought it the rear seats were missing. I really enjoyed the rear storage I had in my 5 seater previously also I recently acquired a new dog. Since he takes up so much friging space in the back I needed to come up with a way to get more out of my storage.
This was a very cheap and easy way to create better storage area.

Plywood panels replace the rear cargo area where the seats would go and I added a top shelf that is mounted using the "holy ****" handles for the rear jump seats. The rear shelf has a wall at the end to stop any cargo from flying up front.

I added small cargo nets above each storage box to hold clothing, bags and whatever else. The shelf up top is big enough to hold my rifle case, boots, tool boxes and whatever you could fit.
I've also added cargo nets beneath the shelf to chuck more gear. It help keep a lot of the smaller items packed away and not on my dogs head.
This entire mod was maybe $60.00 and about 2 hours of work.

 

Well done! I've considered something similar (although I was going to buy the rack pre-built) but I really like sleeping in the rover rather than a tent and I like to see out the top windows.

How strong would you say the rack is? Any danger of it pulling the plastic panels away from the body?

 

Looks great.

Brian.

 

Well done sir.

I think my 5 seater lacks the "oh sh*t" handles lol

 

Question: does it squeak or rattle around at all? I've noticed that when my cargo bins (5 seater) are full of heavier stuff (jumper cables, gallon of PEAK, quart of oil) the plastic-on-plastic tends to squeak a lot. Especially on days where the outside temperature fluctuates greatly. I'm trying to think of a solution to keep the cargo storage and accessibility, but rid the annoying noise. Wondering if some plywood or the like is a good fix.

 

Hi, there is no squeaking or extra noise happening back there. I'm guessing that might depend on what is packed and how tight it is.

The shelf does not rattle or make any noise. I do not see how it would effect sleeping in the D2. I've slept in mine many times, still lots of room.
I have no idea how strong the shelf is. It only hold clothing, and smaller items, I'm not planing on hauling any gold bars or overly heavy things up there.
Those handles are strong enough to hold a grown man hanging like a monkey so they have more than enough power to keep the little shelf

 

I know this is an old thread, just wondering how you secured the plywood panels?