Starting this thread to repost from another one where it was slightly off the exact topic...
See next post for info about my idea and how the progress is working out...
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'07 Black Cherry, AT, All Options, Nitto Terra Grappler's, Rock Rails, Roof Rack, Skid, Manik Guard (here),
Hella Black Magic's (here), Visor Shelf (here), Overhead CB (here), License Plate LED (Scrolling FJCRUISERFORUMS.com of course). TLCA #16717 -- All my BC Toys!
"If you stop learning, you DIE!" ---- "Get a life worth living! Romans 12:1-8"
That's an issue I have also. Got all my "needed" stuff up front, and not a good place for my gun and ammo (yes I need the box and three magazines full, never know how many times you'll have to reload to hit that snake). I thought of a solution though, I used to have a Taco and in it I had a Shelf-It by Pace Edwards to hold stuff, it's a shelf that goes above the visors. So I checked to see if they by chance they had one for the FJ yet and found out to my dismay that they have ceased making the Shelf-It. So what does any red blooded american guy do, of course consider how to make one or in my case modify one to make it work. I found that JC Whitney was about the only place that still had any of the old Shelf-It's that were one piece. I wanted one that I knew would be long enough to modify to fit the FJ so I ordered one for a '79 Ford F150. I should get it in a few days, and then it's time to get the tools to some serious work to modify the Shelf-It to fit the FJ. Once complete I'll repost and let you all know how it worked with some photos. Of course I'll describe the modifications needed to make it fit, of course this could vary on the actual application the Shelf-It was designed for, and there's not many of these left for any vehicle application. The best part of this will be my shorter long-guns will also fit, handy for quick access to take care of a stray dog, cat, or coyote on the farm.
They made two piece ones also for vehicles with a center overhead console, not sure if these could be modified to work or not, likely they would require some drilling of some sort. I'm fairly certain I can make the one piece one work without any drilling using the visor mounting screws (btw, the visors remount on the bottom of the shelf, with the large headroom in the FJ this won't be an issue. And I also noticed that DeeZee is still making visor shelfs that are two piece for vehicles with center overhead consoles, but they had very limited applications.
More when modifications done.... (I know I'm too blasted wordy for forums, I'll attempt to leave a short reply from now on. Nay, I'm not usually short on anything except for money. lol)
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'07 Black Cherry, AT, All Options, Nitto Terra Grappler's, Rock Rails, Roof Rack, Skid, Manik Guard (here),
Hella Black Magic's (here), Visor Shelf (here), Overhead CB (here), License Plate LED (Scrolling FJCRUISERFORUMS.com of course). TLCA #16717 -- All my BC Toys!
"If you stop learning, you DIE!" ---- "Get a life worth living! Romans 12:1-8"
Got that Shelf-It yesterday, couldn't wait to get home and begin the modification to fit the FJ. The one I found was from JC Whitney, they appear to be one of the few with these still in stock, and there will be no more. The one I ordered was for a '79 Ford (got that so I knew it would be long enough for the modifications). The mounting brackets went on easily enough, drilled one more hole in the bracket and used the screws that were holding the visors on, a little bit of bending into place and I was ready to measure for the shelf, mine measured out to 44 1/4 inches, of course this could vary on the exact bending done to the brackets. Then it was to cutting the shelf down to size. I cut only one end, after cutting thought I should have cut off both ends to get rid of the pre-drilled holes for remounting the visors, then I could have better positioned the visors, but I'll make it work with the pre-set positions. After cutting it off, I used a piece of paper to lay out the locations I needed to redrill on the cut end (for connecting to the brackets and for the visor). All this went well and without issues. I mounted the shelf to the brackets and it fit first go, except had to remove the rear view mirror. I will install a windshield mount rear view mirror, and mount a cover over the old location above the shelf (but thinking that would be a good spot for my garage remote, so may do that). I trimmed the nubs off the back side of the visor mounts, however I don't care for them on there. The stock visors are padded and flimsy to say the least, don't really work with the shelf-it. I'll be looking for some old style thin ones that match in color, back when the padding was not on them and they were basically vinyl covered cardboard. A bit of touch up here and there, hole covers for a couple of their predrilled holes, and some paint over the screw heads the it's done after that.
I will post photos once I have the mirror reinstalled and the visors replaced. Ya know I can't show it till then. But hey it looks and works great, it's now a 44 inch shelf that is extremely close and handy for anything I'd want to put up there. Of course it'll carry one of my pistols and ammo without any problem, maybe even a short rifle (I think my encore will even fit), here in MO we have concealed carry permits and allowed open carry without one even, so no issues here as long as you do it right.
NOW THIS THREAD IS UP TO DATE EXCEPT FOR THE COUPLE REPLIES REGARDING THIS IN THE OTHER ONE, NOTHING THAT REALLY NEEDS REPOSTED HERE. WATCH FOR AN UPDATE THIS EVENING OR IN MORNING>>>
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'07 Black Cherry, AT, All Options, Nitto Terra Grappler's, Rock Rails, Roof Rack, Skid, Manik Guard (here),
Hella Black Magic's (here), Visor Shelf (here), Overhead CB (here), License Plate LED (Scrolling FJCRUISERFORUMS.com of course). TLCA #16717 -- All my BC Toys!
"If you stop learning, you DIE!" ---- "Get a life worth living! Romans 12:1-8"
Excellent write-up! I'm watching this thread closely since I'm planning to install an overhead storage shelf somehow, and this sounds like the easiest way. Can't wait to see pics!
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The Tank (aka "RED PILL") : 2007 FJ Cruiser, 4x4AT, black cherry - Expedition One bullbar bumper
- Expedition One rock sliders
- BudBuilt skids (front, mid, TC, crossmember)
- Bilstein 5100 front struts, set at 1.75" lift
- GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armor tires 275/70/R17
The Fighter Jet: 2001 MR2 Spyder, silver - 2ZZ motor/6spd swap
- TRD Sportivo suspension
- 3.0 Racing chassis bracing
- JDM Toyota hardtop, soft-top delete
...got the front windows tinted, and kinda decided to leave the visors off and put a visor tint strip on the windshield (then just keep the sunglasses handy too). I hardly ever used the visors anyway, actually I don't recall the last time I did. My wife and daughters are going to miss the mirror, but they will adjust, lol. Put a bit of touch up paint on the screw heads, not real good match but it'll work. Had to install a windshield mount rear view mirror, which worked well. And had to figure out something to cover the visor holes with, may make some plastic covers later but for now, using one of those for my Bluetooth ear piece, and the other is covered by detector.
Okay enough typing, here are the photos!!!!
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'07 Black Cherry, AT, All Options, Nitto Terra Grappler's, Rock Rails, Roof Rack, Skid, Manik Guard (here),
Hella Black Magic's (here), Visor Shelf (here), Overhead CB (here), License Plate LED (Scrolling FJCRUISERFORUMS.com of course). TLCA #16717 -- All my BC Toys!
"If you stop learning, you DIE!" ---- "Get a life worth living! Romans 12:1-8"
that's a nice setup you got there.you just gave me a new project to work on.
Your welcome! Hey my biggest suggestion is cutting between the predrilled holes for the visors, I really really really wish I had done that. Thinking of buying another one just so I can cut it without those holes in the shelf, especially since I've decided not to reinstall visors.
Let us see it when you've got it done.
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'07 Black Cherry, AT, All Options, Nitto Terra Grappler's, Rock Rails, Roof Rack, Skid, Manik Guard (here),
Hella Black Magic's (here), Visor Shelf (here), Overhead CB (here), License Plate LED (Scrolling FJCRUISERFORUMS.com of course). TLCA #16717 -- All my BC Toys!
"If you stop learning, you DIE!" ---- "Get a life worth living! Romans 12:1-8"
Ok... That's kinda cool. Not sure I want to store stuff above my head. Especially loaded wepons. But hey, I commend your inovation and guts to make a home grown mod like this one.