Sleeping in the Tj

[HopeOverLandandSea]

I wanted to start a thread / this will turn into a "build" thread as I continue exploring this.

I am trading for a 97 Wrangler tomorrow, with the 2.5L 4 cyl and automatic tranny. The "tow rating" for the 2.5L is only 1000lbs (2k for 6cyl), and I realize I could build a trailer/camper but keeping it all under 1k will be a challenge I suspect. Mostly because my "trailer" list starts getting really complicated.

WHAT am I trying to accomplish? I am hoping to take this to the OBX for fishing and camping. Wife is not going to go 90% of the time I do this, so just myself sleeping.

Here is my idea. At first I was thinking I would remove the passenger side front seat, and put my foam mattress inside the Wrangler. I am only 5'9" and I think that "could" work but def getting squeezed if I leave the center console in place.

So here is my second idea, I am hoping someone else has already done this and you will all say REPOST and I can watch / learn.

The dimensions of the "cargo" bed with the rear seat removed is 36" or so wide, and I am thinking 36-38" to the back of the front seats?

I would cut a board that would fit thru the rear tailgate when opened (so that narrows to 3x" wide)

I would put a hinge on the rear of the cargo bed so that when it is folded inside it will lay flat over the cargo area.

When opened it will stick out of the tailgate, thus providing approx 3x" wide by 72-76" flat sleeping space for my mattress?? Support for this would be twin cables up to the rollbar. Essentially the same system a tailgate uses.

What am I missing? Has this been done before? The PRO being a single contained vehicle instead of pulling a trailer that could get mired in OBX sand.

In theory I will then add one of those SUV tents to give me access in and out.

Thought or concept #2....is go ahead and install a fold down tail gate...which would have another hinge in the middle of it, thus doubling the length of the tailgate from approx 15" to 30" Giving you a total of 66-72" all told?

I am looking forward to hearing from you folks.

 

[xr8dxj]

I wanted to start a thread / this will turn into a "build" thread as I continue exploring this.

I am trading for a 97 Wrangler tomorrow, with the 2.5L 4 cyl and automatic tranny.

There wasn't a 4.0L equipped TJ on the lot? Even a 4.0L works significantly harder when pushing across the beach. You might also want to consider tent camping. When I lived in NC I had a freaking blast heading to the beach on the weekend and camping on the beach. No rocks under the tent, just nice posturepedic~esque sand underneath the sleeping bag. The sound of ocean waves crashing, seagulls, fresh ocean breezes rattling the tent zippers, THAT sunrise... awesome. Heck, bring the wife too!

Regardless, we got your back! Let the build begin! :wings:

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

There was a fella that did this sort of thing in an FJ40. Search the web for it...

Seems sort of small. Are you planning to do 2 people or just solo? The FJ40 pretty much removed the front passenger seat and had the platform fixed there.

 

[kcowyo]

It's been done... "goodtimes" and "1leg" have done it and they have pics here. A search here in the Jeep section for their threads should turn up their threads and info.

I did something similar years ago with my CJ-7... I pulled out the back seat & passenger seat and made a sleeping deck out of a cut sheet of plywood. I laid the plywood on the back wheel wells and shored up the front end (that extended to the glove-box) with two short sections of 2x4's that acted essentially as table legs. I'm about 6'0 and this arrangement worked for me on a 2.5 month solo excursion around the western US.

Kept my gear stored underneath, my cooler behind the driver's seat and my Therma-Rest and bedroll laid out at all times. I was even able to access my console with no problems. It was a great way to go (and stealthy!) for the solo traveller -

.

 

[HopeOverLandandSea]

Very interesting / raising the whole bed up to near dashboard level. That would allow me to easily clear the center console, radio and other controls.

As for the 4.0, would have been my preference but this is a straight trade, my dodge ram for his TJ. We are both pretty happy with it, but I do have to remind myself to not throw big tires and such at the 2.5L

Will google more for the FJ40 version of this...lots of folks building these for the FJ60s/80s/FJCs, etc. But a bit more space challenged in the Wrangler. But that just makes it more satisfying when figured out eh!?

 

[kcowyo]

Very interesting / raising the whole bed up to near dashboard level. That would allow me to easily clear the center console, radio and other controls.

I was able to access the glove-box too, but I did need to remove the grab handle over the glove-box for a couple extra inches of leg room. I'm not sure about the newer TJ's, but my CJ's rear wheel wells were flat on top, so that assisted me greatly in having a level spot for the rear mount.

I know "goodtimes" made his deck much lower because he has a pooch who goes everywhere with him. I was solo and before Pelican cases, I kept all my gear in milk crates, which fit perfectly under the deck in the back. In the front passenger footwell, I was able to store a standard sized toolbox, another milk crate and a collapsible 5 gallon water jug.

Not that I had anything much of value with me, but to curious eyes walking by, all they would have seen was my bedroll and ol' Coleman cooler. Wish I had taken more/better pics of that set up...


:campfire:
.

 

[TJ Willy]

Back when I had a TJ, I remember researching something like this. I stumbled across a dude that strung up a hammock inside his TJ from corner to corner.

I completely understand your straight trade deal. In your shoes, I would do the same thing. Having said that, I had a 4.0 and a 2.5 w/ small 33's (not true 33" tire) and that jeep worked hard to pull hills unloaded in the wind and I had a standard trans. Gearing would have helped, but I had no plans of keeping that Jeep very long.

Don't know your tire plans, but I ran 32" Pro Comps on my first TJ with no lift modifications and I wheeled it at Hot Springs ORV park disconnected. It can be done... It seems you don't plan on wheeling that much so 32's should work out fine to give you a bit of clearance.

 

[SavageSunJeep]

Been there done that way too many times and never had a good nites rest. I have slept in it, on it, on the hood (to keep from freezing) sitting up in the seats and at 6'2" 225 lbs I finally gave up...bought a '06 LJ which is right at 10 FEET from tailgate to floor board on passenger side. Better than a king size bed and holds a TON of gear.

Hopefully you are a bit smaller than I am and you can sort it out.

Tip: I only run one seat in my rigs so there is plenty of room, that is my first tip.

SECOND TIP: Cut the end off your tail pipe, get a replacement tip that is slightly curved, like the one you cut off and put it on or weld the one you cut off back on and TURN it 90 degrees to face out from under the Jeep. Now you can run the heat and AC at night and not worry about exhaust 'pooling' under the Jeep and sleep safe from fumes. Also be sure to INSPECT your exhaust system regularly for leaks!!!!!

Keep us informed...

 

[GPER]

The 4.0 is hard to beat and going to a 4 banger might not be the best. Jeeps are just hard to sleep in, I got a tent cot to sleep in with a small pad. That and a tarp will give you a little more room. There is less room in the TJ's with all the plastic dash stuff sticking out.

 

[mtnbike28]

Just try it.

Build deck version 1 with really cheap wood and try it, as KCOWYO showed it is very doable.

Funny thing about sleeping in the Jeep, I am researching a Nova Scotia trip and was reading web reports of other's trips. I found one where two young women did a 11 day trip and slept in the front seats of their Civic over half the time.... the Jeep would be like a five star hotel compared to that ; )

 

[GPER]

Build deck version 1 with really cheap wood and try it, as KCOWYO showed it is very doable.

Funny thing about sleeping in the Jeep, I am researching a Nova Scotia trip and was reading web reports of other's trips. I found one where two young women did a 11 day trip and slept in the front seats of their Civic over half the time.... the Jeep would be like a five star hotel compared to that ; )

I'm not to sure about that, I have slept in my CJ, XJ, the nights were long and uncomfortable. The best nights sleep I got while in one of the cars was in my Toyota Camry. It surprised me how much more comfortable it was to sleep in.

 

[Mamontof]

Well Tahoe have size of full mattress :Wow1: when not fill up , but i have bunch of staff and gear with me on trip http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/Aleksii/?start=108

Any way i feel sleep in narrow tide spot so comfortable as in my home California size mattress

The reason way I SLEEP in the car way to rainy that day , to install my low budget RTT

In California i woos pretty surprise when 4 people sleep in Humvee 3 , and i have no idea hay they feet there :wings::wings:

 

[College Kid]

I did have a thread started on a bed I was designing. I have finally just finished this and am going try and track down that those posts.

I have a 2003 TJ and have rigged up a very comfortable and very versitile cot that is slung from the roll bar.

Give me a couple days and I'll have some pics up.

 

[Jeep]

I'm 6'1" and 230, I get a great nights sleep in my TJ when I park it up hill and recline the seat as far back as it will go.

 

[goodtimes]

With the passenger seat removed, you have right at 6' from glove box to tailgate. It gets kinda tight at the center console, but I pull it off (and I'm not the smallest guy out there . . .).

I sleep fine in it -- but then again, I sleep pretty well just about anywhere.