Waterproof Interior

[GARRIGA]

Got caught in a monsoon of a rain on Sunday. Everything was off and in storage back in my garage at home. There was rain coming in from every direction. I couldn’t hardly see the road at one point, and had it not been for being able to see the tail lights of the vehicle in front of me, I may have pulled over. We were in the rain for about 25 minutes. We finally made it out of the storm and still lacked about 45 minutes till we got home. Fortunately, the sun came out for the remainder of the ride home. Once I got in I removed the slush mats and put a fan over everything. I noticed today (2 days later) the carpet was still very much wet so I borrowed a friend’s wet/dry vac and probably got about 1.5 gallons of water out from the carpet. Initially the radio came on and seemed to work fine; however, I had to turn the Jeep off at one point and when I turned it back on - nothing. Hopefully the radio/dash will continue to dry out and will work fine, fingers crossed. Now I’ve got to add rhino liner and neoprene seat covers for the interior to my list of things. Now I just need to find a way to make more money...

Why not take the carpet out, hang and air dry? This will also let the bottom of the Jeep dry.

You confirmed my worse fear. The radio isn’t waterproof.

Are seats leather? Saw a salesman on YouTube mention the cloth interior is marine grade. I’m not one to take any salesman at face value.

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[NavyVet1959]

Personally, I would not trust seats to be truly waterproof unless the were made like the ones in some of the military troop transport aircraft (webbing). If I can't pressure wash it to get rid of the algae and mold from immersion, then it's not waterproof enough for me to be taking it out in the rain or high water. Around here, rain and high water seem to be related all too often...

 

[GARRIGA]

Shop by me covers seats in marine vynil. Same material boat builders use. Not the most comfortable for daily driving.

 

[GARRIGA]

The back sweat struggle will be real but at least it will essentially be bomb proof!

Yes but seat covers kept onboard for emergencies I’d think make a better alternative. I’m installing a Truck Vault so I can carry that and other necessities. Hopefully there’s an option to cover the navigation unit because I plan to be topless often.

My YJ spent Jersey summers with nothing but a Bikini top. No carpet. Doors off so that bikini didn’t protect much during strong showers or summer storms.

Was hoping the JL continued with the concept of go anywhere anytime as is regardless how domesticated it got. The Alpine navigation unit for the JK is water resistant. Perhaps that’s an option. In South Florida it can pour one minute and be sunny just prior.

 

[NavyVet1959]

Shop by me covers seats in marine vynil. Same material boat builders use. Not the most comfortable for daily driving.

Covering the seats is only good for water coming *down*... When it's rising up, you need something that does not retain water which means no padding for seats.

We've been known to sometimes get a wee bit of rain around here...

 

[GARRIGA]

I take it that above the 30” fording depth. Lol

 

[NavyVet1959]

I take it that above the 30” fording depth. Lol

Some of those are sedans, so it might be iffy...

This one though...

Since it comes up over the hood of an 18-wheeler, I'm pretty sure it's over 30" deep. I remember during Tropical Storm Allison seeing an 18-wheeler where only the very top skylight window was above water and the driver was climbing out of it. It has already covered the full height of the windshield.

There are some areas around here that you don't want to get caught in during a major rain event.

 

[Xzius]

Why not take the carpet out, hang and air dry? This will also let the bottom of the Jeep dry.

You confirmed my worse fear. The radio isn’t waterproof.

Are seats leather? Saw a salesman on YouTube mention the cloth interior is marine grade. I’m not one to take any salesman at face value.

I did end up picking up the carpet enough to where it wasn't making contact with the floorboard anymore and whatever moisture was still remaining after the vacuum seemed to be gone.

Yeah, I'll be trying the radio/nav again to see if it works this afternoon. I've got the 8.5" display and even though it's black, the fan controls still pop up when I change the blower level... weird. I'll be taking it in for its first oil change this weekend, and if it's still not working by then I'll have them check it out while it's still covered under the warranty.

I do have leather seats, but there doesn't seem to be any water in them, although I'm sure there is a little.

I got quoted $350 to Line-x the floorboard, so I will definitely be going that route once I get the money.

 

[GARRIGA]

$350 seems like good insurance and convenience. Hopefully that nav dries up. It should. Doubt there’s permanent damage.

 

[Xzius]

$350 seems like good insurance and convenience. Hopefully that nav dries up. It should. Doubt there’s permanent damage.

I thought it was a bargain compared to some other prices I've seen quoted by people that have had it done on this forum.

I hope so, I'm confident it will. I'll keep you updated

 

[Xzius]

Well, after four days it was still messing up. Then low and behold on the fifth day things must have completely dried out, because I haven’t had any problems out of it since.

 

[SeekRest]

Well, after four days it was still messing up. Then low and behold on the fifth day things must have completely dried out, because I haven’t had any problems out of it since.

Mine did the same - but not that long. Still concerning at any duration, as it indicates water intrusion.

 

[BillG]

Which units do y’all have? Maybe some are sealed better than others. Mine is the seven inch, and I had no problems after a wipe down.

 

[Xzius]

Which units do y’all have? Maybe some are sealed better than others. Mine is the seven inch, and I had no problems after a wipe down.

I’ve got the 8.4” screen.

And yes, any hiccup in the infotainment system due to moisture is cause for concern, because over time the internal stuff may start to rust and cause shortages

 

[GARRIGA]

Read on similar thread Jeep tested for 24 or 48 hours under constant rain conditions and all worked well. Is it more of the pressure and perhaps a heavy downpour causing issues versus rain? Bikini top might be best solution.

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