"ooooh - I like this idea!
Just went to measure the YJ - 5'9" back window to dashboard - 6' if I move a bit higher to get above the dash to the windshield glass (though the back window slants inward).
I'll be curious to hear how it works for you (soft top sealed enough to keep mosquitoes out?)."
Just went to measure the YJ - 5'9" back window to dashboard - 6' if I move a bit higher to get above the dash to the windshield glass (though the back window slants inward).
I'll be curious to hear how it works for you (soft top sealed enough to keep mosquitoes out?)."
I am not particularly worried about mosquitoes on this trip. I suppose the Jeep is not sealed well enough to guarantee bugs won't get in, but I haven't ever had troubles with bugs in the Jeep when I have the top and doors on during other long trips, even week-long trips in Moab. I don't see why sleeping in the Jeep might be worse for bugs than all of the ways I've used it before.
Here's some more detail on how the platform works:
View from rear without mattress in the way
Main storage area underneath to front seats
Extension for sleeping. The extension is held to the main platform with some 3" screws that I drop into through-holes through the extension piece and the 2x4 at the front of the platform. I secure the screws with wingnuts from below. This keeps the platform from slipping off the 2x4 or trying to pivot up on the dowels that support the extension further out. The dowels are 1" cut to length. I used some metal shower rod holders (the kind that are full circle rings) screwed into the bottom of the extension to keep the dowels in place. I can simply pull the dowels out when I lift the top extension to store it.
As for the main box, I did not make it the full width of the body tub on purpose. The rear seat brackets sit at the edges of the floor, and I did not want the box to have to sit on those brackets nor did I want to make some fancy cuts to try to bridge the upright pieces over the brackets. The upside of this is that I am able to use the seat brackets to secure the box into the Jeep. I put a hitching ring (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...3324/205883077) on the outside of the box on each side directly above the seat brackets. I then used a turnbuckle and some s-hooks on each side to link the hitching ring and the seat bracket together firmly. The entire Jeep moves when I push or pull on the platform now, so I'm pretty confident it won't come loose and hit me in the head while I'm on obstacles in Moab. The turnbuckles mean I can easily unmount this from the Jeep any time without permanent modifications.