JK Unlimited top / doors off packing for trips

[sgregg108]

Hey guys,

Wanted to see if anyone has any tips or tricks that they use for packing gear on trips? I drive a 2013 JKU.

I want to take off the hard top and doors this summer, run a spiderweb shade and enjoy the warm weather.

Ive never taken the doors/top off and when I go on trips the back seats and footwells behind the front seats are all fair game for storage. With the doors off I'm thinking this may be a problem unless I use a cargo net?

Any help or prior experience welcomed!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Septu]

Depends on what you're bringing. I have the besttop soft doors... to do highway stuff without the doors is fun... and annoying at the same time. I compromise with the soft doors... I'll frequently just run with the lowers in which means everything in the wheel wells stays there. It also depends on how far and how long your gone for. But one option is to build a cover for the trunk area. Keeps stuff out of sight, and ensures it doesn't go anywhere (wind or sticky fingers).

Bad picture, but you can see what I mean. It runs from an inch or so behind the seats and goes to the tailgate. It still allows me to run the soft top... and means I almost never ever put the windows in (rain).

 

[sgregg108]

I'm usually bringing a stove, lantern, recovery gear (tool bag/jack and tow strap) chairs, tent and sleeping / clothing items for two people, fire wood and possibly a metal fire pit if the area requires it (Anza Borrego in SoCal does) Also forgot to mention that I recently pulled the trigger on a Mac's Jeep Box for the cargo area, it's a lockable metal storage box that will hold all my pricey stuff. But when I'm going on these excursions I'm usually not too far from the rig, so sticky fingers aren't really the problem, just don't want stuff falling out on the trail.

I've thought about getting at least the rear set of bestop soft doors to keep gear inside the Jeep, but before I purchased anything else wanted to see what others have done.

Depends on what you're bringing. I have the besttop soft doors... to do highway stuff without the doors is fun... and annoying at the same time. I compromise with the soft doors... I'll frequently just run with the lowers in which means everything in the wheel wells stays there. It also depends on how far and how long your gone for. But one option is to build a cover for the trunk area. Keeps stuff out of sight, and ensures it doesn't go anywhere (wind or sticky fingers).

Bad picture, but you can see what I mean. It runs from an inch or so behind the seats and goes to the tailgate. It still allows me to run the soft top... and means I almost never ever put the windows in (rain).

 

[Dan Grec]

Here's a good pic of the rear cover I built for my TJ, which is more-or-less identical to the one Septu built above

-Dan

 

[Longtallsally]

I REALLY like the soft upper and lower doors that Bestop makes. However, They seem a bit pricey. Those would be easy to store in the back or the like as they don't take up any space. In addition, you will be amazed at how much weight is taken off the Jeep when you removed the hard top and doors. I bet its over 300 lbs.

EDIT: I just checked and thought I remembered correctly that it is over $800 for soft doors. Um. Wow. You can buy a hard top for that much. Oh well. I just can't justify that much for soft doors when there are so many other things more functional I'd like. /rant

 

[Septu]

You'd actually be surprised at how much space they take up. You can pack them in a way to help with that... but they do take up space. And on the highway... they flap and make a ton of noise (the uppers). I did a 5000 mile road trip with them a few years ago... never again. Now I take the soft doors (either in the trailer or on the back deck) and drive with the hard doors... then leave the hard doors at my family's place, and do small shorter trips with the soft doors.

But as to the price... I paid it (close to 1400 after shipping) and it was well worth it.

 

[Lacy Hershey]

I ran the Bestop soft doors on my JKUR for 3months straight. Went through rains,etc. here in TN. They are noisy but I tied a strap around my rollbar and the window part to keep a lot of the noise out. Use pipe insulation for the lowers to keep the flapping to a minimum, so much quieter after doing this. When not in use, break them down and stand them up behind the backseat and tie. I was running a safari straps pet divider so I would use it to wedge my doors up to the back seat. Had plenty of room in the back once doing that. Loved my soft top and doors. Nothing better when you own a Jeep.

 

[Bennyhana]

I love running with the doors off. Watch storing lighter stuff under the rear seat. If you watch, the rear floor mats will levitate a little during freeway driving. I've only traveled once offroad with the tops and doors off and didn't worry a whole lot about stuff disappearing as the only time I stopped in civilization was to fuel up. The big downside to driving the new Jeeps topless and doorless offroad is you will never have a clean interior again. Dust will be everywhere! In the carpets, vents, electronics, seats and every little nook and cranny but it's a blast and worth it.

 

[sgregg108]

Here's a good pic of the rear cover I built for my TJ, which is more-or-less identical to the one Septu built above

-Dan

Thanks for the pic and reply, Dan. I think the mac's box will be good for the cargo area, thinking the cargo net will keep items tied down in the back seat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sgregg108]

You'd actually be surprised at how much space they take up. You can pack them in a way to help with that... but they do take up space. And on the highway... they flap and make a ton of noise (the uppers). I did a 5000 mile road trip with them a few years ago... never again. Now I take the soft doors (either in the trailer or on the back deck) and drive with the hard doors... then leave the hard doors at my family's place, and do small shorter trips with the soft doors.

But as to the price... I paid it (close to 1400 after shipping) and it was well worth it.

I've been tossing around the idea of bestop tube/metal covered half doors for the back seat and not worrying about little items rolling out of the tub in the back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sgregg108]

I love running with the doors off. Watch storing lighter stuff under the rear seat. If you watch, the rear floor mats will levitate a little during freeway driving. I've only traveled once offroad with the tops and doors off and didn't worry a whole lot about stuff disappearing as the only time I stopped in civilization was to fuel up. The big downside to driving the new Jeeps topless and doorless offroad is you will never have a clean interior again. Dust will be everywhere! In the carpets, vents, electronics, seats and every little nook and cranny but it's a blast and worth it.

Very true about the dust, I've noticed that with just the windows down on the trail! But I bought the jeep to get dirty and be used on the trail so I'm okay w/that. And I've heard about the floor mat flutter, not too worried about it though, maybe I'll tape them down or put a zip tie through the mat to the rear seat legs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[speed2005]

Mopar half doors. The other options just don't cut it IMO. Here's my rig.
- Jonny @

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

 

[Marauder]

Safari Straps makes a cargo area net that works for my JKU they also make full net setups if that helps.

 

[Yarjammer]

Very true about the dust, I've noticed that with just the windows down on the trail! But I bought the jeep to get dirty and be used on the trail so I'm okay w/that. And I've heard about the floor mat flutter, not too worried about it though, maybe I'll tape them down or put a zip tie through the mat to the rear seat legs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I use the adjustable rubber straps with moveable s-hooks. They work great and give me quick way to secure my laptop bag, lunch bag, etc. on my way to work; I don't make any stops so sticky fingers aren't an issue.

It would be great it someone made a removable, locking anti-theft wire net big enough that you could connect to points in the tub. I've seen small ones designed for bags at the airport or library, but never for an open top Jeep. It would be enough to deter someone while you were eating a meal on the road or in the store, but probably not overnight.

 

[sgregg108]

Interesting idea, I've seen these nets as well but never thought of them for a vehicle application. I think you're right though, the nets are good deterrents while in a restaurant or at a gas station but overnight, forget it.

I think I'll probably give a bungee cargo net / ratchet straps a try when I pull the top off this spring.

Thanks,

Steve

I use the adjustable rubber straps with moveable s-hooks. They work great and give me quick way to secure my laptop bag, lunch bag, etc. on my way to work; I don't make any stops so sticky fingers aren't an issue.

It would be great it someone made a removable, locking anti-theft wire net big enough that you could connect to points in the tub. I've seen small ones designed for bags at the airport or library, but never for an open top Jeep. It would be enough to deter someone while you were eating a meal on the road or in the store, but probably not overnight.