Weather-resistant / proofing the interior

[CybrSlydr]

I know the Jeep was designed to be "hosed out" when dirty, hence drainage holes and all the fun stuff.

What would it take to make the vehicle weather resistant/proof? Say, if I wanted to drive it in the rain with no top on?

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

My wife and son have been on my case for the last three weeks to put the doors and windows back on mine. I pretty much just drained it out and used a Super Shammy to get whatever is left out. Three days ago the weather forecast was for serious storms for three days. I was tired of hearing it and put them on. I think it may have rained a total 1/2".

Anyway the only stuff I even worry about is electronic stuff on the dashboard and steering wheel/column. Switches, speakers and stuff like that. I have Bartact seat covers, which aren't waterproof but help, and rarely take the whole top off.

 

[Chris]

I'm not sure how one would do this. The stuff to worry about (as mentioned above) is everything behind the dash. So I'm not sure, maybe wrapping the dashboard with a thick tarp?

 

[freebo86]

Wrap whatever you want around the dash... the real question is what happens when you come outside and the vehicle was rained on for 30minutes, gonna sit on the soaked seats and go for a drive to the mall and then walk around with your arse looking like you just shat yourself?

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

That leads us to a totally different question.
Who drives their Jeep to the mall?

 

[freebo86]

That leads us to a totally different question.
Who drives their Jeep to the mall?

I do. Best grocery getter one can get especially handy maneuvering around the curbs and going over any obstacles

 

[troyston]

Definitely interested in finding this out too. I constantly leave windows down and I'm afraid one day I'm gonna leave the top off and rain is just gonna destroy the inside.
Theoretically you could install an aftermarket boat radio and speakers, and find a way to waterproof the inside of the steering wheel. The air vents could still be an issue though

 

[Camdenst]

I've driven in torrential downpours during the summer months of my youth and ignorance. Top on or off... it was warm, i was 21 and i thought i was super cool, haha. So much so that when I'd hit the brakes the water would slosh from the rear footwell to the front. When I would get home I'd pull the plugs and the carpets and let it dry out.

Never had an issue other than the alpine head unit removable face plate not liking the moisture.

 

[Irmageddon]

I have been driving with no top for close to two years. I put noalox on all the connectors on the column. I do not have a stereo, and have a stripped interior though. So far I have had no issues.

 

[pagrey]

I know the Jeep was designed to be "hosed out" when dirty, hence drainage holes and all the fun stuff.

What would it take to make the vehicle weather resistant/proof? Say, if I wanted to drive it in the rain with no top on?

Several of us have driven in heavy rain without too many problems. You need to loose the carpet. The seats get soaked but dry quickly. You will burn up the heater blower motor and the resistor thingy, they just don't dry fast enough to avoid corrosion. I don't think there is much you can do to help that stuff dry faster. Upside is they are cheap. The big issue is the clock spring in the steering column. Mine has survived by luck alone but if that goes you are spending money. The cluster is fine, it has a plastic hood and is well built.

 

[AndyG]

I have been driving with no top for close to two years. I put noalox on all the connectors on the column. I do not have a stereo, and have a stripped interior though. So far I have had no issues.

That’s awesome. Going by the avatar , I don’t think we‘ve seen one built anything quite like that.

 

[CybrSlydr]

Interesting. The parts I would be most concerned about are the seats and carpet - as pagrey mentioned - as I worried they'd get soggy and start molding or the water would destroy the padding.

Never would have thought about the springs and connectors though.

 

[Camhabib]

Without thinking about it too much, I imagine it can be done, although it would be a massive undertaking. A lot of the big things you can probably just get rid of, HVAC box, radio and speakers, airbag (and thus clock spring) if it's legal in your state. But then you still have about a hundred connectors behind the dash, the instrument cluster, etc. Plus you'd need to buy new carpet that doesn't absorb water (need something for the heat) and some quality seat covers or just be fine with having a very wet butt.

 

[Willys LJ]

I've been running mine for some weeks now with the top and doors off. I've been caught in pop up t-storms a couple of times and waited it out under any cover I can find. (Sonic drive in didn't work so well with the LJ as too much was hanging out of the stall). When home, it's been staying in the shop to keep out of the weather.

 

[EJD]

Haha funny this just popped up, my Jeep both topless and doorless sat at the curb last night and I woke up today with a major downpour going on. EVERYTHING in my Jeep was drenched, it was like it had been submerged in water.

Only thing to do here now is absorb water out of the seats with towels and then park it back outside topless in the sun and let the summer air dry it out. Kinds sucks when the weather catches up with you...

 

[MaloStapalo]

That leads us to a totally different question.
Who drives their Jeep to the mall?

What's a mall?

 

[CybrSlydr]

What's a mall?

Mall
A noun or an adjective used to describe people who are fashion and brand conscious often regarded as insta-famous/attention whores. The term has reference to a shopping center because of the time spent by these people in malls. They will wear/do anything for the “gram.” The mall is Eco-friendly when speaking with peers but DGAF when swiping the card at Hollister/Burberry. They would be considered the opposite of hesh or granola. They care an incredible amount about what others think of them and often are over dressed or wear excessive amounts of make-up.

Activities you would see someone "mall" doing: vlog type snap stories. selfies at a sporting event (not giving AF about the event). Posts Pics after first date. Goes to pool party but won't get in because of hair or will ruin their look. Wears makeup to slumber party (never not wearing makeup).
Guy: Did you just buy another pair Michael Kors sunglasses?
Girl: umm... yess... heehee
Guy: Why I am I dating you, you f***ing mall girl.

Guy: Bro, see that guy over there?
Bro: Which one, the Granola or the Mall?

Girl: Do I look fat in this dress or... this one?
Guy: You look like a mall in both.

 

[Willys LJ]

What's a mall?

A mall is kind of like a zoo where you can occasionally find a "vehicle" that is rumored to be a sub-species of Jeep Wrangler that is known by it's common name of "mall crawler". It's actual taxonomy and evolutionary path is often a subject of hot debate by Jeepologists.

 

[hardtopper]

For the wet butt problem, you could keep a car seat protector folded up under the seat. I either have this one or a very similar design:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAB5V3G/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I use it for the opposite purpose: keeping the seat dry when I'm wet or muddy or greasy. They're pretty quick to deploy.