TJ tourer ideas

[motas]

Hi. So I have a TJ wrangler and I know it is not ideal for long trips but I really like it and it is mostly used for short trips but i really would like to do the occasional trip. So I am trying to think of how I can turn it into a good reliable tour without detracting from the off road capabilities for the shorter trips or the things that make me like the TJ. So heres my list of requirements:
Easy setup (no tents or swags so I can simply park and flip the bed open or similiar)
Retain enough storage for everything needed including a fridge
Retain ability to use soft top or hardtop (either can be custom but would rather standard or off the shelf)
Soft top removable without filling bed with dust
One piece so even when setup everything is part of the car
Retain low centre of gravity
Comfortable sleeping for one short person (~160cm) but preferably two
Enough storage to take an extra swag or tent for another person

I have had a few ideas so far but i'd like to hear some other peoples ideas first if anyone has any.
If anyone does have some it would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[redthies]

I have owned a TJ Rubicon, and while it was, as you say a capable rig for a short trip, there is no way they would work for sleeping inside unless you are seriously short person. If you ARE actually 160cm tall, you might be able to sleep sideways across the back on a platform above your fridge and small amount of other storage. Most of the other options are not going to work with your wish list. Rooftop tent = higher c.o.g.

Maybe a small trailer with RTT or custom built with a sleeping space you just crawl into? I never towed with my TJ, but I wouldn't think they are great for that use. I also don't see a way you can ever take off your top (hard or soft) and not fill the Jeep with dust... Unless you are touring in "The Wet":sombrero: But, that of course is silly.

I think if you have some skills, or the cash to pay for skills, you should be able to make an elevated platform in the back but I would think it would have to be fairly high off the floor to keep a fridge under it.

 

[bluejeep]

I think you represent a great number of Jeep owners who have the same or very similar wishes. Me included.

My current solution (in the works) is a rack above the back seat area (back seat is removed). This rack also transforms (easily) into a platform (for sleeping, use as a table (albiet a tall one) out the back of the Jeep. Useable with either soft or hard top. I have only the connection structure to the rollbar left to engineer. I have 90% of that figured out, just not fabbed yet.

I plan to rig a lightweight tarp over the back half of the Jeep and extending either to the side(s) or the back, as the camping spot allows, for coverage while sleeping, camping, cooking, etc. The sleeping area (transformed rack) will be more than adequate for 1, cozy for 2. The only time I will need area for more than myself will be in a few years when the grandkids are older. Most likely I'll include a small tent to pitch at that time.

I previously had designed and built a rack/sleeping area that extended to the side, and used a small 1 person backpacking tent on it. Worked great for the week I had in Moab, slept like a baby, through sun, rain, wind and snow. Very exciting. But it would not work with a hardtop, and for the stock softtop you would have to lower the top or the bars supporting the top are in the way. I run a frameless softtop so had no worries. I believe the design out the backend will be far superior.

I will post pics when I complete it. Life right now allows precious little time to work on it, so don't hold your breath. (sorry)

 

[goodtimes]

There is a full 6' from the dashboard to the tailgate. Solo travel + sleeping inside isn't tough - but adding a second person to the mix ups the $$$ + complexity considerably.

For solo travel:

Pull the passenger seat, build a flat platform 1.75" above the rear floor (this leaves room for the rear seat brackets to remain in place) that covers the full width of the rear area, and the front passenger seat area.

It gets a little tight between the center console and the right rear wheel well, but I found it comfortable enough (I'm not exactly skinny). If the fridge is behind the drivers seat, you won't have to pull it to sleep in the Jeep, but it will be a tight (like sleeping in a really narrow slot canyon). I found the fridge a bit too loud for my taste. A longer power cord let me move it outside at night - which also freed up room for the dog to sleep inside (which could get a bit stinky depending on how long we were on the road).

For traveling with 2 people, I had to go with a roof top tent. The TJ was still incredibly capable, but the added weight of both the tent, the rack to mount it on (mine was a soft top), and all the crap that 2 people travel with, was a bit much for the soft suspension (OME heavy springs + adjustable shocks). There are ways around that - but really, it becomes a space issue. There just isn't room for extended trips unless you both are OK with traveling really light (backpacker light), or you don't mind 3-dimensional jigsaw puzzles every time you need to get anything into or out of the back.

I always thought that something like the JK habitat would be cool for a TJ, but it still won't get you around the space issue.

 

[406to417]

I know you already have the TJ so this doesn't help much but a LJ or JK is really better for this sort of thing.

 

[motas]

LJ arent available in aus and jk is way to expensive. I cannot legally tow a trailer due to my licence and I will need the passenger seat even if they arent sleeping with me. Fridge is 500mm high with mounting and a drawer beside is. I was thinking a good idea might be to manufacture a swiveling passenger seat so it can be turned around and sleep there but it would be a tight fit. I measured myself yesterday and im about 180cm which is still pretty short and i am skinny. Dog gets carsick so no problem there. Only the bed needs to be sealed off from the dust so for example a half top with a camper on the rear would be fine because you can remove the half top while keeping the bed sealed. I was thinking a halftop with something similiar to a roof top tent between the roll bars which flips out would work well but I would lose access to the fridge when it is setup. My main thing I am looking for is easy setup and still being capable of road. If everything has a specific spot no jigsaw is needed because everything should fit easily every time. I'll post up a few of my ideas when I get home.
Thanks guys.

 

[motas]

http://s1091.photobucket.com/albums/i396/motas31/Camper/
Sorry forgot about that. each has its own pros and con. let me know if you need something explained.
Thanks.