This is my version of "the LOBO shelf".
Once upon a time, on another website, there was a member named Sgt. Lobo, who posted information on how to install a shelf in the cargo area of a first-generation Xterra. Ever since, this modification has been referred to as "the LOBO shelf".
Here are some links to threads both here and elsewhere that provide information and photos regarding the LOBO shelf:
http://www.encxc.org/~dlayboc/phbb2/viewtopic.php?t=739
http://xterrafirma.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=3403
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=125
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1052
http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1775
Thanks to information provided by others, I've been able to do my version of this shelf, and the only tool needed is a phillips screwdriver.
For the shelf, I used the same
Closetmaid Hanging Rafter Shelf as used by "eXTra fORt". I also purchased mine at Home Depot.
This shelf is four feet long. The distance from the edge to the crosspiece used for one of the attachment points is 4 inches:
I used KingChain snaps and quick links. The snaps are 2 9/16 inches inside, and the quick links are 2 5/16 inches:
To help protect the interior from the wire shelf, I used some 22 mm screw bumpers:
The first step is to use the phillips screwdriver to adjust the cargo area roof clips so that the rear ones face towards the center, and the front ones face towards the windows:
Put the quick link onto the front roof clip. Rotate it 180 degrees top to bottom, so the nut is on the top. Then slide it around on the roof clip so the opening faces forwards.
Clip the snap onto the rear roof clip, and rotate it so the wider part is towards the bottom:
One side at a time, lift the shelf onto the quick links:
One side at a time, lift the rear edge of the shelf and attach the snap clips. I found it easier to attach the driver's side first:
Using these snaps and quick links provides between 3 and 6 inches of space between the shelf and the headliner. As others have indicated, the shelf doesn't hang down low enough to materially obstruct the view:
The cargo net that comes with the Xterra is an 'envelope' style, with two layers. It can be attached to the shelf, and with the opening facing the rear, will help protect against items coming off the shelf, which is especially important during sudden braking:
With the snaps and quick links I used, and the positions of the roof clips, it was not necessary to cut of the corners of the shelf to stop it hitting the rear roof pillars. The screw bumpers help protect the roof pillar:
When attaching the snaps, have them angled slightly to the outside, rather than hanging straight down to the shelf:
With the snaps attached in that manner, the side-to-side movement of the shelf is limited. I tried, on both sides, pushing sideways on the shelf, to force it towards the window:
If I pushed really hard, I could just get the rubber protective tip of the upper shelf rail to touch the side window, but I couldn't make it hit anywhere near hard enough to do any damage to the window:
I haven't yet used this shelf, so I don't know if there is anything I would change about how it is installed.
One thing that I will likely do is to use "calijetfxr"'s idea of coating the roof clips, snaps, and quick links with
Plasti Dip. I may also replace the snaps used on the rear. Because they are 'security snaps', the hinged part interlocks with the fixed part, and the result is that they can 'catch' a little bit on the rubber coating of the shelf when attaching/detaching the snaps from the shelf.
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