baja homemade hard cover

[nurseman]

i made my own hard cover using the ozz bros as the idea to copy. mine only cost me around 100 to build and even though i am not a carpenter i did a decent job. i used weather striping around areas of possible water leakage and would say that it keeps out almost all the water. i built mine really to keep snow out which wont most likely leak in. but i also have a roof cargo bag which is water proof that i have inside my bed which attachs to the bed tie downs and is as large as the bed so even if mine leaks the bag will protect my stuff. just my input for a cheap alternative. if i had an extra 500 i would buy the ozz bros. but i am also holding out the subaru will release theres for sale by next spring.

[Evanism]

Great to hear that you built your own cover. I've been looking at the Ozbros's cover. Would you share pics and techniques on how you made yours?

[nurseman]

to make this cover i took cardboard box and made a template that was somewhat accurate the cut it out of 1/2 plywood, then covered the wood with cushion and vinyal i got from an auto upholstery store. i used hinges from homedepot and used weather striping around the edges to make more water tight. it was really simple and i am not a carpenter hence my screen name.

[Scottbaru]

Just a note of caution: My brother was part of a team that tried to develop a notch-back Camero at GM. In accident testing the flat deck sheared through the interior at neck level. They tried weakening the thin, fiberglass deck until it was too flimsy to be practical, and it still sheared through. I built a deck in the back of my Landcruiser, but never used it because it seemed dangerous. I have some ideas that will collapse longitudinally, and have good strength, but they're either fairly expensive.