Foam removal from rear of PIU

[Eric Z]

Wondering about peoples thoughts on removing the blocks of foam that are in where the 3rd row seats would be and where the full size spare is? If those large chunks were removed, it would sure give me more stowage space for tools and gear. Guessing it compromises the 75 mph rear-end collision stuff, but with bracing left intact and gear occupying the space????

 

[bxreppin1]

Wondering about peoples thoughts on removing the blocks of foam that are in where the 3rd row seats would be and where the full size spare is? If those large chunks were removed, it would sure give me more stowage space for tools and gear. Guessing it compromises the 75 mph rear-end collision stuff, but with bracing left intact and gear occupying the space????

I was wondering about that myself

 

[peterk9]

I was wondering about that myself

Welcome to the Forum.
I'm not familiar with those foam blocks but can only guess that they are there for a reason and that they may have something to do with safety in case of a rear end crash.
Pictures would be nice.

Peter

 

[2013PIU]

It may offer a tiny bit of protection as the foam blocks slightly secures below the crash support bar but it could easily be pulled out. It does surround the spare wheel and supports the 3rd row floor cargo mat. You're right, with it removed (and the spare tire) there's a ton of room for storage. I have my spare removed, replaced with a tire repair/inflator kit, and store a ton of my camping stuff in there.

 

[kobresia]

The foam is not remotely structural, it's filler to support the cargo deck.

In a wrecked PIU I purchased, most of the foam was removed to make room for a big plastic storage organizer (very similar to the trunk organizers frequently used in Crown Vics), which filled the spare tire well provided a small cover over the wheel & dividers for the substantial gap between the top of the spare and the bottom of the cargo deck. The organizer supports the weight of the cargo deck.

 

[kobresia]

In case anyone is curious: Ford Explorer Police Interceptor SUV Utility Spare Tire Well Storage Organizer by Progard

 

[bxreppin1]

In case anyone is curious: Ford Explorer Police Interceptor SUV Utility Spare Tire Well Storage Organizer by Progard

thanks for the link. That price is crazy though

 

[kobresia]

thanks for the link. That price is crazy though

Tell me about it-- it's not even particularly sturdy plastic, it could be easily cut with a box knife, which had been done to make a hole for the spare tire anchor bolt.

Almost everything related to public safety seems to get marked-up by a factor of four times a reasonable retail price. Red paint makes a lot of things more expensive than if they were plated in gold...

 

[davefur]

I removed the foam between the second row seat and spare tire. Covered all the wiring loom and powerpoint with a heavy rubber mat and use that void for lateral storage of long stuff I need available but infrequently.

 

[RideRed1990]

Does anyone know where to acquire some of the foam? I am actually missing the part of it and would like to replace it. My utility had a k9 cage installed and had to piece some stuff back together and where the front little section sits between the rear seats and the spare tire cover it sags without the foam.

 

[KayGee]

Does anyone know where to acquire some of the foam? I am actually missing the part of it and would like to replace it. My utility had a k9 cage installed and had to piece some stuff back together and where the front little section sits between the rear seats and the spare tire cover it sags without the foam.

The easiest and fastest way is from the primary source - Ford parts.

Next best bet is probably salvage yards or recyclers - either call some or try online/ebay.

You could also search online classifieds/for sale boards.

After that, it's pretty much going to come down to word of mouth. Call around to some or your local police upfitter shops and ask. You never know, you may come across one that has some lying around from pulling spares and installing storage units in their place.

As with anything, secondary sources are likely to be hit or miss. Best of luck.

 

[Eric Z]

Does anyone know where to acquire some of the foam? I am actually missing the part of it and would like to replace it. My utility had a k9 cage installed and had to piece some stuff back together and where the front little section sits between the rear seats and the spare tire cover it sags without the foam.

Also might help to post picture of what you have, so others can compare to what they have. I pulled much of my back foam out and use as tool/ jumper cable/ tow strap & storage. The section up under the flap directly behind the 2nd row seats is basically intact as that was largely taken up by the X brace.

 

[edougawa]

In case anyone is curious: Ford Explorer Police Interceptor SUV Utility Spare Tire Well Storage Organizer by Progard

This is exactly what I need. Anyone knows if it will fit after installing the third row seats?

 

[kobresia]

This is exactly what I need. Anyone knows if it will fit after installing the third row seats?

I don't think so. It fits almost flush with the tailgate threshold, like the OEM FPIU cargo deck. From what I've seen, the seats require a recess to fold-down into, and the spare tire cover goes right on top of the tire, sitting down about 8" or so.

 

[edougawa]

I don't think so. It fits almost flush with the tailgate threshold, like the OEM FPIU cargo deck. From what I've seen, the seats require a recess to fold-down into, and the spare tire cover goes right on top of the tire, sitting down about 8" or so.

That’s sad. The dealer converted it into the 3rd row seats for me and the spare tire won’t fit in now. So at least I wanna have some way to have a better way to use that space.

 

[peterk9]

That’s sad. The dealer converted it into the 3rd row seats for me and the spare tire won’t fit in now. So at least I wanna have some way to have a better way to use that space.

The retail Explorer uses a mini spare. Were you trying to fit a full size? If so, you found out why a mini spare is used.

Peter

 

[edougawa]

The retail Explorer uses a mini spare. Were you trying to fit a full size? If so, you found out why a mini spare is used.

Peter

Yea, full size left in the trunk after converted to the 3rd row. But I couldn't find a mini spare for my PIU. I was wondering if a retail mini spare would fit a PIU (since the full size tire is different?) and I don't want to try since it might be somehow dangerous if the size doesn't fit and the mini spare is far too expensive to be a mistake.

 

[peterk9]

They are expensive. Here is just the wheel; Wheels for 2013 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear La
Do you have any Auto Recyclers in the area? Some members have had success buying parts from such online sites. On the other hand, I wonder just how many of these mini spares ever see the light of day?

Peter

 

[edougawa]

They are expensive. Here is just the wheel; Wheels for 2013 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear La
Do you have any Auto Recyclers in the area? Some members have had success buying parts from such online sites. On the other hand, I wonder just how many of these mini spares ever see the light of day?

Peter

I went to some junk yard and they cost about 200+ wheel&tire, but still doubt if it fit (the seller says the tire size is different with PIU and there is no proper mini size tire that fit the wheel, and for sure they don’t accept return.

Tire got punched pretty often in my area due to the poor road condition and not so peace streets. A spare is really important.

 

[peterk9]

I believe the PIU uses an 18" wheel, the same as the Explorer Base and XLT. The mini spare, according to the site I linked, is for 18" and 20" wheels.

Peter