Will the interior of my Jeep Wrangler be damaged if it rains and I do not have the top on?

Question

I have vinyl seats and my mother continues to nag that the car is going to "rot"...

Answer 1

Mine got wet a few times, and the floor started to get moldy. So I just took out the carpet (it's insulation also, so not the smartest thing, but the only difference I noticed was it was a bit warmer inside). I also pulled the rubber plugs from the floor pan so the water could drain out. For the seats I got water resistant neoprene seat covers to keep them semi-dry. The last thing I do is, when I don't need it, I travel without the back seat. So at least for now the only thing I really worry about is the electronics up front, namely the speakers.

Answer 2

Inside Of Jeep Wrangler

Answer 3

If it stays damp, then yes, she's right. If you live in a dry climate, the problem is somewhat self correcting since the carpet and seats will usually dry out pretty thoroughly.

It's best to at least put the top up when it's raining, even if you don't put the doors, windows on, etc. You can put a cheap atuo cover over the Jeep to keep rain from coming in the sides (when you're parked, of course). Removing the cover and/or putting it back on takes a lot less time than messing with the doors, etc.

By the way, you want the top up even if you toss a cover over it. Most real auto covers aren't truly waterproof, just very water resistant. You don't want moisture to be trapped under the cover, hence making the cover only water resistant. If water pools in a low spot, it will slowly drip. Putting the top up just prevents a low spot from forming the way it would if the cover were just hanging over the windshield and roll bars.

Answer 4

Jeep Wrangler No Top

Answer 5

over the years it ought to injury the interior to leave it in the solar, yet Jeeps are made to be hard and take abuse. My brother has a wrangler with a tricky genuine and leaves his genuine off plenty. sometimes basically throws a tarp over the seats while it rains. this would help to evade solar injury too.

Answer 6

man i have to tell u i have a wrangle 2000 for the last 4 years i just used to go do off road on the weekends is nice i made some modification but since i finish working on it 2 years ago i havent put the top on or door on , i havent wash it not even once and it have been outside all the time and i can tell u the interior look just fine , just moody but whats the point on clean it if im going to get it in the same condition the next time a drive it

Answer 7

I had a 1988 wrangler and I took out the plugs just in case it rained,the mats got a little moldy,you just have to air out the mats and carpeting and be careful of the radio and speakers.
I had a bikini top and that kept the driver side and passenger side fairly dry.

Answer 8

my answer is of course yes, virtually expose to acid rains and other untoward factors shall gradually ruins it, since its your like not to have the top on it, your usual and ordinary barring of wear and tear thereon does not mean you control the wearing of it, in the first place your mother is right, nevertheless, 5 to 6 years of enjoying usefulness of it is satisfactory, since vehicle life span is always estimated to be at ten.

Answer 9

i rhino lined the interior tub of mine and it takes all the rain and mud you can through at it, get a set of neoprene seat covers and get a boat radio cover and you are set

Answer 10

it would take a few times of getting wet for this to happen ,its a jeep they was made to get wet,but if it gets wet its best to dry it out it will rot some things,and cause rust problems with it,in the floor pans,good luck on it.