I had removed the "shelf-it" aluminum shelf from the old 93 and planned to use it in my '92 W350 with COBRA LTD29BT CB radio.

The CB wouldn't quite fit the stock shelf it unit - so I trimmed it but it left an already FLEXY shelf ready to bend under s slight breeze.

So using the original Shelf it mounting tabs I fabbed up a shelf out of STEEL

Parts needed:

50" long:

(1) 1/8" x 4" plate
(2) 1x1 1/8" angle
(1) 1/8" x 2" plate (optional)

I tacked all the pieces together. The 2" plate is just to give it a flush look when you cover it with headliner material. I used 3M super trim adhesive and the headliner material from JOANN. (matches my newly installed headliner)

on to the pics:





clearanced front of the angle for CB (still plenty stiff and won't bounce)







Not perfect on the headliner application - got a little too heavy in spots with the adhesive and it soaked through.

But now it is super solid and will do the job!

 

how did you bolt it up there? looks real nice though. i like that passenger handle dealio too

 

I used the original "Shelf-It" mounting brackets and just bolted it to those.

Yeah it has handles and steps. The PO was an older gentleman in his 80's and like to have a lot of hand holds.

 

looks good- i had a truck with one of those and sold it-wish i had the shelf !

 

do the "shelf it" brackets drill right into the cab roof? or do they go into the visor holes? im kinda thinkin about doin this honestly

 

They tap right into the visor holes. The original Shelf-it unit had provisions for the visors under the shelf but I found that it was way too low. Plus I am an avid sungazer so the sun doesn't bother me when it is down on the horizon when driving any way. I don't need the visors.

 

cool this same project is on my probably won't get to list for the week long thrash I'm planning

 

Just dont wreck that thing or you might lose your hair!!!! And head for that matter.

 

Reallly?? Cmon man..............
'

If I were that worried about being safe in a crash I'd drive a 2012.

But since you're so concerned about my head what do you recommend?

 

Some padding?

 

Pape Cat not bustin your huevoes or anything. I like the shelf,just sayin...

 

Cool yeah no worries. I thought about that too but it does have some padding with the headliner material. I guess you could double it up. It has more padding than the original Shelf it unit but the shelf-it was radiused a bit more. Eh as long as the seat belt works I should be OK (and any pax)

 

Do you have any pics of the original shelf-it brackets?

 

I had the shelf it in my 79 F150 for about a decade. The truck ran stiff in the suspension (lifted with 35's) and every time I hit a bump whatever was on the shelf-it fell off onto either me, passenger or floor. Eventually I stopped using it because of this reason.

If the rear vertical went to the roof, I guess that would have helped, as most of the stuff (tapes, pens, notepads) all blew out the back towards the windshield.


Nice work Papecat.... Perfect location for a CB.... Just like the real big truckers....

 

Set of brackets for a 2nd gen fit the contour of the midline of a 1st gen interior pretty good and add a ton of support to a "shelfit".