Metcalf
Expedition Leader
My current idea for a mini-modular camper for the rear of a 4-door JK sized vehicle.
1- water tank or storage shelf that made the front part of the floor flat and level with the rear section of the floor. Just a simple bolt in shelf could be nice. You could store a bunch of heavy stuff like tools and spare parts in that area. Access could be with the front seats flipped forward. I think this would also be a good location for a water tank for long distance trips. If the water tank was molded to fit and just bolted in.....that would kick butt. Maybe have a shelf AND a tank. The shelf basically being able to support a heavy load while making the rear area of the floor flat for cargo hauling.
2-A multi-segment sleeping platform that bolted in the rear just above the wheel tubs. I think to get full sleeping length the platform would need to have a fold out or slide forward leaf that was used with the seats folded forward. ( having the flip forward seat mounts for a 2-door would be nice ). It would be nice if the mattress was somehow integrated into the 'panels' that formed the sleeping platform, yet came off for cleaning. I think having the top be modular so that you could leave out sections for specific reasons would be valuable.
3-Modular storage boxes that fit on the flat rear floor below the sleeping platform. I'm thinking something simple like an open top aluminum box would be fine. If I wanted to get fancy I think having the 'floor' be one of those big 'bed slide' things so that you could pull the entire mess out the rear door would be nice. I would probably try and carry a spare tire ( just tire ) on the floor under the sleeping platform. Then have the ability to stuff soft side gear bags inside the tire and have some odd shaped gear boxes to take up the space around the tire also.
4-The kitchen door
Make a replacement rear swing out door with an integrated window that had a micro kitchen built in. A small single burner stove from the boating world that ran off propane. A small sink that got water from the water tank. It would be on the inside of the rear door. In bad weather you would be able to cook inside. Maybe have the rear window open for some ventilation? When its nice out you open the door and cook from the rear of the vehicle. Propane tank mount on the sloped portion of the rear rollcage, maybe one on each side. I think the sink/stove would have to flip up and down to have maximum space on the inside when sleeping. It would be nice if the sink/stove could be attached to the door both in a high position when cooking inside.....and a low position when cooking outside with the door open. I think that could get difficult with the propane and water hoses...
5-A storage 'box' that would go against the drivers side of the top under the roll bar. It would only be about 8" deep give or take. I am thinking something REALLY light.....maybe an aluminum wire frame with fabric? This would be used to store all you long term personal stuff like clothes. Mesh doors on the front of the storage cubbies....with a little tag slot so you can label them.
I would try and keep everything as light as possible in construction.....
1- water tank or storage shelf that made the front part of the floor flat and level with the rear section of the floor. Just a simple bolt in shelf could be nice. You could store a bunch of heavy stuff like tools and spare parts in that area. Access could be with the front seats flipped forward. I think this would also be a good location for a water tank for long distance trips. If the water tank was molded to fit and just bolted in.....that would kick butt. Maybe have a shelf AND a tank. The shelf basically being able to support a heavy load while making the rear area of the floor flat for cargo hauling.
2-A multi-segment sleeping platform that bolted in the rear just above the wheel tubs. I think to get full sleeping length the platform would need to have a fold out or slide forward leaf that was used with the seats folded forward. ( having the flip forward seat mounts for a 2-door would be nice ). It would be nice if the mattress was somehow integrated into the 'panels' that formed the sleeping platform, yet came off for cleaning. I think having the top be modular so that you could leave out sections for specific reasons would be valuable.
3-Modular storage boxes that fit on the flat rear floor below the sleeping platform. I'm thinking something simple like an open top aluminum box would be fine. If I wanted to get fancy I think having the 'floor' be one of those big 'bed slide' things so that you could pull the entire mess out the rear door would be nice. I would probably try and carry a spare tire ( just tire ) on the floor under the sleeping platform. Then have the ability to stuff soft side gear bags inside the tire and have some odd shaped gear boxes to take up the space around the tire also.
4-The kitchen door
Make a replacement rear swing out door with an integrated window that had a micro kitchen built in. A small single burner stove from the boating world that ran off propane. A small sink that got water from the water tank. It would be on the inside of the rear door. In bad weather you would be able to cook inside. Maybe have the rear window open for some ventilation? When its nice out you open the door and cook from the rear of the vehicle. Propane tank mount on the sloped portion of the rear rollcage, maybe one on each side. I think the sink/stove would have to flip up and down to have maximum space on the inside when sleeping. It would be nice if the sink/stove could be attached to the door both in a high position when cooking inside.....and a low position when cooking outside with the door open. I think that could get difficult with the propane and water hoses...5-A storage 'box' that would go against the drivers side of the top under the roll bar. It would only be about 8" deep give or take. I am thinking something REALLY light.....maybe an aluminum wire frame with fabric? This would be used to store all you long term personal stuff like clothes. Mesh doors on the front of the storage cubbies....with a little tag slot so you can label them.
I would try and keep everything as light as possible in construction.....
