Ursa Minor Pop-Top Jeep JK

[ventura911]

I preferred to have John and his crew install my extra electrical ports mainly because I'm all thumbs when it comes to such work and wanted the work to be under their warranty. Yes, the power outlets along the header are only accessible from the driver's compartment. I think the paint choice depends on the color of your JK. I went with the perimeter texture and white center section for the top, as I think a red top on my Jeep would've been too much. That said, a full texture was my second choice. I just went with the basic rails for the rack system and left it to them to install; again, they're the experts and would take care of any related problems that might arise. When I ordered mine, UMV did not have rear glass available with the wiper and defroster. I drove down prior to the installation and had them take my rear glass off and swap it for the clear, no-frills glass. I knocked off a few bucks when I sold the hardtop because of this, but it was worth it to me to keep these features (and my "been there, done that" decals). I'm able to close the top with my huge, but oh-so-comfortable, Butler sleeping bag, but just barely and only with care. As the taper actually adds some space upstairs, it's an improvement over the first edition and should make it easier to store regular sleeping bags or blankets. Just have to make sure the canvas sides tuck in properly.

Good luck with the purchase!

 

[expedition4x4]

OK. I'm looking into taking the plunge and buying my J30 in the next month some time. Still trying to figure out some of the choices. A few questions for you all before buying this to put on my 2013 JKUR in dark blue.

1) Power: the power/wiring options. Are they worth paying to have done. $150 for rear bay lighting! $50 for USB! I'd like to have an option to charge something up top, but really don't feel like adding a bunch of money to the build if I can do it for about a 1/4 of the price. Plus I may just put in an SPOD at some point anyway so I will be addressing a bunch of wiring at once. So should I just hold off and do it myself or is it so well done that it is worth $50 for a USB plug or $150 for the rear lighting? Also the "header power outlets" are these accessed from below in the cab whereas the sleeper ones are up top in the sleeping space?

I added just a 12v cigarette lighter receptacle up top as I can get my own 12v to 5v usb adapter

2) Color: I don't like the stock options, so I am forced to change it. I'm thinking paint it all. Or texture all. Other than cosmetic, any benefits of one or the other? Is weight substantially different?

not really a weight issue I think I went with texture and the very top is white. and I am very happy with it.

3) Roof racks: I cannot find definite answers to this so I'll just ask. I just want to be able to attach things up top like skis, bike, etc. I am not a fan of one brand of rack over another, and don't really need to get it from UMV, but having them drill it and mount on the feet/tracks or whatever would be nice. Which would you go with?

I did the Yakima feet up top which are very low profile when the rack bars are not installed John and crew installed them and I am happy with the option

4) Rear wiper defrost: This option is $450. I have a hard top currently on my JKUR with the rear window, defrost, wiper. Can I just order the J30 with a standard rear window setup (ie no extra cost) and swap my stock hardtop items over to the J30? (I will be selling the top once I get the J30 anyway). Pretty sure you can I opted no rear setup and havent had any issues myself

5) new generation changes: the top now has a tapered look to it where the rear is taller than the front. Has anyone noticed any difference in ability to store sleeping setup in it while closed?

nope not at all I store pillows and blankets up there and mine is #131 picked up in October

Get the map pockets up front its worth it!

Sorry for a bunch of questions, but some of these choices changes the price by over $1000. PM me if you don't feel like answering them all here. I am going to talk with UMV at some point but hearing from the masses is sometimes nice too. Thanks

answered inline

 

[drapnea]

Anyone have a dark blue jeep with the j30 they could post pictures. Considering how it looks with both options. Looking for this color: http://s209.photobucket.com/user/DadsCJ/media/Jeep/2013 Blue/Nov182012019.jpg.html

 

[Charlie56]

A few questions for you all before buying this to put on my 2013 JKUR in dark blue.

1) Power:
2) Color:
3) Roof racks:
4) Rear wiper defrost:
5) new generation changes:

Power:
I had them add two outlets on top. I thought it was a little pricey but they did do a good job. (Next time I would do it myself.) I built my own lighting for the rear. It’s a LED strip on an aluminum heat sink mounted to the bottom edge of the upper tailgate glass panel. Works fantastic and was less than $30 in parts.

Color:
No help here. Mine is white.

Roof Rack:
Without a roof rack mine clears my garage door by an inch. Any roof rack would take that ability away.

Rear wiper/defrost:
I have a 35” spare, an AEV spare fuel tank, and an interior storage rack. There is very little rear glass that I can see, so not having a wiper and defroster is no problem for me.

Sleeping bag storage:
Mine is 1st generation but I am still able to store one unrolled down bag and one down blanket with the top down.

 

[goin camping]

OK. I'm looking into taking the plunge and buying my J30 in the next month some time. Still trying to figure out some of the choices. A few questions for you all before buying this to put on my 2013 JKUR in dark blue.

1) Power: the power/wiring options. Are they worth paying to have done. $150 for rear bay lighting! $50 for USB! I'd like to have an option to charge something up top, but really don't feel like adding a bunch of money to the build if I can do it for about a 1/4 of the price. Plus I may just put in an SPOD at some point anyway so I will be addressing a bunch of wiring at once. So should I just hold off and do it myself or is it so well done that it is worth $50 for a USB plug or $150 for the rear lighting? Also the "header power outlets" are these accessed from below in the cab whereas the sleeper ones are up top in the sleeping space?

2) Color: I don't like the stock options, so I am forced to change it. I'm thinking paint it all. Or texture all. Other than cosmetic, any benefits of one or the other? Is weight substantially different?

3) Roof racks: I cannot find definite answers to this so I'll just ask. I just want to be able to attach things up top like skis, bike, etc. I am not a fan of one brand of rack over another, and don't really need to get it from UMV, but having them drill it and mount on the feet/tracks or whatever would be nice. Which would you go with?

4) Rear wiper defrost: This option is $450. I have a hard top currently on my JKUR with the rear window, defrost, wiper. Can I just order the J30 with a standard rear window setup (ie no extra cost) and swap my stock hardtop items over to the J30? (I will be selling the top once I get the J30 anyway).

5) new generation changes: the top now has a tapered look to it where the rear is taller than the front. Has anyone noticed any difference in ability to store sleeping setup in it while closed?

Sorry for a bunch of questions, but some of these choices changes the price by over $1000. PM me if you don't feel like answering them all here. I am going to talk with UMV at some point but hearing from the masses is sometimes nice too. Thanks

Hi,

I decided not to get outlets upstairs. The JKU has a herd of ports I can use to charge everything up while driving round. So I go to bed with the toys charged up.

The options I did get were rear side windows, cargo area light and rear window wiper, washer, defogger glass and color match top.

Rear windows for blind spot checking while on the Hwy. Light in back is great for camping at night and the jeep is white and so is the entire top. Being a desert camper it helps in the summer.

If I had it to do over again. No rear window wiper/washer defogger. There is only 10 square inches of usable glass back there anyway.

Sleeping bags and pillows store just fine upstairs with the top down.

 

[lysol]

Man, I can't wait for the day that I order one. The wife and I agreed to wait until after we move.

Anyone want to make a picture tour? I haven't seen many closeup pics in a while of the different features.

 

[nwoods]

I go to bed with the toys charged up.
.

Whoa, way, WAY too much information there Milo.

 

[goin camping]

Whoa, way, WAY too much information there Milo.

LOL!

Well done Nathan! You just Ninja'd in out of nowhere for that one.

 

[Two Jeeps]

When I was researching the purchase I flew down there to make sure I would fit, I am 6'6” and I didn't want to spend that kind of money without seeing one in person. Plus I had a lot questions about the electrical. And I wanted to see first hand what the top was and how it was put together. And I got to hang out with Goin Camping, who was kind enough to let me see if I'd fit in the top.

1: Power options and wiring. The power to the top runs up the passenger side “B” pillar to the terminal strip (they calls it a block) in the speaker bar. From there the wires run down into the front header through a similar looking header. When I looked at it in UMV shop it did not look like it would be that easy to pull wires once the top was installed. I mainly was looking at installing Voltage meters at some point down the road.

The quote to have one ignition hot was $100 with no explanation of how they would wire it in so I didn't go that route.

Wire to the top is 18AWG if I remember correctly with a 7.5 amp fuse. There is a connector inside the “B” pillar if you need to remove the top

I had them install accessory plug on drivers side and USB on passenger side just in case I install anything up there that needs power. They are not easily accessible from the sleeper. I had one outlet put in the sleeper in case I need to run a fan up there.

Johns advice for the SPOD was to have it already installed when the put the top on. It looks like the top would have to be lifted some to get to the loop where the SPOD attaches too. I don't have an SPOD to look at but the switch housing may need to be trimed.

I didn't do the rear cargo lighting for one main reasons. I wanted to have red and white switchable lights back there and I didn't want to know the cost to do that if white lights are $150, plus I have portable red/white lanterns already

2: Color. Not sure of the weight but the whole top lowered the back by 1.5”. I now run Synergy 1” lift springs to deal with the weight. Those springs also made a major improvement in the handling of the Jeep. Totally eliminated body lean in corners and crosswinds.

3: Roof rack. I didn't get one but the question you have to ask yourself is what would I carry up there, will the Jeep still fit in the garage or parking garages. And is it worth the cost for whatever you may put up there.

4: Rear wiper/defroster. If you JKU is a 2007 to 2011 your rear window will work. I have a 2015 and I got the rear wiper/defroster since I have spent time in freezing weather with ice buildup on the rear windows on camper shells. Getting out and scrapping muddy ice off the rear window isn't a lot of fun.

5: At the moment I don't store anything up there

When you order on line be aware that there are hidden costs (at least for me there was) that don't show up. And I didn't get an invoice or a order conformation from UMV. They will charge you a percentage if you use a credit card and charge you for the install.

I had a lot of problems getting in contact with John before the purchase, after the purchase and after install. So be prepared not to get emails answered or phone calls returned.

 

[nwoods]

LOL!

Well done Nathan! You just Ninja'd in out of nowhere for that one.

LOL, I've been watching this thread since it started, have been lusting after having a UM equipped JK for equally long, and having Don posting his amazing photos is definitely not helping!!!!!!

 

[goin camping]

Hi Two jeeps, Welcome to the forums. It was a pleasure to meet you down in San Diego. It made the waiting enjoyable.

 

[drapnea]

When you order on line be aware that there are hidden costs

That is something that should be 100% transparrent on their website so customers know prior to purchasing. It sound very straight forward when you look at it online; selecting options, total is displayed, add sales tax if local pickup. But now I'm curious what this is going to total out to be...

I just tried going through their online ordering and it doesn't mention anything about added costs. I tried selecting both CC and personal check as the options and both give the same total price due.

 

[Two Jeeps]

From my invoice that I recieved when I made final payment after install.
J30 Install: $250.00
Relocate Sat/GPS antenna: $70.00
Credit Card sevice fee: 1.5%
Sales Tax: 8%

Hope that helps you figure out the final cost.

 

[Two Jeeps]

Hey goin camping it was good talking to you. I got my Gate with less that 10 minutes before boarding.

You been out in Mojave yet since we talked?
I am trying to see if I can get over there this month to drive the lenght of Atkins Mine road but at the moment it seems life is getting in the way. So it maybe a last minute trip.

 

[drapnea]

Thanks for that. It helps to put the numbers together to see how bad my wife is going to react. It looks like if I do the install work myself, avoid the CC fee, and ship it rather than drive there, pay tax, and stay a night before driving home, then I should be able to drop it about $1k for the same setup in the end. More work on my part but I don't know when I would find time to do that trip anyway right now.