Garage Projects

The Mighty Merc – Rear Cargo Platform

I have a dream that will probably never become a reality, but I hope to aspire to it one day. That dream is to have all the tools required for the Merc to just live in the Merc full time. That way when I’m ready to wheel, I won’t have to spend any time getting things loaded up, hoping that I didn’t forget something. I can just jump in and go.

While I don’t know I’ll ever manage to get a dedicated tool set put together for it, I can create some secure storage that will hold down the spare tire, and hopefully make things easier for packing. I’ve just been riding around with the 37 just hanging out in the rear for some time now:
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

With some 1.25” tube, I made a frame:
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

Then ran out to grab some ¾” MDF, I seem to be getting a lot of use out of the stock roof rack:
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

Made some cuts with Grandpa’s old Saw:
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

Added tabs, paint, and carpet to get this (Shown with one half of the platform installed):
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

The other half of the platform is easily removable to make getting the spare tire in and out easier. Just unscrew that center eye bolt, and pull the straps (strap hooks actually hold down the rear portion):
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

Everything is pretty much even with the bottom of the window opening which gives me a nice flat area to strap things down on:
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

Loaded it up with some junk for our first long road trip, and slapped a cargo net over everything for a little extra security:
Sara L.: Build and Misc &emdash;

It worked out pretty dang good! I think I’ll go ahead and remove that center eye bolt and use something else lower profile as it was getting in the way too much. Otherwise I’m happy with it.

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