Sleeping in the Tj

Desert Dan

Explorer
The best way to sleep in a TJ would be to remove the passenger seat and or build a platform so you wouldn't have to unload all your gear.

The option to sleep in your rig is one reason I bought my H3.
 

College Kid

Adventurer
Here is the link to my build thread for the hanging cot.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=539918#post539918


Picture041.jpg


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kstover

New member
The best way to sleep in a TJ would be to remove the passenger seat and or build a platform so you wouldn't have to unload all your gear.QUOTE]

This is what some one on jeepforum.com did. I plan on doing this to my LJ next week. Looks pretty good.
 

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HopeOverLandandSea

Active member
As I continue looking at it, I think I am going to either build my own rear drawers or buy another one of those sets from Tuffy products. I had one of those in my old YJ and they are setup pretty nice / strong.

Then build the sleeping platform on top of that, so it will be coming out of the rear of wrangler about the level of the rear wheel wells.

One issue is the angle from the very rear of the sleeping deck to the rollbars. I plan on using cable, like from an ATV winch, to provide the support, but the shallower the angle, the more I worry about it stretching and breaking.

The Wrangler is at pops at the moment getting the rust spots fixed and we will be working on getting out the sheared off manifold bolts!!

I will take a few more measurements...the full deck plan staying on the inside and removing the passenger seat actually makes more sense.

If I go that route, I think I will build it high enough to go over the center console, giving me a decent amount of room..

My mattress fits between the wheel wells of a S-10pickup or Nissan pickup, from the late 80s, early 90s. We used to have a camper top (topper, whatever) on them and sleep in the rear when camping.

My knees always feel hyperextended in hammocks, not sure how folks sleep in those.
 

jagular7

Adventurer
The 2.5l in a TJ is not a very peppy engine in the first place. I've got one and have wheeled it stock and modified. I've towed over the 1000# rating with no problems. The biggest hurdle you will have either way is acceleration. I manually shift when I need to accelerate to gain speed to merge onto highway and traffic. Otherwise, it accelerates at its own speed....

If you plans to use this Jeep include the beaten paths some, I'd look into a teardrop style camper. You can buy a mfr'd one or build one yourself.

My camper that I put together used a pickup slide-in pop-up style box on a trailer frame I had put together. It worked for the short time period of thought to put something like this together, but in reality, it was a little short in a couple of ways that I didn't anticipate for its use.

The TJ, 4 or 6 cyl, is capable of towing upwards of 2000# if you are a safe, predictable driver. The short wheelbase of the TJ is what hinders the towing capacity to be greater. I would look into a small pop-up camper, something with a 8' box as this would give you queen bed on one end, double on the other (most of the time). There are even smaller base box pop-ups as well that are even lighter. Maximize your packing ability for your use and you shouldn't have any trouble with a properly mounted hitch frame on the TJ.

My TJ is mostly used for wheeling, but I've towed my camper to the trails, camped, and towed it back home. I do run with 35's and lockers in the axles along with lower gears to compensate for the 35s.

Why put yourself into a sardine can why it is really not necessary? How about looking at a pop-tent where it is another type of sardine can, but roomier....to atleast roll over in your bag.
 

bme

New member
05-06-3007.jpg


img borrowed from Peter

Just an idea,
make a hinged wall with cover over it to replace the driver side back window.
when it is open, you can sleep perpendicular to the car at the back with feet in it. the bed side equals TJ width + window' height
________
The Cigar Boss
 
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Momrocks

Adventurer
Why put yourself into a sardine can why it is really not necessary? How about looking at a pop-tent where it is another type of sardine can, but roomier....to atleast roll over in your bag.

JeepNerd, I applaud your project. I agree with the poster above who said that it "isn't necessary" (sleeping in the TJ), but it IS very convenient at times. I am in a similar situation with my XJ. I sleep in it sometimes, not perfect but it works out well. I also carry a ground tent or Tentcot depending on my plans. If I spend the night on the road or in an urban environment, setting up a tent isn't really an option. For the sake of stealth, sleeping in the rig is nice and a well constructed platform makes it relatively comfortable as well as optimizing your cargo storage. I am following your progress, good luck.

`
 

Toolman

Explorer
Instead of coming off the roll bar with cables etc.. I used an extendable hood prop coming off of the bumper up to platform. Sorry I don't have any pics of project yet.. on top of the Tuffy toolbox I built a carpeted platform that has drop in storage. off of the back of the box I have a 16 guage metal shelf that attaches to the top of the box and the hood props go down at an angle to the bumper for support very comfortable and it acts as a table as well. I will take some pics this weekend and post. I do have the template I made for the platform. My legs hangout on the platform and my head and chest are inside. Working on a rear shelter made out of canvas like the soft top that zips into rear window.
 

kstover

New member
I took the front passenger seat out of my LJ and cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to act as an extension of the rear deck. The front of the plywood rest on my Craftsman tool set, perfect height. For the rear I ripped 5" off of the 2'x4' plywood and screwed/glued it for support. Air compressor, tools, tow strap all fit under this deck.
I ended up with almost 8' of sleeping area. Cost $11 and about 2 hours work.

Happy Trails
Keith
 

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scarysharkface

Explorer
I took the front passenger seat out of my LJ and cut a piece of 3/4" plywood to act as an extension of the rear deck. The front of the plywood rest on my Craftsman tool set, perfect height. For the rear I ripped 5" off of the 2'x4' plywood and screwed/glued it for support. Air compressor, tools, tow strap all fit under this deck.
I ended up with almost 8' of sleeping area. Cost $11 and about 2 hours work.

Happy Trails
Keith

That's not too different for my configuration in the JKU. Substitute folding the right/rear seat forward and there is just enough flat-ish space and I can sleep comfortably. Being able to crawl into the back and sleep at a rest area or pullout without exiting the vehicle is a beautiful (and useful) thing. And sure, I pack a tent as well in case I find I want to have that experience.

I'm looking into building a teardrop so I can travel with my wife. This site is full of great ideas and information, some of which can be adjusted to work in the back of your Jeep:

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/

John
 

brennanriddle1

Adventurer
This was my plan for sleeping in my TJ.

Img_5999.jpg


This is how far i've come.

Not finished yet.. Needs some sort of canvas that zips onto the top, where the back window usually goes.

CIMG1203.jpg


How it all stows away after.

Cimg1208s.jpg
 

Toolman

Explorer
I like it.. nice job.. I would try a sail maker in the harbor area if you have a lake or marina near by they should be able to make it how you want... may cost some $$$$$$$$
I especially like the stove mount
 

brennanriddle1

Adventurer
I like it.. nice job.. I would try a sail maker in the harbor area if you have a lake or marina near by they should be able to make it how you want... may cost some $$$$$$$$
I especially like the stove mount

Thanks on the compliments. The entire set up is hitch mounted so it supports the weight. It's a full length twin futon plus a few inches. And although leg room is limited, the cargo rack makes stowage really practical.

Good thinking with the sailmaker.

I think sailcloth would be perfect. Possibly even matching color. Can they do windows?
 
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goodtimes

Expedition Poseur
This is what some one on jeepforum.com did. I plan on doing this to my LJ next week. Looks pretty good.

That is my TJ. I don't recall posting it up over at jeepforum though . . . I haven't spent much time there in, ooooo....who knows. Anywhoo, it was a pretty easy project, doesn't weigh much, and didn't cost much.

That is the first iteration though . . . I have since raised it 1.75". That allows me to leave the rear seat brackets in place underneath the platform. The rear half of it stays in all the time, the front comes and goes as needed (which isn't often now that I rarely travel solo in the jeep).
 

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