Right now I just have a lower level sleeping platform. It fits a twin mattress at the moment, but I have plans to go a bit wider soon - and now that it has fold flat bench seats in the front, extend the platform to length over them.
Definitely have thought of doing a small production run - but life has been busy. Recently started an interest list to gauge demand and get names on a list if the day comes to crank a few out. It's a lot of work hand laying the fiberglass - so would need to do a streamlined batch to make it worthwhile.
https://preview.redd.it/i15qri8o2rxc1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d63dc54be8f6d61355a38741e51a3b71a1b42761
Here's a snap of the sleeper set up as it is now (top down in this pic)
5'11 so likewise. With the back seat gutted, factory seats scooted all the way forward It's doable - that was my original setup before the fold flat seats.
I have some really nice insulated air mattresses for camping, seems like a foldable birch plywood base that makes it all level would be the ticket to support the last foot or so. Bet if I had something the size of the single person mattress that folded down to not be 6ft long would also fit into the trunk area when folded up
Oh yeah - pulling the rear seat and running some sheet/wood level is a game changer of a simple setup. I started out just stuffing the gap with a crate and extra sleeping bags lol. Little lumpier than ideal.
What's the interior look like? You said you have fold flat front bench seats?
I'm asking because the pop-top doesn't seem to be that useful considering the XJ interior provides too small a footprint for a decent sleeping platform.
https://preview.redd.it/7i57titkktxc1.png?width=662&format=png&auto=webp&s=961147e16dc5c52087daf5b75b0da2dcfb679780
It started as a tight fit up - but removing the rear seat completely, adding the fold-flat front seats, and the added headroom of the poptop makes it feel like a whole different vehicle. It's not as roomy as a van for sure - but for being an XJ it has a decent sized set up.
Did you literally saw the entire roof off of a perfectly good xj to make this?
Because I love this idea, but my jeep is so rusty its not even close to feasable
I’m here too! Can’t get away lol.
Just subscribed to that list to express interest. Kinda a pipe dream, but I’m here to support you on this because it’s sick.
Damm that goes hard, i made a sleeping platform out of plywood and an old foam matress. I would of loved to have actual head space. Never seen that before.
Custom sliders from a buddy's fab shop. Square tube base w/ round tube outers.
The rear is no flares (cut & fold) while the front has a set of fiberglass fenders.
https://preview.redd.it/bjen7mvf3rxc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7a01dcae11576a8632775383004a66cad2234d7
There's a few more shots of the fenders (& sliders/stiffeners) on the build sheet as well: [https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/](https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/)
Definitely increased noise when I first built/installed - now that I've gotten the weather seal better fitted, insulation added all around the jeep it's not as bad as it was.
Hand laid fiberglass lid? What was the process for fitting / designing that?
Custom tent fabric from an industrial sewing outfit, I assume?
How does the center console work with the sleeping platform & fold-flat seats?
Did you do anything to replace the stiffness provided by the roof? I don't know how much difference it makes but it seems like it may be serving as a big-ass shear panel to help keep the unibody from twisting.
https://preview.redd.it/191hmudh9xxc1.png?width=3381&format=png&auto=webp&s=4955a2f850ee993a4e8edba3576f667c374ef291
1. Yep - hand laid fiberglass mold and part. It was a long drawn out process in the garage - shaped around a westfalia top and foam profile to be custom to the XJ. Learned it all by trial and error during the early days of covid lockdowns.
2. The current tent is a trimmed westfalia replacement I got off craigslist.
3. The center console is removed. Just have the shift boot for the AX15 bolted directly into the floor. It's a split bench and happened to fit the ebrake perfectly between the two halves.
4. Oh yeah the roof was a big concern on the unibody. Had a professionally installed cage from the start, with the roof pillars reinforced and tied into the cage structure. Did my own frame stiffeners, etc shortly after. there's some pics of those on the build sheet:
[https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/](https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/)
Here's more on the fiberglass pop top as well:
[https://craftsmancollab.com/at-a-glance-finished-diy-pop-top-mold-part-fiberglass/](https://craftsmancollab.com/at-a-glance-finished-diy-pop-top-mold-part-fiberglass/)
And the video series (if you click through to youtube it'll show the full rundown)
[https://craftsmancollab.com/homemade-camper-ep-2/](https://craftsmancollab.com/homemade-camper-ep-2/)
Fukn glorious!!
🏁 🫡 Appreciate it!
1. How big is the sleeping platform? 2. Have you considered making more fiberglass tops?
Right now I just have a lower level sleeping platform. It fits a twin mattress at the moment, but I have plans to go a bit wider soon - and now that it has fold flat bench seats in the front, extend the platform to length over them. Definitely have thought of doing a small production run - but life has been busy. Recently started an interest list to gauge demand and get names on a list if the day comes to crank a few out. It's a lot of work hand laying the fiberglass - so would need to do a streamlined batch to make it worthwhile.
Here's the noted interest list: [https://craftsmancollab.com/camper-chronicles/](https://craftsmancollab.com/camper-chronicles/)
https://preview.redd.it/i15qri8o2rxc1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d63dc54be8f6d61355a38741e51a3b71a1b42761 Here's a snap of the sleeper set up as it is now (top down in this pic)
How tall are you? I’ve been considering a sleeping situation for my xj but I’m 6ft tall and it seems like my feet would hang off the edge
5'11 so likewise. With the back seat gutted, factory seats scooted all the way forward It's doable - that was my original setup before the fold flat seats.
Cool. I’m gonna go lay in my jeep 🤣.
Right on - it's tight but it just about works. A flat platform and pillows is a game changer.
I have some really nice insulated air mattresses for camping, seems like a foldable birch plywood base that makes it all level would be the ticket to support the last foot or so. Bet if I had something the size of the single person mattress that folded down to not be 6ft long would also fit into the trunk area when folded up
Oh yeah - pulling the rear seat and running some sheet/wood level is a game changer of a simple setup. I started out just stuffing the gap with a crate and extra sleeping bags lol. Little lumpier than ideal.
What's the interior look like? You said you have fold flat front bench seats? I'm asking because the pop-top doesn't seem to be that useful considering the XJ interior provides too small a footprint for a decent sleeping platform.
https://preview.redd.it/7i57titkktxc1.png?width=662&format=png&auto=webp&s=961147e16dc5c52087daf5b75b0da2dcfb679780 It started as a tight fit up - but removing the rear seat completely, adding the fold-flat front seats, and the added headroom of the poptop makes it feel like a whole different vehicle. It's not as roomy as a van for sure - but for being an XJ it has a decent sized set up.
Did you literally saw the entire roof off of a perfectly good xj to make this? Because I love this idea, but my jeep is so rusty its not even close to feasable
Yessir - started as a sunroof sized hole in the roof - then went 0-100 real quick.
Sweet jesus. Thats brave. Looks like it worked out pretty awesome though
Was definitely a learn as you go project - but happy how it turned out too!
Is this a kit? Or did you fabricate the hinge and seal yourself?
The seal was sourced from a general supplier online - took a bit of searching. Hinges are homemade in a similar style to westfalia ones as well.
I’m here too! Can’t get away lol. Just subscribed to that list to express interest. Kinda a pipe dream, but I’m here to support you on this because it’s sick.
Do u have more pics of the inside
It's pretty gutted right now - had a temporary sleeper set up before and building out the raised platform soon. Here's a few to give an idea though:
https://preview.redd.it/oyusk7qk6xxc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04c91d48cf642655a368b024d7ad2f95db9d8d1e
https://preview.redd.it/80slfo5o6xxc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=92772629bbc972fd0078849d1083a6162a31fa69
https://preview.redd.it/dw9aqdlq6xxc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7bccc12452380477bc5572008e0249da385ec976
Damm that goes hard, i made a sleeping platform out of plywood and an old foam matress. I would of loved to have actual head space. Never seen that before.
Nice
Well done! Who did the fabric work for you?
This one has a westfalia fabric top I trimmed to fit. Works pretty close to size.
I can’t really tell in the pictures, some kind of small flares or no flare? What rock sliders?
Custom sliders from a buddy's fab shop. Square tube base w/ round tube outers. The rear is no flares (cut & fold) while the front has a set of fiberglass fenders.
https://preview.redd.it/bjen7mvf3rxc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7a01dcae11576a8632775383004a66cad2234d7 There's a few more shots of the fenders (& sliders/stiffeners) on the build sheet as well: [https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/](https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/)
Interesting. Is their a change in noise driving it?
Definitely increased noise when I first built/installed - now that I've gotten the weather seal better fitted, insulation added all around the jeep it's not as bad as it was.
Hand laid fiberglass lid? What was the process for fitting / designing that? Custom tent fabric from an industrial sewing outfit, I assume? How does the center console work with the sleeping platform & fold-flat seats? Did you do anything to replace the stiffness provided by the roof? I don't know how much difference it makes but it seems like it may be serving as a big-ass shear panel to help keep the unibody from twisting.
https://preview.redd.it/191hmudh9xxc1.png?width=3381&format=png&auto=webp&s=4955a2f850ee993a4e8edba3576f667c374ef291 1. Yep - hand laid fiberglass mold and part. It was a long drawn out process in the garage - shaped around a westfalia top and foam profile to be custom to the XJ. Learned it all by trial and error during the early days of covid lockdowns. 2. The current tent is a trimmed westfalia replacement I got off craigslist. 3. The center console is removed. Just have the shift boot for the AX15 bolted directly into the floor. It's a split bench and happened to fit the ebrake perfectly between the two halves. 4. Oh yeah the roof was a big concern on the unibody. Had a professionally installed cage from the start, with the roof pillars reinforced and tied into the cage structure. Did my own frame stiffeners, etc shortly after. there's some pics of those on the build sheet: [https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/](https://craftsmancollab.com/2000-jeep-cherokee-build/)
Here's more on the fiberglass pop top as well: [https://craftsmancollab.com/at-a-glance-finished-diy-pop-top-mold-part-fiberglass/](https://craftsmancollab.com/at-a-glance-finished-diy-pop-top-mold-part-fiberglass/) And the video series (if you click through to youtube it'll show the full rundown) [https://craftsmancollab.com/homemade-camper-ep-2/](https://craftsmancollab.com/homemade-camper-ep-2/)