XJ modular sleeping platform?

[katuah]

HI folks; I've spent a while on here and elsewhere looking at pics of XJ cargo areas, but I can't seem to find where anyone has done what I'm thinking. If you have, I'd love to hear about it.

What I want: a way to safely keep my large spare, Hi-lift, tools and supplies all within the XJ but still having enough room for a sleeping platform, AND to use the backseat easily in between longer trips. It's this last that seems to be the killer point.

What I'm thinking about: A platform built as two smaller platforms. At least one of these could be moved around. When in the very back, it combines with the other platform to make a full-across shelf. When the rear seat is folded down, it sits in front of the other one to make a raised sleeping area about 5'x2'. Under the shelf there would be room for a spare, and perhaps even for a riverraider hi-lift mount.

Thoughts?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I tried doing this exact thing about 6 years ago and just gave up in the end after deciding it would cost too much to do it the right way.

 

[postalWagon]

sounds easy enough.
I would lay the tyre flat and build the platform over it.
My only question is do you want it to hinge?
great idea

 

[Stumpalump]

"kstutz" did that. Send him a PM and ask for a photo. He has a ton of space and sleeps well in it.

 

[wADVr]

Having given this much thought over the years a few things to consider.

up to a 33" spare will fit flat in the cargo area with the rear seat in place and still allow room for the hilift and even some extra axle shafts if you carry them. Up to a 31" will fit in the factory location.

I am far from tall at 5'9" and can say without having the fold away 2 door seats I do not see how sleeping in the back of the XJ is possible. The 2 door seats allow for substantially more room as they can be folded forward giving the elevated platform more available length. I currently move all my gear to one side and with the rear seat lower removed I can sleep flat stretched out on the floor. Mind you this requires a continued amount of frustration in moving everything around but is worth it being dry and comfortable in inclimate weather. And being able to have enough headroom to sit up is great.

For the platform my thought was to use a piano style hinge mounted across the front of the storage area (right up against the back seat) to locate the front half of the platform (Technically this would mount back slightly as to allow the weight transfer from the hinged top to the storage area and not on the hinge itself. When not in use the front half would either be removed or folded back on top of the storage area. If I recollect this half would simply rest on the lower portion of the rear seat as it is tilted up top fold the back down. If this does not work dimensionally then some sort of support would need to be designed to fold flat or out of the way.

The main reason I have not pursued building this is well time but additionally the splatform height. My full sized spare is a thick 12.5", not thinking that leaves much head room (ie cant even sit up) Even throwing the spare outside and shortening the platform height doesnt leave enough headroom in my opinion without drastically reducing the storage space. Would like to hear some feedback on this issue as I know many have done this, just cant imagine it being comfortable.

 

[katuah]

The headroom issue is definitely to be considered. I am thinking it would be rather snug, possibly even no taller than the top of the backseat to the roof. It wouldn't be possible to sit up. However, I'm only 5'2" and if it went over the bottom of the back seat when folded up, I would have plenty of room to stretch out. It's not meant to be a full-service camper, just a place to sleep.

I'm not envisioning a full-width cover when open. Not sure how to illustrate this... but one half of the back would "move" to be in front of the other half. that way if the seat is folded down, and I've not crammed it totally full, I could sit up in the "space" of the other half-seat area. Or I could keep a tall cooler there.

I'll see if I can post some design sketches.

 

[Heartless]

Get some seats from a two door XJ that pop forward, and swap em in; maybe from a junk yard or try a want ad. Then maybe a hinging foot are where the seat was... This might give you enough space. As for the spare, just get a tire carrier. You will want one down the road anyway. Again you can find stock XJ tire carriers; not very robust but will easily do a 31". If you go bigger, up to a 33"+ you will lose a ton of cargo area if you insist on keeping it inside.

I like this idea, and i used to do the same thing you are thinking about. I used to move the seats way forward and just use a double air mattress. I would stuff my bags behind the front seats and it would do the trick. Since then i have Overlanded the snot out of my Jeep, so i have abandoned the concept. I have fridges, and slide out kitchens and what not in my cargo area. The swing out tire and dual jerry can carrier from Tomken is a great system. Tough as nails and very useful.

Im looking to go with a roof top tent down the road, but was thinking of maybe some sort of tent platform. That way it would be a nice flat spot, and maybe some quick tie points or something. Almost like one of those hannibal ones, but a better quality tent. 4 season mountaineering styles!!

Good luck man.