Nate Stephens

<3 Jeep

Short story is I sold the Woolly Bear and am building the Jeep out to be a camper! Hard top, roof racks, solar system, house battery, roof top tent, interior sleeping & storage areas, pull out outdoor cooking area, insulation, curtains, awning, etc.

Researching how to use the limited space in the Jeep most efficiently. Pulling together a parts list and have started to slowly build it out.

Here are the main pieces of the build:

• MOPAR hard top to help with theft and insulation (used)

• Garvin Expedition Roof Rack + Drivers side ladder + Cross Bars

• 12v CF25 Dometic Fridge (used)

• Yeti Goal Zero 400 (used)

• 100w Goal Zero Solar Panel for ease of plug and play

• AEV 2.5” DualSport Suspension - XT Lift

• SmittyBilt Overlander Awning

• Front Runner Drop down Table

• Unbranded 2 Person Roof Tent (used)

• Custom build a solar shower

• Custom build insulated Reflectix window shades

• Custom build interior kitchen pull out drawers.

• Custom build interior bed, closet, tech storage, etc.

Hard top & Garvin Roof Rack:

Decided to pick up a used hard top from Craigslist. I kept the soft top, which I really love having in the summer months, but the security of a hard top was too tempting.

Once I installed the hard top I ordered a Garvin Expedition Roof Rack. This thing is HEAVY DUTY, and also.. literally heavy. But will be great to support my roof top tent & solar panels or additional storage containers. Install took 2 days.

Front Runner Tailgate Table:

The Front Runner Tailgate Table is SO awesome. Removed a plastic cover from the tailgate, drilled 4 holes through the interior metal, and installed this little table. It also has an extending wooden “cutting board.” So convenient to easily fold it down and use as a prep surface for climbing gear, food, making coffee, etc.

Smittybilt Awning:

6’ x 8’ awning for those rainy, snowy, or sunny hot days. Quick install onto the Garvin roof rack. I did pick up some pieces of aluminum and drilled holes in it in order to fabricate my own clamping mechanism. Holds it on great.

Solar Panel/Power + Roof top tent:

100w of solar going into my Goal Zero Yeti 400 (Lead Acid). Keeps my battery charged and fridge running on those days when I’m not driving.

Roof top tent is super comfy, quick to deploy, and generally fun. It’s HUGE compared to my last RTT, could easily fit 2+ people.

AEV 2.5” Lift DualSport Suspension - XT

Holy mackerel, we’re lifting the Jeep! I’m so excited for this, went with the AEV 2.5” lift based on the reviews from many JKU overland builds. It’s going to be so nice, will handle the additional weight of the camper + tent really well. Really really excited about it, going to be a fun challenge to install it myself.

*Finished the install, and I’m in love with it. Totally transformed the Jeep. Rides a lot more “floaty,” looks incredible. Also had a lot of fun installing it, took two full days of work. Learned a ton about suspensions and what all is going on down there. Kit included new springs, shocks, rear track bar, various extension brackets, etc. Great experience, glad I did it myself.

Interior:

Created a dual living space! One side is storage and the other is a bed + storage. Using this space to keep things tucked away & organized, as well as a sleeping space for those nights when putting up the roof top tent isn’t an option.

The bed is 5” of memory foam, and extends when the front seat is pushed forward to 6’ 3”. It’s cozy!

Fridge is a Dometic CF25. It’s not big, but big enough for the essentials- Eggs, cheese, beer, butter, meats, etc.

9 Gallons total of water storage as well. 7 gallons under the bed, and 2 gallons easily accessed from the back.

Dual pull out sliders, one to store kitchen stuff, and another that extends with the dual burner stove.

• Ursa Minor J30 pop top

• Winch + Winchplate