Post-muddy trip undercarriage cleaning?
Posted by Ram_of_the_rose1@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 47 comments
Hi everyone. I recently went on a trip where I ended up getting my Land Cruiser stuck in some mud (attaching photos of what it looked like initially).
I was able to remove a majority of the mud and clay in my undercarriage, however, there is still thick clay inside my chassis railing and in other hard to reach areas.
Was planning on just continuing to spray with my pressure washer. The mud in the chassis railing is a bit difficult to get to because the holes are so small and the angles I can get is limited due to not having enough space underneath my truck (even though I have it on a ramp). They’re still packed with mud inside.
Any knowledge or help is appreciated! Thank you.
DakarCarGunGuy@reddit
Harbor Freight pressure washer and the floor/undercarriage cleaning attachment. Also get waterproof pants and boots.
achoppp@reddit
A lot of truck washes have undercarriage sprayers, pretty cheap too. Overkill for a small rig, but something like a 550 with a box, it's worth it
73-68-70-78-62-73-73@reddit
I keep forgetting it doesn't rain other places. I stopped washing my car. It literally just gets dirty again during the two dry months. There's no point.
Feytid@reddit
I keep getting adds for this and it seems like it would do whay you want for the frame. They also have undercarriage sprayers. I haven't used it myself so I can't say how well it works though.
https://www.saltshift.com/en-us/products/salt-shift-chassis-flush
spank_the_tank@reddit
undercarriage sprayer
FWIW I tried the cheap Amazon version and it didn’t work at all. The Ryobi works great and attaches to any power washer.
someguyfromky@reddit
I've got that, but also thinking about getting a salt shift chassis flusher. it gets inside the frame rails
spank_the_tank@reddit
I have never heard of such a thing. I am going to buy one right now. Driving from Michigan to Wisconsin today through a winter storm so I will need it right away!
jon6011@reddit
Have your local dealership service it before you clean it.
creakymoss18990@reddit
Guys I'm oblivious please enlighten me. What is so bad about mud? I've legit never thought twice about it on my undercarriage or anywhere else. I don't ever wash my car (bc I'll just get it dirty again) do I need to?
juttep1@reddit
Mid is a sponge and can hold moisture and other things like road salts, deicing chemicals, and have organic acids in the soil itself. This can accelerate rusting. Not to mention that thick Mud like this is heavy and can throw off balances, cause stress to suspension components and add tons of weight to a car.
Yes you need to wash your car. No it's not just for looks.
Pecan_Millionaire@reddit
It’s heavy and gums up the works. Might impact your suspension or brakes, depending on how much is in there. The last thing you want is a small pebble getting logged between your rotor and pad.
Depending where you off-road, there could be agricultural chemical runoff that is mixed in that mud and you don’t want that sitting on your frame. That’s in extreme cases but why leave it to chance.
creakymoss18990@reddit
I see. Yea I've definitely had more than a few pebbles stuck between my rotor and pad lol. I can't really get that out with a hose though.
RivMan81@reddit
I use this sewer jetter kit to snake into the frame rails and clean them out a couple times a year with my power washer. It works incredibly well!
https://a.co/d/3kFDniy
Ram_of_the_rose1@reddit (OP)
I also ordered something like this. Going to try it out today!
serdriver85@reddit
Place a lawn sprinkler underneath starting at either front or rear. remove the skids. every few hours move the sprinkler to a new spot. Hope this helps.
Kerensky97@reddit
Do this. Especially if your driveway has a slight slope. String the hose out in a straight line for 20ft down the driveway with the sprinkler on the lower end. Drive over it so the sprinkler is at the back. Then turn on the sprinkler and let it go 5mins. Every 5mins pull the sprinkler forward a foot or 2 from the front end until you've sprayed the whole thing back to front.
It might need a few passes and still some power washing after. But it will get most of it and soak what remains so you can spray it off easier.
mangosie@reddit
Whoever you are, this was great.
spirit_mtn@reddit
He does Mud, lol
p4x4boy@reddit
at this point, just drive thru an IED.
grelth@reddit
never seen the undercarriage of my car cleaner than when i take it through a good ol’ fashioned car wash. that’s my recommendation.
benhereford@reddit
Manual car wash and maybe get under there and scrape it first
ToniBito@reddit
Take out your terrace cleaner attachment of your pressure washer
ToniBito@reddit
No you’re not gonna clean your terrace with it, that’s for later
ToniBito@reddit
You will attach it upside down on this furniture roller….and roll away 👍
Ajk337@reddit
My roommate would need to clean the undercarriage of his truck after winter to get rid of salt.
He'd set up one of those oscillating fan type lawn sprinklers under it and move it around every 10 minutes or so. We'd set up some lawn chairs in the driveway and have a few beers while watching.
relic217@reddit
The lawn sprinkler is genius. If you hate money, there’s this:
https://www.obsessedgarage.com/products/mosmatic-undercarriage-and-surface-cleaner-kit?variant=43676422209687
theycallmemrspants@reddit
If u can get under to take pics u can get under with the pressure washer
Ram_of_the_rose1@reddit (OP)
Yes, I’ve been spraying with the pressure washer for the past few days. It’s just hard to get the pressure washer inside the chassis railing holes because of the limited angles.
TwoBeneficial5563@reddit
Make new holes
soedesh1@reddit
If you leave the mud in long enough it will make its own holes!
Shoddy-Box9934@reddit
I noticed this too, was considering getting that chassis flusher system i’ve seen a bit about. Just gotta make sure to drive it a bit after so the water doesn’t sit in there
Draymond_Purple@reddit
Summer car washes offer an undercarriage cleaning service
They lift it into the air and get under there with a pressure washer much better than if it were on the ground
basi52@reddit
This is what my jeep look like almost 3 times a week.
I’d recommend going to a self wash so you don’t dirty your own driveway, plus they usually have crazy good sprayers (just remember to wash out the bay itself so they don’t ban off-road vehicles)
Get on your back or knees, and just start spraying, focus on the spinny bits (not the bearings or seals). Try and stick the nozzle into your frame, the one I use has a flexy tip so it’s super easy.
The shitty part about washing a muddy vehicle is it will seem like all you did was transfer the mess onto yourself, so wear a shitty pair of pants and a rain jacket, dirtbike goggles for additional protection
Ram_of_the_rose1@reddit (OP)
Makes me feel a bit better.
MrTomat0Face@reddit
I hate mud. It's so fun.
alnueman1@reddit
Find a local “truck wash”. The ones for big rigs. For about $10, you can use their pressure washer to dislodge/clean at least 90% of this. No big mess to clean up in your own driveway. Then go home and finish the job. DO NOT go through an auto wash,it’ll just propel all the mud,rocks, sand back onto your truck.
Last spring I went through a pit in the middle of Soda Lake, outside of Baker, Ca. By the time we were done with the trip 3 days later, my undercarriage was caked with this super silty mud, which was now rock hard. It was everywhere. 20 mins at the truck wash in Bullhead before heading home I was pulling off grapefruit sized chunks of it from everywhere. Cleaned most of it and drove home to so cal to finish the job with a garden hose. Easy peasy.
FlyingCadet352@reddit
Be ready to crawl under there, get muddy, get wet, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. I love mudding my truck, but hate it the day after. Try to soften it with water and use your hands to scoop if you need to. Good luck!
UserName4lreadyTak3n@reddit
The cheapest safety glasses that exist in Bunnings are a 10/10 for this
0010100100111010@reddit
Sucks when it turns to clay on the exhaust
SgtJayM@reddit
Put a lawn sprinkler under there for 24 hours.
GregBVIMB@reddit
Pressure washer... 4 or 5 times should do it. Lol
Dubbinchris@reddit
Most auto touchless car washed have high pressure underbody sprayers.
Happy_Ad4230@reddit
I have a underbody flush attachment for my pressure washer that works pretty well. Another option is using a lawn sprinkler and just moving it every few minutes or so.
Best way though is to climb under there and spray all the nooks, crannies, and anyplace else that you can get the hose nozzle in. I just use a standard lawn nozzle for that. No need for high pressure.
backpain9000@reddit
The real question is why are you washing off such a glorious trophy
Ram_of_the_rose1@reddit (OP)
Already wore the glorious trophy around for a few days😉. Now just trying to prevent the glorious trophy turning into rust and corrosion.
Live_Human@reddit
Get a pressure washer undercarriage sprayer. 4-6 heads shooting up does wonders. With heavy clay, you still might need to hope unter there though
image-sourcery@reddit
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