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Is it really waterproof?

3K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  roadyrob 
#1 ·


So I finally decided to go all the way! For the past year I would strip the Jeep but keep the top on running stagecoach setup. After driving a day without the top I'm loving it!

I know there's not much that I need to worry about but what if it sits in a downpour with the rain blowing and hitting the dash? My radio is for a boat so claims to be waterproof and the heater controls look basic enough to withstand water too. Can water hit the inside of the windshield and drain down into the defrost vents? I'm thinking of keeping the top off for awhile and just don't want it to get hurt, it sits outside.
 
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#2 ·
I would say defiantly no

The radio probably has a conformal coating on the printed circuit board, moisture resistant... Not waterproof.

I would take the clusters out and coat the contacts with dielectric grease, or find some spray or brush on conformal coating and encapsulate the contacts... "still not waterproof"

Purchase a cab cover if you want to leave it open is the easiest solution.
 
#3 ·
I ran no top all summer long for many summers. and it rains a lot here, water will get down behind the dash. I lost guages twice before I decided to caulk up along the inside top of the guages and slathered the circuit board in Vaseline. And that was the end of those troubles, I would go through radios quite often eventually mounting a marine radio in an enclosure between my seats. Even that went out eventually. The heater controls are all cable actuated and never gave me any trouble. Of coarse the carpet came out and I bed lined the interior.
 
#4 ·
So a bikini top is what I need? I really don't want to take stuff apart and start slathering grease on everything. Will one of the mesh bikini tops keep some water out while still letting some sun through? I checked out the Spider Shade top but in the pic they showed, there was a gap between it and the windshield. I don't think that would do at all. Can anyone recommend a good top? I just need something to cover the front seats, mostly just the dash. Or is there a product that I could put on the dash overnight and when it rains?
 
#6 ·
The mesh bikini wont keep the rain out. A normal bikini will, though.

Most of the stuff is water resistant/proof. But, too much exposure will start messing with the electrics.
 
#8 ·
I'd do as @IRQ said and grab a trail cover, or a bikini/safari top. I had a bikini on all last summer and had it rain really hard once. The dash stayed pretty dry, the seats and carpet didn't. I came out from class to find around 2-3" or water in the tub. Pull the drain plugs and drive off, it's all I could do at the time. The dash don't get wet, radio still worked, gauges still work, it's fine. On an unrelated note- your jeep is pretty much the same as mine, just taller. Same color, same interior color(even seat covers), same ish steel wheels, just like 2" taller. I like your style!
 
#10 ·
You bought the last great Wrangler. I washed my interior at the car wash. Man I miss the YJ carpets. They were indestructible.... unlike the TJ rugs.

Mine had a carb... if yours is EFI there might be a "sensitive" computer somewhere but I doubt it.

KEEP IT FOREVER !!!

Looks great... If you ever replace the seats get them from Bestop.

I really want another YJ !!
 

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#11 ·
#13 ·
I really do love this Jeep and plan to keep it till it rusts away or I destroy it on the trails.

I figured out a trick last night to keep the dew off the dash, drape a towel over it for the nights! I'm also meeting a guy Sunday to look at 2 bikini tops, 1 is mesh and the other is solid, both for $30.
 
#15 ·
Older guy at my work has an old beat up YJ and I've never seen that thing with a top on it. Days when it's pouring down rain I'll see him standing outside smoking just staring at it across the parking lot lol. He's never said anything about having issues with it after rain, but maybe he's just lucky.
 
#16 ·
I've had mine get caught in the rain a few times with the top off. I wouldn't exactly recommend it, there ARE electrical components. Additionally...it's never pleasant to have a 20minute drive home from work with your ass soaked. Fun fact: Driving at 60mph only makes you feel colder, not drier.
 
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