Free Gen 2 stealth camping set up

My Gen 2 recently concluded its 2+ decades of efficient and faithful service. Among my favorite memories was fabricating removable modifications that allowed for surprisingly comfortable solo stealth camping. It keeps the narrow back seat in place allowing two passengers plus the driver. We used this for two separate trips between Michigan and SoCal during the pandemic hysteria as well as for various shorter road trips.

These pieces are now available to anyone willing to pick them up in southeast Michigan. I will look for comments to this post for anyone who wants it.

I made a similar set up for my Gen 4 which allows me to depart at any time of the day on an 8 hour trip to Tennessee. I can drive until I’m tired, pull over and sleep comfortably then finish the trip safely refreshed.

Too bad Gen 5 took on a lower profile that makes this arrangement less practical for my 6-1 frame. However my 2019 Limited will likely outlast me so NP.

 

The Gen 5s look so much nicer but I'm in it for utility so have to settle for Gen4.

Happy to share. It's a room darkening curtain black on the front side cut to fit the opening plus 3" on the top and sides. My wife sewed a 3" sleeve and the individual pockets for a series of magnets. I fabricated an 18 gauge steel strip about 2.5" wide to match the roof contour and fit tightly against the headliner. To that I riveted stops that straddled the plastic pillar trim. Lastly I screwed three 1" fender washers to the trim on each that lined up with the magnets in the curtain. After putting both front seats all the way forward the curtain was easy to snap in place and adjust to hang straight down.
I've attached thumbnails, let me know if you want full image phots for better detail.

 

I wanted to be able to remove the stealth camping option with little evidence it was ever there in case I sold the car. Also, I was unfamiliar with the composition of the headliner and how it was attached to the car and didn't want to chance piercing the roof. another unforeseen advantage turned out to be how convenient it was to have the magnets grab the bar wherever and then spread them apart into a taught smooth arrangement.

 

You might look for Alro Steel or Alro Metals who sell cut offs and other scraps for cheap. They will cut a piece down to the dimension you need for a fee. If you're not much into DIY I suggest searching for local sheet metal fabricators or custom metal fabricators. Maybe try Thumbtack or Fiverr. Like with most things, it's straightforward if you have the right tools.

 

I think 18 gauge which is readily workable yet adequately stiff. No stainless if you will be using magnets.

If you aren’t concerned about the stealth aspect and would be content with a gap between the black out drape and the headliner then an adjustable curtain rod should work fine and be plug ‘n play. Happy camping!