86cj
Explorer
I just wanted to say thanks for all the ideas I have had from the Portal. I have been traveling around our country for 20+ years and really look forward to all your different ways of living on the road..I seem to enjoy this lifestyle more than anything else these days……
In 2004 we bought a Jeep LJ, threw our camping stuff on top of two storage boxes and went overlanding in Moab and Colorado for 17 days. We had almost no organization in the back of the Jeep, and digging through the “Pile” in 100 deg temps really affected the days enjoyment. Sometime after that trip I found the Portal and the rest is history. After this seasons camping trips, it looks like everything has pretty much found its place. So I thought I would share some pic's and maybe return some ideas in the process.
I did not plan the layout from scratch but have redesigned things a few times since 2004, mostly due to the rollcage or soft top security. I did end up with a pretty flat surface on top of the whole rear area that will allow big items in a pinch, and gives the ability to see out the back window somewhat. The only thing on top of the box is our double sleeping pad, otherwise everything has it's own location and is sealed for trail dust. All gear needed to set up camp is easy to reach from outside of the Jeep. Our clothes and camera gear are sealed in the front facing big Tuffy box, and can be accessed while underway. I keep my Pelican's and heavy dirty stuff under the big box in a lockable 8” tall storage area, it covers most of the rear floor. The rear facing 4 drawer Geneva toolbox when opened, will clear the soft top rear window bottom, so cold muddy zippers stay untouched. There is also a switch panel built into that tool boxes mount along the sidewall with a couple of 12V outlets ….
I added aluminum plate from the sides of the Tuffy box to the body this year. Now I have some fairly well sealed odd shaped storage behind the front seats along the rear wheelwells. I did add some Bling from race trailers, the holders store my oil and propane in the drivers side aluminum plate. A PETT potty kit fits on the passenger side aluminum plate, along with other stuff. I used aluminum air hose hangers mounted on the rollbar to hold my Kelty sunshade and Paha que potty tent out of the way of an opening Tuffy box lid, (sunshade goes in Jeep last, after everything else is loaded rain or shine). The rear aluminum lockbox on top of my old Geneva toolbox is new this year and seals 100%. I use the small Pelican for my dry food or put the food in the aluminum lockbox in bear country……..
We enjoy making camp now, and did not before we really organized everything… That and we now have much nicer gear to set up these days for some reason…….
Now to FINALLY make my rocker protection and figure out how to haul firewood short distances other than inside….
In 2004 we bought a Jeep LJ, threw our camping stuff on top of two storage boxes and went overlanding in Moab and Colorado for 17 days. We had almost no organization in the back of the Jeep, and digging through the “Pile” in 100 deg temps really affected the days enjoyment. Sometime after that trip I found the Portal and the rest is history. After this seasons camping trips, it looks like everything has pretty much found its place. So I thought I would share some pic's and maybe return some ideas in the process.
I did not plan the layout from scratch but have redesigned things a few times since 2004, mostly due to the rollcage or soft top security. I did end up with a pretty flat surface on top of the whole rear area that will allow big items in a pinch, and gives the ability to see out the back window somewhat. The only thing on top of the box is our double sleeping pad, otherwise everything has it's own location and is sealed for trail dust. All gear needed to set up camp is easy to reach from outside of the Jeep. Our clothes and camera gear are sealed in the front facing big Tuffy box, and can be accessed while underway. I keep my Pelican's and heavy dirty stuff under the big box in a lockable 8” tall storage area, it covers most of the rear floor. The rear facing 4 drawer Geneva toolbox when opened, will clear the soft top rear window bottom, so cold muddy zippers stay untouched. There is also a switch panel built into that tool boxes mount along the sidewall with a couple of 12V outlets ….
I added aluminum plate from the sides of the Tuffy box to the body this year. Now I have some fairly well sealed odd shaped storage behind the front seats along the rear wheelwells. I did add some Bling from race trailers, the holders store my oil and propane in the drivers side aluminum plate. A PETT potty kit fits on the passenger side aluminum plate, along with other stuff. I used aluminum air hose hangers mounted on the rollbar to hold my Kelty sunshade and Paha que potty tent out of the way of an opening Tuffy box lid, (sunshade goes in Jeep last, after everything else is loaded rain or shine). The rear aluminum lockbox on top of my old Geneva toolbox is new this year and seals 100%. I use the small Pelican for my dry food or put the food in the aluminum lockbox in bear country……..
We enjoy making camp now, and did not before we really organized everything… That and we now have much nicer gear to set up these days for some reason…….
Now to FINALLY make my rocker protection and figure out how to haul firewood short distances other than inside….
Attachments
Last edited:
