There are plugs in the bottom of each of the spots to put your feet in the floorboard as well as one in the jack storage area in the back. I just drape a plastic trash bag over the steering wheel and the radio area of the dash. Mine has sat through many rains this way while at work and all still functions.
You can see the rubber plugs if you crawl under the jeep. Just push them out from below for now. You may need to pull the carpet back to put them back in later.
My neighbor gave me some good advice- get a trail cover. I spent the whole summer with the doors off and just the bikini. The trail cover was great- I just threw it over the top, cinched down the door flaps and waited out the storms.
×2....I know your question is how waterproof but IMO I would not wanna deal with issues if I got interior dash wet...I have a column cover and a trailcover I take everywhere...peace of mind. My jeep is DD so gettin it wet then havin to drive with a wet a$$ not somethin I want. I Also have a safari top and that does ok keepin dash dry as long as there is no sideways rain. Trailcover was my best investment.
I guess that depends on your Jeep......I am in the process of waterproofing mine. I have bedlined the interior and ripped out the carpet. I bought nylon seat covers for my leather seats. Now all that is left is protecting my dash, navigation, and most importantly my clock spring, which I believe is located in the steering column. When I bought my Jeep new about 2 years ago, I got caught in a 20 minute rain which ruined my clock spring. That part keeps certain electronics working. My turn signals, horn, and digital displays were all ruined. Thankfully, the dealer covered it under warranty and didn't ask me any questions. I'm not taking that chance again. I've been looking for a complete dash cover and can't find anything. The closest I have found was a guy on here that sells a steering wheel cover, which protects the clockspring. I may order one of those.
my old YJ lost the electronics behind the dash due to rain, the dealer replaced it but didn't fix the root cause, so a week later I replaced it myself. But when I did it I gave everything a liberal coat of Vaseline to waterproof the electronics. The jeep has never had another electronics issue in 10 years and it sits outside in downpours all summer long. I'll be honest with you I don't know what a clockspring is other than it's basic function, but I would bet if you can get to it and slather it in Vaseline (or dielectric grease) you wouldn't have to worry about it nearly as much.
At least in other cars, the clockspring is a sorta complex mechanical spring inside the steering column, where the wheel attaches to the column. It allows the wheel to rotate while still maintaining electrical continuity. Everywhere else in your car or Jeep you have wires connecting things together. But you can't use wires on something (a steering wheel) that turns more than 360 degrees -- they'd get twisted around the steering column.
So you have to make a device that maintains continuity perfectly, but allows full rotation millions of times without wearing out. All of the switches (and the airbag) in your wheel rely on that clockspring. They're actually cheap -- 25-50 bucks will usually get one.
EDIT: I just went out to that internet and nabbed a picture of one for us.
That picture of the clockspring looks like it has what looks like a felt ring around the outside to keep debris out. I bet a thin layer of grease along the top edge might help waterproof it. Of coarse I'm not willing to be the guinea pig on that modification. But if I lost a few due to water I certainly wood rather than to keep replacing them.
Im the guy that invented and made the column cover. I discontinued making them primarily due to poor sales, although everyone who bought one loves them. I have one left, but there is a pending sale. PM me if you want it and if the other sale falls through first pm gets it. $28 shipped.
Why do people think that the electronics in a Jeep would be any more or less waterproof then the electronics of any other vehicle? How many Mercedes convertible do you see sitting out in the rain with the top down?
Isn't there a certain understanding of the fact that water and electronics don't play well together, as evidenced by the number of cell phones destroyed by water every day.
Now I understand that Jeep, and most other vehicles, do what they can to "weather proof"
the electronics, but people, would you set your new $1000 LED TV out on the deck in a rainstorm?
I just think it is an invitation for electrical/electronic issues to arise.
End Rant Here.
Why do people think that the electronics in a Jeep would be any more or less waterproof then the electronics of any other vehicle? How many Mercedes convertible do you see sitting out in the rain with the top down? Isn't there a certain understanding of the fact that water and electronics don't play well together, as evidenced by the number of cell phones destroyed by water every day. Now I understand that Jeep, and most other vehicles, do what they can to "weather proof" the electronics, but people, would you set your new $1000 LED TV out on the deck in a rainstorm? I just think it is an invitation for electrical/electronic issues to arise. End Rant Here.
because they can be. Military jeeps came with waterproof electronics, older jeeps were easy to waterproof. It's just the introduction of the JK with the clockspring and power windows, heated mirrors, power locks, electronic gas petal etc that make the new jeeps pretty hard to waterproof. Those of us who used to drive older jeeps just want the same kind of durability the less electric jeeps used to have.. Ohh and they make waterproof TV's for your patio/deck/hot tub.
So whats the story really, Rain doesn't just happen, clouds have to move in, weather report usually give you a hint. You can check radar on your phone ( intellicast.com) How does one get to this point if he or she is not out of town or the keys unavailable. First thing I do before even removing one hardtop bolt is check the extended weather forecast. If I lived in one of the states that get afternoon showers I would at the very least invest in a cab cover. Heck I live in Ca and have a cab cover.
Yeah but you didn't buy a military Jeep, and it isn't an old jeep. It has electronics, ergo it is susceptible to water. I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I am just not sure why you would think differently. Yes they do make TV's for outdoor use, but you pay for that. Throwing a non specified TV out on the deck might not be a good idea.
i know what I bought, and a knew it was electronic, don't get me wrong I love my jk it's better than the YJ in most aspects. I bought mine with the least amount of electronics as I could. I just want better. There's nothing on your jeeps you would want better? For me I want waterproof electronics. I'm not trying to start an argument. As far as the convert able car aspect. One push of a button and the top is back up. Wranglers are more like tents on wheels. And if a Sudden rain shower pops up I can't just go get my doors or push a button to get the top back up. A vehicle like that I do think should have more waterproofness than a sedan.
Where I live rain can just happen. Especially when it's hot. There's a chance of rain almost everyday. Sure I could get a cab cover. I could leave the doors and top on all the time too. I can also never go off-roading and have to worry about splashing. Or I can just take the YJ and not worry about a top or doors or rain or mud. I just want my jk to be equally rugged so I can be carefree and not worry about if I go to the movies am I going to come out to a jeep that doesn't work right.
X2. I live on an island- a front can drift inland and hit us when everyone else in town 2 miles away is bone dry basking in sunshine. Weather apps are pretty much useless where I use my jeep. It may not be the same for someone else, but for me the investment in silicone spray, a little grease, and a little wrenching is well worth the freedom to enjoy the outdoors without the worry!
this is good to hear, I've been being extra careful, perhaps to much so, since it's my first new jeep. All my worries may be unfounded. I'd like to hear more stories where everything's been fine. Than you.
In Alabama rain can just hit at anytime. An just so happen the tarps on both truck had been used the night before and were unavailable. We have 2 trucks and two bays at my station so that wasn't an option either. I had the safari top on and it kept most of it out except the passenger side so I pull it close to the building and mitigated the problem for the most part. But the passenger side seats were pretty soak but dried out. And as far as issues with anything else if came out good.
Good to hear there was no real damage. I would run to the local hardware store and get a cheap blue plastic tarp and keep it in your locker.
Stay safe.
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