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Writing this up here as it may help someone down the road. New 2024 XLT with 800 miles. I'm installing a GMRS radio behind the rear jump seat. I'm powering it with my upfitter switches and popped the right door sill covers to run the wires to the back. To my surprise the wire trough was full of water and the carpet insulation was wicking it up. This was about a week after hurricane Helene dumped a ton of water here. After I cleaned it all up, I started at the front and ran water down the windshield and cowl areas. I removed the right front seat so I could get the carpet up to put a fan under it. No water drops anywhere and I also checked the door drains. As I got to the back, I pulled the rear wall carpet back to expose the two rear cabin vents. As I ran water down the back the right vent was leaking. Looking at it from the outside, one part of the rubber seal was pulled out away from the paint. That's where the water was getting in. As I pushed the vents to the rear I could see a blob of paint that was pushing the rubber seal out. I was able to get a long screwdriver and push the blob off. Now the surface is smooth and the rubber made a seal. On the inside I put zip ties under the push tabs to keep them from collapsing. Then took silicone caulking and sealed the edges all the way around.
If I wasn't installing that radio, I would have never known about the leak. Anyone with a new truck, pop your door sill covers and check, especially after a big rain. Lesson learned. Since my old F150 had endless leaks from the moon roof, I made sure I'd never own another truck with a moonroof. Ford still got me and I don't have a moonroof.
It's a shame that in 2024 they still can't build a cab that keeps water out. Ram has had the same issue on trucks for decades now. I helped my cousin dry the carpet on his 2020 F-250 and fix it. It's just ridiculous.
It's a shame that in 2024 they still can't build a cab that keeps water out. Ram has had the same issue on trucks for decades now. I helped my cousin dry the carpet on his 2020 F-250 and fix it. It's just ridiculous.
I agree. If they put a bead of sealant on it before they push it in, it would solve most of it. Problem is it's too hard to do that after the bed is put on. I got line-x covering my bed bolts so I don't want to slide the bed back. I think sealing it from the inside like I did will work. It would save a bunch of warranty claims.
It's a shame that in 2024 they still can't build a cab that keeps water out. Ram has had the same issue on trucks for decades now. I helped my cousin dry the carpet on his 2020 F-250 and fix it. It's just ridiculous.
the only problem rams had was the third brake light. $10 weather strip from home depot is all thats needed. on the fords is more involved than that (pulling the dash or rear vents etc)
the only problem rams had was the third brake light. $10 weather strip from home depot is all thats needed. on the fords is more involved than that (pulling the dash or rear vents etc)
Negative. Rams have cab sealing issues at the front firewall corners, rear window frames that crack and leak, ventilation screens on the rear of the cabs that have leaked, etc. etc. It's the same old story as Ford. I know because I was a die hard Ram/Jeep/Dodge guy until Stellantis took over.
ive been on the ram forums for years. besides the third brake light i cant recall a single thread about any other leak. perhaps there was one or two threads i missed over the years ?
about every three days theres another new cab leaking thread on this ford forum.
ive been on the ram forums for years. besides the third brake light i cant recall a single thread about any other leak. perhaps there was one or two threads i missed over the years ?
about every three days theres another new cab leaking thread on this ford forum.
complaining is common across all forums. sometimes for good reason. sometimes not. i had a 2016 ram the sun roof leaked 1 time on it. wasnt something you hear about every other day however. third brake light leak is what you normally heard. was a simple fix but most folks turned it into a falling sky moment.
since 2017 the ford alumi duty been leaking quit a bit. probly plenty of youtube videos on it. plenty of threads about it for sure.
I have a 2024 XLT as well, any chance you could post a photo of where yours was leaking from and you added silicone to?
Sure, here are 5 pictures from the inside. I tried to take a picture of the outside rubber seal that was pushed away from the outside cab wall but the camera wouldn't focus on that spot as it's too narrow and far away for the camera to see it.
Inside view of the vent. I think this is the passenger side one and had water all over the top and dripping inside.
Drivers side.
Here is the vent after I used silicone caulking all the way around. You have to apply it with your finger for the bottom and the side closest to the door. No room for the caulking gun. These vents move a little bit when in place. The caulking secures it.
Drying the carpet insulation. This took a while. Red wires are mine going back to the GMRS radio.
A trick I saw on the internet is to put these zip ties under the clips as they can sag and not stay up to keep the vent in place and it starts to leak. It won't be going anywhere after the caulking anyway. The carpet is easy to pull back from the rear wall behind the seat backs. Just plastic push pins hold it in place.
Sure, here are 5 pictures from the inside. I tried to take a picture of the outside rubber seal that was pushed away from the outside cab wall but the camera wouldn't focus on that spot as it's too narrow and far away for the camera to see it.
Inside view of the vent. I think this is the passenger side one and had water all over the top and dripping inside.
Drivers side.
Here is the vent after I used silicone caulking all the way around. You have to apply it with your finger for the bottom and the side closest to the door. No room for the caulking gun. These vents move a little bit when in place. The caulking secures it.
Drying the carpet insulation. This took a while. Red wires are mine going back to the GMRS radio.
A trick I saw on the internet is to put these zip ties under the clips as they can sag and not stay up to keep the vent in place and it starts to leak. It won't be going anywhere after the caulking anyway. The carpet is easy to pull back from the rear wall behind the seat backs. Just plastic push pins hold it in place.
This is great, I'll be doing the zip tie and silicone later this week to mine! Thank you!
I'll cut the strip lengthwise, then press it along the edge and into the crack between the plastic and body. Seems like it would be easier to handle, than trying to smear some RTV silicone around the bottom, blind.
Good tip, regarding the zip tie. I'll do the same, to keep the vent from being pushed out while I apply the silicone tape.
Writing this up here as it may help someone down the road. New 2024 XLT with 800 miles. I'm installing a GMRS radio behind the rear jump seat. I'm powering it with my upfitter switches and popped the right door sill covers to run the wires to the back. To my surprise the wire trough was full of water and the carpet insulation was wicking it up. This was about a week after hurricane Helene dumped a ton of water here. After I cleaned it all up, I started at the front and ran water down the windshield and cowl areas. I removed the right front seat so I could get the carpet up to put a fan under it. No water drops anywhere and I also checked the door drains. As I got to the back, I pulled the rear wall carpet back to expose the two rear cabin vents. As I ran water down the back the right vent was leaking. Looking at it from the outside, one part of the rubber seal was pulled out away from the paint. That where the water was getting in. As I pushed the vents to the rear I could see a blob of paint that was pushing the rubber seal out. I was able to get a long screwdriver and push the blob off. Now the surface is smooth and the rubber made a seal. On the inside I put zip ties under the push tabs to keep them from collapsing. Then took silicone caulking and sealed the edges all the way around.
If I wasn't installing that radio, I would have never known about the leak. Anyone with a new truck, pop your door sill covers and check, especially after a big rain. Lesson learned. Since my old F150 had endless leaks from the moon roof, I made sure I'd never own another truck with a moonroof. Ford still got me and I don't have a moonroof.
Just had the exact same issue and did the same fix. Just took me weeks to figure it out, luckily it didn't fry my inverter or anything else. Embarrassing issue, probably switching to the GMC after I'm done with this truck.
I don't think so other than getting hit in the rear and the bed damages the rear cab wall. I have read where the factory installs them upside down and that will leak too.
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Another wet floor
