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Lid supports is another term.
I wish to put a folding shelf on the passenger side forward barn door.
Hinging at the bottom is my best guess, about 18" X 18" or so.
I am hoping for suggestions on a set of struts to stop it at 90 degrees in the open position.
AND hold it rattle free in the closed, snugged up to the door mode of normal transport.
Any ideas?
Hopefully someone else will pop in with some ideas. My van is an 88 and so the doors are probably a good bit different. I am converting mine into a camper and will probably be using some fold out shelf's on my doors and so a way to hold the door in place is a great idea. I will keep my eyes open and if I see something interesting then i'll let you know. My 88 has a bracket that keeps the doors from just freely swinging back and forth but a strong wind can close them. I can also pull a pin on that bracket and it allows me to fold the door all the way back against the body.
Ok help me understand....You want to put an 18" x 18" folding table attached to the forward barndoor, that's fine but you want to hinge it at the bottom??? so the struts will push out and down?? or are you going to hinge at top and have the struts push up? Either way, this is probably something you'll need.
The swingout brackets look perfect.
I follow the "materials on hand" construction manual when possible.
I am sure I can make them, and make them work.
Plus the shelf can now be hinged on top.
Sweet.
Thanks for the help.
Ok, I see! I don't know why but i was thinking about a way to hold the side door open.
I agree the folding supports Tabijan posted look great. I have seen pics where some people make a similar folding support out of wood and use a hinge to hold the support to the door. Those metal ones would be much sturdier though.
I have seen some where you hinge the shelf to the door and use a small chain to keep it from folding past 90 degrees.
What are you using the shelf for?
I am thinking about a folding shelf but built into a small storage box mounted on the door. Perhaps to put my portable stove in when not in use.
Well staying on the wood working subject...LOL What's a good way to make a table? I have the pole for the floor so would you suggest a solid piece of wood and cut it round or would you suggest gluing a bunch of 1" x 3 or 4" together then cutting? I would also have to make a bracket to slide onto the pole I guess. Any suggestions would be useful, I get stuck sometimes and can't think outside the box for a solution....LOL
Ok, I see! I don't know why but i was thinking about a way to hold the side door open.
I agree the folding supports Tabijan posted look great. I have seen pics where some people make a similar folding support out of wood and use a hinge to hold the support to the door. Those metal ones would be much sturdier though.
I have seen some where you hinge the shelf to the door and use a small chain to keep it from folding past 90 degrees.
What are you using the shelf for?
I am thinking about a folding shelf but built into a small storage box mounted on the door. Perhaps to put my portable stove in when not in use.
That just upped the game! Nice door boxes. Got lots of scrap wood, lots of fasteners...
Well staying on the wood working subject...LOL What's a good way to make a table? I have the pole for the floor so would you suggest a solid piece of wood and cut it round or would you suggest gluing a bunch of 1" x 3 or 4" together then cutting? I would also have to make a bracket to slide onto the pole I guess. Any suggestions would be useful, I get stuck sometimes and can't think outside the box for a solution....LOL
Myself would look at what is available in Lowes, they have several stain ready offerings.
Edge glued finger joint wood is sweet to use.
Or do it like I do, stare at pile of scrap, with brain in "imagine" mode.
Then spend 2 weeks saving the planet, and $21.
how are thoes attached to the door? just self tapping sheet metal screws, or is there a more reusable way to attach them?
When I've done a similar addition I found and used as templates original Ford door panels that were attached with removable automotive clips. I'd replicate the OEM panels in plywood utilizing the matching holes in the panel and door shell. I'd then use Plus-Nuts in the door shell with 1/4"-20 truss head screws to hold the plywood panel to the door. That would look something like this:
This following image worked but was abandoned in a later design to gain more flexibility:
The design remains much the same in that each panel is held to the door shell with removable fasteners.
