KJ Camping (sleeping inside) my lived experience.

[Overlander BC]

So, I wanted a Cherokee... But as with everything, especially in Northern BC, time has ravaged most things. Oxidation has eaten away subframes and door jambs, link mounts and everything else that holds a pre 2000s vehicle together.

My mom has owned a 2003 KJ for years and it's always been on the "Hey I'll put a lift in it when you're done with it" list. Over a decade later, 3 sets of K02s, exhaust, brake pads and some belts or something minor, she's still happy with it and convinced she can drive it till she's unable to drive.

And so, when I was looking for another overland vehicle, this mostly rust free example came up and I had to go at least check it out. It had a vibration in the driveline, a small starting of rust in the rear door rockers, and a gas cap light. One season use winters on steelies, Bridgestone Dueller ATs on chrome 17s. New 4wd computer thingy, decent interior, cracked windshield. The price was ok for what it is in 2026 and it came home with me.

I did the usual Internet search for lift kits, tire sizes, mods... But for now, the goal is to just drive it and decide if I even like it. And, I have to say, it's growing on me. (And 2 weeks into an overland adventure there's something growing in it... somewhere... I can smell it, but I can't find it).

I'm getting about 100km for 20 bucks CAD. That's roughly 60 miles for 13 bucks USD. And that's combined hwy/city. Still have yet to need 4wd. But it works well and did a decent hillclimb test when I did the initial road test before buying it. It has the electronic traction system and it's definitely not the solid front axle and rear locker I'm used to in my prior YJ, it definitely seems ok for my 50 year old conservative judgement about where to even attempt passage. This is a fishing rig, and at most I'm driving onto river rocks and sandbars to camp close to where the Coho are.

Sleeping - this is the odd design part. There's no room. Unless.. you put your head to the back and feet between the bucket seats. And for me, that's enough. For now. The next trip will see a new foam bed with a sewn waterproof cover. I'm going to hire a seamstress to make covers for foam I'll cut to fit on just half of the rear, the big side. And the difference in level area- I'll cut the foam to be flat once placed. I have a trick with a hot wire I know from other hobbies. Next year, I'm buying or building a small teardrop sized overland trailer. Basecamp I can leave and come back to, or bring into somewhere tricky spots.

For what I'm doing, I give it a 7/10.
For upgradeability, I give it a 6/10
For dependability, I give it a 8.5/10 (based on the one that's already been in the family for over a decade).

Would I buy it again right now if it was among other offerings? Yes, unless a really nice Cherokee was available or a unicorn affordable and equally rust free Tacoma was available.

 

[Overlander BC]

So the Jeep has got about 2000km put on it since I got it on the road last month. Ive slept in it about 15 times. And I kinda have it figured out how to exist in it comfortably.

Cargo cases up top. One for wet n dirty stuff like tents, tarps, saws, ropes. Rhe other for dry stuff like extra clothes, spare boots, extra sleeping bag, some food.

I use a poly tarp to create a dry area. It's really easy how I do it. Span it between 4 trees and use bungee cords. That way it stays taught no matter the wind, rain, sun. And I make it just high enough to back under it so water doesn't leak down into the back if its open. This is preferable to fastening the tarp to the Jeep in case I have to start up and go for whatever reason. (Also why you tie a aecond key in your pocket at all times).

And, in grizzly habitat, please don't lock your doors unless you're inside it. You never know when you'll need to get in fast.

Definitely do need to get some thick memory foam and custom make a set of upholstered cusions that fit in the big half of the back. I leave the thinner seatback left up. When I drive, I put the backseat back to normal and got a canvas dog seat cover to keep the seats clean. I move it to the front seat at night so my dog can sleep up front in the passenger seat.

The truth is, a Liberty is totally impractical for sleeping and overlanding in. BUT, my first priorities were fuel economy, range, 4wd and reliability. I was not willing to pay Suburban fuel prices for a bit more room to stretch out at night. I'm ok with cozy.

Soon I'm permanently setting up the solar panel over the sunroof with some black silicone and wiring it to a charge controller with a quick connect plug to use either a lithium battery or a Jackery or something like it.

I definitely like the way this rig is on the Hwy. Really nice to drive. It's ok offroad too. Heater works really well.

It's definitely an adventure rig for these times of high gas prices and uncertainty. It's relatively inexpensive to go places in and easy to camp in. So it's absolutely an overland rig. I think I'll keep it.

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[Overlander BC]

Typical morning making coffee under a budget tarp shelter before heading over to the river in the search for the elisive Coho Salmon.

I'm that guy who doesn't think you need 5 grand woeth of fancy gear to go do what you do. Just use what you have and go do the things.

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[eric1514]

Did you ever consider one of those "SUV Tents" that make up on the ground but attach to the Jeep with elastic cords? It would give you a larger sleeping area and probably wouldn't be more difficult or time consuming to set up than your tarp. They come in different sizes and complexity. You'd have to pay attention to your tailgate swing to get one that would accommodate that, but they exist, Here's an example.

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[lfhoward]

This is an awesome thread. I’m enjoying hearing about your overlanding KJ.

One idea I have for you is to see if KK front seats bolt into a KJ. The passengers side front seat folds forward and flat, and that would give you a ton more sleeping room. I’ve put a stack of 8 foot long 2x4’s inside my Jeep with the front seat down.

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[Overlander BC]

I think those are neat. But I wouldn't get one. Not in Northern BC anyway. There's way too many large predators here.

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The reason why is because if I need to start the vehicle and go, I want nothing impeding that from happening. It could be a grizzly with a bad temper, 3 toothed people with banjos playing in the background, or even just needing to rip into town real quick for something from the store.
When I do a tarp over things, I rarely secure it to the vehicle for the same reasons. I would abandon a tarp to avoid a bad interaction. I've seen blackbears try door handles to get into vehicles.
5 nights ago I had several black bears around the Jeep. 2 sows with cubs.
I do carry a hot tent and a stove/chimney, a cot. Even then, if I need to bail, I'll just sneak over to the Jeep and close the door.

 

[Overlander BC]

That

This is an awesome thread. I’m enjoying hearing about your overlanding KJ.

One idea I have for you is to see if KK front seats bolt into a KJ. The passengers side front seat folds forward and flat, and that would give you a ton more sleeping room. I’ve put a stack of 8 foot long 2x4’s inside my Jeep with the front seat down.

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That is really neat. I know a guy in town who has one. I wonder if he would let me unbolt his seat and see if it fits

 

[lfhoward]

That

That is really neat. I know a guy in town who has one. I wonder if he would let me unbolt his seat and see if it fits

From what I’m reading on this forum and on LOST Jeeps, the KK seats bolt up to the same locations, but there may be some plastic trim that needs to be slightly modified to make it fit. That doesn’t sound too bad.

 

[derekj]

This is an awesome thread. I’m enjoying hearing about your overlanding KJ.

One idea I have for you is to see if KK front seats bolt into a KJ. The passengers side front seat folds forward and flat, and that would give you a ton more sleeping room. I’ve put a stack of 8 foot long 2x4’s inside my Jeep with the front seat down.

That would be kind of cool if it fit in a KJ

 

[Overlander BC]

Like many of you, I always have my loyal sidekick with me. 100% of the time. And she always gets covered in yuck. This heavy canvas material back seat protector has been the best thing ever for keeping the seats clean.
The way I came to get this was even worse than that.
It was terrible actually. Nasty terrible.
First of all, my dog is old. Over 70 in dog years. And she's got a pass for many things, even this. She's saved me from 2 black bear attacks and forever I will be in her debt. So I can't be mad.
But the night we had several black bears surrounding us (I mean the campground was even closed a few days later because of it), I took her out of the front seat several times to come out and pee. I have no problem taking a **** just standing out the door, but she wouldn't do it. I figured ok, she just doesn't need to go.
So about 4:30 am, she is crying and complaining and I'm like what??? So we try one last time. I went. She didn't. She was just fixated on the bush just 3M away.
Got back in, I layed down. And she crawled out from the front seat where she sleeps and curls up behing my knees, shudders and then I feel it. What was a warm dog became hot creeping along my shorts, t shirt, socks...
She finally had to urinate. And it was a doozy. Her body couldn't hold out any longer. Immediately out of the jeep and my inflatable mattress was soaked. My sleeping bag soaked.
But luckily, I had got a free swag ground sheet from NAPA a few yrs ago because I spent over a certain amount. And it was waterproof on the underside. So the Jeep didn't get wet at all. And I'm glad for that.
So it was gear off, we walked up to the showers. I gave her a shower as best I could. Cleaned myself up. Everything rolled up and in a bag. Off to the Laundromat in Smithers. And I said to myself I re6need some kind of waterproof dog bed or something. After everything was washed, I went to the local thrift shop and there was this thing- for 5 bucks! And it's exactly the thing I needed.
So that's the story of how and why I got this. And I highly recommend anyone with a dog to get one.
Also, I wasn't mad at my dog. She's old. Her body isn't working like it did. She's earned her keep 10x over. It was just one of those situations where.... Well, they say "I'd rather be pissed off than pissed on" unless it's an old loyal dog who you owe your life to. Then you give a pass.

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