Freelander 1 3dr Parcel Shelf / Load Cover

Has anyone fabricated their own parcel shelf / load cover for a 3 door?

Finding them is hard, and when they do appear on line, they tend to go for silly money.

So, just wondering if anyone has made their own and how they did it?

Then, it will be one less thing to worry about if I ever find a soft top locally or a shower cover.

My daughter has the same problem with her Mazda 2/Demio. Very few of them had a parcel shelf (or Parcel Tray as they are known here). There is 1 for sale at the moment, but its £100. I was wondering if an upholsterer might be able to fabricate 1 cheaper.

Make a cardboard template to fit the space. The once you are happy with the fit of the template, transfer the shape to a piece of 9mm ply. Cover in thin foam for padding and then trim in vehicle upholsterers carpet to match the interior.

If you are looking for a soft top, you'll probably need to save the money by fabricating your own shelf. The last soft tops I saw in any reasonable condition were being sold on eBay and Gumtree for ~£400-£500.

The Shower Covers turn up more regularly and seem to sell from anything between £50 and £100, but they do not look to be anything substantial, and are literally something to use in case of an emergency rainstorm, while being in the vehicle.

The original shelves do also turn up quite regularly on those auction sites, and tend to sell for upwards of £80 for one in decent nick. That may not however include the brackets, which I've seen go for about £50. It is straightforward to just rest the shelf, either original or fabricated, on something that sticks out of those (removable) lugs that are near the top of the rear quarter panels. You can use the lower ties near the rear door to do what the original cover does, and secure with an elasticated stretchy thing to hold the shelf down nicely and prevent bounce/vibration on the rear of the shelf, (if that makes sense?).

The original does look as if it is locking; it has a similar looking lock to the boot cubby hole. But it is just for show. The elastic is what holds the shelf down. So you are not missing out on anything there if you do make your own.

Jim

I've found a couple of soft tops since I've been looking but they've been miles away.

You're right about the shelf. Plywood and covering I think.

Remind me to sell my shelf on here when I eventually get shot of the 3 door

Lucked out - mine had one fitted when I bought it.