IMHO most Mavericks will rot out at the left rear quarter, will yours?

[Mavreezy]

We will see. It never rains in CA. When it fills up with dirt what could go wrong?

Actually, the dirt and mud protects the frame from rust. It's all the damn salt they use out there that F's everything up.

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[Montana]

American vehicles have always been dinged for their use of cheap stuff like this and it's only gotten worse. Safety ratings may go up but the vehicles are not actually built to last any better - they are just built to get better safety ratings on subjective tests. The past 4 vehicles I've owned have all had what I like to call "massive pockets" that trap debris between plastic and poorly finished body panels. Some you could even push on a rear quarter panel and shift the entire back end of the vehicle a couple mm's (The Escape) and some actually trap ice/snow etc etc under the cheap felt "skid plates" that would cause a rattle forcing me to get under and spray for much longer than is comfortable or simply remove the skid plates entirely.

 

[Old Man]

Old news.

 

[merlin101]

Actually, the dirt and mud protects the frame from rust. It's all the damn salt they use out there that F's everything up.

Exactly this--people don't seem to understand it's the salt they put on the roads that screws everything up. Your average water/mud spray isn't likely to cause much issue on most modern vehicles by itself.

 

[fossil]

having lived in the rust belt my entire rather long life I'd be more worried more about doors and rocker panels that tend to hold moisture. a well ventilated area like this, not so much.

time spent repairing paint chips on the rockers and exposed metal in wheel wells would be a more valuable exercise. any place/thing that traps moisture like the factory style mud flaps (Weathertec) a big no-no.

 

[Moby]

I was looking at mine just yesterday . I have mud flaps but dirt is getting up in the cavity . I will make a two piece cover out of aluminum to cover it up . Some one mentioned using plastic ,I think the tail pipe is to close . And that is why Ford did not bother making a cover like the right side .

 

[Montana]

I was looking at mine just yesterday . I have mud flaps but dirt is getting up in the cavity . I will make a two piece cover out of aluminum to cover it up . Some one mentioned using plastic ,I think the tail pipe is to close . And that is why Ford did not bother making a cover like the right side .

RokBlokz.

 

[clos0791]

I know most of the Country has a negative opinion about California; for many reasons. However, one good thing about living in SoCal is never having to worry about rust on any of my vehicles.

 

[sprubs]

having lived in the rust belt my entire rather long life I'd be more worried more about doors and rocker panels that tend to hold moisture. a well ventilated area like this, not so much.

time spent repairing paint chips on the rockers and exposed metal in wheel wells would be a more valuable exercise. any place/thing that traps moisture like the factory style mud flaps (Weathertec) a big no-no.

Where are factory style flaps trapping moisture? Hopefully my RBs don't again have this issue

 

[TC in MN]

Today I was installing LED reverse light bulbs on my 23 Maverick and when I removed the left tail light the inside of the body was full of dried mud and dirt. Since it is below 32 deg here, I blew it out with compressed air. I did snap a picture (attached but blurry-sorry).
To me this is going to be very problematic in the future if you don't address this. I see everything in the cavity covered with debris, and when the roads are salted, it will be all packed in the crevices and rot out in not much time, maybe even under warranty.
I just got my set of Weathertec mud flaps and will be installing them soon. They are the only brand that has a larger left flap to block the hole (hopefully it will be effective).
If you plan on keeping your truck it is advisable to correct this problem. I even sprayed CP90 oil into both bedsides from the taillight openings.

Did you get the lux package?

 

[Old_Norm]

American vehicles have always been dinged for their use of cheap stuff like this and it's only gotten worse. Safety ratings may go up but the vehicles are not actually built to last any better - they are just built to get better safety ratings on subjective tests. The past 4 vehicles I've owned have all had what I like to call "massive pockets" that trap debris between plastic and poorly finished body panels. Some you could even push on a rear quarter panel and shift the entire back end of the vehicle a couple mm's (The Escape) and some actually trap ice/snow etc etc under the cheap felt "skid plates" that would cause a rattle forcing me to get under and spray for much longer than is comfortable or simply remove the skid plates entirely.

I don't know how old you are but believe me, cars have gotten much better in the anti-corrosion category. In the late 60s I owned cars (several) from the late 50s that had whole sections of body panels either missing or paper thin due to rust. Look around and try and find a 10 year old car in that shape today. In 1966 I had a '56 Ford. Loading up the trunk with friends to sneak into the drive in movie was a popular pastime back then. One time I drove through a big mud puddle at the entrance to the drive in and my girlfriend and I heard shouts and screams from the trunk. The trunk area was so rusted that the two couples in there were drenched with muddy water.

 

[Mav_RICK]

I know most of the Country has a negative opinion about California; for many reasons. However, one good thing about living in SoCal is never having to worry about rust on any of my vehicles.

Same here in AZ. You see rust on vehicle you know it’s an out of towner.

 

[fossil]

Where are factory style flaps trapping moisture? Hopefully my RBs don't again have this issue

Anyplace they contact painted surfaces, where it was necessary to add plastic film to prevent paint wear. The area of contact is primarily above where the bumper plastic stops. on the wear point, how long will it take for road grit to wear through that plastic strip? Once through to bare metal rust starts, you gotta watch for that.
Roks were my first accessory purchase, long before my truck was built and the second install.

 

[fossil]

Same here in AZ. You see rust on vehicle you know it’s an out of towner.

yep, spent a year there in the Army. Sand blasting a different matter.

 

[sprubs]

Anyplace they contact painted surfaces, where it was necessary to add plastic film to prevent paint wear. The area of contact is primarily above where the bumper plastic stops. on the wear point, how long will it take for road grit to wear through that plastic strip? Once through to bare metal rust starts, you gotta watch for that.
Roks were my first accessory purchase, long before my truck was built and the second install.

Okay, so where they kind of "wrap around" to the exterior paint near the wheel well? I could see that being an issue...

The RBs seem to mostly cover that gap in the wheel well but I'm curious how the cubby box might help, if at all. I haven't popped the rear tail light off yet but I will have to when I install the bed extender.

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