Bad Leak onto Driver and Passenger Floor.

[futura22]

Hello all, so awhile ago I discovered that there is a bad leak coming into my 85' BJ70 when it is raining and soaking my passenger and driver side floor panels.. I just had the floors re- done in the summer so I really want to get the leak fixed before winter aka the salt demon comes. I had somebody look at it quick and they said it is coming in from the "A pillars" or by the side of the firewall by the window frame and top hinges.

I really want to try and fix it myself and am need of guidance as I am a pretty big noob to cruisers. I think I should start by taking off the fenders and the wiper valleys and then search for any rust holes etc. Are there any particular steps to taking of the fenders and wipers/ valleys that someone could share with me? I apologize for the amateurish question but any guidance is wanted.. I think if I get these off I can try and tackle the problem myself so this is my main question: how to take of the fenders etc to reach the leak areas? I know there is thread info on leaks but thought I would ask on my own thread for more personal feedback. Last but not least any opinions on fixing the leak ares/rusted areas? buddy said roofing tar to me? 3M weather sealant?

Thank you

 

[NGray]

I have no idea if vehicles are the same as roofs for finding a leak, but whenever I've had to help find a roof leak I was always on a roof (the old man in the attic, I got the good job) and would blast the suspected area with a hose. Almost always the leak could be found that way. Maybe try and get a friend with a hose and see where it is coming in from. Just a thought. Maybe too simplistic to work, but who knows.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

Might be the windshield gasket, my HZJ75 leaks occasionally from there on the drivers side corner. When the windshield frame rusts a little bit, often where you cannot see it, the weatherstrip just doesn't keep all the water out. How does the door weatherstrip look?

 

[futura22]

hey ya i may try the hose idea if I have trouble finding the leak area or a watering can or something. I forgot to mention it is coming/dripping through the air intake/where the air comes out by the passengers feet..

 

[Shes Mad]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/643313-bj74-restoration-lhd-conversion-has-begun-4.html

Look at post 71 in my build thread. Both ends of the firewall have triangular holes where water from your windshield and cowl vent area is supposed to drain out the sides. They are like the fifth and sixth pic. I bet it is rusted through there. You can see it if you take the wipers, cowl and plastic covers off and look in there.

 

[BobBJ74]

I'd second that. Look in where the wiper rods connect to wiper motor in cowl vent area. There is very little paint in there from factory and when drain holes get blocked with dirt or leaves the water will build up and rust poorly protected metal. Check area over pedals under dash beside front door pillar, pull down sound deadning matt which might be wet and look for leak.

 

[1989BJ70]

+1 to the last two comments
I have a 1989 BJ70 and it used to do the same (driving thru a real heavy storm I had a towel on my right foot/leg it was so bad!) but I completely fixed the problem by removing the windscreen, cleaning up all around including removing any surface rust and then I actually bogged up the little drain holes along the bottom edge of the windscreen rubber, used way to much of the rubber sealant goo for windscreens and put a new screen back on - no leaks so far!

 

[BobBJ74]

I think from '89 on Toyota paint dipped bodies. I have a '86 BJ74, should have got '90 HZJ74.

 

[richmason]

Search for Liberia and LJ70 and you will find pics of how bad the rust can be in this area and what it takes to fix it. Fenders off, windshield out, cutting, welding, fabrication...