Assembling the Weather Guard 42" x 60" x 13.5" Adjustable Van Shelf

Every Weather Guard shelf goes together the same way: one bolt through each corner of the end panel into a pressed-in nut on the shelf. The bolting is the easy part. The decisions that matter come before the first bolt: how high the bottom shelf sits over the wheel well, and how far apart the shelves need to be for doors, back panels, or drawers. This guide covers both, then walks through assembling the Weather Guard 42 inch van shelf start to finish.

Assembling the Weather Guard 42 Inch Van Shelf

We're building the Weather Guard Adjustable 4-Shelf Unit – 42" W x 60" H x 13.5" D (Model 9374-3-03). It's made from fully hemmed heavy-gauge steel with a Brite White ARMOR TUF powder coat. It has three 13.5" deep shelves and a shallower 10.5" top shelf that fits the tapered end panels, and it comes with four adjustable dividers per shelf.

This video covers assembly only. Installing the shelf in the van is coming in a separate video.

Before you start, scan the QR code on the one-page sheet in the box. It links to Weather Guard's latest assembly and installation instructions, which are the ultimate source of information.

Step 1: Plan your bottom shelf for the wheel well

If the shelf will sit over a wheel well, the bottom shelf needs to clear the part of the wheel well that sticks out into the cargo area. Count holes from the bottom of the end panel:

• Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: location 4
• Chevy Express, GMC Savana, and Nissan NV: location 5
• RAM ProMaster: location 6, for its larger wheel well

Our shelf is going in a Ford Transit, so our bottom shelf goes at location 4.

Step 2: Plan your accessory spacing

Doors, back panels, and drawer units only fit when the shelves are a set distance apart:

• Shelf doors and back panels: 7 hole increments
• Drawer units: 9 hole increments, counting the hole where the lower shelf mounts

We aren't adding accessories yet, but we spaced our shelves at 7 so we can add a door or back panel later without taking the unit apart. Our layout: bottom shelf at location 4, the next shelf 7 holes up, the next 7 more, and the top shelf in the top position.

Step 3: Grab the right hardware bag

The box has two hardware bags. The large one has brackets and a lot of hardware, and it's for installing the shelf in the van. The small bag of bolts is all you need for assembly, so set the large bag aside.

Step 4: Lay down an end panel and seat the top shelf

Lay one end panel flat so gravity works for you. The narrower top shelf goes in the top position. Lances on the end panel slide into matching cutouts on the shelf. If it's tight, stretch it slightly or give it a light tap to seat it.

Step 5: Add the remaining shelves

Install the bottom shelf at your wheel well location, then the middle shelves at your planned spacing. Use one bolt in the front and one in the back of each shelf, and thread them just enough that each shelf stands up on its own.

You can choose a shelf orientation as you go:

• Flanges up is the standard orientation. Built-in slots hold the included dividers for organizing equipment and accessories.
• Flanges down gives you a flat, flush surface for mounting Packout cleats or similar.

Step 6: Add the second end panel

Set the other end panel on top and line up every shelf with the same hole locations you used on the first panel. Recount so no shelf ends up cockeyed. Make sure the top shelf seats into this panel's lances too.

Step 7: Tighten everything

Once every bolt is hand-threaded, go back through with a power tool and tighten them all down. Save the effort until everything is lined up.

Before it goes in the van

Choose your install method. You can mount the shelf with the included brackets, plus nuts, and plus nut tool, tying into the van wall and floor. Or use a Weather Guard vehicle-specific mounting kit, like the Ford Transit 148" WB kit, which gives you a track to attach the shelving to.

Consider adding accessories now. Doors, drawers, and back panels can be tight to install once the shelf is in the van. The tradeoff is weight: this unit is about 90 pounds on its own, and every accessory adds more.

Shop the Weather Guard Adjustable 4-Shelf Unit – 42" W x 60" H x 13.5" D

Need deeper shelves? Check out the 42" x 60" x 16" heavy duty version. Browse all van shelving for other sizes and accessories.

FAQ

Which hole should my bottom shelf go in?
It depends on your van. Use location 4 for the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, 5 for the Chevy Express, GMC Savana, and Nissan NV, and 6 for the RAM ProMaster.

How far apart should my shelves be?
Use 7 hole increments for shelf doors and back panels, and 9 for drawer units, counting the hole where the lower shelf mounts. With no accessories planned, any spacing works, but 7 keeps a door or back panel open as an option.

Which hardware bag is for assembly?
The small bag of bolts. The larger bag with brackets is for installing the shelf in the van.

How much does the shelf weigh?
About 90 pounds before accessories.

Should I add drawers or doors before installing the shelf?
It's often easier, since the van can be a tight space to work in. Just plan for the extra weight when you move the shelf into place.

We want you empowered to make your own upfitting decision. If you'd rather talk it through, our US-based upfit pros are ready to help.