Weather Proofing bed?

[chiko]

In preparation for a bed liner install, I had occasion to remove the bed plastic trim. During the process a storm was coming and I covered the holes with a tarp and secured the tarp with the back doors. I still got a lot of water to leak into the cab that ended up in the buckets outboard of the back seats. Nothing on the seats or otherwise bad. I am considering to fill some of those holes in the C-Pillar with Great Stuff Window and Door to prevent future problems. I note that Ford already did something similar for the gaps.

I am open to suggestions for other ideas. Search only talked about Tonneau covers.

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[Tbone289]

Some photos of the "buckets" you mention would be helpful. Great Stuff has the side effect of trapping water where it normally wouldn't be trapped. I'm not aware of anything in that area that traps water and would become a future problem.

 

[wax87]

Not sure if great stuff is closed cell foam or not, but I would make sure that whatever product you use is a Closed cell foam to avoid trapping moisture.

 

[chiko]

Bucket just refers to the plastic trim below the back seat that is concave and holds water.
Trough would be a better word.

 

[Tbone289]

So, your concern is that eventually water will find its way between the trim on the back of the c-pillar, through the holes in the c-pillar, and into the cab? I've not had that trim off to see how that might be possible, but to me filling anything that might get water into it with Great Stuff would be a last resort option. It is designed more for insulation than to seal against water intrusion.

Ford uses foam in gaps between metal panels to eliminate contact between the panels. I've never seen it used for weather proofing.

 

[scpowered]

In my experience, if you close a tarp in a door, it tends to let water passed the door seals. If I had to guess, without having seen under the plastic trim, I figure the water got in passed the seal.

I won't recommend great stuf foam. It will trap moisture and cause corrosion/rust.

 

[Tbone289]

If I had to guess, without having seen under the plastic trim, I figure the water got in passed the seal.

I agree. I don't see any way for water originating from the c-pillar to ever get into any of the plastic storage under or next to the seat. It would flow down the wall behind the seat and under the plastic storage into the floorboard under the carpet.

I have a hard time believing there are holes in the c-pillar behind the trim that allow passage of water into the cabin. I looked for pictures of what the c-pillar looks like behind the rear speaker grilles, but couldn't find one.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Not sure if great stuff is closed cell foam or not,...

It is.

 

[chiko]

I agree. I don't see any way for water originating from the c-pillar to ever get into any of the plastic storage under or next to the seat. It would flow down the wall behind the seat and under the plastic storage into the floorboard under the carpet.

I have a hard time believing there are holes in the c-pillar behind the trim that allow passage of water into the cabin. I looked for pictures of what the c-pillar looks like behind the rear speaker grilles, but couldn't find one.

Concur. Disforming the door sealant with the tarp makes a lot more sense than what I originally thought. Where the rear seat and rear seat back hinge are located on a hinge, there is a significant hill to climb for dripping water. It is hard to see behind all the plastic trim.
Just weird to me that it happened on both sides with no other effects than some water in that trough below the seat.
Having removed the bed trim, I still think Ford could have done better with the way the cabin roof trim seems to drain behind the C-pillar trim and then through the open panels.

 

[Ron Neal]

Why don't you get your bed liner in and the trim on then check for further water leaks. I am inclined 'to agree with the tarp and door seal thought process. I wouldn't start spraying foam if its not needed or wanted.

 

[chiko]

I found some generic rubber over foam weather-stripping for boats and campers at Lowe's that I think will cure my anxiety. Trim is back in place so i am waiting to install.

 

[chiko]

Probably not a problem

Possible "solution"

Sorry about the blurry. Unsteady hands sometimes.
I should have run the weather-strip about 6" more, past where the C-pillar trim bottom clip engages the top of the bed and chanelled it into the bed. I was too worried about putting to much material behind the C-Pillar trim piece. This weather-strip is plenty soft.

 

[chiko]

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