The cheapest way to sleep on your rig: a sheet of plywood, a real camping mattress, and the rear seats folded flat. Skip the roof tent, no rack required, $200 all-in.
For overlanders who want to keep things straightforward and budget-friendly, an interior cargo-area sleep platform is the path. Fold the XJ rear seats flat (or remove them for a few inches more), build a level plywood platform that bridges the wheel wells, throw a real camping mattress on top, and you're sleeping inside the rig with no rack, no tent, no setup time.
The XJ cargo area with seats folded is roughly 72" long × 42" wide — enough for one tall adult or two cozy. A DIY platform is two evenings with a circular saw; cut Baltic birch to fit, add 2x3 supports underneath, finish with cargo carpet. Goose Gear sells a pre-cut XJ platform for $1,400 if you'd rather skip the woodworking.
The mattress matters more than the platform. An Exped MegaMat 10 LWX or similar self-inflating mattress is the difference between sleeping well and waking up sore. Cheap closed-cell foam works for occasional use; plan to upgrade.
Honest framing vs. a rooftop tent: you're sleeping inside the rig, which is warmer in winter, more discreet for stealth camping, and you don't need a roof rack. You're also stuck with whatever you can fit in 72 × 42" — no room for two adults plus gear, and you can't store anything in the cargo area while you're sleeping. Most overlanders move from this setup to an RTT after a few trips.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4" Baltic birch plywood (DIY platform) | local hardware | ~$90 |
| Exped MegaMat 10 LWX mattress | Exped | ~$350 |
| Goose Gear pre-made XJ sleep platform (premium) | Goose Gear | ~$1400 |
| Cargo area carpet + edge banding (finish) | local hardware | ~$80 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.