Above-windscreen storage console

[timhowes]

So we've had a wonderful first Holiday in our new Bongo around the sunny west coast of France. Very happy unconverted at the moment, but when carrying a lot of big gear in the back (camping and watersports stuff) it would be really useful to have somewhere up front to store small and oft-used things Eg books etc.

Does anyone know of a good hack to make an overhead storage console to go above the cab? Or are there any on the market? A bit of googling suggests otherwise.

Cheers
Tim

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome. Not heard of anyone doing that before but Bongo folk are always trying new stuff and that sounds like an interesting idea. Maybe you could remove sun visors and use those mounting points as part of the design, possibly re-mounting sun visors on underside of shelving

[mountainmummy]

Although this sounds like a good idea, I wonder if it could be problematic if you had a bump. Maybe some sort of storage in the footwell might be safer. Personally we tuck our kindles in the door pockets and maps, batteries and torches in the glove box.

Sara

[mikeonb4c]

Although this sounds like a good idea, I wonder if it could be problematic if you had a bump. Maybe some sort of storage in the footwell might be safer. Personally we tuck our kindles in the door pockets and maps, batteries and torches in the glove box.

Sara

Indeed. You'd need to think carefully about that side of things (structure, content, loose objects etc.) though i reckon that with good sense it could all be done.

[Alison01326]

We use the seat back tidies for oddments such as small plates, sporks, first aid kit, pens, paper, wipes, sun cream etc. Maps and guide books go in the front door pockets and everything else goes in the glove box and the glory hole behind (or is it in front of) the gear stick!!

[mikeonb4c]

So we've had a wonderful first Holiday in our new Bongo around the sunny west coast of France. Very happy unconverted at the moment, but when carrying a lot of big gear in the back (camping and watersports stuff) it would be really useful to have somewhere up front to store small and oft-used things Eg books etc.

Does anyone know of a good hack to make an overhead storage console to go above the cab? Or are there any on the market? A bit of googling suggests otherwise.

Cheers
Tim

Here's something from Oz that seems to suggest it can be done:

http://www.consoles.com.au/Toyota_78Series_shelf.htm

Interesting to reflect that the Haydn Low Coolant Alarm is (or at least i believe it is) actually an Australian design that got modified for the Bongo.

[Joe_anne123]

There is something like this in my OH's Berlingo Multispace - basically a shelf, with a lip to stop stuff rolling off, above the windscreen.

[timhowes]

I've seen pictures of those shelves in the Berlingo and this is exactly the sort of thing I'm after! But not really appropriate as a DIY solution, as some have implied. Thanks for the link to the Aussie site, I had seen this already in my searches - plus a load of solutions for those wishing to have somewhere in the cab to store their rifle!!!

In the absence of a safe, off-the-shelf solution, I think I'm going to plump simply for some sort of in-car organiser (fabric & plastic) of the sort that seem invaluable for those travelling with children... with the ever-present need for an army of soft toys!

Cheers
Tim

[BromGo]

Trying to make good use of the search function before creating new threads so I appreciate this is an old post I'm replying to.

Has anyone found a good solution for mounting above-head storage trays / netting / shelves? The Aussie site linked above looks great but naturally the Bongo is a little old now and niche these days for a permanent SKU from this type of indie maker.

[g8dhe]

Start by sitting in the front seat and get someone to measure the distance from the top of your head to the cab ceiling, then allow an extra inch or two when getting in and out - how much of a gap do you have ? One option I have seen is a cubby box ceiling mounted between and behind the seats so your head doesn't foul it, but it blocks the view from the rear and also needs careful positioning to allow the rear mirror to still see backwards!

[Bongolian]

Most of the ‘unnecessary guff’ I have is carried in a couple of those seat back organisers.. but you’re right, those Berlingo style overhead storage shelves are useful.
Similarly, I loved the sunglasses holder in my old Voyager.
Wonder if you could rip a Berlingo shelf out of a suitable donor vehicle in a breakers yard.?
If they remove easily and fit the Bongo.?

[Bongolian]

I noticed there’s loads of options on places like Temu for roof netting type storage, maybe have a look at some of those

[BromGo]

Start by sitting in the front seat and get someone to measure the distance from the top of your head to the cab ceiling, then allow an extra inch or two when getting in and out - how much of a gap do you have ? One option I have seen is a cubby box ceiling mounted between and behind the seats so your head doesn't foul it, but it blocks the view from the rear and also needs careful positioning to allow the rear mirror to still see backwards!

I'm wondering a secure way to mount something - the sunvisor points maybe? Don't really want to drill into the roof! Things like velcro tape are initially strong but over time and repeated heating / cooling don't hold up.

Something central above the height of the windscreen and you'd probably have a good 100mm depth.

[BromGo]

I noticed there’s loads of options on places like Temu for roof netting type storage, maybe have a look at some of those

I've ordered a couple, they mostly work on 4 handles and given the Bongo's aren't evenly spread we will see how it goes! Only a couple of quid.

[BromGo]

well, one of these cheap things from temu (link) is not bad, actually. let's us shove some soft stuff like jackets and blankets above it. will be more useful when sleeping in the van on the flattened seats.