The existential doors-off question.

[Jeep Wick]

I've been running with tube doors and safari top for a while and have been lucky with only getting caught in one short downpour so far this summer. That one came out of nowhere as one of those "pop-up" showers... which, as you know, is a meteorological euphemism for "fuck if we know whether it's gonna rain"...

Anywho, in two days I'll need to take the Jeep in to work and the weather forecast that day is currently calling for more than an inch of rain. So, what would you do? It's one thing to get caught in an unexpected shower. But when you know the forecast calls for rain... to door or not to door.

I should rent my Jeep to the farmers. As soon as I remove the top it rains! I love the open air driving but after you get the seats and carpets wet, you'll spend twice as long getting them dry again. Removing the carpet is a real PITA. The weather man has been consistently lying to me this summer, play it safe.

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[73TAWM]

Once they come off, they're staying off until time to put back on. On days where there's a chance of rain we watch radar and adjust our commute as necessary. Often times having to "shoot the gap" to miss it. Sometimes we get wet, sometimes we make it through dry. That's Jeep life.

 

[Jmazz]

Get a $50 cover - tons on Amazon. Mine rolls up and stays in the back. It has mirror covers and straps to handle the 60 mph wind gusts that usually accompany Florida afternoon storms. You can almost set your watch by them. I also have the sun shade. Got caught while driving during a brief downpour, but the sun came out 2 minutes later and dried everything up. If I'm on the beach and see it coming we can shelter in there. If at work, shopping etc. I can cover it and not have to worry.
I also keep the soft top on and can put that up. The rear windows are ina storage bag that fits in back as well. The tube doors have a fabric lower panel so unless it's raining sideways or I'm moving, it should mostly run off.

 

[SlickRicksWilly]

I have been running no top or doors for a couple of months now, I keep the freedom panels in the back and put them on whenever rain is expected. It has rained at least a dozen times, some overnight when I am not home and don't have a garage, some during the day. It's hot in Texas so the water evaporates pretty quick so I haven't had to pull the drain plugs yet.

The only time I have experienced issues was a random hail storm took my about 10 minutes to get the freedom panels on as it poured and hailed like crazy. Once I got going after the storm calmed down all kind off warning lights cycled through, related to automatic braking, collision control, traction control, and the seat heater stopped working. Once it all dried out everything has been fine.

Run it open, it is a utility vehicle, it will dry, it is fun watching people react driving with no top or doors in the rain, and as the second option says "It's a Jeep"

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

I recently met up with @dragoneggs and he had his freedom panels and doors off on his JLR and it looked pretty sick! I frequently run safari mode because I’m not a fan of the way it looks with the soft top down. And I don’t feel like removing the soft top and reinstalling it every few days for rain. So I just run in safari mode!

 

[Murphydog]

I recently met up with @dragoneggs and he had his freedom panels and doors off on his JLR and it looked pretty sick! I frequently run safari mode because I’m not a fan of the way it looks with the soft top down. And I don’t feel like removing the soft top and reinstalling it every few days for rain. So I just run in safari mode!

I am here in the PNW as well, I keep the soft top installed, by open as much as possible. On the off chance it may rain (yesterday for example) I put the soft top back into safari mode.

I did run with the doors off last weekend, that was fun around town but a bit noisy on the freeway. I did get the CMM mirrors and while they are rock solid and don't shake, they don't provide the side view that I prefer....good enough for the one or two times per summer I may take the doors off

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

Those joytutus with the American flag I had on had great side view! But those CMMs are so nice! And I drive a manual so I sit closer to the wheel and don’t get good side protection with the doors off so I only ran it for a couple days. My kids loved it! I probably should have put the top down and probably would have enjoyed it more.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

 

[dragoneggs]

I am here in the PNW as well, I keep the soft top installed, by open as much as possible. On the off chance it may rain (yesterday for example) I put the soft top back into safari mode.

I did run with the doors off last weekend, that was fun around town but a bit noisy on the freeway. I did get the CMM mirrors and while they are rock solid and don't shake, they don't provide the side view that I prefer....good enough for the one or two times per summer I may take the doors off

I’ve gotten used to the CMM mirrors. They have a small FOV but I find with doors off, I am turning my head more and enjoying the view.

On the noise issue, I think I will try using my noise canceling AirPods next time I remember to bring them. Should still be able to hear sirens I would think.

 

[Opus]

As expected, I rolled out this morning and the clouds parted. It was sunny all day. However, it wasn't 72 degrees. It was near 90 and ridiculously humid. So, I have to admit the commute home buttoned up with the AC on wasn't so bad...

I have to say the poll is more even than I was expecting....

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