Hey guys, so the winter is coming here and I realized I have to get a couple things done before it's too late and I had some questions.

It snowed a little on monday and I took the jeep out to have fun in the school parking lot. I quickly realized the snow that I shoot from the back sticks in the lower area of the quarter panels. I got the jeep rust proofed about a month ago, but I still don't want to take any chances of starting rust on my perfectly fine body. What's the cheapest way I could fix this issue? I thought about mud flaps, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to install them and mostly what to use. Most ways I found on here were attached by the hitch but that's further from the quarter panel, so not good in my situation.

My second question is, I heard about the pool noodle trick to protect the inside of the front fenders, but since the summer season is over, I can't seem to find any, even in pool type stores. Any idea what I could use instead?

Thanks alot!

 

The best thing you can do in regards to the snow sticking back there is to clean it out regularly. Any type of mud flap that would block the snow from getting there in the first place would likely involve drilling into the unibody, creating a starting point for corrosion.

 

Yeah, that's what I figured. I'd clean it anyway, but you know, we're never too sure.

Thanks for the reply!

 

All I'd do is clean it every week or so. I get into habit of not washing mine but every few years, Colorado prefers sand to salt though.

 

+1

Make sure your drain plug/plugs are in good shape and seal well. My understanding is that some XJ's only have one that's at the bottom? My '96 also has one at the top. I would remove them and wash out the lower panels regularly but a problem had already started on one side when I bought the Jeep. Having to deal with mud where I live everytime it rains rather than fix the small hole I just did a cut and fold. Definitely made life easier.

As far as the pool noddle question goes you shouldn't need them if you've got the fender liners in.

 

I run the factory mudflaps front and rear. Works great for driving on beach, keeps sand and salt off the underbody.

 

Split pipe insulation in the plumbing section is basically the same thing. Might be a bit smaller diameter though.

 

A coat of wd40 will make clean up later easier.

 

Forgot about that one, I used wipe the fenders of my state truck and my boots to keep asphalt and tar off.

 

Alright thanks for all your suggestions, really appreciated. I'll look into all that.

 

Does anyone run one of those electronic rust prevention modules? I had one given to me a few years ago and I thought about hooking it up to my 88. I guess all I have to lose is the time installing it...

 

If you are that worried, maybe you should park it and pick up a 3-500 dollar winter beater. I have a Ford Ranger 4x4 I am driving thru the winter so I can do some needed maintenance and repairs on my 97XJ.

 

Cathodic Protection is scientifically proven and used on most all ships. How effective on a truck I wouldn't know.

 

+1, mine gets "washed" every time it rains.
IMO
If it's driven on public roads a good rule of thumb is to not get real attached to a motor vehicle. As soon as you do a drunk/illegal/you name it, will wreck it for you.

 

As long as you have good under coating and everything else is painted it should be fine.I would be more worried about the other people on the road in snow vs rust from salt.And i know a few that get cheap winter beaters for both reasons if it rust out or gets totaled they don't care.