Ursa Minor Pop-Top Jeep JK

cobblecrazy

Adventurer
I can't get this Ecamper out of my head. And the VW pop tops, I have heard, are just a mechanical break down waiting to happen.

An Ecamper on a Jeep isn't stock I know...

Other than that I am thinking basic side steps to get to the ecamper. Maybe some aluminum ones to keep the weight down.
Really good wet weather floor mats since I live in WA. Can a Jeep can be ordered with rubber coated instead of carpet? A trailer hitch bike rack. Hopefully the Jeep Sport will do the trick as far as suspension goes. An interior cargo net for mulitple reasons. Figure out if I can order a jeep without that huge sub-woofer in the back...it just takes up too much room. I am not interested in huge tires or crazy rims...I don't want to worry about trashing some rims. Gotta figure out if switching the swing open gate to a drop down tailgate would be a good idea. I know the spare tire would be in the way. ~Ok...now I am making a list!

Just want to get down some forest roads, over the mountain passes and would like to drive on the beach once in awhile. I just like to car camp with my kid and move to a different location every day exploring. Needs to be a DD and camping rig. The rain here has made me hate sleeping in a tent on the ground, waking up in puddles isn't fun. The Ecamper seems like a good solution especially when hotels aren't really my thing.

Amy

I've had a variety of VW Westys over the years. they're great if you like to fiddle w/electrical-engine on a regular basis (if you don't put some serious $$ into restoration or buy one already restored but the price seems to be going up by the minute). Can be used off road but of course not like the Jeep. The interior of the the VW will offer a couch/table and some of the normal RV ammenities inside, a plus when out in the great Northwest (I was born in Washington and lived there for a number of years). I have used the J30 in snow and high temps and have found ways to keep dry and warm. I know the Jeep will start with every turn of the key, as well as, anything Mother Nature wants to throw at me.

I went w/the Sport Unlimited and had a lift "kit" installed by the dealer (I have made some mods/additions since then). When I talked w/them there were a variety of lift/suspention kits they could do depending on what you will do with it. There are some really nice shock choices, and basic rock/side rails, that won't break the bank. Check out www.quadratec.com for some ideas, but I would start by talking to the parts guys at the Jeep dealer, or if there is an off-road shop around they should be able to steer you in the right direction.
 

cobblecrazy

Adventurer
Ok... I'm ordering one for my Commando Green too! When it is closed is there enough space to leave a sleeping bag laid out flat?

I keep a pair of REI 15 degree down bags and a ultra lightwieght full length backpacking mattress (for my wife) up in the top. the mattress is deflated and put toward the center to not get in the way of the canvass when closing. I stuff the bags up around the hatch after fully closed to stop any movement/noise when extreme off road. I've used a synthetic bag from time to time but down packs/compresses much better.
 

Amy H

Observer
Thanks Cobblecrazy! Glad to know that the sport will handle the job. The sports are more affordable for me, giving me a little spending room for the ecamper. ~ Too bad VW isn't making a new pop top here for the US or this wouldn't be such a hard decision. In the mean time...the Element will have to do. :)
 

brianjwilson

Some sort of lost...
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Last weekend we spent a night in the Jeep in the coast range. As usual, we woke up to rain and colder temps, but were very dry and comfortable. I still can't believe how much body heat is retained with two occupants! Everything was covered in dust and pollen the first day so naturally it was a mess after the rain, with lots of junk falling from the trees overhead. It is so nice to have that hard roof overheard instead of a huge tent setup like the habitat. While the top was a disgusting mess, the soft sides were clean and only had water droplets toward the bottom, as the top overhangs the soft sides pretty well. The overhang makes it very convenient to leave the windows unzipped at the top for circulation while keeping the rain out. In the morning I just wiped the junk away from the seal area, gently knocked some water drops off of the side and closed it up.

I opened the top at home on Monday just in case the soft sides were dirty or wet, but they weren't at all. Seems to be a very good solution for camping in the Northwest.
 

Ramjet

Explorer
You guys are killing me with these beautiful looking Jeeps with the Ursa Minor on top. Truly jealous.
 

The Swiss

Expedition Leader
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Brian, love the looks of all white without rear quarter window. Beautiful!!!
 
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