Travis Mudrich

Sorry if its been covered before, I've tried researching it, but barely could find any info.

I recently got a cargo cover. It works okay, but not entirely smoothly. It's also hard to hold onto in order to fully test it; I've got brackets coming in soon so that shouldn't be much of a problem. In the meantime, I want to disassemble it to clean and service it. I'm afraid if I take it apart, I won't be able to reassemble it and it would have been a waste of money.

Anyone one here ever disassemble one? Or has a link to a thread? Any and all information would be helpful! Thanks in advance.

Travis Mudrich

After nearly 30 years, this cargo cover has seen its days, but still has a lot of life left in it.


Not too bad of shape


I removed the handle to start the restoration


Outer tube was slightly bent at the handle. Internal slide tube was okay


Driver side end is bent. Still not sure how to tackle this.

I started with some WD-40 on the return spring and it's retracting back almost perfectly. I still want to open it up to fully service it, but I'm too afraid since these are soooo uncommon.

Travis Mudrich

Alright so after repairing my center console 3 times dude to brittle plastic and constant use, I'm not going to deal with the same thing on a uncommon part. I'm going to be treating it the same way I did with my center console. That can be read here:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/pr...cation-263129/

So for the handle, I'm going to do everything I can to prevent it from breaking.


Even though theres internal gussets, I do not want the handle to break off in my hand while I am pulling the cover open.


I filled in the negative spaces with J-B Kwik.


I trimmed it down with a razor blade.


Contored to shape with a file.

I hope this never breaks. I hope I do not have to fix it again. I hope I never have to try to find another one. These cargo covers (especially in tan) are getting more and more uncommon; some people would even say they are rare.

Jeepwalker

Good pics.

Looks a lot like a home retractable patio door (outside) screen assembly. I re-did two last summer.

Travis Mudrich

I'm sure it functions similarly lol

arpunk

Great job on that handle!!

You might want to hit the spring with a longer-lasting lube. I’ve used Blaster Silicon lube with good results in the past.

I would agree that taking it apart more than necessary might lead to some head-scratching and adult language.

If push comes to shove, although it seems like you’ve got this, I have seen that they make an aftermarket cargo cover. They all seem to be gray and mostly for RHD Jeeps (maybe the spare is on the other side). Since you have all the trim and correct colored vinyl (?) you could swap out the mechanics but not lose the OEM look.

Travis Mudrich

Yeah I had used regular WD-40 to get it loose first, then went back with WD-40 white lithium grease. Not sure if it works the same as silicone, but I did attempt lol

I think I may run it how it is and if it breaks, then I'll look into getting a gray one USED. I can find those fairly easy, and cheaper than the Quadratec new gray ones lol but either way I think I'll just solve it after it breaks

Travis Mudrich

Throughout the time I've had my XJ, I've gathered parts for the cargo cover I knew I would install one day.


I know it's an odd amount, but I do have one complete set.


Someone before me has shaven two front brackets down. I'm going to try to use the unmolested ones. Maybe ill find myself in the same situation the last guy was in.


Now here's something. These are both left side rear brackets, but the right one has a notch. I'm not sure the years these came out of, but at some point Chrystler made a revision. Now, wheather or not the added or removed the notch as part of that, I have no idea.


Side view.

Now these brackets are actually quite sturdy compared to the grab handle. However, I chose to give them the good old JB Kwik treatment. I know most will think it's overboard and completely unnecessary, and I would agree with you, but I just don't like to half-*** anything.


I know they look in rough shape on camera, but they're decent.

arpunk

I really wanted a cargo cover until someone raised a good point: it alerts a thief that you may have something valuable underneath.

I prefer to keep my valuables (tools, endoscope, multimeter) hidden amongst all the various cleaners and shop rags. Just looks like a bunch of junk from the outside.

Ralph77

So your XJ did not come with one?
Cause if so from the pictures you showed you are missing a piece.
There is a metal support behind the interior plastic for the 2 mounting points behind the rear seat.

I know this because I am toying with the idea of putting a '96 and down retractable cargo cover in my '00.
Not sure if I am going to do it but also there is a chance that while the 2 plastic interior pieces behind the hatch look
very similar in '96 and down and '97 and up the curvature of them is different and the 2 mounting points behind the hatch
might not lie properly on them.
And of course without drilling holes you can't really tell one way or the other.
​​​​​​​LOL.

Travis Mudrich

As soon as I seen the picture, I knew it had to be Ralph77 🤣 I've got screenshots from like 2020 of you talking about this bracket to someone else. Im glad you asked though!

Simple answer? Most likely I am going to make my own. I've used that exact picture to ask people if they had the brackets. Of course, no one know about them, and didn't pull them from the XJ at the junkyard.

If you still have a set loose that you would be willing to sell, that would be amazing. If you have a loose set that you would be able to measure so I can duplicate, that would be better than nothing 😁😁😁😁

Ralph77

There is an outside that I might have a second set around but I know that I did dump some extra pieces on Ebay and sold them.
The second set might have been included.
I could try to find them but....
To make it should be nothing though.
Extra shots that might help you.

Travis Mudrich

Yeah if you I've an extra set, that would be phenomenal. Either way thanks for the pictures! Are all those measurements and locations factory?

Ralph77

I am in the middle of a move and me finding them, if I even have them still, are pretty slim.
Best to not count on it but if I do I will PM you.
Best of my knowledge those are how they should be from the factory.
Most of those shots were taken at boneyards of Jeeps that came with the cover when scavenging for parts.
Of course covers themselves were no where to be found.
LOL.

Travis Mudrich

No that's cool, I underatand. Thanks for all of the info! 😁😁