Foz conversion to a sleeper

belayslave · 03-17-2009, 03:31 AM

(Wasn't sure which forum to put this in - Mods please move if needed)

I was just wondering if anyone has done, seen or heard about converting a forester to a sleep-in-able vehicle.

I know there isn't much roof height to play with so i'm not quite sure on which way to go about it.

I'm thinking either a full shelf/draw in the rear (ORS draw style), either a fridge on one of the sides of the rear boot area, or just use the shelf as storage for bags etc. then an extended shelf/sleeping ledge running down the opposite side.

Purchasing a pod for the roof to increase storage area, but also trying to figure out how i can stash my bike securely too.

basically trying to brainstorm how to do a bit of a convert to make a (more so) fit for traveling machine. Yes, i could just go out and buy a van and be done with it, but where's the fun with that!

Anyone any ideas on the legalities on removing the rear seat (or part there of)?

Not too worries about having passenger capabilities other then the front seat, but if i could leave either the single or double upright of the rear seats in place that'd be good, but not essential.

Appreciate and thoughts and suggestions or links to similar ideas.

Cheers,
Chris.

FLdrummer · 03-17-2009, 02:03 PM

I sleep in my Forester every day during lunch break. No mods. I think most folks put the back seats down flat and find that to be adequate for a night or two when the Forester must become a temporary camper.

As far as securing the bike, get a hitch mount bike carrier.

joe r · 03-17-2009, 02:09 PM

There is a company that makes pop up tents for are roofs & mount to the cross bars.I don't remeber who it is thought.

joe r

Turkina · 03-17-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe r

There is a company that makes pop up tents for are roofs & mount to the cross bars.I don't remeber who it is thought.

joe r

Roof top tents, camping, off road, 4wd, fishing, tents, outdoor, hunting, Quick tent, car camping
Oasis II Tent Roof Top Tent From Everything SUV
Hannibal Rooftop Rack and Tent | Gear Patrol

Although, you might not want to sleep on top of your car. Subaru has some sticker on the roof rack that says a bit about '150 lbs'. Also, the roof itself might not be up to the task, no matter how crashworthy a Forester is!
I'd strip out the rear seats, build in some sort of a 2-piece plywood floor (for ease of access/removal) to cover that section and use it for storage. Something where the plywood floor acts as a cargo area extension (same level). You could also do the same over the cargo area. Make the support frame out of square aluminum tubing, with brackets and cotter pins. For the shelf over the cargo area, make the support frame asymmetrical, so you can put your feet beneath the cargo shelf comfortably while sleeping.

I knew of some guys at university who would build a false floor in their dorm room and sleep beneath it, having a living room on top

Otherwise, I'm really just tossing some brainstorming ideas out at ya.

funkymonkey1002 · 03-17-2009, 05:06 PM

I put my nice thick futon in the back of my foz with the back seats down when I got a new couch. I kept it in there for a whole summer, was perfect for going camping and to the drive in movies! Had enough room in the rear foot wells for most of my stuff, anything else went in the back and then moved to the front when sleeping. With a roof box it would probably be perfect, maybe even get a small trailer.

Turkina · 03-17-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkymonkey1002

I put my nice thick futon in the back of my foz with the back seats down when I got a new couch. I kept it in there for a whole summer, was perfect for going camping and to the drive in movies! Had enough room in the rear foot wells for most of my stuff, anything else went in the back and then moved to the front when sleeping. With a roof box it would probably be perfect, maybe even get a small trailer.

Oh I forgot about the drive in movie theater by Rochester! ummm, was that the Vintage Drive-in?

Kevin · 03-18-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turkina

Although, you might not want to sleep on top of your car. Subaru has some sticker on the roof rack that says a bit about '150 lbs'.

Static weight with a roof-top camper is not a problem. Would only be a problem if you stayed up there while the car was out on the highway

Elmy · 03-19-2009, 12:15 AM

Off-topic: For a while ago some smart dude over here put his snowmobile on the roof of a WW Transporter. Guess what the police did when they noticed the car coming...
What's weird tho is how did he ever managed to get the snowmobile up there.

steve_green_forester · 10-20-2009, 11:35 PM

Sorry for the dumb question - why is 150lbs different when the vehicle is static compared to being on the highway (is it that 150lbs bouncing around while driving?)

(I ask because I really like the roof top tents and have been mulling over the 150lb limit).

Cheers - Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

Static weight with a roof-top camper is not a problem. Would only be a problem if you stayed up there while the car was out on the highway

Hazmat · 10-21-2009, 02:43 AM

The only time I slept in my Forester was when I was driving about 600 miles to visit friends and halfway thru the trip (when I stopped a motel for the night) realized I had forgotton to take my wallet...ouch. Having no cash and needing some shuteye...I folded down the rear seat, moved the lug wrench and mini snow shovel out of the way and bunkered in for the night. It was actually quite pleasant and comfortable (had a thin blanket) until about 3:30 AM when I awoke to cold drizzle outside...it was late October and it got pretty cold inside the Foz...what we really need is an in-car fireplace...that would make it nice and cozy...except for the carbon monixide poisoning that is...lol

boon4376 · 10-21-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazmat

.I folded down the rear seat, moved the lug wrench and mini snow shovel out of the way and bunkered in for the night. It was actually quite pleasant and comfortable (had a thin blanket) until about 3:30 AM when I awoke to cold drizzle outside...it was late October and it got pretty cold inside the Foz...what we really need is an in-car fireplace...that would make it nice and cozy...except for the carbon monixide poisoning that is...lol

what you need is this

ewong_kaizen · 10-21-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boon4376

what you need is this

Id rather build a "manifold" oven..
Chimney riser is a great place for a burrito oven.... call Subtle Solutions!

Google "expedition vehicles". Lots of stuff for Toyota Pickup trucks, Land Crusiers and 4Runners - scale down the ideas and it would be great!

Smash81 · 10-21-2009, 07:05 AM

Karla and I are stepping up, there is a point where 2 people, 2 big dogs and gear for multiple day trips just wont fit comfortably. Moving to a "bigger" expo vehicle.

Smash81 · 10-21-2009, 07:05 AM

Oh, if you guys need ideas and stuff for all this, this is the best forum evvvaaar for it:

Expedition Portal Forum - Powered by vBulletin

gdawrx · 10-21-2009, 07:23 AM

when you said sleeper, i was thinking, well most people don't think of the forester as a performance car anyways...

03-17-2009, 03:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
belayslave Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 11 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Foz conversion to a sleeper (Wasn't sure which forum to put this in - Mods please move if needed) I was just wondering if anyone has done, seen or heard about converting a forester to a sleep-in-able vehicle. I know there isn't much roof height to play with so i'm not quite sure on which way to go about it. I'm thinking either a full shelf/draw in the rear (ORS draw style), either a fridge on one of the sides of the rear boot area, or just use the shelf as storage for bags etc. then an extended shelf/sleeping ledge running down the opposite side. Purchasing a pod for the roof to increase storage area, but also trying to figure out how i can stash my bike securely too. basically trying to brainstorm how to do a bit of a convert to make a (more so) fit for traveling machine. Yes, i could just go out and buy a van and be done with it, but where's the fun with that! Anyone any ideas on the legalities on removing the rear seat (or part there of)? Not too worries about having passenger capabilities other then the front seat, but if i could leave either the single or double upright of the rear seats in place that'd be good, but not essential. Appreciate and thoughts and suggestions or links to similar ideas. Cheers, Chris.

03-17-2009, 02:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
FLdrummer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 1,349 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I sleep in my Forester every day during lunch break. No mods. I think most folks put the back seats down flat and find that to be adequate for a night or two when the Forester must become a temporary camper. As far as securing the bike, get a hitch mount bike carrier. __________________ 2004 Forester 2.5X MT

03-17-2009, 02:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
joe r Pleiads' biggest leghumper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cashmere, WA 98815 Posts: 8,192 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 46 reviews	There is a company that makes pop up tents for are roofs & mount to the cross bars.I don't remeber who it is thought. joe r __________________ 04 FXT manual Platinum Silver = Mine. 04 FXT auto Sierra Gold = Hers.

03-17-2009, 05:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
funkymonkey1002 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 6,833 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	I put my nice thick futon in the back of my foz with the back seats down when I got a new couch. I kept it in there for a whole summer, was perfect for going camping and to the drive in movies! Had enough room in the rear foot wells for most of my stuff, anything else went in the back and then moved to the front when sleeping. With a roof box it would probably be perfect, maybe even get a small trailer. __________________ 04FXT/4EAT Snorkus Free, WRX suspension, sti up, prodrive ypipe, rota/falken/racingbrake/hawk

03-19-2009, 12:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
Elmy Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Norway (Far North) Posts: 2,991 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Off-topic: For a while ago some smart dude over here put his snowmobile on the roof of a WW Transporter. Guess what the police did when they noticed the car coming... What's weird tho is how did he ever managed to get the snowmobile up there. __________________ S-Turbo SF 2.0L 1999 AT. Kybs & Kings. 110A alt. Tires: Grabber AT2 and Nokian hakka5

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10-21-2009, 02:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
Hazmat Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 221 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The only time I slept in my Forester was when I was driving about 600 miles to visit friends and halfway thru the trip (when I stopped a motel for the night) realized I had forgotton to take my wallet...ouch. Having no cash and needing some shuteye...I folded down the rear seat, moved the lug wrench and mini snow shovel out of the way and bunkered in for the night. It was actually quite pleasant and comfortable (had a thin blanket) until about 3:30 AM when I awoke to cold drizzle outside...it was late October and it got pretty cold inside the Foz...what we really need is an in-car fireplace...that would make it nice and cozy...except for the carbon monixide poisoning that is...lol __________________ 1998 Forester ATF Keepin It Forever....

10-21-2009, 07:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
Smash81 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wheat Ridge, CO (NW Denver) Posts: 5,441 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Karla and I are stepping up, there is a point where 2 people, 2 big dogs and gear for multiple day trips just wont fit comfortably. Moving to a "bigger" expo vehicle. __________________ Dash: '03 XS MT Rhino: '88 Suburban

10-21-2009, 07:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
Smash81 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Wheat Ridge, CO (NW Denver) Posts: 5,441 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Oh, if you guys need ideas and stuff for all this, this is the best forum evvvaaar for it: Expedition Portal Forum - Powered by vBulletin __________________ Dash: '03 XS MT Rhino: '88 Suburban

10-21-2009, 07:23 AM	#15 (permalink)
gdawrx Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 452 Gallery: 0 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	when you said sleeper, i was thinking, well most people don't think of the forester as a performance car anyways...

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