Question About Taping Up Side Frame Holes for Winter

[Mazepam]

So the time has come for me to return to commuting again. I was wondering if it is advisable to tape or cover the holes on the side of my frame just to prevent road salts from getting in there for the winter. I live in Central Jersey.

I have had the 4 holes by the front and rear control arms covered up since i got the car with plugs, but i was wondering if i should do the same with the holes on the side of the frame.

I also drilled a couple holes by the rear control arm mounts so there are multiple drain holes at the bottom of the frame.

The frame is soaked in fluid film and I use salt-away on prone areas whenever i see some build up.

 

[AMS417]

Couldn't see how it could hurt since you drilled holes to allow water to drain if it gets in. A little tape could slow down anything getting inside. Maybe overkill with drains and fluid film but at least you're taking measures to fight the rust. I don't even drive mine when it snows. Wont pull my trailer in it either. Salt is a killer, rust sucks.

 

[Mazepam]

Yeah im super paranoid about rust here in NJ, i got really lucky with this jeep, it had rust on the axels but i cleaned it up and POR-15'ed it so the axles and suspension is solid. Just dont want anything sitting in the frame even though there is a really thick layer of fluid film in there.

 

[AMS417]

Spent a lot of time working in the upper Midwest and Northeast, even spent some time in NJ around Totowa and Newark. Folks swear by Fluid Film. Smells awful and makes things no fun to work on though. Crazy how many 15 years old cars I saw just falling apart from rust.

 

[Mazepam]

Yeah it smells bad for about 3 days then it goes away, my dad walked by the one time after i spray it and he though there was something wrong with the car lolz.

 

[qslim]

Damn Salt-Away huh? First I ever heard of that being used on a TJ! I used to use that on the boats I had in FL after running them in the Gulf.

I use the shit out of fluid film, I never minded the smell. I had to put the old Mercury outside for the winter so I jacked it up in the attached garage & filmed the bottom - my family bitched & complained for a few days.

If you're at the point you're using Salt-Away you might as well tape those holes up, it's not gonna hurt anything.

 

[Mazepam]

Yeah I do a light wash with salt away right after I return home a couple days a week if I notice salt in the fenders. The pressure is low enough that it doesn't remove the flim. I can't remebe where I found the idea I think on another fourm.

 

[qslim]

Yeah I do a light wash with salt away right after I return home a couple days a week if I notice salt in the fenders. The pressure is low enough that it doesn't remove the flim. I can't remebe where I found the idea I think on another fourm.

Yeah man that stuff works for sure - I went from changing leaf springs & shackles on my boat trailer almost every year to getting a few years out of them. Straight up salt water is a killer.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Don't ask that question just do it! Then take some pictures.

FWIW, I Gorilla taped over every hole in late October planning for this winter. I thought I took pictures but apparently I failed at that. Anyway, a week later I ended up spending a whole day of doing some deep muddy off roading and after some hosing off I was happy to see that the tape didn't mind sticking around for the ride.

 

[NDSpeed]

Wouldn’t taping the holes prevent any air from allowing what water to get past the tape from evaporating

 

[Vtx531]

I think its going to be a losing battle if you have to commute in your Jeep in the winter. Jeeps are such bad commuter cars to begin with.

Hate to see a rust free jeep get ruined from the winter and salt. It sounds like you especially care for this Jeep if you are taking such precautions. Is it at all possible to get another car for the winter that you don’t care about?

The extra cost of insurance on another vehicle would be soooo worth it not to have to worry about weldiing frame repairs and cutting out floor pans like I’m going to have to do this summer. I would pay a nice sum of money if I could somehow magically undo the damage that winters have caused on my beloved Jeep.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Wouldn’t taping the holes prevent any air from allowing what water to get past the tape from evaporating

I just taped all the holes and slots on the outside and tops of the frame. I think all four large holes also go through the inner side frame to get to the upper control arm (or something) bolts. There may even be a few other holes on the inside. I didn't bother with any of them because I figure they're not on the same side as the tires and should get considerably less salt/slush/mud continuously shot at them. Between the air they allow in, the drains I've added and the Fluid Film that I sprayed in before my winter tape job I think it's about as good as it can get.

 

[Mazepam]

I think its going to be a losing battle if you have to commute in your Jeep in the winter. Jeeps are such bad commuter cars to begin with.

Hate to see a rust free jeep get ruined from the winter and salt. It sounds like you especially care for this Jeep if you are taking such precautions. Is it at all possible to get another car for the winter that you don’t care about?

The extra cost of insurance on another vehicle would be soooo worth it not to have to worry about weldiing frame repairs and cutting out floor pans like I’m going to have to do this summer. I would pay a nice sum of money if I could somehow magically undo the damage that winters have caused on my beloved Jeep.

I actually sold my commuter car to get this jeep haha. I have a 2018 Honda civic and i was bored to tears driving it everyday so now i have fun every time i get in my car. I just want to be extra cautious because i know how rust prone these TJ's are.

Just too add to this i tend to go overboard with things I have an addictive personality if that actually exists so I'm just over compensating for the rust thing. I know at the end of the day I can only do so much.

 

[mxz800]

Project Farm on youtube did a test on "Duck Tape" Gorilla tape didn't stick as good as the Raptor. I taped the holes, after using fluid film, and I haven't even taken my Jeep out this winter.

 

[Goatman]

They have a plastic plug set specifically to plug up the holes directly inline with the tires to prevent crap from getting thrown into the frame by the tires. I believe I got them from Amazon. Wish I was more computer literate so i could try and find a link for you. They are pretty cheap. But a good duct tape is better than nothing.

 

[mxz800]

I've seen frames that had the holes welded, no thanks I want to blast the inside with my pressure washer. Then after the crap comes out the drain holes, than dries, I use Fluid Film.

 

[MountaineerTom]

They have a plastic plug set specifically to plug up the holes directly inline with the tires to prevent crap from getting thrown into the frame by the tires. I believe I got them from Amazon. Wish I was more computer literate so i could try and find a link for you. They are pretty cheap. But a good duct tape is better than nothing.

I‘ve used these for 4-1/2 years.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TZ7C8RC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Mazepam]

They have a plastic plug set specifically to plug up the holes directly inline with the tires to prevent crap from getting thrown into the frame by the tires. I believe I got them from Amazon. Wish I was more computer literate so i could try and find a link for you. They are pretty cheap. But a good duct tape is better than nothing.

I have these! I got them immediately after buying the jeep and cleaning out the inside of the frame. They work like a charm.

Yup @MountaineerTom

These are the ones i have too

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TZ7C8RC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Goatman]

I knew someone younger than I am would chime in! Thanks guys.