Poor design, rain gutter over front doors.

[Gatorized]

In my experience (my prior 2020 gladiator) in heavy rain the channels do their job and divert water to the front/back. However when the vehicle is stopped and the front doors are opened, the water naturally falls into the cabin. My new 21 Gladiator has a new plastic/rubber piece on the a-frame pillar that looks like it is designed to divert water away from the cabin that wasn’t on my prior 20 Gladiator.

Please share a picture of this piece.

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[Green_Gladiator]

Im more concerned of heavy rain when I leave the freedom panels behind .. I'm in Florida so daily down pours are a way of life 8 months of the year ..

 

[Rubi-Zero]

I'm sure other people have experienced this. I have owned Jeep Wranglers for over 20 years and never notice this issue before. With the Gladiator, in a heavy rain, when you open the front door the water literally pours onto the front seat. I see that I can purchase gutter extensions on Amazon, but paying over 40 grand for a vehicle and having to add a fix to it really bugs me!

Here check this DIY. I made a real solution to this problem and since it’s been installed I have forgotten about this being a problem
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-rail-water-leaking-that-anyone-can-do.46916/

 

[sharpsicle]

In my experience (my prior 2020 gladiator) in heavy rain the channels do their job and divert water to the front/back. However when the vehicle is stopped and the front doors are opened, the water naturally falls into the cabin. My new 21 Gladiator has a new plastic/rubber piece on the a-frame pillar that looks like it is designed to divert water away from the cabin that wasn’t on my prior 20 Gladiator.

This is exactly what happens on my soft top. The channel naturally has to end where it is, but this results in the water coming straight down into an open door, ultimately flowing directly onto my knee/leg as I get in or out. Most decent fixes seem aimed at or only compatible with the hard top, hence my frustrations.

 

[WXman]

I'm sure other people have experienced this. I have owned Jeep Wranglers for over 20 years and never notice this issue before. With the Gladiator, in a heavy rain, when you open the front door the water literally pours onto the front seat. I see that I can purchase gutter extensions on Amazon, but paying over 40 grand for a vehicle and having to add a fix to it really bugs me!

It is a terrible issue. Especially in heavier rain. The floorboards and seats get drenched. It's ridiculous.

What other design would you suggest?

One where the water is directed somewhere other than the seats and interior? Water drains with tubes down the A and B pillar, a channel that doesn't terminate directly above the point of ingress, there are several ways they could improve that design.

Option 2: Park uphill, problem solved.

That's what I do. A shame we need to, but it does help.

 

[MEOIT]

I know what you are talking about happens with mine. Window down or door open and there is a steady stream of water that comes down from the front of the freedom top on both sides. Doesn't matter if you are stopped or driving.

 

[Midnight Rider]

This is exactly what happens on my soft top. The channel naturally has to end where it is, but this results in the water coming straight down into an open door, ultimately flowing directly onto my knee/leg as I get in or out. Most decent fixes seem aimed at or only compatible with the hard top, hence my frustrations.

My sentiments exactly.

 

[CMac]

It's not a perfect design for sure, but the rain guards work. Be sure that you get the ones that go up into the window cove, and not the ones that adhere over the window area.

I have these "over-the-window" types...makes cigar smoking easy.

 

[gerky18]

I went through the pages of the link to the JL forum and on the 21 JLs one post showed an internal drip channel on the '21 models. Is this on the 21 JTs? I think I found the part number for it but was wondering if anyone has seen or tried it yet? For $20 each side it seems like a cheap factory attempt to fix the problem.

A-Pillar Trough, Right - Mopar (68453376AA)

 

[Ogre_FL]

Problem Fixed.

 

[booneja]

It seems as though they have in their 2021 and newer models come up with a solution to fix this issue...perhaps this diversion channel that is on the 2021 model would fit in the 2020 model as a fix......

 

[j.o.y.ride]

One where the water is directed somewhere other than the seats and interior? Water drains with tubes down the A and B pillar, a channel that doesn't terminate directly above the point of ingress, there are several ways they could improve that design.

How would you implement that on a vehicle with a removable roof and folding windshield to the point it works seamlessly?

Go design it and sell them for $1500 a pair and make a bajillion dollars since this is clearly such a tragic issue.

 

[texanjeeper]

My understanding is that the extensions that would bring the water further forward to dump it onto the windshield inhibit the removal of the freedom panels. That's just not an option for me.

As stated above, if you can figure out a way to park on even a slightly inclined grade like a driveway, this solves the problem. My driveway is really slanted and I never have the water dump on the seat or inside the cabin, unless I'm at another location where I'm parking on level ground.

 

[Minty JL]

Option 2: Park uphill, problem solved.

That's what I do.

Common sense, saves you money and aggravation daily

 

[Minty JL]

40 grand?? You got off cheap!!

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