How would you outfit this custom LJ?

[jscherb]

There's an engineering prototype of the half cab version of the Safari Cab under construction right now, I don't think I've posted "spy photos" of it here yet:

 

[jscherb]

Progress shot of the trailer project:

 

[stomperxj]

The trailer is looking really good Jeff. Seems like the tires are sticking out quite a bit though. Is that the right width or are the wheels not the right offset?

Cant wait to see more

Jess

 

[jscherb]

The trailer is looking really good Jeff. Seems like the tires are sticking out quite a bit though. Is that the right width or are the wheels not the right offset?

Cant wait to see more

Jess

Thanks.

Two reasons for the look of the tires:

1. The current axle I'm using for mockup is about 2" too wide, so when I do the final axle the wheels will come in an inch on each side.

2. Since I was completely removing the factory inner fenders from the tubs, I made the track a little wider so I could have 49" between the inner fender wells, to fit 48" wide things like plywood. The distance between the stock inner fenders is about 37" , and allows more space for wheel travel than a trailer requires, so I was able to tighten that up while also increasing the track width about 3" to arrive at 49" between the inner fenders. But because of the slightly wider track, I'll need to use wider flares to cover the tires. The flares on the trailer right now are stock width, so they don't look exactly right.

Everything will come into proper proportion as the build progresses.

 

[97tjguzzy]

Progress shot of the trailer project:

I really like how you redid the inner fenders, that gives you soooo much more space than stock. I should have done that when we made ours.

 

[jscherb]

I really like how you redid the inner fenders, that gives you soooo much more space than stock. I should have done that when we made ours.

Thanks. My inner fenders protrude into the interior less than 5" on each side, and they're only as long as necessary, so the inside of the tub is full width ahead of and behind the inner fenders. It's a lot more work to eliminate the factory inner fenders, but since I was replacing the side panels with new ones, I had already done most of the work removing the old inner fenders. The huge increase in space makes the work worthwhile.

 

[stomperxj]

Thanks.

Two reasons for the look of the tires:

1. The current axle I'm using for mockup is about 2" too wide, so when I do the final axle the wheels will come in an inch on each side.

2. Since I was completely removing the factory inner fenders from the tubs, I made the track a little wider so I could have 49" between the inner fender wells, to fit 48" wide things like plywood. The distance between the stock inner fenders is about 37" , and allows more space for wheel travel than a trailer requires, so I was able to tighten that up while also increasing the track width about 3" to arrive at 49" between the inner fenders. But because of the slightly wider track, I'll need to use wider flares to cover the tires. The flares on the trailer right now are stock width, so they don't look exactly right.

Everything will come into proper proportion as the build progresses.

Makes sense.... I figured it would all come together and there was a reason for it. Your projects always always turn out great. You have inspired me to try some fiberglass work on my next trailer build. Thanks for always posting lots of pictures and good descriptions of the process. It is greatly appreciated...

Again, Looks awesome Jeff-

Jess

 

[jscherb]

Makes sense.... I figured it would all come together and there was a reason for it. Your projects always always turn out great. You have inspired me to try some fiberglass work on my next trailer build. Thanks for always posting lots of pictures and good descriptions of the process. It is greatly appreciated...

Again, Looks awesome Jeff-

Jess

Jess,
If you have any questions or need any help when you start your fiberglass project let me know. Happy to share whatever I've learned.
jeff

 

[86cj]

Here's a photo/drawing showing how the roll-up side curtains might look when they're rolled down, followed by the same photo with them rolled up. I've followed the design of the hard side panels and windows pretty closely and copied it into the canvas design.

Yesterday I finished making all the necessary retainer hardware and the tailgate bar for these side curtains, so everything's ready for the canvas shop to sew up the prototype. Just have to finalized some details with them and hopefully will be able to set a date to deliver the Jeep to the canvas engineers very soon.

This is the way I like to run my LJ, I often leave the soft top up with no windows for shade. I have built my whole LJ rear storage area around the idea of walking up to the Jeep and reaching in to get things while standing on the ground, it makes setting up camp in very hot weather a much lower effort. The flip up side panel is a very practical way to access your gear, soft top access with hard top security, my hardtop only gets used for winter storage of my LJ because I have to climb in and dig for stuff during camping season. These issues could make your top just versitile enough to make people spend the money for it.


I like your trailer idea and have looked at using an Auqualu aluminum body that is similar in design to yours for a trailer in the past. A joint effort with their custom bodies and your top seems like it would be right up your alley...........http://www.aqualu.com/5072%20template%20master%20copy.jpg

 

[jscherb]

The flat floor area is 7' 2" long by 49" wide:

The inner fenders are about 5" wide, so in front of and behind the inner fenders the inside width is 59".

 

[jscherb]

I've been working a lot this week with the soft top people to get the plan finalized so we can get a set of prototype roll-up side curtains made. Hopefully won't be too much longer. (Really, I want them done in time for Moab Easter Jeep Safari! Wouldn't it be cool to do the trails there in the Safari Bikini with roll-ups?)

Here's an option idea the soft top folks suggested... the view in the photo is from the inside looking out, and it shows a separate zippered window that can be rolled down to leave a screened window in place.

They also can make "privacy curtain" on the inside, where you could zip a solid panel up inside the window for privacy.

I think the average Safari Cab buyer would just want fixed soft windows in the side curtains so I told them I diidn't think these options made sense for the most buyers, but perhaps these could be offered as a special upgrade option. I could imagine them being useful for the overland/camping crowd.

I thought it was an idea worth sharing to see if anyone had any feedback.

BTW the blue fabric in the photo above is not what would be used for the Safari Cab side curtains, the photo is from a different application.

Maybe there could be several possible roll-up side curtain options you could purchase:

- basic kit with clear windows
- upgrade to tinted windows
- upgrade to screens/privacy curtain
- I suppose there could also be a low price "van" kit with no side windows, but I doubt anyone would want that

Jeff

 

[86cj]

The screen would trap mud on the window and ruin the transparency quickly. I would like both a soft window panel and panel that is All screen. I also like the rear support bracket with the holes the best......

Is the top you are putting on your trailer going to get picked up for production also?

 

[jscherb]

The screen would trap mud on the window and ruin the transparency quickly. I would like both a soft window panel and panel that is All screen.

Maybe the window should be on the outside and the screen on the inside. The way it is in the photo was set up that way so the window could be unzipped and rolled down from the inside, but that's a marine application, not a road application.

Side curtains that are screen-only are definitely possible, and probably would be fairly inexpensive to manufacture.

I also like the rear support bracket with the holes the best......

That's good, because that's the design I sent to manufacturing. Although at some point there may be custom designs cut in them as well, the parts are laser-cut and small runs are practical, so maybe there will be a range of designs offered.

Is the top you are putting on your trailer going to get picked up for production also?

The camper trailer top is made from Safari Cab components, so if the company wants to offer it for sale, they can produce it from the molds they've made for the basic top. I have no idea if they plan to offer it, but I do know that the person who runs the company seems personally interested in it so I wouldn't be surprised if at least one gets built for his own use.

 

[Jim K in PA]

I've been working a lot this week with the soft top people to get the plan finalized so we can get a set of prototype roll-up side curtains made.

Here's an option idea the soft top folks suggested... the view in the photo is from the inside looking out, and it shows a separate zippered window that can be rolled down to leave a screened window in place.

They also can make "privacy curtain" on the inside, where you could zip a solid panel up inside the window for privacy.

I thought it was an idea worth sharing to see if anyone had any feedback.

Jeff

Jeff - those very options are what I discussed with the canvas shop for my custom soft top. The screen will need to be on the inside for the reasons stated above, and to prevent trail damage to the screen. The roll up privacy curtain as the innermost panel will be more of a "security" curtain for me, just to keep prying eyes out. Obviously a soft top is not a high-security enclosure device, but you might as well try . . .

I plan to square the corners of my tub off more to make the corner connection between the side and rear window panels simpler.

 

[86cj]

The camper trailer top is made from Safari Cab components, so if the company wants to offer it for sale, they can produce it from the molds they've made for the basic top. I have no idea if they plan to offer it, but I do know that the person who runs the company seems personally interested in it so I wouldn't be surprised if at least one gets built for his own use.

I will countinue to wish for a Camper Trailer top made from your custom molds, on a Aqualu custom aluminum body, thanks for the hope that the seed has been planted.....