GazQ's Custom Cargo Barrier - Input appreciated

[gazq]

So I've been wanting to build a barrier for a while. Now that the wife is eating for two its high time i got serious. I already have a drawer storage unit installed and directly in front of that I have a spare battery. Hence the batt sized cut out at the bottom.

Looking for some advice as I haven't started welding yet.

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The two strips of flat iron at the bottom will have holes and each square will get a wood screw that sinks into the storage drawer system.

The angled corners will have custom flat iron T section bracket on the end with pop rivets that then have an Z bend in them before terminating at the rear roof corner where most barriers mount. I believe this is so the in the event of an accident it will bend instead of ripping out of the mounts. I dont know what was there previously( grab bars?), but I've got the holes. Hoping this will be steady enough.

Also the left and right supports will have a couple of holes at the bottom and also be sunk into the wooden drawer system.

Any other suggestions or tips? Do I require any additional reinforcement through the middle or thirds?

Mostly to keep big soft bulky items from coming forward. I do have a set of solar panels that are around 15ks which is the biggest thing in the rear.

Thanks,

-GazQ

[gazq]

All glued together. Still need to make mounting brackets and give it a lick of paint. i think it will be plenty rigid. it should set higher once mounted. Left plenty of gap around the edges to allow for some body flex.

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[gazq]

So after talking to some mates about how I had planned to mount it and looking at what a PIA it was going to be to screw into my drawer system I have elected to try to use existing bolt holes and my second battery tray to secure my lower mounts.

To do this I needed more steel at the bottom to have my brackets mounted to. Hence the new bit of steel added to the bottom.

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Below are the two out of three lower mounts. Left has a bolt going into captured nut. Previously had a rubber plug in it. In the bottom right is an L shape bracket made of angle and flat iron which is secured to my battery tray via a bolt.

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Sorry for the finger in the shot. In the right hand corner the brown cardboard will be replaced with more flat iron which will also bolt to the other side of the battery tray. This will provide me with three mounts on the bottom.

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So far i'm really enjoying this challenge. I am slowly, but surely building up my metal working tools. Picked up a el-cheapo drill press for 108$ from the local hardware store. They lost the box so I told them the price just went down from the asking 130$

[gazq]

Took some 1 inch wide flat iron and heated it up so I could give it some bends. Followed up by cutting it in half so I had two brackets that were exactly the same.
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Tomorrow I hope to finally paint and mount it one last time.

[gazq]

All primed and painted with two coats of kill rust. I waited the recommended 16 hours before applying another coat.
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Before putting the battery in one last time. All mounted up.
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You can see I've added some foam for a little bit of head protection. Will be looking for a second hand pair of rear seats that have the head rests incorporated in them. We rarely have anyone ride in the back other than the dog.
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My shed helper Tasman.
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I should have posted this at the start. Below are the materials I worked with to build this. Bits of flat, angle, and square steel. Not included is the Milwaukee metal drop saw that made all the metal cuts so much easier. The grinder with a flap disc to smooth out all the nasty jagged bits was also essential.
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I am by no means gifted at fabrication, but I hope this inspires others to think about making their own gear. I estimate that I have spent less than $200 on this and it fits exactly how I need it to in with my storage and dual battery.

[Clunk]

Nice one mate, I'm liking the larger gaps in the mesh, makes it easier to see through

[gazq]

Thanks. They are just big enough that I am able to reach through them which is handy for moving bits around or searching for something from the back seats.

[BigRAWesty]

Tbh those 100mm squares will stop not much..
Chances of a shifter or something coming threw are to great for my liking..
I used 25mm 3mm mesh..
And once painted black they become very easy to see threw..

Apart from that it's a neat build..

[gazq]

Tbh those 100mm squares will stop not much..
Chances of a shifter or something coming threw are to great for my liking..
I used 25mm 3mm mesh..
And once painted black they become very easy to see threw..

Apart from that it's a neat build..

Good point regarding smaller items. I tend to keep things such a tools in the drawer. This was primarily for large bulky items.

thanks

[growler2058]

Good looking setup mate, well done

[Clunk]

Tbh those 100mm squares will stop not much..
Chances of a shifter or something coming threw are to great for my liking..
I used 25mm 3mm mesh..
And once painted black they become very easy to see threw..

Apart from that it's a neat build..
What ya keep your tools in, if they're at risk of flying through a 100mm gap?

[BigRAWesty]

What ya keep your tools in, if they're at risk of flying through a 100mm gap?
Lots of things can fit threw a gap that large.. not just tools..
Shackles, knifes, small water bottles, maybe sauce bottles, camping chair legs..

[Clunk]

Lots of things can fit threw a gap that large.. not just tools..
Shackles, knifes, small water bottles, maybe sauce bottles, camping chair legs..
So you keep all that stuff loose in the back when travelling do you?