Home made rooftop tent for XJ

[MHead]

(SOMEHOW THE PICTURES AT THE START OF THIS THREAD HAVE VANISHED.... THEY START AGAIN aT PAGE 7 IN THE THREAD. PLEASE START THERE)


Here's a home made roof top tent for XJ.

My basic objective is to carry 4 people over dirt tracks and modest rocks thru 3 days with all food, water, shelter, etc. I'm located in San Diego and enjoy California's deserts to the east.

The pics below show the in-work vehicle. I chose XJ due to its relatively small size, reputation for toughness, availability of after-market parts, and really low value as a used vehicle. Mine is a '92 4.0 auto tanny with 216K.

Mods on this vehicle that aren't apparent in the pics are drivetrain. Truetrack posi in the front, Tracklock (crummy but cheap) in the D44 in the back. Ratios changed appropriate to the 30" tires. Undercarriage armor. only 1" of lift. Heavy duty leafs.

Tent takes advantage of a Conferr roof rack. A strong rack to begin with but modified with a couple of extra transverse steel tubes to provide support for the 1/4" abs plastic deck added to the rack. Access via steps welded into the stock Jeep external tire carrier.

Tent is designed to place roof rack deck up into the arc so tent supports actually are slid into tubes on a rail attached to, and below, Conferr rack attachment. Sorry you can't see this in the pics. Supports are 1/4" fiberglass rods, continuous 10 feet length. Main tent is simply a 10' X 7' square of boat awning material with sleeves sewn on to hold rods. There are 4 transverse rods supporting the arch and 3 lengthwise rods, one centered at the top and two symmetric on sides. Ends are semi-circles and zip to the arc material. Forward has two zippers and so a port can be opened for vent. Rear is one continuous for doorway. Fiberglass rods have lots of give and so allow tent to change shape in response to very strong winds without breaking. Survived 50 m/hr gusts once so far. Mosquito net (not shown)velcros to inside of tent when in bug country.

Packup is easy. No packing the bedding material or pads saves effort. I hate setting/clearing camp everyday. Unzip ends out and lay on bedding. Pull rods collapsing tent onto bedding. Fold to within rack. Camp picture shows table under awning. This is actually two aluminum tables made specially to fit within roof rack. Tables lay face down on top of tent. This provides a deck so that cargo can be loaded above.

Within XJ rear cavity is a special made aluminum rack. This has two drawers containing spoons, pans, various kitchen. There's a pull out counter top for sandwich making at noon stops. Right side has heavy duty sliders and platform and allows ice chest to be slid in and out like a drawer. Central cavity holds 2 tanks (blue cubes) of 14 gal total water. Outermost of these can be tilted over providing a spigot off the rear bumper. Middle zone has three plastic tubs which hold dry goods. Top is shelf which is dedicated to hats, coats, and similar cargo needed at hand by passengers.

Tools, spare parts, recovery, go into special aluminum boxes located in triangular cavity just forward of rack and aft of rear seat back. Accessable by folding seat back forward.

Unfortunately 2 of 4 must sleep in tents in the traditional way. Tent, bedding are packed and carried on top as cargo.

There are various electronics for navigation.

All that is shown in pictures was carried by Jeep, plus tent, and three persons besides the blonde...

Hope something here can give ideas for mods of your own Jeep!

[HongerVenture]

Wow. :bowdown:

Wonderful innovation and ingenuity! I really like how well thought-out and well-built the tent is. How waterproof is the material?

[detailbarn]

wow that is very creative and well built , kudos to you! side bar what hood do you have on your XJ?

[mountainpete]

Excellent build! That's the kind of creativity I love to see :bowdown:

[OverlandZJ]

:26_7_2:

Very creative...hats off to ya. Welcome to ExPo!

Does the sign in window say..."Jeep..astoga"?! Clever as well.

[Bergger]

Nice job. I love it when people come up with thier own creations.

[offroadchef]

Good Job and thank you for the pics

[MHead]

Hood purchased from Quadratec

http://www.quadratec.com/products/55023_003_T.htm

This hood has a very nice vent at rear just in front of windshield. Often Jeep is driven over soft ground at low speeds. Stock hood traps warm air, retains heat, and stalls air passing thru the radiator in spite of the radiator fan. This replacement hood vents and keeps engine compartment cool and air flowing thru radiator. Some owners use the extra room above engine to plumb and mount a conical K&R air filter for manifold intake. This draws at engine top and avoids sucking in 'bow wave' water as stock XJs are prone to do.

Suggest you see

http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/

for a write-up on hood and many other mods and cool ideas for XJ. This from Oz. They have the best vehicles down under due to the lack of pavement.

Yes, Jeep-istoga. Tent was patterned on covered wagons used by pioneers in roughly the 1850's. It also turned out to be an easy design to sew, being essentially flat. Guess they knew what they were doing. If you look closely at the pics you'll see a flap at each end that can be pulled closed via a draw string to cover zippers from rain. Haven't had to do this as yet. They used this approach as a simple doorway.

Tent material is heavy and water proof. Sorry I don't have a source or brand name. I hunted my records but haven't been able to find the receipt. Bought off the internet. I want to say Sunbrella since that is the common material, and the weight is about right for Sunbrella, but this material is polyurethane coated while Sunbrella is designed to breathe. This makes the inside collect moisture somewhat in wet weather, but not in a dry situation such as shown in the pics.

The tent vents in an ususual way compared to a ground tent since this tent is built on top there is no need to keep ground surface water from entry. So no fabric bottom is necessary unlike a ground tent. This tent is actually open downwards along the sides of the rack. With the front vent open, heated air can rise out and be replaced by air drawn in at the bottom. So body warmth keeps a little circulation going and keeps the inside tent dry...er. Have only had it in light rain but was really happy with performance. By the way, the ungly yellowish lines are sealer applied to the sewn thread perforations. On sunny days in direct sun the tent surface heats dramatically but the tent stays relatively cool since the hot air rises out the forward vent. It's not stuffy but rather airy.

One unmentioned thing from first post: fiberglass rods are 10' continuous length. No joints. I hate joints because these are always what hang up on insertion into fabric sleeves. These long rods are transported attached to XJ by inserting into a special holder then wrapping around rack to the rear and up the other side. You can see white rods at rack bottom in the first picture. Also visible at the same location is the mount into which they slide when tent is erected.

Also for XJ owners try www.naxja.org as a resource for nearly everything XJ.

Thanks for kind words from all the posters!

[LUISJG]

great setup, the cargo area looks very eficient

[MHead]

Found the receipt for fabric. Material is Top Gun and was purchased from Rochford supply http://www.rochfordsupply.com/product_listing.asp_Q_CatID_E_419_A_SubCatID_E_487 _A_ProdID_E_3500
as were the zippers.

Here's a link to additional pictures that show the tent being constructed.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tticecgp/album?.dir=81eb&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

Mike

[Ursidae69]

Very nice work, amazing. :victory:

[Willman]

I like it!!!

:clapsmile

[pray4surf]

Great looking job Mike :clapsmile

Have some setup questions:

At what point are the transverse rods placed into the sleeves?

Do the lengthwise rods attach to the transverse rods in any way?

I guess I'm asking you to describe the setup process a little more....:confused:

Thanks for the link for the Top Gun material.

And by the way, how well/easy was sewing that material? It looks like you used a basic/domestic (non-commercial) sewing machine.

Rick

[The Swiss]

Tell me more about the rack you have in the rear. Any more inside pics? That looks GREAT!!!

[MHead]

Have some setup questions:

At what point are the transverse rods placed into the sleeves?

Cargo is removed, then aluminum tables come off. This exposes tent. Fiberglass poles are removed from rack wrap-around. Tent folded open but at this time it simply hangs over rack sides. Transverse (4) fiberglass poles are inserted into sleeves making the tent a flat 10' X 7' laying on rack. 1 person on each side of vehicle grabs two poles and lifts while bending, finally inserting poles into holders at rack edge below rack. The second two are done in the same way. Now tent is cylinderical and supported by poles and holders below rack. Lengthwise rods are inserted into sleeves at this time. The tent semi-circle end pieces are now laying on bedding and are zipped in by person climbing inside. Bed is ready. Not counting off-loading of cargo, setup takes only about 4 minutes of two person time.

Do the lengthwise rods attach to the transverse rods in any way?

No, they simply slide into sleeves in the fabric and cross underneath (inside of tent) of the transverse poles.

I guess I'm asking you to describe the setup process a little more....:confused:

I'll take setup pictures on the up-comming Canyonlands trip. Should have some nice backgrounds!


Thanks for the link for the Top Gun material.

Top Gun is completely waterproof and relatively heavy.

And by the way, how well/easy was sewing that material? It looks like you used a basic/domestic (non-commercial) sewing machine.

We had the non-commercial sewing machine shown. No real problems with the machine itself, but the fabric is quite heavy and somewhat difficult to get under the small neck of the machine. It took two persons more than a day to sew the material. But there was fitting time involved since we designed some as we went along.

Worth mentioning is that we had an unplanned wind test of the structure out in the Mojave National Preserve last fall. We experienced 50 m/hr gusts and as you might imagine with the tent so high off the ground, there was substantial forces applied. I was very concerned that the wind would suck the tent and poles right up and out of the holders. We hadn't foreseen this problem until too late and in the middle of a major blow after dark. It is certain that had the tent come off we would have lost it to the wind as well as every other bit of cloth, blanket, or clothes on top with us. All would have gone down wind in the dark.


The lengthwise poles are exposed from the sleeves at the points where they corss the transverse poles. I secured each point to the rack with a strong nylon line and in this way prevented the loss of the tent. None the less during the most intense gusts the tent mostly collapsed, bending into an 's' shape with the up-wind side crushed in. We got dirt entry from below even though we were 6 feet off the ground. By collapsing the stresses on the tent were reduced and nothing damaged. It was a wild night but after tieing I managed to sleep well. The Jeep rocking in the wind...

Subsequently we added velcro flaps at the bottom of the tent that wrap around the lower holders. There's no possibility of loss now. I'll post pictures of how the camp looked when the sun came up next day.

I'll also take some more of the rack built in the aft cargo space.

This will take a little time since I'm gone to Utah next week!

I attached three pictures as an edit just now. These show the camp next morning. Jeep tent still standing! The ground tent also survived but only because it was tied in many spots to the lee side of the Jeep. We took all mobile heavy items (like the wood, water containers, canopy) and placed them inside the tent as well, and slid them from inside against the aluminum tables which you can see proped against the Jeep to keep the wind from blowing under. It worked mostly but we had to keep shoving the heavy items back against them them and them against the Jeep all night.

Mike

[adventureduo]

:26_7_2:

Looks good dude, great work!

[xcmountain80]

Man that is nice! I like the incorporation of the confer rack.

Aaron

[Rezarf <><]

Very cool build!

Drew

[MHead]

Here are a few pictures showing tent set up. These were taken at the edge of the Beaver Dam Mountains in the very NW corner of Arizona just up from the Virgin River (36 deg 58.229' N 113 deg 47.895' W). A good overnight spot when going from San Diego into Utah.

Last picture shows the packed up Jeep (taken in Mesquite NV). The layer is

Cargo
Tables
Tent
Bedding
Furniture blanket
Roof rack (with 1/4" ABS plastic deck added)

Next picture shows stack with cargo removed. You can see the table legs. Tables are top down on the remainder of the stack.

Next picture shows the stack with cargo and tables removed. The tent is unfolded and laid over the sides of the Jeep. Transverse fiberglass rods are inserted from the sides.

Next picture shows the tent going up. Rods are lifted two at a time by persons on each side of the Jeep and inserted into holders.

Next picture shows insertion of the lengthwise rods.

After this the ends are zipped in. Bed is already made from previous night. Just add pillows!


And the next-to-last picture (taken in the morning later in the trip) is why you might want a tent of some sort... Ha!

[MHead]

Here are some pics in answer to a question about the cargo arrangement. Carco space in the back of this XJ is dedicated to food and tools. Clothing, chairs, and other items are carried on top. It seemed to me that access to food is needed throughout the day but access to items on top isn't necessary except when setting up camp.

The cargo space in an XJ isn't very well organized with the volume above the top of the back seat being hard to utilize. The rack in the picture attempts to make better use of this volume. Rack is made from 1/2" square aluminum tube, welded.

Top shelf is for coats, hats, other clothing items that are needed during the day. Next shelf down has three plastic tubs and holds dry-goods foods. Next lower, left column holds two drawers that are removed in picture but that can be seen elsewhere in this thread. Between these drawers is a pull out cutting board/shelf which is really convenient for preparing lunches. At bottom right is a pull out shelf with heavy duty sliders. Ice chest is placed here. Two 7 gal 'blue cube' plastic water tanks go between ice chest and drawers. Tools are stored in aluminum boxes made to fit behind sloped jeep rear seat. Pic 4 shows LED based light that is operated from jeep battery. This can be operated for long periods without fear of draining the battery. Pic 5 shows how rack is secured to XJ. I drilled two holes thru the jeep floor and bolted a steel strap containing a welded nut. An aluminum bridge secures to this nut and clamps the rack in place. Rack can be removed in just a few minutes.

[Flounder]

Yikes. That is more stuff than I have in my HOUSE!

[calamaridog]

Very creative and well thought out:)

[Xtreme XJ]

WOW !! I love my XJ and think it's a great base rig to build upon.....
I tip my hat to you both in the tent design and the cargo area.... too bad they don't make a rack long enough and sturdy enough for my tall/fat ***....
I don't see why it couldn't be done off of another platform though.
Is that a Weber grill on top ? I think I'd like my COG a little lower though.
You've got some great ideas... congrats again on a cool design and set up...

See Ya !
Curt

[MHead]

WOW !! I love my XJ and think it's a great base rig to build upon.....
I tip my hat to you both in the tent design and the cargo area.... too bad they don't make a rack long enough and sturdy enough for my tall/fat ***....
I don't see why it couldn't be done off of another platform though.
Is that a Weber grill on top ? I think I'd like my COG a little lower though.
You've got some great ideas... congrats again on a cool design and set up...

See Ya !
Curt

Yes, a Webber. There's more pictures at:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5392

I like the Webber for charcoal cooking but especially for building wood fires. After dinner cooked over coals we just toss in some wood. Coals keep it going. We've cut the legs of the webber to get it down near the ground. It's really heat-efficient compared to a ground fire since you can cuddle up and put your legs partially under. Don't have to carry so much wood this way. Best thing is that you have good control of the fire since you can put it out by putting the lid on. In the morning the ash can be collected and bagged so nothing remains behind.

On the other hand the Webber is mostly spherical and doesn't pack well. I'm thinking of making a replacement with a flatter bottom and flatter top.

I hear you about stuff on top. I'm really paranoid of off-camber trails. I've tried to place only the lightest of cargo on top.

And lastly rack is plenty strong. I've a picture of 5 people sitting on mine at the same time. That's over 600 pounds. My rack is 4.5' X 6'. There was a 7' available. I have 6 attach legs from rack to Jeep. And I've cheated a little by welding in several extra cross-wise struts.

http://www.conferr.com/

Mine is a conferr but the web site says they've gone out of business. Too bad.

One point about XJ that isn't in my opinion really appreciated is that the roof has a folded seam where it connects to the body. This seam is several sheetmetal layers thick and provides a really strong point to anchor racks to. Newer designs in other vehicles have eliminated this seam.

Thanks for the compliments to all above! It's fun to make stuff that is appreciated.

Mike

[Lynn]

On the other hand the Webber is mostly spherical and doesn't pack well. I'm thinking of making a replacement with a flatter bottom and flatter top...

Mike,

When you said you wanted a flatter webber, it sounded like the one I've got:

http://meco.net/images/WABinuse_Lg.jpg


If you're not sold on making one, you should check out the Aussie Grills portable charcoal.

Notice the stock photo above, that I borrowed from their site, looks like she's just bought it from Walmart's garden section? I think I got mine at Target.

[cipioxx]

I wish I could make something like that. That tent is amazing and practical. I just got rid of 2 Cherokees and now wish I had kept them. I love your setup!!!

[xcmountain80]

Here are some pics in answer to a question about the cargo arrangement. Carco space in the back of this XJ is dedicated to food and tools. Clothing, chairs, and other items are carried on top. It seemed to me that access to food is needed throughout the day but access to items on top isn't necessary except when setting up camp.

The cargo space in an XJ isn't very well organized with the volume above the top of the back seat being hard to utilize. The rack in the picture attempts to make better use of this volume. Rack is made from 1/2" square aluminum tube, welded.

Top shelf is for coats, hats, other clothing items that are needed during the day. Next shelf down has three plastic tubs and holds dry-goods foods. Next lower, left column holds two drawers that are removed in picture but that can be seen elsewhere in this thread. Between these drawers is a pull out cutting board/shelf which is really convenient for preparing lunches. At bottom right is a pull out shelf with heavy duty sliders. Ice chest is placed here. Two 7 gal 'blue cube' plastic water tanks go between ice chest and drawers. Tools are stored in aluminum boxes made to fit behind sloped jeep rear seat. Pic 4 shows LED based light that is operated from jeep battery. This can be operated for long periods without fear of draining the battery. Pic 5 shows how rack is secured to XJ. I drilled two holes thru the jeep floor and bolted a steel strap containing a welded nut. An aluminum bridge secures to this nut and clamps the rack in place. Rack can be removed in just a few minutes.

Now I dont wanna rain on the parade but looks like you could use a trailer. You guys have more stuff than my wife and I, Im not even going to show her the pictures because she'll say see we could have taken that, and this, and 2 of those! But I still love the home made roof tent that is super cool. I forget what you said you were using as a mattress but I bought a temperpedic 2.5" or 2" foam mattress topper and covered it with a waterproof cover which added a bit of luxury to the plywood.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/OCT%20trip/PA070988.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/OCT%20trip/PA070989.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/OCT%20trip/PA070990.jpg

AAron

[kcowyo]

MHead - very well done! :clapsmile

Love this pic. (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7856&d=1179717241) What an excellent use of space and creative design. Unique touches like the LED light and slide-out cutting table are brilliant.

I hope the summer will bring lots of opportunities for you and yours to get out and enjoy it.

:beer:

[MHead]

So far this summer have logger 3500 miles thru Eastern Sierra in California, Nevada's Great Basin Desert, Idaho Rockies, Yellowstone, and various other points. The shower is really awesome. First long trip for it and glad to have one each night! See the post http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3261 for shower talk.

Flat Webber is a good idea! Have seen these but never actually considered them. Will look.

Matress is 1" foam in a slip cover made from old sheets. We put two full length 1" thermorest pads on top of this.

Thought long and hard about a trailer. I have tools to build a cool off-road type. But I often have to turn around in tight spots. Lots more difficult with a trailer. I value the mobility more than the extra stuff I could haul. And besides as several above have observed, I have plenty of stuff already!

Pictures below show Jeep inspiration. All are prairie schooners from about 1850. First two are taken at Three Island Crossing, Oregon Trail, southern Idaho. Last comes from Cove Fort in Utah. Note that one of the wagons has canvass that is designed to extend over the driver to give shade. I wanted the same effect but it was a complicated sewing job. The other wagon was less expensive most likely and has vertical ends.

The families who drove these about 150 years ago were really toughing it! But they carried all they had in life, not just my camping toys.

Last picture is Jeep in a Yellowstone campground. Don't like official campgrounds but sometimes I have to stay in one. You can partially see how the bug problem is addressed. I just purchased a rectangular bug net designed to be suspended above a cot with ropes. Put bits of velcro on this and mating velcro on the inside of the roof top tent. When in bug country I just clip this bug net up inside, then crawl inside the net.

[MHead]

The jeep has a few new features that might be fun to look at. These are

1) New 'sombrero' cover for rear
2) Refrigerator replaces icebox
3) New 'coffee service' shelf and stove

The first pic shows addition 1, the sombrero transport bag containing the sombrero. This is a tent-bag sort of thing closed by a zipper that runs horizontally. It is velcored to the roof rack and remains permanently attached. The sombrero is deployed by unzipping the bag and unrolling the sombrero within. The sombrero is permanently attached to the bag and so remains attached to the roof rack. When fully unrolled a fiberglass rod similar to the ones used for the roof top tent is placed into velcro tabs. The sombrero fabric keeps the rod bent and the rod's tendencancy to unbend tensions the fabric. The sombero is supported by simply laying on the open rear hatch of the jeep. The second picture shows it deployed. The idea is mostly shade, but it will also be useful in a gentle rain. Wind is something of a problem.


The third pic shows additions 2 and 3. It turns out by shear luck that there is an Engel refrig that is nearly exactlly the same size as the ice box that I previously used. A perfect fit. The interior volume of the Engel is a little smaller than the ice box, but when you deduct the volume of ice required for cooling I think there's a net volume gain. And refrigeration is great - no water in the cheese!! I added a second, deep cycle, battery to support the refrig overnight and also solar cells but these will be a subject for discussion later in this thread. Refrig slides in/out just like ice box did.

Picture 4 is a closer look at the coffee service. At right there's a Coleman burner which is plumbed to a small propane tank located within the spare tire rim. It's great not to have to set up a stove in the morning. The counter is stainless steel as are the supporting square tubes. These are connected to the spare tire carrier by welded tabs. Counter is held up by a wood prop and held down against the tire carrierby a bungee cord. It all folds flat so the tire is in the normal position for travel. It's outside the vehicle of course and it is yet to be seen what the effect of dust and rain might be on the stove.

All in all it makes for pleasant food service with nearly no setup/tear down time. Well under 5 minutes.

[AFSOC]

Wow! I love this kind of creativity and inovation. I can't wait for the next installment. My favorite builds on this site are just that...builds. Anyone can buy it and bolt it, it's folks like you who devise it and develop it who really inspire.

[AFSOC]

By the way...is that a Pith Helmet?

[MHead]

By the way...is that a Pith Helmet?

Yes it is! Dr. Livingston I presume? Well, maybe not pith actually. It's a straw weave I think impregnated with a resin. But it looks just like one.

Purchased in Mexical Hat at a shop just where the highway crosses the river. Really good for heat. The weave is loose enough to let the air pass thru, there's an internal band that holds the hat away from your head, it comes down low on all sides for sun protection, and it's heavy enough not to blow off in normal winds.

My favorite hat.

Thanks for the 'builds' comment. Bolting on is a noble pursuit as well. It's just fun to modify and to create no mater how it is done. I'm just fortunate to have a good set of tools and a vehicle I can dedicate to a specific purpose.

[AFSOC]

Yes, no slight to the bolt on bunch...at my best, I am one too. I just meant that I value those who forge new ground.

[Backwoods Rambler]

Very Very Very Cool!

[MHead]

I've added a Engel refrigerator and improved the canopy.

First picture shows the canopy improvement, which is to add 'wings' from canopy down to tail lights. These will block wind and showers if jeep is parked pointed into wind. Just gives a little more enclosed space without any sacrifice in set up time. The canopy tended to blow upwards in the wind, these give it more stability. Also shown is the new Engel refrigerator.

Second picture shows a closer view of refrigerator and rear shelf with propane burner. Setup and ready for coffee.

Third picture shows new, second battery, mounted in jeep. The refrigerator takes electrical power. I need reliability for starting and normal starting batteries aren't designed for deep discharge cycles so I added a Optima battery. Not visible due to it's being mounted on the battery bracket, is a Hell Roaring Tech battery switch. This electronic gadget connects the two batteries together when it senses 13.5 Volts or more on the starting battery thus charging the Optima when engine runs and disconnecting it when engine is stopped. Optima is wired to Engel refrig so when engine is stopped refrig only draws down Optima bat.

Fourth picture shows solar cells. The Optima will run refrig for a day or so but for longer periods some means of charging Optima is needed. One way of course is to run the vehicle but if parked for several days it's convenient to provide solar power. Solar cells shown are from BP Solar and can give 40 Watts power in bright sun. In between the panels and difficult to see is a small electronic regulator that is designed to charge 12 V lead-acid batteries. This panel has wires to light-duty battery clips and so can be used independently of jeep to charge any 12 V lead-acid battery. Cells connect to Optima by raising the hood and cliping to battery terminals. There's a zippered bag at top to contain the wires.

Fifth picture shows storage for the canopy (longer tan bag) and solar cells (shorter tan bag at left below). The solar cell bag zips shut and holds 15' wire and battery clips. There's a vertical, velcroed strap to retain the solar cells and two straps to retain the canopy. Oh yeah...picture in the jeep rear window is Monument Valley. Although it looks like a poster, I actually took that picture and had it printed. What a day that was!

Sixth picture shows rack that solar cells slide into beneath the main cargo rack.

Solar cell supports and solar cell rack are all aluminum to keep the weight down.

Tried this system in California's Sierra Nevada mountains this past weekend. Ideal conditions due to brillant full-day sun and cold night time temperatures. Plenty of charging power and little need to refrigerate at night. Optima discharged into the 12.5 V range (not much discharge) overnight and became fully charged after only an hour or perhaps two of sun. I'm expecting a more demanding situation this winter in the desert with hot days and nights. Stay tuned...

Last picture is jeep loaded for travel. 4 people X 3 nights fully self contained. Taken in front of Tom's Place just below Mammoth Lakes, CA. One of my favorite places.

[stick]

Simply amazing. Great work on the cargo system in the rear of the XJ and very nice work on the tent. :safari-rig:

[OverlandZJ]

So cool... :punk03:

But i gotta say... of all people i figured you for the guy who would BUILD his own Fridge/Freezer.

[highlandercj-7]

Nice work, It's hard to beat a good XJ. They provide a huge bang for your buck. It's amazing what they can do with a simple 3" lift and 31's:)

[MHead]

So cool... :punk03:

But i gotta say... of all people i figured you for the guy who would BUILD his own Fridge/Freezer.

Well... I actually did start that way. I purchased a used electric refrig from an RV dealer for $100 and ripped (literally) it to shreds without damaging the electronics or heat exchangers. I figured I'd put the cold exchanger into my cooler and attach the pump/motor and hot exchager on the outside back. But subsequently to my delight I discovered an Engel model that just exactly replaced the cooler so no mods were required. I also discovered that the Engel consumed much less power than the old junk I had and that sealed the deal. Too much money but after I got over that part everything went smoothly.

Yes, in 'bang for buck' XJ is one of the best if not the best. They are tough, there's a good aftermarket supply of add-ons, they run forever, easy to work on, and they are cheap. I am resisting a lift beyond the 1" I've got. All the stuff on top raises the center of gravity enough without lifting the moter and body another 3". XJ's main failing is that if they roll over the window pillars are bent and can't be repaired and the vehicle must go get junked or maybe have an extreme top chop. I know. Lost one this way. The reason to lift is for larger tires to get axle clearance and the ability to roll over lager obstacles. But my objective is remote camping and I've found that there are many places at the end of even smooth dirt roads that no one visits.

By the way, if you are reallly into XJ I just tried installing a bored and stroked motor. Without success I'm afraid to admit. But man that motor really made the old, overloaded, XJ jump. There's a saga at

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=939290

Mike

[MDZJ88]

That is so awesome. Nice work! I need to make something similar for the ZJ...

[highlandercj-7]

Yeah I been wanting to do a 4.7L stroker for my XJ, but I was waiting till the orginal got tired. 187K and she's still not tired lol.. I wanted a street sleeper. Have someone pull beside me in a BMW ute and spank em with the old grocery gitter. Nutting like smoking a 50K machine with aa 4k one lol...

[MHead]

Yeah I been wanting to do a 4.7L stroker for my XJ, but I was waiting till the orginal got tired. 187K and she's still not tired lol.. I wanted a street sleeper. Have someone pull beside me in a BMW ute and spank em with the old grocery gitter. Nutting like smoking a 50K machine with aa 4k one lol...


Too bad... you've got a while to wait at 187K for a 4.0 to wear out. They just run and run and run. When the time comes though, get a spare motor, build it locally with a shop you trust, and then do a swap. My XJ was down for nearly 6 months with the stroker attempt. Don't let it happen to you.

But it really jumped when it was 4.6. Now it's back to 4.0 and it does OK save when the hills come. Guess that's all I really need. After 6 months of no camping I'm just happy to get there, even if slowly.

Oh yeah, expect to buy at least 89 octane gas if not 91 for a stroked motor. But you might actually get a slight bit better gas mileage if you don't drive too crazy. Overall it will be more expensive to operate. But it is fabulous not having to shift down to 3rd at the slightest hill and great to be off the front at the traffic signals...

[arjp]

MHead:

Very nice job!

Reminds of my own rooftop (bought 10 years ago and modified for 30seconds setup and 2min or less to be packed and stowed! )
I also built an interior setup (Jeep XJ) that sleeps two plus gear (but it's for a two-door model and the front seats have to fold forward).
On the stroker, my 4.7L runs on 87 Oct. These things need to be properly built, there's no question about it.

Nice pictures too (must be DSLR). Oh, and then you got that CA outdoors advantage... no 95/95 (95F at 95 percent humidity, --which makes the outdoors miserable during July/August many places east of you) :-)

I didn't read the whole thing, but your rear leafs may be happier if assisted with those air levelers (usually for heavy trailer use), and this would be the perfect application.

AR.

[sdjeep]

I must say, very impressive build! I need to get organized like that with my LJ.

On a side note, were the pics in the first post taken in a side canyon just though the narrow part of Canyon Sin Nombre? I swear i have been there before....

[MHead]

I must say, very impressive build! I need to get organized like that with my LJ.

On a side note, were the pics in the first post taken in a side canyon just though the narrow part of Canyon Sin Nombre? I swear i have been there before....


Good Eyes! Recognize that nice Anza Borrego alluvial mud and sand. However I think that picture was actually taken in one of the canyons in the north part of the park. I think this one is just off Truckhaven Trail. There's an alcove just to the left of the picture. We parked really close into this alcove the previous night due to really high winds. This was the only place we could find that was mostly sheltered.

Good suggestion about air levelers. I hadn't thought about these. The stock leafs bottomed out with only passengers and not cargo so I replaced them with heavy duty leafs. Haven't noticed bottoming out since. The back end does get a bunch lower however. Think levelers would improve the ride?

[MHead]

MHead:

Very nice job!

Reminds of my own rooftop (bought 10 years ago and modified for 30seconds setup and 2min or less to be packed and stowed! )
I also built an interior setup (Jeep XJ) that sleeps two plus gear (but it's for a two-door model and the front seats have to fold forward).
On the stroker, my 4.7L runs on 87 Oct. These things need to be properly built, there's no question about it.

Nice pictures too (must be DSLR). Oh, and then you got that CA outdoors advantage... no 95/95 (95F at 95 percent humidity, --which makes the outdoors miserable during July/August many places east of you) :-)

I didn't read the whole thing, but your rear leafs may be happier if assisted with those air levelers (usually for heavy trailer use), and this would be the perfect application.

AR.


Stroker on 87 octane? I'm interested... Do you have a recipie that describes what parts you used, quench height, and other dimensioins? I still have the stroker bug and would like to find a recipie that works. I'd assumed that 89 or better octane was just the way it has to be.\

[Scenic WonderRunner]

MHead!

This is awesome stuff you have done! I think we think alike!:ylsmoke:


I don't know how I've missed this thread for over a year, other than to say I now need to become a better Jeep Thread "Lurker"........! :costumed-smiley-007 :friday:



Carry On.........!:beer:





.

[TACODOC]

AWESOME!!!:beer: :beer:

[Xtreme XJ]

MHead!

This is awesome stuff you have done! I think we think alike!:ylsmoke:

I don't know how I've missed this thread for over a year, other than to say I now need to become a better Jeep Thread "Lurker"........! :costumed-smiley-007 :friday:


Carry On.........!:beer:

.

Maybe you need to come to the JEEP side... :smiley_drive:

Curt

[MHead]

MHead!

This is awesome stuff you have done! I think we think alike!:ylsmoke:


I don't know how I've missed this thread for over a year, other than to say I now need to become a better Jeep Thread "Lurker"........! :costumed-smiley-007 :friday:



Carry On.........!:beer:


.

You are in San Diego. We should do a fall Anza Borrego or something.

Thanks for the appreciation!

[MHead]

Here's the next installment...

Traveled to Oray, Colorado, to try out the jeep on some high passes. All the junk makes the jeep heavy. Just two of us on this trip so we weren't as loaded as with 4. Managed to get the engine really warm though, on a hill at 103 deg F with the AC on. Looks like I should look into replacing the engine mechanical fan with an electric. If I can get the engine to run reliably cool then it's time to revisit the stroked motor.

First picture shows the usual load, but at the top of Engineer pass. 12,800 feet. Yes the rig performed well... sort of.

Second picture is the proof!

But then there's the third picture :(. Another breakdown. This one is my own fault. I replaced the rubber bushings in the front suspension with polyurethane. In doing this I installed the bolt on the upper passenger side control arm backwards from the factory position. Doesn't seem like a big mistake but the excess bolt beyond the nut now sticks out towards the engine. As the front suspension compresses on a bump this excess bolt comes up and hits the edge of the motor, just at the point where the transmission cooler lines pass. These are steel tubes. One pinched and all my transmission fluid gradually got away. Fortunately the trans stopped working AFTER we got off the steep pass part. Picture shows us getting a tow to a camping spot.

Forth pic is how we recompose. Civilized!

And the last picture is camping at 11,200 feet in the Rockies. We spent the night. I carry various tools and repair parts. Cut out the pinched point and installed a bit of fuel line in its place. Hitchhiked to Silverton about 10 dirt road miles for more trans fluid. Poured it in. Drove more than 1000 miles!

Not pictured but worth mentioning is that we got our first rain test of the rear canopy. Afternoon thunder showers in Oray all the week we were there. We had gentle to moderate rain without wind. Under these conditions we were able to stay dry and fix simple meals on the stove. We put our chair against the back bumper and sat back and enjoyed the rain. Worked really well and had good drainage, the hatch edge giving a central high spot to the canopy.

Seems like I should have more than a travel log in this post so next time I'll show the details of the spare battery and solar recharge for the Engel fridge.

[Backwoods Rambler]

Still very cool! Glad to see you taking advantage of your hard work :beer: <- where's the whisky smiley ??

[granitex1]

We played leapfrog all of the way up the mountain that day,
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k142/granitex/Ouray%202008/Picture056-2.jpg

Because of my passangers we had to go a bit slower than you did, I think that you were in Animas when we came through, did you loose the tranny fluid after that?

By the looks of the reain in the one oicture the timing would have been about right.

[AlabamaDan]

I joined just to say WOW! Nice rig, fun trips and a great thread!!!!

[cnskate]

Cool setup. It's nice to see someone stuff more camping stuff in their XJ than I do. I've also noticed that you really have to go out of your way to find a campsite you can't take an XJ with good tires and a small lift. I'm considering the rear airlift myself.

[MHead]

Granitex1: Small world! Somewhere on the road in your picture I must have gone over a bump and compressed the front suspension to the point where it cracked the trans cooler line. I don't see any oil in your picture so maybe it hadn't happened at the time pictured. Anyway... we went on up to the top and then came back down. Fortunately for us the trans worked all the way to Animas. But it gave up on the small bridge into Animas. So we stayed the night just outside of Animas.

Cnskate: You are correct. I have only slightly larger tires on the XJ. They are BFG AT and are tougher than stock. The XJ has a 1" lift with heavy duty leaf springs in the back. I've managed to go just anywhere I've been interested in going. You only need lift for big tires and only big tires for serious off road like big rocks. With all my cargo I'm too heavy for serious stuff anyway. But there are lots and lots of dirt tracks and I do just fine. Lift has its disadvantages since with cargo on top the vehicle gets ever more top heavy. And it's a pain to put cargo up right now with the rack relatively low. I keep wanting a lift for looks but I can't find any function.

Thanks for the compliments!

[Funrover]

Awesome Awesome Awesome!!

[JIMBO]

:archaeolo Super job, ya just gotta remember, that EVERY trip, no matter how simple it is

IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

And thats thow mine have always been, every trip I learn to streamline my systems and then the next trip--I've forgotten something-


Maybe it's just me, but thats what keeps our camping trips from being DULL

Great job

:REOutIceFishing: :REOutIceFishing: JIMBO

[BigAl]

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k142/granitex/Ouray%202008/Picture056-2.jpg


I really like the table built into the trie carrier. What is under the driver side rocker?

[MHead]

Driver's side rock rail has a rolled up carpet. Carpet is rolled around a 1" PVC pipe and is velcro'ed to the rail. There's another one on the other side.

As mentioned in this thread previously, my bed is on top of the jeep. I climb the spare tire rack to enter. But any dirt that is on me when I climb up ends up in the bed. So I have the carpet that I spread out at the back of the jeep. This gives a relatively clean place to stand and take off shoes and generally dust off prior to climbing into bed. And it's just generally nice to have a clean surface to put things on or to put under your chair. On extended camp outs the dirt gets to me after a while.

The other (identical) carpet goes under the shower and provides a clean surface to stand on.

I choose the rock rail location since the bottom of the carpet gets dirty and there just isn't a good place inside or on top for a dirty carpet. It's relatively easy to roll the carpet up on the PVC pipe and attach to the rail. Pack up is usually where you get the dirty-est and this storage method mostly limits the dirt to just dirty hands that can be washed off.

One problem is that the front wheels will toss significant mud onto the carpets. Next improvement is a bag to cover them.

Thanks for noticing!


(PS... does anyone know why I can't upload a 415KB .jpg picture...)

[scenic]

good job. very creative.

[arjp]

Stroker on 87 octane? I'm interested... Do you have a recipie that describes what parts you used, quench height, and other dimensioins? I still have the stroker bug and would like to find a recipie that works. I'd assumed that 89 or better octane was just the way it has to be.\

Never got around writing this up, but here's a crude summary of what I did (still running great to this day):
http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/temp/pistons/custompiston.htm

AR.

[MHead]

Never got around writing this up, but here's a crude summary of what I did (still running great to this day):
http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/temp/pistons/custompiston.htm

AR.

How many miles so far...?

[MHead]

Here's the next installment...

Have added sides to the rear canopy. I wanted a more all-weather zone at the back where we could cook and stay out of the wind and rain for short times. I added zip in sides with a zipper door in the middle. Glassine windows give it a not so enclosed feeling. The picture below shows our first test in Carizo George, Anza Borrego Desert State Park this past weekend. We just set it up to see how it would stake to the ground and to see how crowded 4 people would feel inside. Everything seemed to work great. There's a fine high point so water will run off without puddling. It will stay up in a stiff wind if the ground stakes don't pull out. Time will tell how it does under actual bad weather conditions.

[Xtreme XJ]

Here's the next installment...

Have added sides to the rear canopy. I wanted a more all-weather zone at the back where we could cook and stay out of the wind and rain for short times. I added zip in sides with a zipper door in the middle. Glassine windows give it a not so enclosed feeling. The picture below shows our first test in Carizo George, Anza Borrego Desert State Park this past weekend. We just set it up to see how it would stake to the ground and to see how crowded 4 people would feel inside. Everything seemed to work great. There's a fine high point so water will run off without puddling. It will stay up in a stiff wind if the ground stakes don't pull out. Time will tell how it does under actual bad weather conditions.

There's that BBQ.... LOL !!

Good stuff...

Curt

[jeepmedic46]

Didn't see any pics, Is there a seperate site?

[crosbike]

that is one cool looking tent

[MHead]

Didn't see any pics, Is there a seperate site?

Right now there is just the one picture in the post just above. We plan a trip over New Years to Arizona. I'm sure there will be times we'll need the sides zipped in. I'll have a few pictures to post thereafter.

[MHead]

Anyone know why the pictures that were a part of this thread have vanished?

I guess I'll have to post them again...

[saburai]

Anyone know why the pictures that were a part of this thread have vanished?

I guess I'll have to post them again...

Please do!

[Maximus Ram]

If I was to take a guess, and I will, it may have happened when they upgraded. But thats just a guess.

[MHead]

Here are a couple replacement pictures.

The first shows the general view of the back of the rig. Special things about this jeep are the tent mounted on the roof, and the kitchen in the back.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25687&d=1234138040

Pic 2 shows a closer view of the kitchen.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25688&d=1234138040

Last pic is from I-70 out in Utah. Just a nice place to be.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25689&d=1234138040

I see attached images but the nice thumbnails that were available previously have disappeared. Maybe I'm doing something wrong when uploading?

[VE2WHZ]

very nice setup

more pic more pic :wings:

[saburai]

What a nice set up!
I took the liberty of posting the pics so all could see, hope it's O.K.

I really like your kitchen set up and would love to see some more pictures of it

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd79/badhawk697/Jeep%20XJ/IMG_6622.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd79/badhawk697/Jeep%20XJ/IMG_6620.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd79/badhawk697/Jeep%20XJ/IMG_6808.jpg

[MHead]

I guess the way to fill out this post is to, from time to time, post pictures of places or features. The picture below is a feature. The picture is taken thru the passenger side rear XJ door (it's a 4 door) looking back into the rear volume with the top of the rear bench seat folded forward. Normally in this view you would just see the empty cavity. In my jeep you are looking at the frontward end (but really the back of) the structure that holds the frig, drawers, and shelves.

The feature to be noticed is the tool and spare parts. The back of my drawers/shelves is vertical, but the back of the bench seat is not. The seat leans backwards. So there is a small triangular cavity. The picture shows that I've made use of this limited space by making aluminum boxes that just fit. These hold a fair number of tools and a bunch of spare parts such as duct tape, siphon hose, and other incidentals.

These came in really handy last summer in Colorado. My front axle smashed a transmission cooler line during articulation on a tough trail. I managed a field repair from these boxes using a rubber fuel hose splint and a couple of hose clamps. It's worked so well it is still there!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28824&stc=1&d=1243012424
Thanks!

[corrupt]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28824&d=1242873705

type then copy the pics location in then put at the end so it looks like this but with out the extra dots i put in.

..... http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28824&d=1242873705 .....

[corrupt]

tidy setup by the way.

[saburai]

Hi MHead,

I sent you a few PM's and I think, an email asking some questions about your very nice set up. I sent them 3/30/09 maybe you missed them...
If you could, please reply.

Many Thanks...

[MHead]

Hi MHead,

I sent you a few PM's and I think, an email asking some questions about your very nice set up. I sent them 3/30/09 maybe you missed them...
If you could, please reply.

Many Thanks...

OOPs! Mike discovers the PM. Yes there is a PM and I've got mail! Actually several messages over the last months. Sorry I've not replied. These all request information and pictures so I'll just put more pictures here in this post. It's frustrating to have all the previous ones disappear.

I'll cover the roof top tent in the next couple installments.

So here's a picture of the Jeep packed. My mission is to transport up to 4 people over difficult dirt roads into remote areas and provide self-sufficient camping for 3 nights, all food shelter water. The jeep pictured below has performed this mission many times. I show the picture to make the point that the roof top tent does not preculde the transportation of a great deal of cargo as well as the tent.

Yes rain is a problem and in subsequent editions I'll picture how I deal with it.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28848&stc=1&d=1242961488

The picture below shows the roof top tent component with the cargo removed. You are looking at the folded tent. Already removed are two tables constructed of an aluminum framework and a thin plywood top. These not only provide civilized camping (tables) but serve the dual purpose of providing a deck above the tent to protect it from dirt, abrasion, and puncture from the cargo. Watch for these in the general camp pictures. I'll do a feature about them in the future sometime

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28851&d=1242961767


The tent is supported by 1/4" diameter fiberglass rods. These are flexable enough to be bent for various uses. In the picture below I've removed the tables and folded the roof top tent out more-or-less flat. It overhangs the roof rack symmetrically on each side. I'm sliding 1 of four transverse rods into pockets in the tent. The tent is an easy sewing job, being a simple rectangle with transverse and lengthwise pole pockets. After I slide all 4 transverse poles in the roof top tent is a big, flat, rectangle.

4
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28849&stc=1&d=1242961488

Next step is to erect the tent. This takes two people, one on each side of vehicle. First the two front poles are bent upwards and placed into recepticals on the roof rack. Next the rear two same operation. Picture below shows first two in and second two about to go in.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28852&stc=1&d=1242961797


Once the tent is erected a set of 3 lengthwise poles are inserted into sleeves similar to the transverse. These 3 add lengthwise stiffining. Picture shows this operation being done. You'll also see zippers at the tent edge. There is another set of zippers at the tent front. There are two semi-circle flat panels (again a simple sewing job) which zip in to provide a rear door access and ventilation. But these, and the method of securing poles to roof rack are the subject of a future installment.

One thing to note is that this roof top tent depends upon access via steps welded onto the rear tire carrier.

5

Pictures taken at and nearby Beaver Dam Wilderness in SW Utah.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28850&stc=1&d=1242961488

[Xtreme XJ]

I've always liked the set up, but you're kill'n me with it at that height... bump it 3" please... a good quality lift...

Now... how does the hood work ? Is it set up to vent hot air ?

Curt

[Exrunner]

Post #8. Yes. From quadratec.

[slimtwo]

That looks like a very cool set up! I would have liked to see all of the first pictures that disappeared. Very inovative. :Wow1:

Happy trails!

[rroadkilll]

That looks like a very cool set up! I would have liked to see all of the first pictures that disappeared. Very inovative. :Wow1:

Happy trails!


X2 on the pics...

[MHead]

I've always liked the set up, but you're kill'n me with it at that height... bump it 3" please... a good quality lift...

Now... how does the hood work ? Is it set up to vent hot air ?

Curt


Thought a lot about lift... The reason you lift a vehicle is for larger tires. Larger tires get you over larger stuff. But lifting has a cost, especially for vehicles with cargo on top, which is higher center of gravity making vehicle more prone to roll over. Lifted vehicles are just less safe to operate off and on pavement. The other side of coin is that lots and lots of truely off-even-dirt-road locations are closed or closing these days. So I've concluded that I don't really need big tires. And I can't recall being shut out of someplace I wanted to camp due to obstacles. So it's worked for me so far.

I'm going to gradually add the pictures back.

Yes, hood is a Quadratec. Looks cool. Can't say I've noticed the engine running cooler.

[MHead]

Here's the next installment.

After the tent is erected and the lengthwise poles are slid in the last thing is to install the end panels. These are almost circular and zip to the canopy I showed erected in the previous post. Again a simple sewing job. The picture below shows the front pane. This has two zippers that zip from each side, coming together at the top. This approach allows the zippers to be partially zipped leaving an open vent. Notice I've installed the mating zippers in the tent somewhat in from the end. The idea is that the slight overhang (about 3") provides a little cover from rain and might keep it from entering the zippers, which will leak.

It's hard to see, but I also sewed a light rope into the very edge of the tent with the idea that I'd pull the rope tight and close this flap over the zippers in reall bad weather.

The rear panel is zipped differently. This panel has only one zipper that starts at one side and goes completely around to the other. This method provides a entry door when zipped 1/2 way.

This tent has no rain fly. It tends to get wet on the inside in cold weather from breath-moisture. So ventillation is important. A roof top tent is a different animal than a ground tent. There's no ground! Or rather there's no need to seal the tent at the bottom to prevent bug/snake/water entry. So this tent is designed to hang freely beside the edge of the roof rack. In cold situations warm breath air can rise out the vent and be easily replaced by air entering from below. In situations where the sun illumates the tent the material warms and the internal warmed air can rise out the vent, again being replaced from below by outside air. So, because roof top tents are unique in the tent world, they can be very well ventillated. And if you don't want the vent you close the zippers and the tent tends to capture warm air.

Lastly you can see a white shroud inside the tent. Since the tent can't be completely sealed there must be something done to prevent mosquito entry. The white shroud is just a net designed to be suspended over a ground cot. It's rectangular and it was really cheap. Turns out it is just the perfect size for use inside the tent. I just added velcro pads to the inside of the tent and to the corners and middle of the net. The net suspends from the inside of the tent. I'll show some better pictures later.

Picture taken at Rock Creek in California's Eastern Sierra.



http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28921&d=1243195530

[saburai]

Any info on the "sombrero"?

[MHead]

Any info on the "sombrero"?

Yes, but I'll get onto that after I work thru the tent. Sombrero is basically the same construction technique as the tent. I'll do it next and relatively soon...

[MHead]

Here are a few drawings of the tent pictured in the previous posts.

The drawing below shows the general support. You can see the roof rack and also the 1/4" dia fiberglass supports. These are shown in the arched position as though they were already in the tent sleeves. No tent is shown. Also not shown are the 3 lengthwise 1/4" rods that are inserted from the rear.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28970&stc=1&d=1243392176

The following drawing gives some dimensions. Note that the beginning/ending points of the arch are actually below and outside the bottom of the roof rack. The drawing above doesn't show this. Drawing is an early design effort and is out of date. The approach in the drawing below has several beneifts:


1) There is more 'elbow room' since the tent is widest at about elbow level for a sitting occupant.
2) There is ventillation since there is a significant clearance from tent to side of roof rack
3) The mounts for the fiberglass rods are more out of the way and don't interfere with loading of the rack

The trick I found is to adjust the radius of the arch so that the total arc length is 10'. Turns out that the 1/4" fiberglass rod comes in 20' lengths and so when cut in half there is no waste. Also turns out that 10' zippers are available so again there is no waste. Also the material I used is supplied in somewhat wider than 5' rolls and I was able to cut the end panels directly without having to seam them to gain sufficient width.

The dimensions I show below result in a tent that is nice and roomy inside.

I've not shown any lengthwise dimensions. These are based on the rack length and the tent is sufficiently long to extend beyond the end of the rack by 2" beyond the end of the rack at each end, plus a 3" rain flap. I'll show how this is done in a future installment which will cover attaching the fiberglass rods.

By the way the 2" extension beyond the rack gets the front panel of the tent out beyond the roof rack lights, and allows you to sit at the rear when unzipping the door since you can put your feet between the rack and panel. And there's ventillation also.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28972&stc=1&d=1243392176

[cnskate]

Were you at Zion in April? I think I saw your rather distinctive truck in the campground there. I was tooling by in the NPS shuttle van so I didn't stop to say hi.

[saburai]

Yes, but I'll get onto that after I work thru the tent. Sombrero is basically the same construction technique as the tent. I'll do it next and relatively soon...


Thanks, I look forward to it!

[MHead]

Were you at Zion in April? I think I saw your rather distinctive truck in the campground there. I was tooling by in the NPS shuttle van so I didn't stop to say hi.

Yes, we were at the north end of the camp. Can't remember when exactly. Seems like it was the week prior to Easter.

[MHead]

This installment covers how the transverse rods are attached to the jeep.

The picture below shows one of the joints. You see the white 1/4" diameter fiber glass rod entering a 1/2" OD X 1/4" ID tube that has been welded to a 1" X 1" square tube, and a 1" square piece welded over the end of the tube. The material is aluminum painted black but steel would be more easily worked and not much heavier.

The tube is welded at an angle which preserves the circular bend in the fiberglass rod. Also the tube is a little outside and below the roof rack. This gives the vent and elbow room discussed above.

I drilled the 1/4" ID to 0.275 just to allow a free fit of the 1/4" fiberglass rod.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28993&stc=1&d=1243475198

The picture below shows that the tube is in front of the rack, again for vent and also so that the front tent panel doesn't interfere with the lighting.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28994&stc=1&d=1243475198

The 1" tube extends the length of the jeep and holds 4 fiberglass rod tubes. The picture below shows how this assembly is attached to the roof rack. This Confer rack has 3 supports on each side that clamp to the jeep roof seam. I take advantage of the bolts used to secure these supports to also secure the 1" tube. The bolt goes thru a tab welded to the top of the 1" tube.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28995&stc=1&d=1243475198


Although difficult to see the last picture, below, shows the 1" tube extending the length of the jeep. It actually extends beyond the rear end of the roof rack by a couple of inches to give ventillation.

Of course there is a identical, symetric, 1" tube on the opposite side of jeep to receive there rods after they pass thru the tent.



http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28996&stc=1&d=1243475198

The next installment will give a sketch of the tent canvas itself.

[MHead]

Here's a closer look at the canopy. The point here is that it is a relatively easy pattern and sewing job, being completely flat and rectangular.

The picture below shows the underside (the side you would see if you were inside the tent) of the tent. I've laid 3 transverse poles where they would normally go except on top of the sleeve they go in, and placed the fourth pole inside the sleeve. I haven't put the three lengthwise poles in the picture, but they go in the lengthwise sleeves.

The ends of the 4 transverse poles normally go into the holders shown in the last post. The lengthwise poles go down blind sleeves and are held in by the velcro flaps you see.

Notice the 4 tabs on each side of the tent. These have velco faces and wrap around the pole support 1" tube. These prevent really strong winds from sucking the entire tent and poles off the rack. These were a later addition based on high wind experience. Didn't loose the tent but we had to improvise an attachment. The tent does really well in high winds. It just collapses on the up wind side during the high gusts and springs back.

You can see the zippers at each end and the overhang flap.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29069&stc=1&d=1243722292


Next picture is a close up of the wind-flap, zipper and pole. You can also see the draw string that closes the zipper flap. I've added a eyelet at tent corners so that the tent might be suspended by ropes to give some shade when not being a tent.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29070&stc=1&d=1243722292


Last picture shows the ends. Not too much to say here except that these are flat and are an easy sewing job. You can see the zipper that mate to the tent zippers. The rear end has a complete zipper so that there's a door when half zipped. The front end has two zippers that meet at the top to make an adjustable vent.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29071&stc=1&d=1243722292

The last installment covering the tent will be the bill of materials. After that it's on to the "sombrero" . (I don't name these, I have a friend who is in charge of names...)

[MHead]

Here's the bill of materials

Tent material is Top Gun purchased from Rochford supply. Material comes in wider than 60" so two pieces can be sewn together at the dotted line in the sketch to make the top. I'm guessing about 12 yards for top plus the two ends.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/product_listing.asp_Q_CatID_E_419_A_SubCatID_E_487 _A_ProdID_E_3500

Zippers are

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Zippers/Fixed_Length_Zippers-Separating/RSI_Industrial_Separating_Zipper_10_With_Double_Me tal_Pull/index.html

You'll need one 10' zipper and two 5' zippers.

You'll need to seal the seams:

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Adhesives_and_Sprays/Miscellaneous/Plastiseam_Seam_Sealer/index.html

I put eyelets in the corners for rope attachment should the canvas be used as some sort of wind break or cover.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Fasteners/Grommets/Sheet_Brass_Grommets_and_Washers/index.html

Last you'll need 1/4" diameter fiberglass rods. 5 X 20'

http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/Fiberglass_Structural_Rod/TCROUNDROD-250;jsessionid=0a0101421f43e88edd0186dc4ff3adf492b 2d2295fae.e3eSc3iSaN0Le34Pa38Ta38Pc3f0




And here's the sketch of dimensions:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29107&d=1243815917

This completes the roof top tent feature. Hope you liked it.

[MHead]

Thought a little travel log would be nice to break up the drawings and details.

Here's a fun trip. Spent New Year's eve at the Crystal Palace in Tombstone. It's Wyatt Earp's old bar. First picture is New Year's day, Tombstone AZ.


Next picture is about 20 miles by dirt road almost straight north of Tombstone at Chochise's Stronghold, Dragoon mountains. A nice remote place. Good rocks if you are a climber. Build a fire from down oak. Oak!

Last picture is dinner - genuine tex-mex in the dutch oven. There were patches of snow on the ground all around. A really good time!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29108&stc=1&d=1243820466
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29109&stc=1&d=1243820466
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29110&stc=1&d=1243820466

[Explorer 1]

Nice build on the XJ!

I have I think 4 of these left over from my old Conferr Rack. I saw that you had a few lights on yours, any interest, let me know.

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q41/fredsjeep/Cherokee/IMG_5876.jpg

[Bigskyxj]

Well,
I love it brother and I think you gave me some really great ideas here. What did you use to seal the fiberglass rod guides after they were sewn on?

I know that you mentioned condensation forming inside from breathing, have you ever used a heater inside this setup and if so how well did it keep everything heated? I realize that you said there is plenty of ventilation with the endflap left partially unzipped but is it enough ventilation to run a small catalytic heater inside? How well has it held up to heavy rainstorms and or heavy snow.

What are the dimensions of your rack and how comfortably can you sleep.

How drafty does the unsealed bottom get and if you had to do it all over again would you seal the bottom?

Sorry for all the questions, I am sure you may have answered them somewhere else in this thread but I have already downed about a pot and a hlf of coffee and may have just missed it.

[MHead]

Well,
I love it brother and I think you gave me some really great ideas here. What did you use to seal the fiberglass rod guides after they were sewn on?

I know that you mentioned condensation forming inside from breathing, have you ever used a heater inside this setup and if so how well did it keep everything heated? I realize that you said there is plenty of ventilation with the endflap left partially unzipped but is it enough ventilation to run a small catalytic heater inside? How well has it held up to heavy rainstorms and or heavy snow.

What are the dimensions of your rack and how comfortably can you sleep.

How drafty does the unsealed bottom get and if you had to do it all over again would you seal the bottom?

Sorry for all the questions, I am sure you may have answered them somewhere else in this thread but I have already downed about a pot and a hlf of coffee and may have just missed it.

Thanks, Fred, for offer of Confer brackets. Sorry, I don't need these. I welded tabs to the rack for my lights.

Ok, questions... thanks for these since if you want to know then others will also.

Sealer.. see the link in the bill of materials above. Think it is the third one.

Heater... never tried. Rack is 4 1/2 feet wide X 6 feet long so all the space is consumed by bedding. No place for a heater save hanging it. I'm a backpacker so I'm happy in a down bag. Current record low temp is 20 deg F and it was really no problem. The roof top tent is mostly just a sleeping place. In a few days I'll post how I manage shelter for eating and non-sleep. Yes there's plenty vent for CO2 heater exhaust. But the heat would go out same way.

No really heavy rain and no snow experience. In gentle rain you get a nice dry feeling inside the tent. Mostly I guess this comes from knowing that there won't be any flooding like happens in a ground tent. Snow should be no problem since there's no surface for it to accumulate on. Same with rain, no surface for it to puddle. Like any tent it does get moist inside after several days rain. Most moisture risk is to bedding while traveling or setting up/taking down while raining. I have a travel cover that works really well. But I don't have a setup/tear down during rain solution. This is the main weakness of the tent. Not too bad if it is just raining. If you are quick you can get the cargo off, tables off and flip the folded tent out to give cover. But if there is rain and wind then it's gonna get wet. Setup in strong wind can be done but it is a slow process.

In my use down here in CA deserts I don't see much rain. I know the tent survives very strong winds.

Rack dimensions - 4 1/2' wide and 6' long. Sleeps two quite comfortably. This is a little wider than a standard double bed. I'm 5' 10".

Drafty - in a do-over I'd leave the bottom vents. I really like them. If you close the zipper vent you limit the buoyant heat convection mostly. External moderate winds don't generate much internal drafts.

[MHead]

The next feature is the "sombrero". No I didn't name it. I have a friend who invents names. But they are nice to refer to these things.

First a couple of pictures of the sombrero in action:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25688&d=1234138040

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29190&stc=1&d=1243996299


The sombrero refers to the circular canopy that extends out from the back of the Jeep. I've spent some time building a kitchen into the back of this jeep. The sombrero is built to make the kitchen experience pleasant. Mostly it keeps the sun off and provides a shady cool spot to make lunch. But it will also keep a gentle rain off and helps in a wind. I've pictured it at night above to make the point that it also provides a good deal of light reflection which helps when working in the kitchen under simple lantern lights.

Sombrero is attached to the rear of the roof rack and is quickly and easily deployed. The perimeter is stretched by a fiberglass rod similar to those used in the roof top tent. Vertical support comes from the jeep Cherokee rear hatch. Cherokee has a perfect rear hatch for this. It is big enough to support a large sombrero without poles and just happens to provide a high center point so that rain won't puddle.

If it happens that the wind is steady from some direction the jeep can be parked pointed into the wind. In this case the triangular sides of the sombrero and the sombrero top provide a modestly wind-free bubble. Really nice if the wind is cold. Unfortunately the sombrero as shown in the pictures doesn't do very well if the wind is gusting around.

That's it for this installment. Next I'll show how it is attached and some close ups of features.

Mike

[saburai]

Excellent!

Thanks...

[RgrBox]

Wow.. very nice tent.. and that cooking table and cooker mounted like that is ingenious.. did you make that?

RB

[MHead]

The idea behind the sombrero is shade for lunch on the road/trail. In must be quickly and easily deployed. So it should be transported already in position for quick acces and depend mostly on the jeep for support. The previous posts show that the jeep rear hatch provides support. Here's how it is attached and transported.

The picture below shows the stuff sack. The sombrero is actually sewn into this sack and the sack attached to the roof rack. The sack is secured to the bottom rail of the roof rack and has two velcro straps that hold it up when traveling. Attachment to the lower rail is accomplished by 4 velcro tabs as shown in the second picture.

Sombrero is supported by a 18' long 1/4" diameter fiberglass rod. This is transported like the tent rods, by wrapping from one side of the roof rack to the other. You can see this rod (white) just below the sack.

All that is required to access the sombrero is to pull the zippers of the sack open. The sombrero is rolled inside and just falls out.

Next installment will show the set up.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29237&stc=1&d=1244078280

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29238&stc=1&d=1244078280

[MHead]

Wow.. very nice tent.. and that cooking table and cooker mounted like that is ingenious.. did you make that?

RB

Yes, the cooker was bought off the internet and the table constructed by me. I'll give better pictures in a future post.

Thanks!

[RgrBox]

Merci!

[grahamfitter]

Great tent and functional kitchen. Well done!

Cheers,
Graham

[MHead]

Here's the sombrero setup.

First thing that is done is to unzip the sack shown in the post above. After this the sombrero just rolls out. Picture below shows it rolled out.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29278&stc=1&d=1244254266

At this point a 18' long 1/4" diameter fiberglass rod is inserted into sleeves at either end of the arc, just exiting the sack. These sleeves are about 2' long. Once inserted the rod is naturally bent into the correct arc. Next the sombrero is secured to the rod via about 7 velcro tabs. Picture below shows the form after this is done. (The rod is transported in the same way as the tent rods, by wrapping around from one side of the roof rack to the other.)


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29275&stc=1&d=1244254135

Now all that remains to do is lift the sombrero and open the jeep rear hatch. Once the hatch is open the sombrero is fully supported. The left and right wind flaps are attached just above the jeep tail lights via velcro tabs that are attached to jeep using the screw that secures the tail lights. Picture below shows the attachment. Also shows the sleeve where the rod enters. Note that I've made a wood splint that snaps over the jeep hatch strut. This addes a little extra support, but must be removed prior to closing the hatch.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29276&stc=1&d=1244254135


Last picture is sombrero seen from ground level looking up. You can see how the fiberglass rod is attached. There is a 4" skirt around the sombrero to give better shade at low sun angles and to cover the zipper. Also note the strap across underside of the jeep hatch. This strap is actually two, one from each side, that are velro'ed together in the middle. These are closed to keep somobrero from blowing up off the jeep hatch.

Speaking of zipper... this foreshadows the next feature, casita. That's it for this installment. Next installment I'll give a dimensioned sketch and bill of materials.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29277&stc=1&d=1244254135

[RgrBox]

Great I like this.. you plan on making these??

[MHead]

Here's the last of sombrero.

I constructed the sombrero from much lighter material than the roof top tent. The roof top tent material is simply too heavy to roll. Here's the link.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Textiles/Marine_and_Boat_Cover/Surlast_All_Weather_Fabric_600_x_600/index.html#

In addition I used velcro, tent sealer, and zippers mentioned in the tent bill of materials above.

Here's a rough sketch

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29309&stc=1&d=1244388860

The sketch is approximately correct. Acually I used the sketch to estimate how much material would be required, then sewed appropriate bits together to provide more than enough for the overall shape. Then I measured the distances shown onto the material on the ground and then placed a garden hose as a spline thru the measured points. Did a little seat-of-the-pants adjusting prior to final cut.

Once I had the top and edge skirt sewn and had the whole thing mounted, I cut cardboard pieces to model the 'wings' that come down to the top of tail lights. These became patterns for cutting the wings. Zippers were added as an afterthought once I decided to build the 'casita', which will be featured in a subsequent post.

No, I have no plans to make any covers, tents, or any of the other features to sell. I've got a day job...

[winkosmosis]

Very creative.

I think you should look into 1" lift shackles for the rear, to level it out when loaded. I'd say to get 1" lift leafs, but I've never seen such a thing.

[XXXpedition]

you seem to have a hell of traffic in your street - parking right in the middle---:elkgrin:
anyhow, great thread!

[MHead]

Very creative.

I think you should look into 1" lift shackles for the rear, to level it out when loaded. I'd say to get 1" lift leafs, but I've never seen such a thing.

I purchased 'heavy duty' leafs a number of years ago and the jeep stopped hitting the rear bumb stops. I'm happy with my lack of lift. Maybe someday I'll get the bug for big tires. But lift isn't all good and I've not yet been shut out of somewhere I wanted to go because of tire size.

But thanks for the suggestion!

[Bigskyxj]

How much money do you have into the construction of the tent?

[MHead]

How much money do you have into the construction of the tent?

I think I built the tent for under $200. There's a bill of materials several pages back. You can follow the links to prices. Of course I didn't include the roof rack in the $200 since I purchased the jeep with it on top. It's expensive if you have to buy the rack.

And if you have to buy special tools then it's even more. I managed to sew the material with a inexpensive sewing machine but it wasn't fun. And I am fortunate enough to be able to use the welder where I work so I could make the 1" square tube assemblys discussed in the previous posts.

If you have to buy the rack then the cost gets up towards what a commercial roof top tent would cost. I have mixed emotions about these. In a rain they look easier to put up/take down. Otherwise it's about even. But they don't allow transport of a lot of cargo so that's a negative.

Mike

[Hawkeye]

how well has the canvas you used held up to the sun?

[MHead]

how well has the canvas you used held up to the sun?

Canvas supplier says it is for outdoor use such as boat covers. My experience is limited since I only set up the tent when I'm using it. It doesn't get the day on day exposure a boat cover would. So no complaints so far, but no really long time in the sun either.

Mike

[MHead]

Somewhere above I mentioned the zip-in sides for the 'Sombrero' at the back of the jeep. When zipped we call the result 'Casita'.

Had occasion to use Casita on a recent trip to Ouray. We had afternoon thundershowers and evening mosquitoes. The picture below shows the Casita set up. Casita consists of two large panels that zip into the Sombrero and stake to the ground. There is a third smaller panel that connects between the back wheels to provide wind and bug blockage beneath the vehicle. There are two aluminum poles that add support to the sombrero so it can carry the added weight and wiind loading of the casita sides. All these roll up for easy transport. It's less than a 5 minute setup. The zippers are very fast. Most of the set up time is staking.

There are 3 zippers. There is one at the top of each of the two panels. These attach the panels to each side of the Sombrero. Zippers start zipping at the vehicle and zip out to the centred gap shown in the picture. The third zipper zipps ends of panels together, beginning at the top and decending to the ground. This zipper provides the door. We also carry a bit of outdoor carpet to provide a floor.

The upper zippers can be zipped back without opening the door to provide a little ventillation for cooking.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31084&d=1249691185

The idea with Casita is that it provides at least a little dry wind-proof space so that we can escape and cook in bad weather conditions. The picture below shows that we have access to all the kitchen components that are seen in the posts above. We can operate the stove without much concern of igniting the tent since there is good clearance.



http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31086&d=1249691185

Last picture is a view looking upwards from jeep bumper towards rear of Casita. You can see one of the support poles. There are two transparent plastic windows so you don't feel so confined inside.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31085&d=1249691185

We were really happy with the performance. Didn't get wet one night and, although there are gaps here and there under the jeep, it kept the mosquitoes out acceptably well. There were clouds of them outside but we only killed one or two inside.

Next project is to create a mosquitoe net that can be zipped in place of the panels. This for good but buggy weather.

[MHead]

Might as well keep up the travel log nature of this post a little.

Here's the jeep up high in the San Juans of Colorado. Ouray is a paradise of roads to drive.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31091&stc=1&d=1249694998

Top of the hill!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31090&stc=1&d=1249692420

Plenty of high country.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31089&stc=1&d=1249692376

And here's tossing an alternator in the parking lot of a NAPA in Gunnison CO. Alt died up in Crested Butte but we had enough battery to make it back to Gunnison where we could get parts. Stopped at WalMart and purchased a battery charger and extension cord. Stayed in a KOA with power where we re-charged the battery in case we had to try to get to a jeep dealer in Grand Junction if the problem turned out to be in the wiring harness. First try was of course to replace the alternator. Luck was with us and problem solved. Even more luck since there was a nice car port for sale in the NAPA parking lot which made the 3 hour repair more pleasant. And we were on our way. And not nearly as bad as last year when we smashed trans cooler lines and lost all the trans oil and we were stuck all night and Sandy had to hich-hike to Silverton... but that's another story!

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31087&stc=1&d=1249692310

[AZBaobab]

Wow... Just Wow... :Wow1:
I recently got myself an XJ, and this is an inspiration!

Just a thought: have you considered replacing the "sombrero" with a sleeve that zipps up to the edge of the tent? Using the same hoop as you currently have, it would cover the same area, and you could use the same walls of the "casita". The advantage would be that you wouldn't need the tailgate to hold it up, and you'd have a covered 'passageway' between the "casita" and the tent for less cooperative weather.

Not sure if that makes sense, but I'll see what I can scratch together in MS paint...

EDIT...
Here we go. Sorry for the pic mutilation... :o
Run lines/fiberglass poles as shown by the red lines, and cover w/ another piece of canvas.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg111/me1yoyo/Sleeve.jpg

[MHead]

Wow... Just Wow... :Wow1:
I recently got myself an XJ, and this is an inspiration!

Just a thought: have you considered replacing the "sombrero" with a sleeve that zipps up to the edge of the tent? Using the same hoop as you currently have, it would cover the same area, and you could use the same walls of the "casita". The advantage would be that you wouldn't need the tailgate to hold it up, and you'd have a covered 'passageway' between the "casita" and the tent for less cooperative weather.

Not sure if that makes sense, but I'll see what I can scratch together in MS paint...

EDIT...
Here we go. Sorry for the pic mutilation... :o
Run lines/fiberglass poles as shown by the red lines, and cover w/ another piece of canvas.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg111/me1yoyo/Sleeve.jpg

"You wouldn't need the tailgate..." You know I've thought a lot about how to get from the back to the top. Presently you have to take the casita walls off and roll the sombrero. It's not a major pain in dry weather.

As you've observed, the tailgate is the problem. I hadn't thought about supporting sombrero by any other means than the tailgate. But what you describe could be done.

The first thing that comes to mind is that I often use the sombrero for lunch and it is really convenient to hold it up with the tailgate. It is really fast to put up and take down this way. Most of my camping is desert so wet weather isn't a common problem. So the added complexity of setup seems not to be worth the gain of wet weather protection at first thought.

But I've always assumed the tailgate would be the support and the idea that it might not is just outside the box. So I'll think about it for a while. Thanks for the suggestion.

By the way, ARB has a roof top tent that folds open from front to back. You enter by climbing a ladder set about the middle of the folded out floor. So the floor takes the place of the sombrero. There are zip in sides. The Earthroamer mod'ed jeep uses a similar approach. Of course these are fabulously expensive and complicated compared to my few rods and some material. And a roof rack.

Thanks for the idea!

[MHead]

Somewhere above I mentioned that I'd talk about the bug netting.

The roof top tent is basically open to bugs without special efforts. They can always fly in at the bottom of the tent even if both ends are closed. I purchased a bug net designed to be suspended above a cot. I do not remember the exact source but it was something like

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___86662

The net attaches to the inside of the canopy and can be seen through the open flap in the picture below.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31781&stc=1&d=1251587845

This net wasn't very expensive. It was basically a rectangular box with the bottom open. In the picture below you can see the seams of the rectangle top at right and left. It turned out that the rectangle was wider than the 4.5 feet width of the jeep rack. I simply sewed 3 Velcro pads at each end of the canopy and at the appropriate points on the rectangle top to give the proper draping. By lucky chance the rectangle was just slightly shorter than the length of the canopy so it was easy to get it stretched lengthwise.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31782&d=1251587788


Here's a closer picture looking out of the front panel. The netting simply stuffs between the rack edges and the inside of the canopy making a bug-proof seal.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31783&d=1251587788

Below is a picture of the Velcro attach point at front panel center. There are two similar points out of the picture to right and left. Setup is easy. I simply leave the bug net on top of the bed when I collapse the tent. Once the tent is erected I get inside, zip the end panels in and then just re-attach the bug net by pressing the tabs on the net against the Velcro pads.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31784&d=1251587808


Picture below is looking out the door panel at the rear of the vehicle. Entry or exit occurs between the bug net and the roof rack. There's plenty of net so this isn't a problem although the net sometimes gets tangled and one or two of the three rear tabs get pulled loose.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31785&d=1251587808


Well that's it for the bug netting. It works well, doesn't weight much, and keeps the mosquitoes off. It's optional and I don't take it along on desert trips.

Next edition I'll show the bug net for the Sombrero.

[BIGdaddy]

Somewhere above I mentioned that I'd talk about the bug netting.

The roof top tent is basically open to bugs without special efforts. They can always fly in at the bottom of the tent even if both ends are closed. I purchased a bug net designed to be suspended above a cot. I do not remember the exact source but it was something like

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___86662

The net attaches to the inside of the canopy and can be seen through the open flap in the picture below.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31781&stc=1&d=1251587845

This net wasn't very expensive. It was basically a rectangular box with the bottom open. In the picture below you can see the seams of the rectangle top at right and left. It turned out that the rectangle was wider than the 4.5 feet width of the jeep rack. I simply sewed 3 Velcro pads at each end of the canopy and at the appropriate points on the rectangle top to give the proper draping. By lucky chance the rectangle was just slightly shorter than the length of the canopy so it was easy to get it stretched lengthwise.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31782&d=1251587788


Here's a closer picture looking out of the front panel. The netting simply stuffs between the rack edges and the inside of the canopy making a bug-proof seal.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31783&d=1251587788

Below is a picture of the Velcro attach point at front panel center. There are two similar points out of the picture to right and left. Setup is easy. I simply leave the bug net on top of the bed when I collapse the tent. Once the tent is erected I get inside, zip the end panels in and then just re-attach the bug net by pressing the tabs on the net against the Velcro pads.


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31784&d=1251587808


Picture below is looking out the door panel at the rear of the vehicle. Entry or exit occurs between the bug net and the roof rack. There's plenty of net so this isn't a problem although the net sometimes gets tangled and one or two of the three rear tabs get pulled loose.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31785&d=1251587808


Well that's it for the bug netting. It works well, doesn't weight much, and keeps the mosquitoes off. It's optional and I don't take it along on desert trips.

Next edition I'll show the bug net for the Sombrero.

having just deployed about 80% of our camping setup at the meet and greet down at fiesta island. I have to say, long deployment times and "setting up" times, are my goal to eliminate.

I think the amount of stuff that needs to be shifted and moved, as well as setup, would drive me nuts, with your rig's setup.

I dig that you get out as often as you do though, and I like the attempts at solutions for 4 person camping in a smaller rig. So many builds here on the portal are for 1 or 2 people. I have a family of five, so 80% of what I read here really doesn't apply.

thanks for putting up all the info. :victory:

[MHead]

Yes, I understand about set up. The trick with camping is to have as few things touch the ground as possible. For 2 people there's very little comes off the Jeep. Yes there's a little setup required to get the canopy on top up and to get the sombrero up and to zip in the casita walls in bad weather. But total setup time is still about 15 minutes of two people's time. 4 people take substantially longer since there is more stuff on top to take down and since the extra 2 people have to set up a tent and install bedding.

Setup for 5 must be a trick when 3 are children (and virtually useless for camp chores)!

[BIGdaddy]

Yes, I understand about set up. The trick with camping is to have as few things touch the ground as possible. For 2 people there's very little comes off the Jeep. Yes there's a little setup required to get the canopy on top up and to get the sombrero up and to zip in the casita walls in bad weather. But total setup time is still about 15 minutes of two people's time. 4 people take substantially longer since there is more stuff on top to take down and since the extra 2 people have to set up a tent and install bedding.

Setup for 5 must be a trick when 3 are children (and virtually useless for camp chores)!

ah...I see. with 2, I could see how setup would be quicker. Due to utilizing the rear seat for storage, right?

and you are correct...our beloved little ones (haha, we actually DO like them) stay strapped in for a few minutes while we make sure camp is the way we want it. That way we're not dealing with that, too..haha!:elkgrin:

[RocKrawler]

What type of sewing machine did you use & do you recommend it or a different model? Was it something you had done before or did you just jump into it for this project?

[MHead]

What type of sewing machine did you use & do you recommend it or a different model? Was it something you had done before or did you just jump into it for this project?

I've used two sewing machines. The tent was actually done on a friends ordinary small sewing machine. I don't know the type but it was mostly plastic and folded metal. I'm guessing it was about $300. The tent material is the heaviest of the materials used. The little sewing machine did OK but it took two people to sew, one to operate the machine and one to handle the material.

The Sombrero and Casita (see what these names relate to by reading the previous postings) are a good deal lighter and would have sewn more easily on this small machine.

As the project progressed I didn't like borrowing so I purchased a used industrial-capacity machine off Craig's list. Paid $250 for it and had to put another $200 into it to get it going. This Chinese machine would usually sell for about $800 or maybe a bit more so I didn't save a huge amount. Sombrero and Casita were sewn on this machine. The major advantages are 1) didn't have to borrow so I could leave it set up and 2) the machine came built into a table (as most of this type are) so there was a good deal more surface area to lay the material on. The small machine I borrowed of course was designed just to sit on a table and so the sewing surface was above table top.

No, I had no sewing experience prior to starting the tent.

But the best advice I have is not at first to worry about what sewing machine. Borrow something or buy an inexpensive machine from Craig's list. The most important thing is to just get a project design, purchase materials, and start going forward. You'll be surprised how far you can get if you just try. Yes, if you come to a point where the sewing machine simply won't work you'll have to respond. But picking up initial project momentum, and maintaining this momentum are the most difficult parts.

Mike

[Backwoods Rambler]

But the best advice I have is not at first to worry .......But picking up initial project momentum, and maintaining this momentum are the most difficult parts.

Mike

Well said! This is so true with any project. :ylsmoke:

[flyn2er]

Been wanting to something with the back of our XJ. I like what you did with the place. Do you have any build pics of your cargo area?

The next feature is the "sombrero". No I didn't name it. I have a friend who invents names. But they are nice to refer to these things.

First a couple of pictures of the sombrero in action:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25688&d=1234138040

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=29190&stc=1&d=1243996299


The sombrero refers to the circular canopy that extends out from the back of the Jeep. I've spent some time building a kitchen into the back of this jeep. The sombrero is built to make the kitchen experience pleasant. Mostly it keeps the sun off and provides a shady cool spot to make lunch. But it will also keep a gentle rain off and helps in a wind. I've pictured it at night above to make the point that it also provides a good deal of light reflection which helps when working in the kitchen under simple lantern lights.

Sombrero is attached to the rear of the roof rack and is quickly and easily deployed. The perimeter is stretched by a fiberglass rod similar to those used in the roof top tent. Vertical support comes from the jeep Cherokee rear hatch. Cherokee has a perfect rear hatch for this. It is big enough to support a large sombrero without poles and just happens to provide a high center point so that rain won't puddle.

If it happens that the wind is steady from some direction the jeep can be parked pointed into the wind. In this case the triangular sides of the sombrero and the sombrero top provide a modestly wind-free bubble. Really nice if the wind is cold. Unfortunately the sombrero as shown in the pictures doesn't do very well if the wind is gusting around.

That's it for this installment. Next I'll show how it is attached and some close ups of features.

Mike

[MHead]

Been wanting to something with the back of our XJ. I like what you did with the place. Do you have any build pics of your cargo area?

Hmmm.. guess I haven't put up any info about the actual kitchen cargo area. Seems like I did at one point, but earlier pictures in this thread simply disappeared one night off the Expedition Portal site. Anyway I'll take a couple more and do a sketch. This will take a week or so....

Mike

[TACODOC]

Great setup man!!! :bowdown:

[PolarXJ]

Any updates on the kitchen area?

[Hill, Bill E.]

I like it! So does your friend who comes up with the names call your XJ the "Chuck Wagon"?:coffeedrink:

Great build! I'm working on making my XJ more 'extended trip friendly', and I really like the 'Sombrero' and 'Casita' ideas!

In bad weather, we have backed 2 XJ's together, and ran a tarp over both hatches, creating a dry area to sit/cook.

Be nice to have something that works with one rig.

[XJCamper]

This is an amazing thread. Very impressive. Looks to me like you could stay out for quite a while.

[zjsheller]

Very clever. Great inspiration for the zj. I do lots of offroad camping and currently have a little trailer that works great, but sometimes it's nice to go a little shorter. This set up looks great!! Thanks for sharing!!

[MHead]

Here are navigation features just to give some ideas...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=45420&stc=1&d=1281916121

Long distance navigation depends on the usual GPS navigation. I have a Garmin Streetpilot 7200 which I really love.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6389#sp7200

It's been discontinued but I really like the large touch-screen display. I made a bracket for it which attaches to the strong rail within the dash that supports the lower dash section. It is in a good position over in front of the passenger. First it must be below dash level according to CA law (and a good idea) and second I always have a passenger and so it is easy for them to operate it as we travel down the road. The Garmin mount rotates so the screen can be seen by the driver (as shown) or rotated to be useful to a passenger/navigator.

Guess I won't bother showing the mount since you can't purchase the Garmin anymore. But the point is that these type devices are really great for long distance navigation. Great for points of interest like markets or gas. Really a must have. This is what gets the first 500 miles done.

For close-in off-highway navigation there are nothing like topographic maps. It is really great to have a sense of the lay of the land. This is accomplished by the laptop shown. The laptop is a pen-based Toshiba which responds to the touch of a special pen and has a really tricky screen arrangement. Here's a picture:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=45421&stc=1&d=1281916601

The screen rotates 180 degrees from the familiar lap-top position, then closes, with the effect of placing the display visible on the top of the lap-top. From here it can be operated with the pen. The first picture shows it in this position.

For software I use DeLorme TOPO 7.0

https://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=30465&section=10047

Guess I'm behind the times since 9.0 is now available. In 7.0 you can download and display lists of geocache positions so this setup makes finding them like shooting fish in a barrel. It also makes finding campsites or locations in the dark a lot a lot easier as you might imagine.

This software also supports an external USB GPS antenna. These plug right into the lap-top USB port. The software will automatically show the proper map and mark the current location.

The laptop is held in position by a light duty wire rack.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=45422&stc=1&d=1281918333

This is made from 5/16" steel rod which I bent appropriately and welded to 1/8" thick X 1/2" wide steel plates. There are two such plates, one on each side of the shifter console with bolts thru the console to threaded plates which I added within the console. There is another plate at the top to which the grey tray is bolted. I found the tray at a Bed Bath & Beyond store. It is some sort of drawer organizer.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=45423&stc=1&d=1281917031

The lap-top is held against the dash at the top. This is accomplished by a length of bungee-cord and a plastic strap. The bungee cord has small coat hanger hooks at each end which hook into the existing vents on the XJ dash at each side of the vehicle. The clear strap on the bungee goes between the lap-top body and the screen. There is also a cloth strap which goes between the lap-top and dash to keep the lap-top from abrading the dash on bumpy roads.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=45424&stc=1&d=1281917031

All this fancy stuff is still no replacement for paper maps. I've found these sort of devices great to tell you where you are and to guide you to a destination, but paper maps are still better for picking the destinations in the first place. On the highway the lap-top system is normally off. In this case I've made some clear straps to hold good ol' paper.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=45425&stc=1&d=1281917809

It's really nice to see the big picture all at a glance on the paper. Sometimes the GPS boxes don't make the best decisions although I have to admit they are incredible.

Overall the arrangement works pretty good. The lap-top is secure and has never pitched off or done any acrobatics. The drawback of course is loss of access to heater/air conditioning controls which isn't a big deal, and loss of A/C flow from the vent back between the seats. In really hot weather we have to take the lap-top off so that people in the back seat can get a little cooling. A/C works ok with front seaters however.

Finally, you can also see the SPOT device I carry. Not really navigation but this gadget makes me a lot less nervous about taking remote back roads in just one vehicle. I don't have any ideas that the 911 feature will work in a timely manner for remote critical events, but the Help feature I'm sure will get someone out in a day or two to assist with mechanical failure in my XJ. I've gone a lot thru the mechanical but at 254K there's always an electrical heart-attack that can bring me to a halt.

So this is the next installment of the roof top tent. Maybe next I'll have a detailed look at refrigeration.

[vitara]

Great info regarding this roof tent. I've been inspired to go and price up materials for a tent of my own. Some modifications for UK climate but your work was the starting point.

Many thanks.