29-DEC-2013
Just like the drawing
This was the original sketch that I did of the overhead console. It's always nice when things turn out as you vision them in your head.
29-DEC-2013
Rear interior light
I drew a few sketches of a light housing for the rear of the Jeep. I want to install a light in the back area of the Jeep to provide light for the rear cargo area in which I plan on securing a storage bin, an ice chest, and a tool box. I wanted to use an LED light as I used in the front overhead console and I wanted the housing small so it can be tucked up and out of the way.
After cutting out a few patterns to use for test fits, this is what I came up with.
27-DEC-2013
Rear light housing cut and welded
The final product turned out nice and small. The size allows it to be mounted up and out of the way and will be protected by the rollcage tube.
27-DEC-2013
Top view of light housing
This top view shows the nutserts installed that will be used to mount the housing to the cage. Small pieces of 1/8" flat stock will be welded to the cage to support the light housing. The light switch on the front overhead console will be used to fire up both front and rear lights.
30-DEC-2013
Rear interior light mounted
The rear light mounted high and out of the way.
30-DEC-2013
Close up of the final mounting
The light is placed above the rear cargo area but should provide light for the back seat as well because of the high output LED's.
30-DEC-2013
Rear interior light mount
I used some 1/8" thick flat bar to mount the light housing to, four 1/4-28 bolts should be more than sufficient to hold it in place.
29-DEC-2013
Storage in the back
Of course I want to be able to carry straps, shackles, tire plug kits and other necessary items needed when out in the middle of nowhere and I wanted to be able to secure the storage container so it's not bouncing around.
I used some 1/8" x 2" flat stock that I welded to the cage and bent it so that it would be low to the bed floor of the Jeep. I drilled and tapped some mounting holes.
29-DEC-2013
Storage and cooler cages mounted
Swag offroad makes these really well built aluminum storage cages that hold a Coleman Ice Chest and a Rubbermaid Action Packer storage bin. You can order the cages already dimpled or not dimpled so I ordered no dimples and dimpled them myself.
29-DEC-2013
Storage container and cooler installed
Once the top of the cage is snapped down on the Action Packer bin it is held securely in place. The ice chest just uses a nylon strap to be held firmly in place. Space was pretty limited in the back so perfect placement was needed for the mounts.
29-DEC-2013
Tool box container
I picked up this Army Night Vision Goggle container a while back to use as a tool box, it looks like and is built just as sturdy as a Pelican case. My plan is to make a mount to be able to mount it to the top of my Action Packer storage bin.
28-DEC-2013
Soft top support bows
After I sold my hardtop I wanted to buy a soft top and I really wanted a Kayline or STC because I liked the way that the design followed the contour of the Jeepster body and especially the angle of the tailgate. Unfortunately the Kayline and STC are very hard to find (since both companies are out of business) and the other company that makes a soft top for the Jeepster is Bestop but the design of their top isn't as stylish and doesn't follow the body lines as good. But I saw a used Bestop come up for sale on a Jeep site, the price was just about what I sold my hardtop for so I bought it.
My idea was to use my roll cage tubes to support the soft top but to do that would actually make the cage look funky if the top was off or just a bikini top was being used which is the plan during the summer months. So my plan changed to making removable bow pieces that can be bolted to the cage that will be installed when the top is used and removed for summer when the top is not used.
Recently a Kayline top came available on the JCCA forum, it was missing the windshield channel and the door opening rods but the color is Spice which will go well with the original Butterscotch Gold paint I will be spraying the Jeepster with. Plus it's a Kayline top!! And as an added bonus it has a sunroof!! I was able to sell my Bestop to another member on the JCCA forum which paid for the Kayline so it was a win win for me.
Now I needed to figure out the support bows and the door opening rods. This picture shows the front bow that I made, it uses two simple brackets that bolt up to the B pillar with a few 1/4-28 bolts.