Interior cargo area storage (ratcheting cargo bar placement)

[Hacksaw]

I haven't yet figured out what I'm going to do with this information, but here's a dimensioned diagram of the space available if you install a cargo bar (the location in the pic was the only practical place with sturdy structure and parallel surfaces) as a "stopper" for keeping things from sliding. Pic shows where that cargo bar is situated:
https://i.postimg.cc/yNyM6Hnk/4runr-cargo-bar-fit-01.jpg

I'll probably try to find some crates or bins that work with these dimensions

 

[Hacksaw]

Update: I guess it's time to retire my old Harbor Freight cargo bar. It rattles constantly while driving. I previously had it in the bed of a truck so I never heard it, but it has probably rattled forever. I think I paid 15 bucks for it with coupon.

Anyone know of another brand of cargo bar that doesn't have audible rattling while you drive, when installed in the cargo area of an SUV?

I'd probably be leaving the cargo bar installed almost full time, so it needs to be silent. All these cargo bars have one rod slipped inside another, but it seems it should be possible to design it so it doesn't rattle?

 

[timelapse]

Why would you use this if you still have the rear seats? I could see the value of this if the rear seats are deleted and you don’t want things sliding, but the mounting location in your photo really limits the storage depth.

 

[Hacksaw]

The cargo bar I have (looking to replace it since the internal rod rattles against the outer rod while driving) has fixed mounting pads so you can only mount it between parallel surfaces. There aren't many parallel surfaces in the rear of the 4runner so the location in this pic was the only practical location. I found a possible replacement bar that has pivots on the contact pads so that might allow mounting it in other locations with non-parallel surface.

As far as useful or not, it depends what you commonly carry back there and whether the 4runner is your daily driver or not. Also depends on what you'd want to store in the vehicle permanently vs stuff you just bought at a store. For the daily driver role, it would be small to medium items (like those flimsy plastic bags for groceries) more than large items and I'm looking for some storage crates that will fill the area between the cargo bar and the liftgate so the crates don't slide while driving. Probably three of them. And that would give me essentially 3 mini-trunks that are easily accessible either from the open liftgate or from the rolled-down rear window. I found some collapsible crates that I ordered and would be a pretty good fit in both depth and width but they won't arrive for a while.

Also, I'm not sure it if was clear but the cargo bar can be removed in seconds and reinstalled in seconds.

 

[timelapse]

The cargo bar I have (looking to replace it since the internal rod rattles against the outer rod while driving) has fixed mounting pads so you can only mount it between parallel surfaces. There aren't many parallel surfaces in the rear of the 4runner so the location in this pic was the only practical location. I found a possible replacement bar that has pivots on the contact pads so that might allow mounting it in other locations with non-parallel surface.

As far as useful or not, it depends what you commonly carry back there and whether the 4runner is your daily driver or not. Also depends on what you'd want to store in the vehicle permanently vs stuff you just bought at a store. For the daily driver role, it would be small to medium items (like those flimsy plastic bags for groceries) more than large items and I'm looking for some storage crates that will fill the area between the cargo bar and the liftgate so the crates don't slide while driving. Probably three of them. And that would give me essentially 3 mini-trunks that are easily accessible either from the open liftgate or from the rolled-down rear window. I found some collapsible crates that I ordered and would be a pretty good fit in both depth and width but they won't arrive for a while.

Also, I'm not sure it if was clear but the cargo bar can be removed in seconds and reinstalled in seconds.

I’ve actually never seen anything like that before, but it opens up some ideas for something I’m currently building. I’ll continue to follow this post to see if you come across a better solution that does not rattle.

I’d be interested in mounting one where the rear seats had been located.