Water intrusion Freedom panel question

[Bananaman]

I usually keep my Gladiator in the garage, but last night it was outside, and we had torrential rain come through. This morning I get in and start to drive off and water starts pouring out from where the rearview mirror attaches. I have had my panels off maybe 2 times, and that was at least a year or so ago. Obviously I've driven in the rain since then, and it's never leaked. Anyone else have this happen? I've not seen any complainants on here about the tops leaking, so maybe a one off, parked at a funky angle, thing?

Sponsored

 

[Labswine]

I have that issue on occasion. Mine is parked outside all the time.

Occasionally, I'll have a drip-a-drip over the passenger seat when the Freedom Panels are in (from mid October to mid April). Don't know how it's getting in. It seems to drip in over the roll bar over the passenger seat and ONLY drips in after starting out and hitting the brakes for the first time (basically the end of the driveway about 100' from where it's been parked). Also, it's nose down, the slight down grade from the house to the street.

I also get the same issue when I have my BestTop SunRider top installed (mid April to mid-late October) after a heavy rain storm...start out, go for the first stop at the end of the driveway and, drip-a-drip.

Interestingly though, I take it through a car wash (either tops in) and zero leaks.

When I swap out tops, I always clean the groove and seal before installing the next top so there's really nothing there to interfere with the rubber seal there.

So, yeah, what gives

 

[KJ Jeeper]

Yes, mines 5 years old garage parked. Driven in the rain - no issues. I have a steep driveway and parked outside facing uphill - huge leaks that soaked my entire floor front and back. It hasn’t happened again. Like you, the freedom panels have only been off maybe 4 times in five years (I had a bad bone break that prevented removing the top for 2 years during rehab).
I was thinking it leaked because of the angle I parked at. I have parked on flat parking lots with no leaks.
Did you park on slope?

 

[Bananaman]

Yes, mines 5 years old garage parked. Driven in the rain - no issues. I have a steep driveway and parked outside facing uphill - huge leaks that soaked my entire floor front and back. It hasn’t happened again. Like you, the freedom panels have only been off maybe 4 times in five years (I had a bad bone break that prevented removing the top for 2 years during rehab).
I was thinking it leaked because of the angle I parked at. I have parked on flat parking lots with no leaks.
Did you park on slope?

Interesting. Yes, it was parked with the back sloped down. Seems to track. Water must pool somewhere at that angle, then find it's way in when taking off.

 

[KJ Jeeper]

Oh interesting!!! We were both same sloped! Lesson learned and I won’t park that way again. It was a pain getting all the water out from under the carpet.

Sponsored