It might be a lost cause-keeping the interior dry

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:03 pm

but is there anyway to keep my M38A1 dry? I have a brand new, full winter enclosure from Beachwood canvas, but water always manages to get in (and that's not even when i am driving the vehicle). I previously owned a CJ5 and a CJ7. Both had similar problems, but the vinyl tops keep water out when they were stationary. The M38A1 with a canvas top seems worse, and water always gets in somewhere along the top of the wind shield, and from the cracks between the doors and the body tub. Any tips would be appreciated.

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:37 am

You might need to seal the stitched seams - I recall having to seal the seams of canvas and nylon tents I've purchased new in the past with some sort of waterproofing goo. Once the top is on and stretched out, the canvas is still waterproof but the seams will wick moisture. Give Beachwood a call and see if they can either send you some or give you directions as to where to buy it. I think the doors will leak around the edges no matter what.

On a related note, when I recently insured my M38, the insurance company asked me to provide a photo of the jeep sitting in a garage I intended to store it in. Not so my pickup truck worth 6-7 times more!

Kendall · Post by **Kendall** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:10 pm

There are some canvas preservatives (I bought a gallon of Canvak from WeeBee webbing) that will make the canvas water resistant. But is your problem water leaking around the joints of the pieces (top, side curtains, doors)? I know my tops are not water tight because of that.
Kendall

Post by **wesk** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:18 pm

I've owned at least a dozen different soft topped jeeps over the last 40 years and it is absolutely impossible to seal every door to top joint and every top to body joint. Wet seats were a way of life depending on which way the wind blew the rain. The Best Top vinyls seemed to give me the best in dryness. If you want a dry M38A1 that is parked out doors buy a metal top for it.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 7:57 pm

It's part of the ambience to have drips coming through the
windshield gaskets, the top, the sides, the doors, and the
drain holes. For that real militery experience, wet, damp,
mud, and misery fill the bill. Freezing your posterior off
also helps, but then you don't get the leaks. Did I forget
to mention dust? Merry Christmas to all you guys and dolls!

Jim in Darkest Arkansas

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:20 pm

That's kind of what I figured. Good thing there are so few electrical connections, and they are all waterproof!

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:45 am

On my father's GPW, the windscreen would never seal to the cowl properly. The rain would come through, run down the dash and into your boots. Every time you pressed the gas or brake pedal, excess water would squirt out through your boot lace holes.

Bet Willys never mentioned that in their sales brochures.

Owen.

DJ · Post by DJ » Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:00 pm

evanso1975 wrote:On my father's GPW, the windscreen would never seal to the cowl properly. The rain would come through, run down the dash and into your boots. Every time you pressed the gas or brake pedal, excess water would squirt out through your boot lace holes.

Bet Willys never mentioned that in their sales brochures.

Owen.

If you put it in perspective,a 2010 truck is better than your 1940's Willys,the Willys is better than your 1870's horse!!

Progress.

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:30 pm

I'll just plug the holes that seem obnoxious, and leak hot air out of the vehicle, and water back in. Like the holes in the firewall that cables run through. I am sure these had grommets and seals back in the day. What is a decent sealant I can use today? Like maybe something like silicone?

32sbct · Post by **32sbct** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:26 pm

Back in the mid 80's the M151A2s we had in the scout platoon had no tops or doors...we were always wet, or cold, and usually both. Even after we got some tops and doors, things were only slightly better. I think it comes with having a jeep.

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:14 am

a 2010 truck is better than your 1940's Willys

Pah! Sez who? Might be old, but it's still way better than these modern day pretend-jeeps.

Owen.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:16 am

those two words have always been synonymous with each other!

JEEP ----- OUTDOORS

Deadguy · Post by **Deadguy** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 2:14 am

Water just seems to get into my Jeep, when it's at a standstill, than it ever did on my CJ5 or 7. They all took in plenty of water when I was driving them and the road was wet, but the canvas is way worse than the vinyl, and it's brand new canvas! Maybe if I get some of that canvas "water repellent" and seam "waterproofing? Edging in around the doors is fine, dripping down the windshield, not so much.