JEEP GRAND CAMPER

This custom 1994 Grand Cherokee and homebuilt trailer were made to go camping

There are lots of reasons to build a custom 4x4. Some do it because they like to tinker with mechanical things. Some because a 4x4 can take them to places very few people ever get to see. Others enjoy the challenge of off-road travel. Ed Giesen built his '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (ZJ) to go camping. 

The modifications and upgrades to the SUV have been focused on creating a reliable and well-equipped four-wheel drive platform for vehicle-based outdoor adventures. Not long after the Jeep began evolving, so did the need for more room. That's when the idea of the trailer popped into Ed's mind.

The Grand Cherokee was just too crowded and sleeping on the ground didn't seem like a great idea. Ed found an old, rusted-out trailer ditched "in a tree line" and began turning it into what you see today. He subsequently created a roof-top-tent trailer that's fully equipped, off-road-capable, and loaded with the conveniences and room for the entire family to sleep in camping comfort.

Ed was one of our 2020 Four Wheeler Overland Adventure invitees. That's where we caught up with him long enough to document his well-built Grand Cherokee and custom roof-top-tent camping trailer featured here.

i) Ed kept the stock Chrysler Magnum 5.2L 318ci) MPI V-8 engine and its four-speed automatic transmission. The multi-point-fuel-injected V-8 has a lot of miles on it but still runs like a champ and makes good power factory specs are 220 hp and 300 Ib-ft of torque). Ed decided to save money on new engine parts for more upgrades and accessories elsewhere. The transmission did get a rebuild and upgrade to Kevlar clutch plates.