Open Air Kit Body Style question - how do you keep your truck from getting rained in?

[NovaTrees]

Accepting any suppositions, hypotheses, and reasoned arguments (or even first hand accounts since the video shows the open air model): If you have the open Air kit as your body style, how do you keep your car from getting rained in? Or is that just a part of it. I've never a car that's open like that in the back. I like the look of it, but if there are no options to close it up, it might be tough to deal with here in NC.

 

[sodamo]

Accepting any suppositions, hypotheses, and reasoned arguments (or even first hand accounts since the video shows the open air model): If you have the open Air kit as your body style, how do you keep your car from getting rained in? Or is that just a part of it. I've never a car that's open like that in the back. I like the look of it, but if there are no options to close it up, it might be tough to deal with here in NC.

Guessing same way as I did with my Wrangler, if open it got wet. That was a tough lesson when you move to place that gets 140 inches per year average. My top stayed on mostly and just enjoyed sides removed.

 

[NovaTrees]

Guessing same way as I did with my Wrangler, if open it got wet. That was a tough lesson when you move to place that gets 140 inches per year average. My top stayed on mostly and just enjoyed sides removed.

So in that case will the open air kit come with a top as a matter of course, or would it be an add-on, do you think?

 

[sodamo]

So in that case will the open air kit come with a top as a matter of course, or would it be an add-on, do you think?

Good question. Tend to think it would be part of the package, but maybe there would be a soft top option and you choose?

 

[TRP]

Wrangler is fine after a good soaking. Just let it dry and no harm. Hopefully Slate sates interior fabrics and carpets into account for that option. Otherwise, mold and mildew will be the death of it

 

[sodamo]

Wrangler is fine after a good soaking. Just let it dry and no harm. Hopefully Slate sates interior fabrics and carpets into account for that option. Otherwise, mold and mildew will be the death of it

True, but my big problem the dogs didn’t like getting rained on.

 

[TRP]

True, but my big problem the dogs didn’t like getting rained on.

I don't like getting rained on either Been there done that.

Just sayin if Slate doesn't take that into account some folks are gonna be disappointed

 

[AZFox]

I think the Open Air Kit doesn't include a top.

It's in the name.

The two other Top options have other unique names, and include the seats and roll bar that are shown as the Open Air kit.

 

[AZFox]

Without a doubt there will be a Bikini Top available, either from Slate or from an enterprising aftermarket provider.

A bikini top doesn't just help with sun and sprinkles; it also improves airflow.

Photo is a 1980 CJ-5 with Bikini Top and Half Doors near the Blue Point Bridge area on the Salt River. Good times...

Edit: ^^^ The Jeep is sporting Steel White Spoke wheels and Armstrong Tru-Trac tires. The tires have dimensions that conceivably would fit on a Slate (31"X10.5"?).

 

[AZFox]

TL;DR: One solution when parked -- not for driving -- would be a cover similar to a canvas boat cover.

I had fabrication shop professionally convert my S-10 Pickup into an S-10 Roadster with a removable fiberglass top. It was also lowered, but that's a topic for a different thread.

I needed a convenient way to cover the topless truck's cab because, for one thing, I didn't want to haul the roof around in the bed of the truck just in case it might rain (or a dust storm might swoop by).

Solution: I went to a local Tent and Awning store and had them make a canvas cover. The cover fit over the open cab perfectly, including pockets for the side-view mirrors.

They knew how to make a such cover because they made boat covers. The guy who measured up my truck was Einer, a burly biker's biker type of guy. Einer came out, measured the truck in just a few short minutes, then he told me how the top was going to work.

Gotta admit, I was a little nervous about how it would turn out.

The canvas cover fit perfectly. It was easy to put on using four bungee cords and even easier to take off. Fun Fact: Canvas shrinks when it gets wet (who knew?). Rain would cause the cover to tighten itself up and shed water like a boss.

Most of the time I left the removable fiberglass roof off of the Convertible S-10 and drove around with the canvas cover stuffed behind the seat.

If I had it all to do over again I wouldn't have ordered the fiberglass roof.

 

[Swinefuzz]

how do you keep your car from getting rained in? Or is that just a part of it. I've never a car that's open like that

I've been driving a Jeep Wrangler for 27 yrs. I live in the Southwest where it is sunny, warm, generally mild weather most of the year. I LOVE driving around topless and doorless. "Naked."

Driving a naked Jeep is like a rollercoaster ride without the terror. In the summer, the heavy airflow is free air conditioning. People driving around with their windows up and the AC running on a nice day are crazy. Before the automobile, we all drove around on carts behind a horse. For millenia.

Sometimes a rainstorm comes along and spoils things for a bit. It's not the end of the world. The fun far outweighs the hassle of rain cover inconvenience.

In the winter wet season, I just put my soft top and doors on for 2-3 months. But most of the year I utilize a soft rain cover to cover the cab when a rare storm happens by. When not in use, it's rolled up to about the size of a sleeping bag. Deploying it only takes 5 minutes. The higher quality vinyl covers will keep out about 99%+ of heavy rain. This is what I have. After the storm has passed, simply allow the rain cover to dry out COMPLETELY before rolling it up and storing it to avoid mildew rot, which will lead to the vinyl cracking and leaking and premature failure. The cheaper fabric covers will keep out a light rainfall. I don't have one of these, but they've become very popular in recent years as the fabric technology has improved and prices have come down.

Those living in wetter areas might hate all of this inconvenience and just opt for a fully enclosed vehicle yearround. It's up to the individual.

The Slate Truck appeals to me for all kinds of Jeep-y reasons. I have no intention of getting the open-air kit as I have no intention of using the truck as anything but a 2-seater. I have to assume SA will offer a vinyl cover for those who opt for the open-air kit. I'd expect it to sell anywhere from $200-500. Meanwhile, tailgates are not designed to seal out air and/or water, so if you were to park this truck facing downhill, WATER WILL GET IN. It's inevitable.

To enjoy an open vehicle, you need to be zen about weather. Just embrace it.

 

[sodamo]

One of my early mods will be a Sunroof in cab., would prefer one that totally open or removable, but we’ll have to see what’s available.

 

[Luxrage]

Without a doubt there will be a Bikini Top available, either from Slate or from an enterprising aftermarket provider.

A bikini top doesn't just help with sun and sprinkles; it also improves airflow.

Photo is a 1980 CJ-5 with Bikini Top and Half Doors near the Blue Point Bridge area on the Salt River. Good times...

Edit: ^^^ The Jeep is sporting Steel White Spoke wheels and Armstrong Tru-Trac tires. The tires have dimensions that conceivably would fit on a Slate (31"X10.5"?).

The bikini top is exactly how I roll in my Geo. I just can't take the doors off. The roof keeps most of the drizzles you get caught in out of the driver's area as long as you keep the side windows up. But even then, like a Jeep, the Tracker's built with the idea it'll get rained on. Everything is recessed in the dashboard and even the ECU has a full water-cover on top. I haven't put my full-top back on in years or bothered repairing the AC as it's so much better.

IF slate is serious about having the open top design, they need to make sure there's nothing going under the floor that could get soaked/damaged by standing water. My friend's VW Passat was ruined by bad sunroof drains due to having the transmission and body controllers under the carpet... which filled with water when the drains clogged.

 

[sodamo]

This could be interesting
https://www.sunroofsource.com/sliding-ragtops/

 

[slateya]

And this.

https://www.ascsunroofs.com/product-page/webasto-hollandia-400-fabric-folding-sunroof