- Joined
- Nov 3, 2003
- Messages
- 48,108
I disagree, sort of...
Not in your logic of course, as moisture and rust are always at the top of the discussion list with Broncos. And that fast-arrving thunder storm and salty air are bad juju. But they're not universal for this discussion, and likely in my neck of the woods is of a very low probability even on the coast.
But when I made that blanket statement I was thinking of all the options we have these days when it comes to insulation. And the fact that most of our Broncos are never going to have rust issues again due to our diligence in keeping it at bay even if moisture is an issue where you live.
Spray-on products like Lizard Skin, inside or out. Stick-on products like Boom Mat and Dynamat. If you stick some of them on the engine compartment side of the engine compartment they can work well and not be major sources of rust. Yes, moisture gets in, but if installed properly it doesn't get far. And when you drive it and let the heat evaporate things, it's not going to be much worse than not covering it at all.
I've had Dynamat on the firewall of my F350 for over twenty years and apparently (so far knock on wood!) no moisture issues at all. Of course, drought conditions and no salt that many of us live in these days is a big help.
Again, when done carefully, not much moisture is going to get underneath a stick-on product anyway.
With so many doing spray on bedliners for their interiors and not worrying about moisture getting under it (it can and will in some areas) then a spray-on product that actually insulates would be a great option I think. And no more likely to have rust issues underneath than other products.
And are we really parking and driving our Broncos in the rain and snow and other situations where it's really going to get wet, without a top or cover of some kind? And do we really still just let them stay wet, sitting un-driven with water on the floors anymore? I bet most are not going to let that happen to their investment anymore.
And the OP said "mostly" too, which makes me think that it's going to be covered and protected by a top at least at some times. Usually the really wet times.
Either that or it's just not likely to be driven in the rain without a top very often.
I know you said sudden downpours, but you just can't protect against everything every time. However you can do something about it afterwards to make sure you don't suffer in the future.
Same as changing your diff lube after a stream crossing or a few snow runs. It's just the extra work you go to in order to save your investment.
Windshield frames rust. Door bottoms and tailgates rust. Cowls, skirts and kick panels rust. Floors rust too. All without ever having had any kind of coating or covering on them.
So personally I'd rather insulate the crap outta the thing and do my diligence in drying it out if I let it get rained on without a top.
I know it happens. But since I've owned mine, I've never let water sit unmolested for any length of time. Even with carpet and trim hold-downs, I still lift it up if I know it's wet.
When I bought it there was a swamp under the factory mat that the PO's could easily have just lifted the corner of to let air out and did not do that. Instead they'd let it rust through to the outside in less than five years from it's manufacture date. And literally the only thing on the floor, other than the paint, was a simple slapped on floor mat.
So I really do think it's up to the individual owner to do whatever is necessary to keep the water from sitting long enough to do damage to all that susceptible sheet metal.
With or without a floor covering that most Broncos came with.
I'd much rather have the benefit of a cooler and quieter driving experience and have to hassle with uncovering the floor now and then if needed. Same thing I do now, and have done for over forty years, with matting, insulation and full carpet with jute backing.
So far, so good.
I hear you on your concerns. And again, the logic is sound and I'm glad you brought it up.
I'd just rather put up with the extra hassle and get to take full advantage of whatever I can do to make the inside of the cab more better to be in.
Paul
Not in your logic of course, as moisture and rust are always at the top of the discussion list with Broncos. And that fast-arrving thunder storm and salty air are bad juju. But they're not universal for this discussion, and likely in my neck of the woods is of a very low probability even on the coast.
But when I made that blanket statement I was thinking of all the options we have these days when it comes to insulation. And the fact that most of our Broncos are never going to have rust issues again due to our diligence in keeping it at bay even if moisture is an issue where you live.
Spray-on products like Lizard Skin, inside or out. Stick-on products like Boom Mat and Dynamat. If you stick some of them on the engine compartment side of the engine compartment they can work well and not be major sources of rust. Yes, moisture gets in, but if installed properly it doesn't get far. And when you drive it and let the heat evaporate things, it's not going to be much worse than not covering it at all.
I've had Dynamat on the firewall of my F350 for over twenty years and apparently (so far knock on wood!) no moisture issues at all. Of course, drought conditions and no salt that many of us live in these days is a big help.
Again, when done carefully, not much moisture is going to get underneath a stick-on product anyway.
With so many doing spray on bedliners for their interiors and not worrying about moisture getting under it (it can and will in some areas) then a spray-on product that actually insulates would be a great option I think. And no more likely to have rust issues underneath than other products.
And are we really parking and driving our Broncos in the rain and snow and other situations where it's really going to get wet, without a top or cover of some kind? And do we really still just let them stay wet, sitting un-driven with water on the floors anymore? I bet most are not going to let that happen to their investment anymore.
And the OP said "mostly" too, which makes me think that it's going to be covered and protected by a top at least at some times. Usually the really wet times.
Either that or it's just not likely to be driven in the rain without a top very often.
I know you said sudden downpours, but you just can't protect against everything every time. However you can do something about it afterwards to make sure you don't suffer in the future.
Same as changing your diff lube after a stream crossing or a few snow runs. It's just the extra work you go to in order to save your investment.
Windshield frames rust. Door bottoms and tailgates rust. Cowls, skirts and kick panels rust. Floors rust too. All without ever having had any kind of coating or covering on them.
So personally I'd rather insulate the crap outta the thing and do my diligence in drying it out if I let it get rained on without a top.
I know it happens. But since I've owned mine, I've never let water sit unmolested for any length of time. Even with carpet and trim hold-downs, I still lift it up if I know it's wet.
When I bought it there was a swamp under the factory mat that the PO's could easily have just lifted the corner of to let air out and did not do that. Instead they'd let it rust through to the outside in less than five years from it's manufacture date. And literally the only thing on the floor, other than the paint, was a simple slapped on floor mat.
So I really do think it's up to the individual owner to do whatever is necessary to keep the water from sitting long enough to do damage to all that susceptible sheet metal.
With or without a floor covering that most Broncos came with.
I'd much rather have the benefit of a cooler and quieter driving experience and have to hassle with uncovering the floor now and then if needed. Same thing I do now, and have done for over forty years, with matting, insulation and full carpet with jute backing.
So far, so good.
I hear you on your concerns. And again, the logic is sound and I'm glad you brought it up.
I'd just rather put up with the extra hassle and get to take full advantage of whatever I can do to make the inside of the cab more better to be in.
Paul
