Sleeping in the Tj

[Toolman]

Sail cloth may not be water repellent... you should try a rip stop material like an RTT would have.. remember you want this to last. A qualified sail maker also makes covers for sales and understands how to make the material work to shed water you don't want soggy sails and you don't want to get wet if it were to rain. I bet it would cost around $500 if you provided the material and zippers.. I thought about it and I think if you found a used top at a junk yard or on craigslist the sail maker could convert it and it would have the same cloth and zippers.. plus windows that would pop in and out.

 

[goodtimes]

Sail cloth may not be water repellent... you should try a rip stop material like an RTT would have.. remember you want this to last. A qualified sail maker also makes covers for sales and understands how to make the material work to shed water you don't want soggy sails and you don't want to get wet if it were to rain. I bet it would cost around $500 if you provided the material and zippers.. I thought about it and I think if you found a used top at a junk yard or on craigslist the sail maker could convert it and it would have the same cloth and zippers.. plus windows that would pop in and out.

The OEM soft tops on 2003+ TJs are made from 'sail cloth'.

Any good automotive upholstery shop will have it in bulk -- if they don't have it, they can get it.

 

[brennanriddle1]

I thought about it and I think if you found a used top at a junk yard or on craigslist the sail maker could convert it and it would have the same cloth and zippers.. plus windows that would pop in and out.

that right there is a good idea.

A Jeep soft top could probably easily be converted to fit somehow.

:costumed-smiley-007

 

[brennanriddle1]

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

I am looking forward to hearing from you folks.

That would be much easier and cheaper than custom cutting a TJ top.

My set up is almost like the one you are/were drawing out but it isn't hinged.

The suv tent is officially on my list of things to buy. :victory:

 

[bluejeep]

Here's my solution - did a trial run in Moab last week and it worked very nicely.









What I did was develop a full strength rack (aluminum), incorporating 2 tiedown strips with adjustable tiedown points (they don't show in the pics but run fore-aft at about the 1/3 points along the width) , and a nested / pullout surface that I use for lunch on the trail (bar height for back at camp!) and as a bunk for sleeping. Two of the pics show my bivy tent (inside and out). I've also got an optional leg that can be used so the pullout surface can be used for trail repairs, heavy stuff, etc.

The rack's outer edges have holes for tiedown points, and I'll be bending the top half out so the hooks don't interfere with the cargo.

I'm going to modify so the pullout can be setup to go to either passenger or driver side depending on how the bivy entry is. I liked having access to the inside of the jeep within my reach easily, but could see the advantage of having the entrance toward the back of the jeep as well.

Also I positioned the bivy tent further to the driver's side so I actually had a covered gear storage area at the head of the unit.

 

[Momrocks]

Here's my solution - did a trial run in Moab last week and it worked very nicely.

Verrry cool, you are quite an innovator. Well done! :victory:

 

[Ford Prefect]

This was my plan for sleeping in my TJ.

I have always liked the idea of your build, but it occurs to me. If you keep your body inside the vehicle, then you could lower the top portion of the "tent" section to just the height of the rear door. Thus you could keep your rear window in place, and use far less in the way of materials and space, less concern for heating the area, and still have ample leg room. Then you could remove the gear rack back there, and place the gear under the mats. This, of course, would lower you COG rather nicely I should think.

Anyhow, just a thought. Hope to see you complete this someday.


I have been pondering sleeping in my CJ-7 as well. I am 6'5 though, so, not sure how well it would work out. I would not remove the passenger seat, however I do not have a center console so I think I could make due if I really wanted to in that space.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[comrad_zeelaagee]

have you considered how close you are to the fuel cap with the placement of that stove/open flame?

just a thought.

 

[brennanriddle1]

I ordered an SUV tent to use as canvas.

It was so close to being finished but progress was halted. After i welded up that jerry can mount, i found out that the tailgate would no longer open to a full 90*. one of the main structural supports for the can is in the way. You can kind of see it here (the angled one just over the taillight). :

Until i figure out either a different jerry can mount or different tailgate hinges, the bed won't be in use.