Water getting into back of X cargo area

[CTroxtell]

Do the Explorers have a common leak area into the rear cargo area? My X seems to have wet carpet in the back cargo area.

 

[gloomis]

One thing I've heard and seen is the bolt-in side windows back there.
They tend to loosen up over time.

When I've had the passenger side panel off to do some work on my amps and subwoofers, I've made it a point to tighten the bolts.
But don't get too wild on them - I've heard you can strip them out and then they'll be forever loose.

I didn't see where it stopped mine completely, but I try to keep them under cover when it rains and I haven't had the driver's side panel off to tighten those.

Good luck!

 

[mr_valingo]

the seams in the back wheelwells rusted out in my second gen causing the back to get wet when i drive through puddles

 

[Anime]

I've had both rust that ate through the fenderwell area (especially the seams), and having just the slightest leak in the side rear window, which turned out to allow more water in than the hole in the fenderwell. Age causes the window leak, the butyl ribbon just doesn't seal the same after awhile. Luckily that makes it easier to push the window out after unbolting to replace the seal.

 

[CTroxtell]

I will pull stuff apart and see what I can tell and see if its the window or rusting fenderwell. Yeah, rust seems to love these trucks for some reason or another.

 

[Jason94sport]

Check the the seal around the back side windows. I have had 2 trucks that this seal was deteriorated & cause water leaks. You can take the side panel's off & run water over the window from outside & see the water leak in. You take the window out by loosening the nuts. You can replace the seal with butyl rubber tape from NAPA. I used 3/8"
http://napaonline.com/Catalog/Result.aspx?Ntt=butyl&Ntk=Keyword&Nty=1&Dn=0&D=butyl&Dk=1&Dp=3&N=0

 

[Burns]

One thing I've heard and seen is the bolt-in side windows back there.
They tend to loosen up over time.


I didn't see where it stopped mine completely, but I try to keep them under cover when it rains and I haven't had the driver's side panel off to tighten those.

I had the same problem on one of our (4) 1st gens. It was the window and the rear seal for the hatch that was leaking. We just pulled the rear windows. A few bolts and then it will come out. Clean and re-adhesive the area will some sealant. I can not remember what we used now. The rear seal can be replaced but this one just had a small tear in it so we put some silicone on the tear and let it dry.

Tearing into it will give you the best option for repair.