R&D Time - 2-Door JL Storage (American Adventure Lab)

Adventure Lab (Team) · Sep 8, 2025

We finally got the elusive two-door JL into the shop this morning, thanks to @3TV for bringing his absolutely immaculate rig down. We jumped right into it and immediately noticed some really cool synergy between the two-door JK and the two-door JL.

The exciting part? We’re going to be able to leverage some of our proven two-door JK parts as a starting point and build from there. That means the system for the JL will end up being very similar to our two-door JK version – which has been a huge hit in the JK world.

This project is already off to a great start, and we’re super thankful to Phil for trusting us with his Jeep. Over the next few days, we’ll be developing some new products specifically for this platform.

Here’s where you come in: we want to hear from the JL community! What would you like to see from a storage system inside of a two-door JL? Don’t hold back – let your imagination go wild. Crazy ideas are welcome. The way we design our products is all about creating a solid modular foundation – whether that’s on the floor, the cargo shelf, or the two-door overland shelf – and then letting add-ons take it to the next level.

So, JL two-door owners (and dreamers), tell us: what’s on your wishlist?

zuki_dan · Sep 8, 2025

Interested in a 2 door platform and shelf system that works with the soft top and allows the soft top to full fold down in my 24'.

Adventure Lab (Team) · Sep 8, 2025

zuki_dan said:
Interested in a 2 door platform and shelf system that works with the soft top and allows the soft top to full fold down in my 24'.

The Overland Shelf, we're developing this week, will probably not work with the soft top, at least for the initial release. However, I could see a different set of mounting brackets for the Overland shelf that would work with the soft top. Definitely an option for a future release.

-b

3TV · Sep 8, 2025

Adventure Lab (Team) said:
We finally got the elusive two-door JL into the shop this morning, thanks to @3TV for bringing his absolutely immaculate rig down. We jumped right into it and immediately noticed some really cool synergy between the two-door JK and the two-door JL.

The exciting part? We’re going to be able to leverage some of our proven two-door JK parts as a starting point and build from there. That means the system for the JL will end up being very similar to our two-door JK version – which has been a huge hit in the JK world.

This project is already off to a great start, and we’re super thankful to Phil for trusting us with his Jeep. Over the next few days, we’ll be developing some new products specifically for this platform.

Here’s where you come in: we want to hear from the JL community! What would you like to see from a storage system inside of a two-door JL? Don’t hold back – let your imagination go wild. Crazy ideas are welcome. The way we design our products is all about creating a solid modular foundation – whether that’s on the floor, the cargo shelf, or the two-door overland shelf – and then letting add-ons take it to the next level.

So, JL two-door owners (and dreamers), tell us: what’s on your wishlist?

When we talked this morning, I said I wanted a MASS + Platform, the Overland Shelf, and a fire extinguisher mount. All of that remains in effect. The rest I am still uncertain about. I would at some point want the option of installing one of your MASS Storage Drawers, full width, 6", that is sized for a 2-dr JL Platform. Also, at some point I would like to get your lower cost tailgate table that you are planning to develop.

Thanks,
Talk to you later.

ShadowCobra · Sep 8, 2025

Keeping weight to a minimum is key to compensate the smaller footprint and gas range. That was the main reason I went for the Milwaukee packout system rather then actual shelves. Another reason is also the flexibility of the 2 door, where it may not be a full overlanding rig at all times. I for one switch between hard top and the Bestop Trektop (and full doors to half doors) throughout the seasons and purpose. Having flexibility to simply remove components (like the packout system) at will would be super attractive. Doing the same with actual mounted shelves is not so easy. Unless you design shelves with a similar mounting system like the packout.

Adventure Lab (Team) · Sep 8, 2025

3TV said:
When we talked this morning, I said I wanted a MASS + Platform, the Overland Shelf, and a fire extinguisher mount. All of that remains in effect. The rest I am still uncertain about. I would at some point want the option of installing one of your MASS Storage Drawers, full width, 6", that is sized for a 2-dr JL Platform. Also, at some point I would like to get your lower cost tailgate table that you are planning to develop.

Thanks,
Talk to you later.

We're on it!!!

Adventure Lab (Team) · Sep 8, 2025

ShadowCobra said:
Keeping weight to a minimum is key to compensate the smaller footprint and gas range. That was the main reason I went for the Milwaukee packout system rather then actual shelves. Another reason is also the flexibility of the 2 door, where it may not be a full overlanding rig at all times. I for one switch between hard top and the Bestop Trektop (and full doors to half doors) throughout the seasons and purpose. Having flexibility to simply remove components (like the packout system) at will would be super attractive. Doing the same with actual mounted shelves is not so easy. Unless you design shelves with a similar mounting system like the packout.

Thanks! Not sure what the soft top compatible version is going to be yet. Keeping that in mind during the design of the hard top version is key, though. Not sure about "quick release" shelves, though, but! You never know!

Garrett19 · Sep 8, 2025

Always great to see the two-door getting some love. The only thing that kept me from ordering your outgoing JL MASS platform for my Jeep was the lack of flexibility to switch between a camp setup and a daily driver setup. That could be limited to my personal use case, but I recently went through the process of building my own platform so I could still reinstall the rear seat while keeping the base platform in place.

Cant wait to see what the team comes up with, always impressed by the quality and fit of your products.

Adventure Lab (Team) · Sep 9, 2025

Garrett19 said:
Always great to see the two-door getting some love. The only thing that kept me from ordering your outgoing JL MASS platform for my Jeep was the lack of flexibility to switch between a camp setup and a daily driver setup. That could be limited to my personal use case, but I recently went through the process of building my own platform so I could still reinstall the rear seat while keeping the base platform in place.

Cant wait to see what the team comes up with, always impressed by the quality and fit of your products.

Thanks! I appreciate the compliment! I'll pass it on to the team.

It's hard to walk the thin line between super-secure cargo management (ie. solid foundation to bolt a large stack of drawers) and quick-remove. This one will have about the same install/uninstall process as the JLU version, but all of the support structure is different to allow the platform to extend (cantilever) over what would have been the footwell for the back seat. I would guess around 10 minutes to remove the platform. We'll do some video of it when finalized, but it will be almost identical in layout to the 2-door JK version of the MASS+ Platform.

It's looking like we'll be able to get up to a 40" slide in the back of the JL. That's 4" longer than we run in the larger SUV's (ex. 4Runner). This will be a great setup!

-brit

3TV · Sep 9, 2025

Adventure Lab (Team) said:
It's looking like we'll be able to get up to a 40" slide in the back of the JL.

-brit

Hmm, a sturdy 40" spare tire mount on the MASS Platform to get all that weight off back of the Jeep, to make it easier to keep the front end down on vertical climbs. And Packout mounts on the Overland Shelf. Just thinking out loud here.

SadRobot · Sep 9, 2025

I'm thinking more now about my Jeep and maybe it would be helpful to have a platform that has an extension that could fit in the space behind the passenger front seat when it is moved all the way up. Basically creating a complete flat surface to convert into sleep/camp mode.

I guess we'll look at it when I get up there in a little over a week. I'm excited to stop by the shop and see what we can work out.

Adventure Lab (Team) · Sep 9, 2025

3TV said:
Hmm, a sturdy 40" spare tire mount on the MASS Platform to get all that weight off back of the Jeep, to make it easier to keep the front end down on vertical climbs. And Packout mounts on the Overland Shelf. Just thinking out loud here.

Dang, that might actually work! That definitely opens up some options.

Adventure Lab (Team) · Sep 9, 2025

SadRobot said:
I'm thinking more now about my Jeep and maybe it would be helpful to have a platform that has an extension that could fit in the space behind the passenger front seat when it is moved all the way up. Basically creating a complete flat surface to convert into sleep/camp mode.

I guess we'll look at it when I get up there in a little over a week. I'm excited to stop by the shop and see what we can work out.

That would be easy enough. Lots of options once a sturdy platform is installed. Looking forward to it!

SadRobot · Sep 9, 2025

Adventure Lab (Team) said:
That would be easy enough. Lots of options once a sturdy platform is installed. Looking forward to it!

Maybe there is something there with then bolting a jack mount to the platform. I'll have to take a look at it this week and see if I can still sleep diagonally with the jack mounted on the floor behind the driver seat.

SadRobot · Sep 9, 2025

Ok I'm back with some pictures for brainstorming.

Ideally I'd want the jack to be able to bolt down here.

Maybe a platform that doesn't go all the way to the tailgate so I can still flip up and get to the stuff I have stored in the tub? Either out to where it bends OR just to the dotted line?

Ultimate goal would be to keep the jack bolted down and put my sleeping pad in without removing the jack. Also provide foot support over the duel ARB under the seat. It may be possible I'm just complicating this all too much.

R&D Time - 2-Door JL Storage (American Adventure Lab)

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zuki_dan

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