I'm going to buy a jeep in the next couple of months and was interested in your arguments for either of these set ups.
Option 1 Jk 2dr W/ AutoHome, Columbus or Maggiolina
Tent: +$3500
Not sure which model tent. The pricing is about the same. I like set up time to be under 1 minute. I grew up in VW's and appreciate the convenience, in fact if they would make another syncro and walk away from the Routan boom we wouldn't have to have this conversation. I'm not alone on this. Rebuilt fully pimped syncros go for over $100k! (gowesty) VW or somebody should fill this void, either way I am looking forward to the 4x4 capability of a jeep. Here are some of the thoughts that have been bouncing around regarding either of these set ups.
my thoughts on the 2 set ups....
more capable 4x4: Cool
I'm not a rock crawler or anything... I'm pretty cautious especially when rolling alone which I typically do, so the confidence inspired by the 2dr vs the unlimited might give me a bit more access.
cheaper truck: -$2500
It looks like the 2dr auto home comb is going to be cheaper. Expedition people understand what resourcefulness feels like. I don't love spending, but I hate wasting.
easy access to convertible: Cool
The 2 freedom panels would still be operational with this set up which would be fun. The Ursa set up which is much more tedious to convert?
must buy hard top: +900
Since I can't stand the external rack approach I'd have to buy a hardtop to accommodate the roof rack adding to the purchase price of the vehicle.
Easier to manage in city: OK
Sleeping quarters are removable: OK?
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. I keep having visions of trying to slide this huge coffin shaped tent onto the roof by myself or worse not having it when I want it because I took it off because I got tired of looking at it. Also I'm terrible at planning. Coastal drives can easily turn into overnight weekend warrior missions. I don't really want to be handling this thing all the time. My anticipated schedule is probably weekend missions for 8 months out of the year once a month and maybe 2 or 3 one week trips per year. I think this means that I'm going to leave the tent all the time or have to set up a really slick hoist and quick release system.
rack purchase and install: $500
Rack
I'll use a yakima style rack. A huge, heavy, noisy roll cage style rack is out of the question, which is why the hardtop price is added. I'm planning on using, or making false rain gutters to accommodate two cross bars in the back and freedom top rain gutter mounted crossbar in the front. The front crossbar will have to come off to get into convertible mode but this is quick compared to removing the huge ursa and installing the soft top.
Option 2 JK unlimited W/ J30 ursa pop top +5700
no ladder to deal with. Access from inside and outside the vehicle. Standing room for changing etc. Lower ceiling than auto home. Cool integrated design. More aerodynamic. more stealth. Can accommodate additional rack for boards, bikes etc.
Smoother ride per LWB Cool
also going to be my daily driver
More room Cool
I do most of my exploring with one other person. With the sleeping situation taken out of the cargo area I think 2 people can fit their gear into a 2dr with the seats removed but more space always comes in handy, except when you're high centered.
Soft top alternative OK
I might feel compelled to remove the huge ursa with pullies and such or friends and store it and install the soft top but this sounds like a real PITA and therefore rare and unlikely. It feels kind of shameful to have a jeep and not ever get to stand up while driving.
More convenient Cool
more doors are nice. No kids yet...
New Product
There's a reasonable amount of concern and risk when buying any new innovative product.
Post your argument for either set up and how you'd use it. If you see better ways or problems please point them out. The logic behind the set up is important to me and I think people would like to hear it. OR drop the whole thing for a RCSB tacoma and a flip pac?View attachment 149670View attachment 149671View attachment 149672
Option 1 Jk 2dr W/ AutoHome, Columbus or Maggiolina
Tent: +$3500
Not sure which model tent. The pricing is about the same. I like set up time to be under 1 minute. I grew up in VW's and appreciate the convenience, in fact if they would make another syncro and walk away from the Routan boom we wouldn't have to have this conversation. I'm not alone on this. Rebuilt fully pimped syncros go for over $100k! (gowesty) VW or somebody should fill this void, either way I am looking forward to the 4x4 capability of a jeep. Here are some of the thoughts that have been bouncing around regarding either of these set ups.
my thoughts on the 2 set ups....
more capable 4x4: Cool
I'm not a rock crawler or anything... I'm pretty cautious especially when rolling alone which I typically do, so the confidence inspired by the 2dr vs the unlimited might give me a bit more access.
cheaper truck: -$2500
It looks like the 2dr auto home comb is going to be cheaper. Expedition people understand what resourcefulness feels like. I don't love spending, but I hate wasting.
easy access to convertible: Cool
The 2 freedom panels would still be operational with this set up which would be fun. The Ursa set up which is much more tedious to convert?
must buy hard top: +900
Since I can't stand the external rack approach I'd have to buy a hardtop to accommodate the roof rack adding to the purchase price of the vehicle.
Easier to manage in city: OK
Sleeping quarters are removable: OK?
I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. I keep having visions of trying to slide this huge coffin shaped tent onto the roof by myself or worse not having it when I want it because I took it off because I got tired of looking at it. Also I'm terrible at planning. Coastal drives can easily turn into overnight weekend warrior missions. I don't really want to be handling this thing all the time. My anticipated schedule is probably weekend missions for 8 months out of the year once a month and maybe 2 or 3 one week trips per year. I think this means that I'm going to leave the tent all the time or have to set up a really slick hoist and quick release system.
rack purchase and install: $500
Rack
I'll use a yakima style rack. A huge, heavy, noisy roll cage style rack is out of the question, which is why the hardtop price is added. I'm planning on using, or making false rain gutters to accommodate two cross bars in the back and freedom top rain gutter mounted crossbar in the front. The front crossbar will have to come off to get into convertible mode but this is quick compared to removing the huge ursa and installing the soft top.
Option 2 JK unlimited W/ J30 ursa pop top +5700
no ladder to deal with. Access from inside and outside the vehicle. Standing room for changing etc. Lower ceiling than auto home. Cool integrated design. More aerodynamic. more stealth. Can accommodate additional rack for boards, bikes etc.
Smoother ride per LWB Cool
also going to be my daily driver
More room Cool
I do most of my exploring with one other person. With the sleeping situation taken out of the cargo area I think 2 people can fit their gear into a 2dr with the seats removed but more space always comes in handy, except when you're high centered.
Soft top alternative OK
I might feel compelled to remove the huge ursa with pullies and such or friends and store it and install the soft top but this sounds like a real PITA and therefore rare and unlikely. It feels kind of shameful to have a jeep and not ever get to stand up while driving.
More convenient Cool
more doors are nice. No kids yet...
New Product
There's a reasonable amount of concern and risk when buying any new innovative product.
Post your argument for either set up and how you'd use it. If you see better ways or problems please point them out. The logic behind the set up is important to me and I think people would like to hear it. OR drop the whole thing for a RCSB tacoma and a flip pac?View attachment 149670View attachment 149671View attachment 149672
