Ursa Minor Pop-Top Jeep JK

brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
Thanks for the great info and pics, it looks freaking great!

I have one question. I'm interested in how high the roof is at the front, over the drivers seat.

For example, if you sit up top (essentially on the sound back) facing back with your legs hanging down, does your head hit the roof?
How much clearance is there?

Thanks!

-Dan

From the top of the padding to the roof, in the very back, roughly 31". 13" in the very front.
I'm 6', and I can sit in the back of the jeep with my legs down with my head ducked, not really ideal for sitting. However my wife, at 5'4" with terrible posture, can sit there comfortably. In the front of the jeep (over the drivers seat) there wouldn't be a chance. If I fold the seat down and put one foot on the seat back, one in the trunk I can stand comfortably. If I removed the seat I could stand with extra room over my head. It seems to be more comfortable to climb up with the small seat folded. This way you can get in the back normally, sit down, take off shoes etc, and use the other side to climb up. But it's pretty easy no matter which way you do it.
I don't know what sort of considerations went into building the top, if it could be build to raise higher of not. An extra 6" would help a lot if you wanted to sit up there. But in strong wind it would move around more, and definitely be more difficult to raise into position. As it is now (with no roof rack) it sits stationary at about half way. Past that it opens mostly on its own. Less than that and it gently closes. You do have to be careful of the fabric by the hinge though as it seems to be an easy pinch point that would tear the fabric.

On and a little hanging storage pouch (for phones etc) would definitely be a great addition.
 

cobblecrazy

Adventurer
Finally got mine! Once I finally committed and sent a deposit, John was very quick to build it and get it shipped up to Portland!

Love it so far. We "camped" in the driveway last night as it was a little chilly and rainy, worked out great. No water inside, and it stayed very warm. Extremely pleased. I feel great about the decision to get this instead of the habitat. The smaller space, thick fabric sides and hard top overhead really retains body heat surprisingly well. The sewing and zippers look great, great overlap on the zippers, fit it and finish is good. I think I need to make a couple little adjustments but overall very good.

There is definitely room for a couple of sleeping bags upstairs (I'd estimate about 2" of clearance in the center). Over big bumps the removable pieces (entry panels) bounce a little, I'll probably just shove a soft pillow above them.

I have to say, one cool thing about this is that most people don't give it a second look on the road as I drive by. But jeep drivers and VW westfalia owners really turn around in their seats to get a second look. I really dislike stickers and logos so I asked John to leave off the Ursa Minor logo but I almost feel like I'm doing him a disservice.

Great to see you got the top. The all white looks good. What I've done on the entry panels is to leave the one side about where your knees would be ( about where you have it in the one pic) and the pad on the other side. Then I have one sleeping bag and a small pillow stuffed between the other panel/pad and the roof. The next thing to tackle is the roof liner rattles against the top when off road. The fix is to put some sound deadener/heatshield-padding between the two, but I need to ask John a question about it.
 

brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
I have a little creaking noise from the drivers side b pillar over bumps. I loosened the bolt a bolt, creaked like crazy. Tightened a bit more, cracked rarely but loud when it did. I found a middle ground that seems to be mostly quiet. I removed the bolt, picked it up, made sure the rubber pad was in place but it seems like the fiberglass itself is making the noise, not sure what is going on there yet.
But I did notice a little rattle from what appeared to be the roof liner as well. I can't tell how much of a project it would be to take the liner off and put something behind it. Let me know what you find out.
Mostly it is quiet though, quieter than the stock hard top as far as road noise. Not much for wind noise either.
 

cobblecrazy

Adventurer
I have a little creaking noise from the drivers side b pillar over bumps. I loosened the bolt a bolt, creaked like crazy. Tightened a bit more, cracked rarely but loud when it did. I found a middle ground that seems to be mostly quiet. I removed the bolt, picked it up, made sure the rubber pad was in place but it seems like the fiberglass itself is making the noise, not sure what is going on there yet.
But I did notice a little rattle from what appeared to be the roof liner as well. I can't tell how much of a project it would be to take the liner off and put something behind it. Let me know what you find out.
Mostly it is quiet though, quieter than the stock hard top as far as road noise. Not much for wind noise either.

I had the same squeek/creak around the bolt. I just check it on a regular basis. I would like to be able to use the factory clamps up front, but it doesn't look like you can access the interior portion of the shell there to get in a nut/plate for the clamps. I also had an annoying squeek in the back that I tracked down to a small piece of fiberglass rubbing the top left corner of the tailgate by the bottom left corner of the rear window. A trim with the Dremmel solved the issue.

I sent something off to John - I'll let you know.
 

JDaPP

Adventurer
I have the same squeaking problem but a combination of adjustment and putting foam tape between the rollbar and the top fixed it. I have a factory clamp that I dry fit, but the lip from the shell hangs too low and it won't catch the loop. I am considering other ideas...
 

brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
A girl named Anne Marie hunted me down in NW Portland today to check out the Jeep after seeing my wife and I drive by. Have to appreciate the enthusiasm! We thought there was a ticket on the windshield when we walked up! I know I have hunted down others before to check out rigs. She said that she is on the forum but I don't know if she's here and just lurking or actively posts.
If you're reading Anne, I have a set of rubicon springs and shocks that should be a small improvement over base or sport model springs and shocks, just sitting in my basement. I removed them at 700 miles. They are all yours if you end up with a Jeep soon. When you find a jeep for your j30 I'd be happy to help throw them on, or help installing the top if you need it.
 

Tybeerubicon

New member
Great pictures!
Just ordered my Unlimited Rubicon and am about to order my J30.
Any comments on the available options for the J30 from you or any other J30 owners?
Better with or without side windows? Does the passenger side window help much with visibility?
Happy with the unpainted shell body or is it worth getting it painted to match (for a white jeep)?
Headliner useful or distracting?
Are the 12V outlet and USB port useful? It looks like they are in the cab not the sleeper from the pictures.

Also would love to see a picture of someone standing in the opening to get perspective on how much room there is for moving around, changing clothes etc.
Finally - Do you have a height measurement for the Rubicon/J30/AEV 3.5/35x12.5R18's? My garage is 83" tall and I need to decide on my lift kit.

Thanks in advance if you can help!
 

brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
Great pictures!
Just ordered my Unlimited Rubicon and am about to order my J30.
Any comments on the available options for the J30 from you or any other J30 owners?
Better with or without side windows? Does the passenger side window help much with visibility?
Happy with the unpainted shell body or is it worth getting it painted to match (for a white jeep)?
Headliner useful or distracting?
Are the 12V outlet and USB port useful? It looks like they are in the cab not the sleeper from the pictures.

Also would love to see a picture of someone standing in the opening to get perspective on how much room there is for moving around, changing clothes etc.
Finally - Do you have a height measurement for the Rubicon/J30/AEV 3.5/35x12.5R18's? My garage is 83" tall and I need to decide on my lift kit.

Thanks in advance if you can help!

Congrats on the orders!

Personally I use side mirrors a lot, and don't miss those rear windows a bit. The visibility out of the rear of the jk (especially with the 35" spare) isn't great anyway, and the rear seat head rests are very big. I prefer to keep things out of sight more and this helps. Others have tried to block that side window on their factory top to see if they missed it.
You will lose some rear visibility because the newer JK has a larger back window, and the Ursa Minor top is modeled after previous years. However it's minor, maybe 2" on the width.

I prefer the color matched top but again it's personal preference. The standard white gelcoat that comes on the top piece will not match the bright white on the Jeep either so keep that in mind.

I do like the headliner/organizer. I stuffed my gazetteer oregon and California maps in mine. There are also slots for pens and things. The 12v and USB outlets? I'm not sure yet. They would be useful for something like a portable GPS on the windshield, radar detector, etc. An extra light maybe?

The LED lights in the trunk are nice, I turn the jeep interior lights off if I'm in and out a lot, so the LEDs in the back are nice to have. (One led light upstairs wasnt working properly but Ursa Minor is sending a replacement, probably just a fluke).

Personally I would have liked a 12v outlet in the sleeping area to plug in a phone, iPad etc. That is an easy addition anyway.

I've been asked about final height, I'll have to measure it later. It doesn't quite fit in my garage with the Thule rails but it is close. I'm thinking it would with aftermarket bumpers and a winch to weigh it down but that's only a guess. The 2.5" lift might be a better option if you need to garage it.
 
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rainstatebear

Adventurer
Man makes me want to take a trip down to Portland to check it out. Was there a few weeks ago on the motorcycle, wanted to check out Pine state biscuits. I am up in the Tacoma area and am really reading up on all the options to turn my JKUR into an expedition vehicle. Thanks for all the pics.
 

Amy H

Observer
Brian, it sounds like lots of NW people would love to see your set up if your willing to show us. I am in Olympia not to far from Tacoma. Road trip south maybe? :drool:
 

JDaPP

Adventurer
LED lights in the rear are great, when mine weren't working I noticed. The 12v outlet is nice for my GPS, but I could live without it (I don't have the USB). My wife likes the headliner storage for her magazines on trips. I put the headrest down in the back so I use the rear window quite alot if I am not loaded up for camping, the driver side I put a rotopax in for storage. As for the height mine is a stock rubicon and the height is just a shade under 79". I have a silver with black and white top, I just had my father in law paint the whole thing black (my intent was for him to do just the side of the top so it would blend in but we had a failure to communicate apparently). I did this because I didn't like the look of a three colored vehicle and quite frankly I thought it was a hazard as I had so many people almost hit me or walk up to the vehicle as I was pulling out trying to figure out what it was. I would say paint the whole thing one color, or at least paint the whole top one color, my only concern now is I hope the black does not make it too hot.
 

brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
Brian, it sounds like lots of NW people would love to see your set up if your willing to show us. I am in Olympia not to far from Tacoma. Road trip south maybe? :drool:

I'd be happy to show anyone who is interested. Unfortunately I leave for work Wednesday morning and will be gone for two weeks. I'll be back after April 26 for at least a week and a half if anyone wants to check it out.
 
Congrats on your J30. I was just in PDX for the Swap Meet at the Expo Center this past weekend and would have enjoyed checking out your Jeep. Next time I am up your way. I'll shoot ya a pm.
 

JCTex

Observer
Can it Be Bigger?

Is the padded area over the rear installed so it can be lifted out? Alternatively, if it's structural, do you think it can be made smaller? I'd like the accessway to be much bigger because I intend to remove the rear roll bar.

JKU ordered today. J30--soon.

JC
 

brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
Congrats on your J30. I was just in PDX for the Swap Meet at the Expo Center this past weekend and would have enjoyed checking out your Jeep. Next time I am up your way. I'll shoot ya a pm.

Not a problem, let me know. Like I said I do work out state the majority of the time. I'll be around the last week of April, and a few days in the beginning of May. Plans are to travel most of June with no hard plans as of yet.

Is the padded area over the rear installed so it can be lifted out? Alternatively, if it's structural, do you think it can be made smaller? I'd like the accessway to be much bigger because I intend to remove the rear roll bar.

JKU ordered today. J30--soon.

JC

Only the panels are designed to be removed. You would have to talk to John (Ursa Minor) about a larger opening. If you planned to make the opening larger you would need bigger panels too. Money talks though, check with him.




My wife bought a Teton Mammoth double sleeping bag, and well, the name suits it well. It's comfortable and warm, but it's massive, and the lid doesn't come close to closing no matter how the sleeping bag was folded up in there. In the stuff bag it measures 15x30", yikes! You definitely want to stick to smaller, easily compressible bags if you want to close them in.
 
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