JLU Throws Rocks Into Itself

[warc1]

First time Jeep owner here, I've noticed my JL throws rocks into itself quite often. I've never had a vehicle do this but I'm guessing it's a "Jeep thing." I have some side steps I'm getting ready to throw on and not sure if that will help. How about mud flaps? Any other suggestions? I cringe every time I hear a rock hit the side of the Jeep.

Ha! Wait till you hit wet gravel and mud. My 2dr JKR's front tires are perfectly aligned to throw mud and stone at the door handles. It all sticks together, so when you next get in the vehicle, you have to grab a handful of muddy glop to open the door. Geometry for this on the JL looks the same as the JK, so i'm not expecting any improvement.

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[bobzdar]

Yeah, I went to a food festival and parking was on wet grass which got a little muddy after a bunch of cars had driven on it leaving. Cue my jeep looking like I'd gone mudding once I got on the road and my tires cleared themselves. Not a whole lot to be done unless you want to put mudflaps on our something else tacky like that.

 

[warc1]

Then there's the fun of cleaning up after mudding. I don't seek it out, nor do I pursue any forms of recreational mudding. However, my job in highway construction has occasionally required me to take my JK into road grade construction during or after a major rainfall. The soils here are mainly heavy clays, and in 4x4 mode, all four wheels work to throw this mud into every crevice imaginable.

After one session, I spent a half hour in a wand wash, most of that time, bent over to spay upwards into the undercarriage. There was just a constant stream of black water draining out. Massive chunks of clay would splat onto the ground as the water loosened their grip. I'm guessing that 50-100 lbs of clay came off of that vehicle.

I finally thought I was done when the water coming off of the underside was relatively clean and left the carwash. However, each morning for the next week would reveal new clay turds sitting on the garage floor that had fallen off overnight as they dried out.

 

[BillyHW]

This is a feature, not a bug.

 

[subiescott77]

This is definitely inherent by design. The tires extend out well past the main body and wheel wells can only cover so much of the tire. It's to be expected that you'll see some rock splash on the rear doors and wheel well flare(s). My Subaru WRX & STIs did this frequently and also had a similar translucent shield over common impact areas.

 

[Ahmed]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/door-hinge-rock-chips.7287/page-7#post-216140

 

[Short 1]

Me too. Just got mine and haven't taken it off road yet. The rocks have been an issue with normal around town and highway driving. I'm on stock rubber for now. I've seen some tires on some other JL Sport S models that look like they came off a Buick. Hopefully that's not the only solution!

Mine look like they came off of a Buick, and those fugly things still throw the stones up... so no worries - that would not be a solution for you.

The picture is my old jeep -

 

[ALEX-4LO]

I believe its just the Rubicons that have the "throwing rock problem" sahara's and sports do not come with MT tires....

 

[ocrejects]

Yes, I have found more then a few rocks (gravel) that make there way into the cab with the windows open or even worse when the doors are off. The side steps (I have sliders) I think will add to that from reflections upwards. Mud flaps offroading would not work for me, they'd get torn off in no time.

I am so glad I did NOT get painted fenders as my rear fender are already well pitted. The Rubicon's All Terrains pick up lot's of gravel size rocks and either hold them for a few rotations or they're immediately thrown.

What kind of step/rock sliders do you have?

 

[immersivenc]

I believe its just the Rubicons that have the "throwing rock problem" sahara's and sports do not come with MT tires....

No, my Sport S has the issue and also has Bridgestone All Terrains on it. Was like that when I bought it. I’ve since put some nerf steps on it so we’ll see if that helps any.

 

[JLUSoCal]

What kind of step/rock sliders do you have?

Ace Sliders - they are "open" and not as much a step that is more likely to be a platform.

 

[mgroeger]

The rails that come on the Sahara are as wide as the fenders and run from fender to fender. They stop everything. I had treads full of rocks because I have Rubi rims and tires on it and they make a racket hitting the UNDERSIDE of the rails

 

[robplumm]

Get skinnier tires...

otherwise...the offset and width of the tires leaves a bit of tire just outside the tub...so...you get rocks flung.

 

[mwilk012]

Get skinnier tires...

otherwise...the offset and width of the tires leaves a bit of tire just outside the tub...so...you get rocks flung.

Smaller tires? Has any Jeep owner ever really said that?

 

[immersivenc]

Get skinnier tires...

otherwise...the offset and width of the tires leaves a bit of tire just outside the tub...so...you get rocks flung.

On stock rubber here, still happens...

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