EarthRoamer XV-JP "Northwest Edition"

[PaulJensen]

Forty-Four...


(above) On the priority list, getting the spare tire moved off the roof rack to just forward of the rack, was next...The picture shows the pattern / template that I took to the welder...Below it is the inside the roof part of the mount...


(above) Raw steel gets primed and painted...


(above) It was great to have a dry day...First thing to do up on the roof was to wipe the ice away...Yeah, it's still winter up here...


(above) Tire and cover...You can also see the swing up step that has been worked to how I want it...If the swing arm was more sturdy (I don't think it is needing improvement, it is great) the step width could be wider, but making it wider moves the fulcrum point too far outward for the step to be safe...it would flex a lot...Being narrow like it is, it is firm enough in the right place...You gotta keep in mind, it's to help you get in and out, not an escalator...Some user skill required...


(above) Blank canvas, let's make some mess...


(above) The placement of the mount required for the outer part of the mount to be notched for the roof rib...BTW, the roof is firm and can easily support one or two people walking around up there...Nice job E.R....!!!...


(above) With the flange trimmed and placed, the three holes were drilled for the bolts to go through...


(above) Tire mount slide up from the inside...I used a short block of wood between the bed and the flange to keep it in place while working from the top...It was easy...I used the good stuff to seal the deal...


(above) Flanged, bolted and tightened...


(above) Cleaned up...


(above) Primed again and painted...To accelerate the dry time, I used a heat gun ...


(above) Up the ladder with the tire and slipped in place...


(above) The nuts were wrench tightened beyond finger tight by a few full revolutions, then the nut and thread were taped with electrical tape to keep them from loosening because of vibration..The semi-wet paint on the threads should help that way too...


(above) And it looks like this now...


(above) "That's the way, uh huh, uh huh, I like it, uh huh, uh huh..."


(above) With the tire placement resolved, I can now figure out prime placement for the remaining junk that goes up there...(No I don't mean junk, it's just a word I use)...


(above) Back inside, here's a too contrasty view of the back rest in place...


(above) The back cushions fit on the bed when not needed...The 3/4" wood dowels that join the separate cushions together fit in there too...


(above) For the lounger position, just one cushion goes like this....This is a place I could while away a few hours in, no problem...


(above) The tire mount, inside looking up...


(above) A 12 volt power tap was installed here on the top of the curb-side pneumatic ram tube...Oh yeah, the pneumatic system lifted the roof and tire set-up no problem...Something I had concerns about given where the wheel / tire weight was placed...Mike assured me it would be more than fine, and it is...


(above) Sleeping pad in place when not in use...The pad - http://www.moontrail.com/exped-megamat-10-lxw.php - is 78" long x 30.3" wide x 'Princess And The Pea' thick...Yeah, roughing it...


(above) Finally (for today) this power tap was installed here on the rear wall of the curb-side, hard against the window...

More tomorrow (after I surf)...

[1leglance]

Enjoy the surf Paul....I commend you on the "work/life balance" thing..it really comes through in your quality craftsmanship.

As interesting as all the major build bits were I am actually really enjoying watching your mind at work on the little details, that "devils in the details" phrase comes to mind.

There is a part of me that is wishing this build would just go on forever, but another part of me can't wait to see a trip report by Mike with pics of his "Jensen Coachwork Jeep" out in the wild.

[mhiscox]

To save people the trouble of asking . . .

The spare tire:



is a 7.50 x16 Mastercraft Courser Traction MT on a 16" Jeep rim. I found it available online from an ag supply company in Nebraska for about $100.

As you might guess, I got this tire because it is the lightest, narrowest tire available with the same diameter as the 17" Goodyear DuraTracs. I didn't know how big a circumference difference the Wrangler's traction control and ABS systems would tolerate, so it seemed best to match things up. And it has plenty of weight carrying capacity. Hence the purchase.

I know the issues involved in carrying weight on the roof, but I'd been driving around for two years with the tire and more on the roof rack before Paul and I committed to this permanent mounting. It causes no handling problems--here's the one case where all the weight the Jeep is carrying low down becomes a benefit--and the ability to get in and out of the cabin easily is more than worth it. (I would, in fact, travel without a spare before I'd go back to blocking the rear cabin door with a tire carrier. I hated it that much.)

The tire cover is a standard RV piece from Camping World and is important to keep sunlight from deteriorating the tire sidewalls.

[bahndo]

Paul-
Nice work on this whole project- truly amazing attention to detail!.
Did you go out to Seaside today? I was headed that way but got sucked into work instead, checked the web cam and cried...

EDIT: I forgot you don't live in PDX, hope the surf was good

[Piet]

Ever play with the concept of mounting the tire on the hood? or the front bumper?

[mhiscox]

Ever play with the concept of mounting the tire on the hood? or the front bumper?

Yep. Didn't work. Not that the Wrangler's half-vast windshield has much of a view anyway, but you couldn't see well enough to drive safely. (Wasn't even close, really.)

Not to mention issues with raising the thin hood with the heavy tire. All in all, a considerable fail.

[alosix]

is a 7.50 x16 Mastercraft Courser Traction MT on a 16" Jeep rim. I found it available online from an ag supply company in Nebraska for about $100.

Dude. Thanks a TON.. I've been looking for something in that size to use on M101 as the XLs on it are getting old. Was fearing I'd have to break down and use something wider on the trailer.

[Ford Prefect]

Ever play with the concept of mounting the tire on the hood? or the front bumper?

Yep. Didn't work. Not that the Wrangler's half-vast windshield has much of a view anyway, but you couldn't see well enough to drive safely. (Wasn't even close, really.)

You know, it would also be a bad idea for driving around IMHO, but I think it would be interesting to see it mounted over the rear driver's side tire like they did with the old jeeps. It would amuse.

[Sheep Shagger]

I know the issues involved in carrying weight on the roof, but I'd been driving around for two years with the tire and more on the roof rack before Paul and I committed to this permanent mounting. It causes no handling problems--here's the one case where all the weight the Jeep is carrying low down becomes a benefit--and the ability to get in and out of the cabin easily is more than worth it. (I would, in fact, travel without a spare before I'd go back to blocking the rear cabin door with a tire carrier. I hated it that much.)

The tire cover is a standard RV piece from Camping World and is important to keep sunlight from deteriorating the tire sidewalls.

I wouldn't worry much about the weight of the wheel/tire up there, I'd be more concerned with over tightening the bolts that keep the wheel on. Just a small amount of overtightened pressure and while driving you may put too much stress on the top and crack the gell coat (or how ever that top is made). Then with the constant tire pressure changes from just leaving it up there, I think those bolts will be loose / tight etc. Is their any chance you could run another bolt under the wheel, so you're kind-a setting the height of the wheel on the stud, then when you tighten the nut you're just clamping the wheel between two nuts rather than forcing it onto the roof? You may need to machine a cone on the new nut as to not damage the wheel face though.

[PaulJensen]

Will do...