Abstract: A modular universal shelf (10) for an open load bed (12) of a pickup truck (14). The open load bed (12) has a load deck (16), a front wall (18), a tailgate (20), a pair of side walls (22), a pair of wheel wells (24) and a pair of horizontal rails (26) each formed on an inner surface (28) of each of the side walls (22). The shelf comprises an auxiliary deck (30). A structure (32) is for mounting the auxiliary deck (30) in a secure horizontal manner completely above the load deck (16) and the wheel wells (24), between the horizontal rails (26) on the side walls (22), from the front wall (18) to the tailgate (20), so as to produce a hide-a-way out of sight storage area for cargo (34) between the load deck (16) and the auxiliary deck (30). The auxiliary deck (30) can be utilized to store additional cargo (34), support people, pets and other items thereon.