With the J30 I purchased (June 12) the window had the holes for the windshield wiper but had plugs inserted. I bought a windshield wiper off of a guy for like $70 (they are $100 new) and it is now installed on the window, however I do not have the wire harness yet, and you have to get the computer flashed to run it. I live in Florida and the rain has not made me want to spend the extra money. My advice would be buy a Jeep with the hardtop in place (it is like $800 more as part of certain packages I think) and then sell the top off so the computer is flashed and the wiring is already run. As for the water pooling I have not camped with it in the rain yet but I don't think that will be a problem. I have had the front right corner leak but it was the factory seal and it was leaking with the soft top as well. Stupid dealer wouldn't fix it, so I fixed it myself and have given feedback to John on how to spot the issue since mine was the first to have this issue.
Ursa Minor Pop-Top Jeep JK
- Thread starter cobblecrazy
- Start date
cobblecrazy
Adventurer
I've had my J30 for almost a year. I've taken it through rain and snow with no issues. Once, during a wash with the power washer I had a very small leak around the top of the passenger door, but it turned out I just needed to tighten the front/side bolt (goes through the roll bar above the door frame) and no more leak (if I recall correctly they suggest checking the bolts from time to time anyway).
My rear window had the plugs installed. I understand I could switch out the factory rear window with the one originally installed on the J30, and then all I needed to get was the connection wire for the original wiring harness. I've not found the need for the rear wiper, or the rear defroster, since I've had it on.
The tracks open up a myriad of options from Thule and Yakima, and I'm sure if you talk with Ursa during the process, they could make anything work for you.
Ursa Minor
Active member
J30 Q & A
- Does the J30 block the signal to satellite radio\GPS receivers?
Update 2014: Our J30 top does impact Sirius signal, and will block the GPS Signal. We currently relocate the antenna puck for all installations that have satellite radio or GPS Navigation from the roll bar to the front cowl to the right of the wiper. There are no additional parts required
- Are the pads removable and washable? I have a dog, so this is important!
Yes, the J30 pads are removable and washable.
The covers are made of a Fusion tweed, which has the advantage of allowing the pad to breathe. If it gets grimy, it can be cleaned with water and mild soap, like dishwashing detergent . Should you grow weary of the mix of stinky feet, smoke and sweat that comes with summer camping, you can zip the pad open, squish the foam and remove it then head to the laundry. As an acrylic, I would suggest cold wash in a machine is fine but line dry to keep anything from melting in a hot dryer.
We can still sew pads of Sunbrella on request.
The covers are made of a Fusion tweed, which has the advantage of allowing the pad to breathe. If it gets grimy, it can be cleaned with water and mild soap, like dishwashing detergent . Should you grow weary of the mix of stinky feet, smoke and sweat that comes with summer camping, you can zip the pad open, squish the foam and remove it then head to the laundry. As an acrylic, I would suggest cold wash in a machine is fine but line dry to keep anything from melting in a hot dryer.
We can still sew pads of Sunbrella on request.
- How Blue\White\Yellow is the LED lighting?
It's a white/bluish color, they are not marketed as a natural yellow as some LED lights are.
- Is there a rear windshield wiper?
No, the J30 or J180 do not ship with the rear windshield wiper at this time. The rear hatch glass we install is the OEM part, so it has the holes and mounting points for both the rear wiper and rear defrost. We fill those with removable plugs at UMV, as can be seen in rear view photos on our website.
The functional rear wiper/defrost is an optional upgrade, please see website for current pricing. This can also be be retrofitted to existing campers (J30 or J180/Habitat)
If your Jeep did not originally come with a wiper, you would also need the wiring harness from the top to the dash, and then would need the computer chip flashed at a dealer to enable it. This harness from the dash to the rear is the one that will show up in most MOPAR or other catalog searches.
Not to define what features you may find essential, but the view out the back of a Jeep is limited by both the tire and ironically the placement of the rear wiper motor.
The functional rear wiper/defrost is an optional upgrade, please see website for current pricing. This can also be be retrofitted to existing campers (J30 or J180/Habitat)
If your Jeep did not originally come with a wiper, you would also need the wiring harness from the top to the dash, and then would need the computer chip flashed at a dealer to enable it. This harness from the dash to the rear is the one that will show up in most MOPAR or other catalog searches.
Not to define what features you may find essential, but the view out the back of a Jeep is limited by both the tire and ironically the placement of the rear wiper motor.
- Anyone have custom racks on theirs?
We have installed a variety of racks on the J30, though when we get busy we're not as good about getting photos of the finished camper. D-rings might rattle a bit while driving, but for strapping things down to the roof we can come up something I am sure.
There's a longer thread about campers for the 2 door JK somewhere, but the conclusion I made was it's both a little too short for a decent bed, and once mounted there's no good way of climbing up into the camper from inside. A short bed, outside access only, but probably the same price range… even for me, an Autohome would be a better solution on a 2 door.
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ZMagic97
Explorer
I totally understand; the 2 door simply lacks the room. I'm pretty frugal, so I'll probably just keep sleeping on the floor inside. :smiley_drive:
Thanks Ursa Minor for the reply!
My family and I are debating the pros and cons of the Ecamper on a Honda Element or on a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It is a hard decision. If I traded my Element, I would probably try to get a JKU sport, since I don't really have a need for a Rubicon.
I don't think I would want to order a Jeep and pay extra for a hard top just to take it apart for the wiper wiring. I was wondering why the wiper motor was mounted up high and a total blind spot. hummm....maybe the wiper isn't worth the trouble after all.
DaveH showed us his Element Ecamper with marine grade u bolts on the sides. I might have to go with something like that or see what kind of feet I can install on the tracks. I wouldn't want to have something rub through the paint on the ecamper.
Will the sun/rain shelter that zips on the Habitat be available for the J30? If so how will it mount? (We live in the wet side of WA if you are wondering why all the water questions.)
My family and I are debating the pros and cons of the Ecamper on a Honda Element or on a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It is a hard decision. If I traded my Element, I would probably try to get a JKU sport, since I don't really have a need for a Rubicon.
I don't think I would want to order a Jeep and pay extra for a hard top just to take it apart for the wiper wiring. I was wondering why the wiper motor was mounted up high and a total blind spot. hummm....maybe the wiper isn't worth the trouble after all.
DaveH showed us his Element Ecamper with marine grade u bolts on the sides. I might have to go with something like that or see what kind of feet I can install on the tracks. I wouldn't want to have something rub through the paint on the ecamper.
Will the sun/rain shelter that zips on the Habitat be available for the J30? If so how will it mount? (We live in the wet side of WA if you are wondering why all the water questions.)
Charlie56
Adventurer
Here is a picture that I took looking in the rear view mirror showing the area that the rear wiper covers.
Everything right of the iphone flash is the rear window.
That black arched thing is an AEV fuel caddy. Its just a little bigger than the spare 35 that is mounted beyond it.
The black box above and to the left of the fuel caddy is the wiper motor housing.
There was dew on the rear window with the sun coming in from the back.
That little sliver of clear glass is the area the rear wiper covers.
Its only going to get worse with gear stored in the back.
Thats why I am not too concerned about not having a rear wiper with the J30 top.
Everything right of the iphone flash is the rear window.
That black arched thing is an AEV fuel caddy. Its just a little bigger than the spare 35 that is mounted beyond it.
The black box above and to the left of the fuel caddy is the wiper motor housing.
There was dew on the rear window with the sun coming in from the back.
That little sliver of clear glass is the area the rear wiper covers.
Its only going to get worse with gear stored in the back.
Thats why I am not too concerned about not having a rear wiper with the J30 top.
cobblecrazy
Adventurer
Pyramid Lake Nevada
brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
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!
I'll try to get take a few better pictures later, these are all from my iPhone, it's a little tough in a small space but maybe my gopro will take decent wide angle shots.
Overhead organizer with dual USB outlet and standard 12v outlet.
Rear LEDs. A little difficult to show with the contrast.
Interior black carpet with no windows.
Looking up with the panels removed.
Looking down with one removed.
Terrible pano shot from the front, looking back.
And the other way...
If anyone has any specific requests I would be happy to grab pictures.
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!
I'll try to get take a few better pictures later, these are all from my iPhone, it's a little tough in a small space but maybe my gopro will take decent wide angle shots.
Overhead organizer with dual USB outlet and standard 12v outlet.
Rear LEDs. A little difficult to show with the contrast.
Interior black carpet with no windows.
Looking up with the panels removed.
Looking down with one removed.
Terrible pano shot from the front, looking back.
And the other way...
If anyone has any specific requests I would be happy to grab pictures.
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Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
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
brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
Oh and, as for the garage....
The jeep just barely doesn't fit. I tried to squeak in and the Thule rails just touched. I think once I get the front and rear bumpers that I want, it will squeak inside. For now I'll air down the tires and pull it in when I leave town for work. I have an AEV 3.5" lift and 35" km2s, for reference.
The jeep just barely doesn't fit. I tried to squeak in and the Thule rails just touched. I think once I get the front and rear bumpers that I want, it will squeak inside. For now I'll air down the tires and pull it in when I leave town for work. I have an AEV 3.5" lift and 35" km2s, for reference.
I am 5'9" and I have to bend my head down to sit how you are talking about. On the other side I don't recall having an issue but certainly not cavernous