JK Habitat Interior Plans

[AZUnlimited]

All,
Since we still have some time till the JK Flippak (Habitat) proto-type is ready, let's use this time to plan out some options for an optimal interior setup to compliment the JK Flippak.


Requirements(in no particular order)
- 15 to 20 gallons for water
- Refrigerator mounted in a location so that it can be accessed from the interior as well as from the exterior of the vehicle
- Organized storage
- Maximize standing pace under the hole where the entry to the overhead sleeping area will be. (Note: essentially the area where the rear seats are)

Nice to have:
- Kitchen that is quickly accessible/deployable.

Assumption:
- No need for an additional battery in the interior as dual battery kits are available for the engine compartment of the JK.

ROUGH Measurements:
Here are some rough measurements of the rear of the JK Unlimited with no rear seats. The orange square is roughly the opening allowed by the rear roll cage to enter the bed above. Note: I am making an assumption in the size of the area to enter the bed area as I have not seen any suggested measurements for the JK Flippak.

No Rear Seat option #1:

The rear seats would be removed in favor of the extra space. A platform would need to be build to make the floor flat. Additionally, I'd like to try and size the water tank to fit into the area where the 40% seat was incase the 60% seat needed to be re-installed to bring a third person along.

Pros:
- Position of the water tank. It puts all the water weight was low as possible, in between the two axles, and opposite the gas tank. Additionally, a box could be built over the water tank and used as a step to get up into the bed.
- Plenty of storage space. Drawers in the rear. The area to the right of the water tank could be used for holding storage bins while under way. Then cleared out when the tent is deployed. Area under the platform behind the passenger seat could be used for storage as well.
- The refrigerator can be accessed from the inside for a cool drink at night, or slid out to access from the exterior of the vehicle.
- A tailgate table could be used and the refrigerator could be accessed while items are setup on the table.
- ???

Cons:
- Kitchen would need to be stored in a box, thus probably not that fast to deploy.
- ???

What do you all think? Call out other options.

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

why not mount the fridge ontop of a smaller built slide out kitchen-ette...just a flat surface with room for a dual burner stove and prep area?..

also theres a storage area under the back...it might be possible to use the drawer system to allow access to this space..(open bottom/hatch)

 

[ersatzknarf]

How about assuming the "40%" side be kept for an occasional third person (maybe even omit the idea, if at all possible ?), put the fridge on a slide and locate it on the "60%" side to slide out that rear side door ?

If you can omit the occasional third seat idea or modify it, then the water tank can go there, otherwise it can go in the space under the fridge slide.

As for the kitchen, is it possible to put the spare tire on the hood and then have a large storage box on the outside of the rear door that has a fold down door to use as a table for stove, etc. to be the kitchen box ?

If a platform is being built to make the floor flat, then perhaps plan to put things under the platform (water, etc.), as much as possible ?

Depending on the dimensions, I wonder if you could perhaps put two (or more ?) of the AT 19 gal. water tanks next to each other in the space behind the front seat ? (this implies omitting the occasional seat there)

Since the space under the opening is to be maximized, rather than a permanent drawer set-up in the back, perhaps a removable one, secured with those nifty aircraft tie-down tracks could be done ?

One last thought : depending on the "step-up" to the tent entry, the "platform" or storage (drawer system) could be arranged so as to provide the "steps" to get up to the roof... ?

 

[AZUnlimited]

why not mount the fridge ontop of a smaller built slide out kitchen-ette...just a flat surface with room for a dual burner stove and prep area?..

also theres a storage area under the back...it might be possible to use the drawer system to allow access to this space..(open bottom/hatch)

I like the idea of the slide out kitchen-ette!!
As for the little storage area in the rear, I was hoping that when the fridge is slide out, that it would proved access to half of that area. Which should be enough to get any small items out of it.

 

[AZUnlimited]

Frank, thanks for the input, however I am not sure I did a good job initial of describing where the hole to enter the bed up top would be. I've added a diagram with some rough measurements to the initial post. From talking to AT, the current plan is to not modify the existing roll cage. Thus entry into the bed area will happen from the rear side doors.

How about assuming the "40%" side be kept for an occasional third person (maybe even omit the idea, if at all possible ?), put the fridge on a slide and locate it on the "60%" side to slide out that rear side door ?

The 40% side would probably be better to keep for a third passenger as it would free up more space, however I've had a hard time convincing myself that anyone would be happy with me after sitting in that seat. 40% was definitely an over statement by Jeep, it is more like a 27% seat. However, I am starting to warm to the idea that would be a full time two seater.

As for the kitchen, is it possible to put the spare tire on the hood and then have a large storage box on the outside of the rear door that has a fold down door to use as a table for stove, etc. to be the kitchen box ?

The kitchen box off that back has been an idea I have been kicking around in my head. I like the idea, however I'm not sure I have the fab skills to cook one up. Definitely a possibility.

If a platform is being built to make the floor flat, then perhaps plan to put things under the platform (water, etc.), as much as possible ?

There would be quite a bit of good space under the flat floor. I'm thinking access to this storage would need to be similar to the Overland JK. Frontrunner makes a water tank that would fit this space. FOOTWELL-WATER-TANK-10-57-Gallons However I do not know much about this tank... Can all of the water be pumped out of it, or does the hump prevent all of the water from making it to the drain without manual intervention? A.k.a picking up one side to get the water to run to the other side.

Since the space under the opening is to be maximized, rather than a permanent drawer set-up in the back, perhaps a removable one, secured with those nifty aircraft tie-down tracks could be done ?
One last thought : depending on the "step-up" to the tent entry, the "platform" or storage (drawer system) could be arranged so as to provide the "steps" to get up to the roof... ?

Storage boxes vs drawer system. Up until this point, I have only ever used boxes. I'm thinking I want at-least one draw for the convenience and the rest would be boxes tied down to save on some weight. Would it make sense to push the drawer in from the tailgate to make it a step?

 

[ersatzknarf]

Frank, thanks for the input, however I am not sure I did a good job initial of describing where the hole to enter the bed up top would be. I've added a diagram with some rough measurements to the initial post. From talking to AT, the current plan is to not modify the existing roll cage. Thus entry into the bed area will happen from the rear side doors.

De Nada ! I really enjoy this kind of stuff. Thanks for posting up the second drawing. I just was not sure of the location and was too lazy to try to track it down - sorry... The entry to the bed area from the rear side doors is a neat solution that will allow for more permanent storage in the rear, I think.

The 40% side would probably be better to keep for a third passenger as it would free up more space, however I've had a hard time convincing myself that anyone would be happy with me after sitting in that seat. 40% was definitely an over statement by Jeep, it is more like a 27% seat. However, I am starting to warm to the idea that would be a full time two seater.

Oh, okay, understood. I kinda liked that the third seat was 'not' for a full time user - hehehehe just kidding. Anyway, defining the uses and requirements makes the design turn out better.

The kitchen box off that back has been an idea I have been kicking around in my head. I like the idea, however I'm not sure I have the fab skills to cook one up. Definitely a possibility.

Glad you were thinking of the same thing. Agree about levels of fab abilities with some items, but I bet AT (or someone) could make something for you to fit the bill. Having the kitchen outside of the car, as much as possible, is very appealing.

There would be quite a bit of good space under the flat floor. I'm thinking access to this storage would need to be similar to the Overland JK. Frontrunner makes a water tank that would fit this space. http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/Water-Solutions-c47/ However I do not know much about this tank... Can all of the water be pumped out of it, or does the hump prevent all of the water from making it to the drain without manual intervention? A.k.a picking up one side to get the water to run to the other side.

Thanks for posting that link ! Neat. I have been looking around for different water tanks and such and had not seen this. I think that those are great questions to ask those folks.

Storage boxes vs drawer system. Up until this point, I have only ever used boxes. I'm thinking I want at-least one draw for the convenience and the rest would be boxes tied down to save on some weight. Would it make sense to push the drawer in from the tailgate to make it a step?

Considering the depth of say the AT drawer systems (for example), you might be able to leave it at the end of the tailgate and still use it for a step. Yes, having a drawer would be very convenient. Boxes are very useful as they can be removed and used outside the car and also changed around as needed. Sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[AZUnlimited]

Ok, I emailed Frontrunner about the footwell water tanks. Here was the response:
"With our new footwell water tank designs (coming soon) if your water level gets that low, and you don't want to tilt the water towards the side with the hose, there is a drain located on the opposite side."

So it sounds like this tank is possibility for this type of build, as I believe it would fit under a flat floor. Need to measure to see if two tanks would fit, then there would be about 22 gallons of water in about the best place possible. :sombrero:

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

Cost as an issue

perhaps cost should play a design role/ Also may it could be built so that these things are modular and be purchased alter on 1 or 2 items at a time/even using regularly available item such as arb refriges

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Here is what a water tank idea

As far as a third passenger...put him on the roof rack and worked for Mitt Romney's dog.

If you really want to kit out a JK interior an investment in a custom roll bar can free up some space. It seems to me that the JK has roughly the same area behind the front seats as a 109 or Defender 110 so setting up a Dormobile like cabin should be possible, except the roll bar gets in the way.

Jim

 

[AZUnlimited]

perhaps cost should play a design role/ Also may it could be built so that these things are modular and be purchased alter on 1 or 2 items at a time/even using regularly available item such as arb refriges

Cost definitely plays a role in the build out. Having it modular so that it could be built up over time and in steps would be a plus.

Here is what a water tank idea

As far as a third passenger...put him on the roof rack and worked for Mitt Romney's dog.

If you really want to kit out a JK interior an investment in a custom roll bar can free up some space. It seems to me that the JK has roughly the same area behind the front seats as a 109 or Defender 110 so setting up a Dormobile like cabin should be possible, except the roll bar gets in the way.

Jim

I hear you on the custom roll bar freeing up space. Every time I look at a picture of the Earthroamer, I'm just shocked at how much space they found in the rear of the Jeep by removing the roll cage. However, at this point, I do not think modifying the roll cage are in the plans. Just to big of a step for me.

What water tank is that in the picture? Any additional pictures or info? How many gallons.

I have started wonder how the shape of the water tank will effect the "sloshing" sound of the water in it. Is it better to have a thin tank or a tall tank.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

The water tank is from this company http://www.roycreations.com/pages/catalogue-toy/catalogue-toy-8.html But I've seen others that utilize the footwell.

Jim