I took our Jeep home last night. Mostly for the lazy reason that I had left the rear headrests in my garage and needed to put them back. Once I crawled into the rear seat area, I noticed a red puddle.
I ran my finger through it to make sure it wasn't cheetle (noun: The orange, cheesy residue left on the finger tips after eating a bag of Cheetos). Nope, it was rust. I tried to find the source of the drip, but couldn't locate it. Being a soft top, I would bet there are gaps so it could be from many sources.
Is this something that other Jeep owners have noticed? Should we be concerned?
Scott Jacobs, Sr. Mgr, Photography
miamifan1 says:
12:20 PM, 01/13/12
my guess is something someone carried.
texases says:
12:22 PM, 01/13/12
Any chance that's clay dust from off roading that got doused with rain/car wash?
dinobot666 says:
12:23 PM, 01/13/12
It was out in the desert last weekend wasn't it? I'd imagine it's desert silt that mixed with some moisture and dripped its way in via the soft top.
goaterguy says:
12:54 PM, 01/13/12
There is nothing over that area that could rust especially in that bright of a yellow. I have pressure washed mine and not much gets to that area, it had to be something that was carried there and dripped.
desmolicious says:
01:08 PM, 01/13/12
That does not even look like rust.
With so many people taking this thing out to the desert, some with dogs, some with guns, some with dogs and guns and given the care the IL staff bestows upon vehicles that are not theirs, I'm betting this is something foreign 'dragged' in.
tjpark01 says:
04:03 PM, 01/13/12
It's normal, for a Jeep.
bodyblue says:
07:36 AM, 01/14/12
"It's normal, for a Jeep. "
Here is a great example of things on here.....you post something like that.....how about backing that up with some links or some experience? Have you had a Jeep or known someone who did and had this problem? Now I will be the jerk for pointing out that you posted something you cant back up......how typical. I will be more than happy to say I was wrong if you are man enough to post some facts......
greenpony says:
03:22 PM, 01/14/12
Rust can be yellowish in color, especially if you have standing water. Try leaving a steel can outside for a week.
heidis says:
10:52 PM, 01/14/12
Only thing that ever seemed to get a rusty patina on my old Jeep TJ was the steering pump because the case was iron. Other than that, nothing.
I'm guessing this pic is of the rear tub rail next to the soft top, which is that canvas like material. So I'd take a look at the softtop hardware above that spot. Check the bows as well as the connecting spots for sources of the dust.
Then make sure all the top zippers are snugged up tight while the Jeep is parked in the direct sun. Doing it in a cold parking garage or in the shade will make it harder to totally close snug zippers.