I needed a method to load up the jeep with supplies for the beach, offroading, general travel or work. I wanted the rear of the jeep to have protected and secure storage as well. Use of a tonneau cover and the soft top with the deck was a driving force in the design. If that is not a consideration you could attach it on top of the tub much easier than how I did it. Using 12 gauge super strut, 5/8″ and 1/2″ bolts I had laying around, right angle (90 degrees) “L” brackets, strut spring loaded nuts, weatherproof carpet remnants, glue and paint. You will need to remove the rear seat or push it forward to install this deck.
The above are some examples of loading up the jeep.
The rear piece was my first task. Careful measuring to make the cuts to fit around the sport bar and leave room for the rear tailgate bar so the rear window can still be used. Once my cuts were complete and the fitment was tested I painted and glued / stapled weatherproof carpet to it.
Next I used 3/4″ plywood, some tower parts I had laying around, more paint and outdoor carpet remnant. I cut the plywood in two pieces because I needed it to install between the tub and the inside body. Installing it in this manner allows the use of my tonneau cover and softop with the deck installed. Once the cutting, painting and carpet work was complete I moved on to building the frame.
I used 12 Ga. super strut for the frame and connected it all together using 5/8″ and 1/2″ tower bolts and various extra tower parts I had laying around. To make the deck very strong (stand on top type stuff) I drilled through the tub and anchored the “L” brackets (more spare tower parts) with 5/8″ bolts through the top and bottom of the tub. I labelled the strut parts for when I remove the deck for yearly hose out and repair. Once the frame was in and bolted down it was easy to put the pieces all in place and bolt everything together. I was going to hinge the back part for easy access but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Finished result