Ursa Minor Pop-Top Jeep JK

[cybercat]

I've got a J30 top that has 2in square broken piece on the lower front corner near the drivers side door.
Does anyone know if the bottom portion of the J30 is a Polyester or Epoxy resin?
John @ UM is MIA probably at a Show or Conference.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Edroid]

Have any of you Ursa Minor J30 owners weighed your vehicle?

I have a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock that I want to outfit for extended camping (also called "overlanding" I guess).

Depending on where you look, Jeep says the payload is either 892 pounds or 1,081 pounds. By the time I add up all the goodies and necessities, it appears my rig would be a bit overweight.

I know the weight is not coming from the J30, which John at Ursa Minor says weighs only 30 pounds more than the factory hard top, but the weight comes from all the stuff to make the Jeep a true overland rig: two souls on board, water, drawers, fridge, food, recovery gear, chairs, table, fuel, etc, etc, etc. . . .

How is this thing going to handle on and off road?

I am planning on doing an AEV 2.5 inch lift to help with handling, but I am still concerned I am building a pig!

 

[lysol]

Isn't it the suspension that limits the payload? (thinking the AEV with progressive springs would raise that limit)

 

[emkay]

in germany we can increase total weight to 2711kg with aev suspension


Sent via my bongo drums...

 

[hardwickj]

Edroid, I have my Jeep very much outfitted for overlanding (including the AEV 2.5" lift). I have at times (a la when traveling to Burning Man) had substantial added weight with the contents of my Jeep. As others have already stated, the primary limitation is the suspension.

My only suggestion would be to perhaps get the AEV 2.5" w/ the 3.5" springs in the rear only if you foresee yourself loading up w/ supplies in the back. Somewhere on this thread I believe there are a couple others that did just that, and I'm regretting not doing so myself. When loaded up with supplies for Burning Man, the rear was squatted down a bit. This despite the fact I have an AEV tube bumper in the front w/ winch but just the stock in the rear. I thought it would have been more balanced w/ the weight distribution, but I was wrong once I added all my equipment.

A quick summary of the "permanent" weight I've added:
Ursa Minor J30 (~100lbs over stock...I dont believe the 30lb figure)
AEV Premium Front Bumper w/ Warn 9.5 CTI winch (~120lbs above the stock bumper weight)
AEV Front Skid Plate (~50lbs)
AEV Rear Diff Skid Plate (~50lbs)
Front Runner Trunk Cargo Slide (~60lbs)
Front Runner Slimline II Interior Storage Rack (~60lbs)
Engel 45L Fridge/Freezer (~60lbs EMPTY)
Dual Battery kit and all the gizmos to keep them properly charged (~80lbs)
Total: ~600lbs

Typical BM trip:
5x20L Scepter UN water cans (~200lbs combined when full)
~50lbs of food
~100lbs of various equipment
~200lb passenger
Added: ~550lbs

W/ the AEV setup, the Jeep actually feels remarkably normal w/ my additional 600lbs of weight I'm *always* carrying around. However, that extra ~500-600lbs when heading into Burning Man definitely becomes noticeable. The vast majority of that is felt in the steering (hence the suspension). The only time the Jeep feels like it's really working harder is at the higher (8k+ feet) elevations, but it feels that way even without the added weight. This is all on a 2013 Rubicon w/ 3.73's and stock tires.

Hope that helps.

 

[MizMoosie]

Edroid, I have my Jeep very much outfitted for overlanding (including the AEV 2.5" lift). I have at times (a la when traveling to Burning Man) had substantial added weight with the contents of my Jeep. As others have already stated, the primary limitation is the suspension.

My only suggestion would be to perhaps get the AEV 2.5" w/ the 3.5" springs in the rear only if you foresee yourself loading up w/ supplies in the back. Somewhere on this thread I believe there are a couple others that did just that, and I'm regretting not doing so myself. When loaded up with supplies for Burning Man, the rear was squatted down a bit. This despite the fact I have an AEV tube bumper in the front w/ winch but just the stock in the rear. I thought it would have been more balanced w/ the weight distribution, but I was wrong once I added all my equipment.

A quick summary of the "permanent" weight I've added:
Ursa Minor J30 (~100lbs over stock...I dont believe the 30lb figure)
AEV Premium Front Bumper w/ Warn 9.5 CTI winch (~120lbs above the stock bumper weight)
AEV Front Skid Plate (~50lbs)
AEV Rear Diff Skid Plate (~50lbs)
Front Runner Trunk Cargo Slide (~60lbs)
Front Runner Slimline II Interior Storage Rack (~60lbs)
Engel 45L Fridge/Freezer (~60lbs EMPTY)
Dual Battery kit and all the gizmos to keep them properly charged (~80lbs)
Total: ~600lbs

Typical BM trip:
5x20L Scepter UN water cans (~200lbs combined when full)
~50lbs of food
~100lbs of various equipment
~200lb passenger
Added: ~550lbs

W/ the AEV setup, the Jeep actually feels remarkably normal w/ my additional 600lbs of weight I'm *always* carrying around. However, that extra ~500-600lbs when heading into Burning Man definitely becomes noticeable. The vast majority of that is felt in the steering (hence the suspension). The only time the Jeep feels like it's really working harder is at the higher (8k+ feet) elevations, but it feels that way even without the added weight. This is all on a 2013 Rubicon w/ 3.73's and stock tires.

Hope that helps.

hardwickj,

How do you like the Front Runner cargo slide? Thinking about getting one...

 

[Edroid]

in germany we can increase total weight to 2711kg with aev suspension

Sent via my bongo drums...

Is everything else the same as the US JK? (Besides a diesel).

 

[Edroid]

Hardwick,

Thanks for the great info.

I meant to say the J30 adds 130 pounds according to John at Ursa Minor.

Looks like my mods are tending toward the heavy side, and I am paranoid. I finally realized that I need to chill out. If I don't like it, I can just un-mod the thing! Maybe start a new thread "what un-mods did you do to your Jeep today?"

How was the J30 at Burning Man? Not too hot? Not too dusty?

Edroid, I have my Jeep very much outfitted for overlanding (including the AEV 2.5" lift). I have at times (a la when traveling to Burning Man) had substantial added weight with the contents of my Jeep. As others have already stated, the primary limitation is the suspension.

My only suggestion would be to perhaps get the AEV 2.5" w/ the 3.5" springs in the rear only if you foresee yourself loading up w/ supplies in the back. Somewhere on this thread I believe there are a couple others that did just that, and I'm regretting not doing so myself. When loaded up with supplies for Burning Man, the rear was squatted down a bit. This despite the fact I have an AEV tube bumper in the front w/ winch but just the stock in the rear. I thought it would have been more balanced w/ the weight distribution, but I was wrong once I added all my equipment.

A quick summary of the "permanent" weight I've added:
Ursa Minor J30 (~100lbs over stock...I dont believe the 30lb figure)
AEV Premium Front Bumper w/ Warn 9.5 CTI winch (~120lbs above the stock bumper weight)
AEV Front Skid Plate (~50lbs)
AEV Rear Diff Skid Plate (~50lbs)
Front Runner Trunk Cargo Slide (~60lbs)
Front Runner Slimline II Interior Storage Rack (~60lbs)
Engel 45L Fridge/Freezer (~60lbs EMPTY)
Dual Battery kit and all the gizmos to keep them properly charged (~80lbs)
Total: ~600lbs

Typical BM trip:
5x20L Scepter UN water cans (~200lbs combined when full)
~50lbs of food
~100lbs of various equipment
~200lb passenger
Added: ~550lbs

W/ the AEV setup, the Jeep actually feels remarkably normal w/ my additional 600lbs of weight I'm *always* carrying around. However, that extra ~500-600lbs when heading into Burning Man definitely becomes noticeable. The vast majority of that is felt in the steering (hence the suspension). The only time the Jeep feels like it's really working harder is at the higher (8k+ feet) elevations, but it feels that way even without the added weight. This is all on a 2013 Rubicon w/ 3.73's and stock tires.

Hope that helps.

 

[KellyM]

I have a 2013 JKUR with a similar configuration -- a J30, AEV 3.5 suspension, ARB fridge, partner stove, AT drawer and interior rack, AEV bumpers with a winch, Fuel caddy and hi-lift. It is heavy, but it handles the weight pretty well. There is an increase in initial body roll, but it stops quickly. It does sit lower in the rear when fully loaded however. I looked into swapping out the rear 3.5 springs with 4.5 springs, but I am told that the 4.5 will not increase the load capacity; they are merely taller. I may just add small pucks to level things out. I think BigFish on here put in a beefier rear anti-sway bar with good results. That looks promising and relatively inexpensive. Also, I have 315 DTrac tires in load D and wished I had load Es. I think the tires are part of the reason for the increased initial body roll. That said, the Jeep does really handle the load quite well on and off-road.

Edroid - I will be in Idaho next week. Where are you in Southern Idaho?

 

[Edroid]

I have a 2013 JKUR with a similar configuration -- a J30, AEV 3.5 suspension, ARB fridge, partner stove, AT drawer and interior rack, AEV bumpers with a winch, Fuel caddy and hi-lift. It is heavy, but it handles the weight pretty well. There is an increase in initial body roll, but it stops quickly. It does sit lower in the rear when fully loaded however. I looked into swapping out the rear 3.5 springs with 4.5 springs, but I am told that the 4.5 will not increase the load capacity; they are merely taller. I may just add small pucks to level things out. I think BigFish on here put in a beefier rear anti-sway bar with good results. That looks promising and relatively inexpensive. Also, I have 315 DTrac tires in load D and wished I had load Es. I think the tires are part of the reason for the increased initial body roll. That said, the Jeep does really handle the load quite well on and off-road.

Edroid - I will be in Idaho next week. Where are you in Southern Idaho?

Kelly,

I am in Ketchum/Sun Valley. If you are passing through, I would absolutely love to see your rig, because I have ordered a J30 without ever having seen one!

I have a Rubicon Hard Rock that will be the base vehicle, all outfitted by Martyn and Mario at AT Overland.

It is tempting to just get all the goodies but I am not wanting to overload the vehicle.

Would love to meet you.

PM if it would work out.

Ed

 

[hardwickj]

hardwickj,

How do you like the Front Runner cargo slide? Thinking about getting one...

It (or something similar) is pretty much a necessity w/ the 45L fridge. It would be obnoxious trying to pull it out every time I wanted to get at something inside of it. It's very well built. The only problem I had was when I put too much weight on it (water + filled fridge) where it came unlatched a couple times (and could slide), but there is so little room for it to move when the rear door is closed that it didn't really matter.

 

[expedition4x4]

Isn't it the suspension that limits the payload? (thinking the AEV with progressive springs would raise that limit)

I do not think the AEV springs raise that at all the OME heavy's do however I tried lots of things with AEV but eventually replaced the springs with OME 4" heavy *660lb) springs and I also did a beefier rear swaybar

 

[emkay]

Is everything else the same as the US JK? (Besides a diesel).

I think so, I guess our brakes are a little bigger and from factory our bumpers are a little different, but thats unimportant weightwise.


Sent via my bongo drums...

 

[MizMoosie]

It (or something similar) is pretty much a necessity w/ the 45L fridge. It would be obnoxious trying to pull it out every time I wanted to get at something inside of it. It's very well built. The only problem I had was when I put too much weight on it (water + filled fridge) where it came unlatched a couple times (and could slide), but there is so little room for it to move when the rear door is closed that it didn't really matter.

Thanks!

You know, we could have an "Upper Midwest J30 Rally"...both of us! :coffeedrink:

 

[txemmons]

Just wanted to say I made it! It took me about four nights, but I've now read every post in this thread. I don't even own a Jeep yet—but when I do, I'll be ready.