2021 JLU Willy's - Aiming for a modest build

[Hostile17]

I got invited to go camping- I decided to set up the Jeep to sleep in but I didn't want to give up my rear seats because my dog rides back there on an almost daily basis. Plus, I have a niece and nephew. So, I started thinking of a platform/bridge that not only I could store/utilize in the cargo area but easily deploy with the rear seats folded. I also had to be mindful of the headspace with cargo rack in the down position. So, I came up with a bifold system that unfolds on to the rear seat and easily clears the cargo rack. Designing/building it was a lot of fun and I'm pretty happy with the setup. Nice and cozy but plenty of space for me and Teddy.

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[WillysMeow]

@Hostile17 good job, but how long is the sleeping platform?

 

[Hostile17]

@Hostile17 good job, but how long is the sleeping platform?

It's 56 inches long when folded out. I'm 4'11" so for me it's pretty much perfect, but it could absolutely be longer. I have a tailgate table plus pouches taking up the extra space in the cargo, and since I'm so short, I don't need the extra support for the mattress in the footwell gap.

 

[WillysMeow]

Thanks, IIRC not room for 6'2" unless diagonal sleeping?

 

[Hostile17]

Thanks, IIRC not room for 6'2" unless diagonal sleeping?

I think that sounds about right. But I don't think you have to do a full diagonal. You could probably get away with a solo sleeping mat and just kind of put your head more towards the center console with your feet slightly diagonal. That's what this guy does but I don't recall his exact height :

 

[Hostile17]

Well, I finally got the high top flares on! It took me 13 and 1/2 hours to do the full install from start to finish but I'm happy with how it turned out. I did have some hiccups (as with most projects) but overall it went pretty smooth. I will say the rear fender flares did not just pop off like in all the videos. I yanked like crazy and could not get it free. I ended up bending some of the body metal and breaking one of my old flares... Very frustrating.

I got a set of Rubicon flares for free including the liners. They were a bit scratched up so I decided to bedline them with Raptor. I had bought the Forever Black gel and was thinking of just using that but I decided to use that only on the inners. I will say that the finish on the Raptor came out really good and is a very forgiving product. It was my first time using it and I really liked it a lot. I hope it holds up!

I decided to do a half chop (kept the inner trim) since I don't have large tires. Since I was already gaining 2 in so I thought any more than that would make the wheel wells look a bit empty. I got the smoked Infinite Off-road Fender Chop Kit on sale for $240 & I'm fairly happy with them. However, they said they will be coming out with some brighter lights in the near-ish future and I might get those when they do.

I also finally installed my LED fender vent lights using a tap-in harness. I figured since I'm finally switching from halogens to LEDs it was time to get the jscan app. I tried to install the fender vent lights before and it just hyper flash like crazy so now with the computer set to LED it seems to be working just fine. I love the sequential turn on both of them!

Finally- I halfway installed the XR fender flare extensions. I can't tell if I like them or hate them. I'm going to drive around with them for a while and then decide. I don't really like them head on but I think the side profile with them looks great.

 

[WillysMeow]

Good job, IMO lose the little bolt on fender lip extensions as they don't look great especially with the stock backspace wheels.

 

[Hostile17]

Good job, IMO lose the little bolt on fender lip extensions as they don't look great especially with the stock backspace wheels.

Thanks. That's funny cause I actually took the extended flare pieces off today. I didn't like the way they looked either. I was struggling if I even wanted them or not when I first did the install, so I didn't install them fully and just wanted to sit on it- but after a few days I realized nope not for this build.

I think the stance is better now:

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