Carpeted Panel between Cab and Bed Holding Water

[Porpoise Hork]

Recently I saw this panel between the cab and bed. It is a carpeted panel with a jute backer on it and extends the width of the cab resting on a lip extending out from the cab. The issue I have with it being there is not only does it trap leaves and other trash but more importantly water. Since this part of the cab it's sitting on is steel, it's only a matter of time before things start to rust. I searched all the available parts for the Ranger and cannot find this panel listed anywhere.

It's been raining off and on the past couple of days and there's a mildew smell in the truck when I first open it up. This has been a thing since I got the truck. On several occasions when the mildew smell is present, I have checked nearly every inch of carpeted area inside the truck after rain storm with a moisture meter and nothing. No trace of water inside the truck. When I crawled up under the truck today to inspect the panel and pressed on it, water poured out like squeezing a soaked sponge. I am convinced this is the source of the mildew smell since it sits directly below the pressure vents on the back wall of the cab.

I can't see any way to get this out from below the truck since the lip it's sitting on does not allow much room to shift it as well as the parking brake cable assembly, drive shaft, etc being in the way. Once it dries out, I may be able to use a fishing hook or something to grab it and lift it out provided it's not secured by anything. Does anyone else have this panel sitting here? If so why would Ford think it would be a good idea to put something like this there and create a corrosion issue.

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[DukeCanBuildit]

Bret, that’s the oddest thing - I had a look at my truck and I don’t have anything like that between the cab and the bed. Odd.

Maybe it’s something the dealer should have removed before delivery. With all that debris it’s collecting, it’s certain to create problems if left too long. It might be worth it to have the service advisor or salesperson check with whoever does their PDIs.

 

[BDawgSTX]

Recently I saw this panel between the cab and bed. It is a carpeted panel with a jute backer on it and extends the width of the cab resting on a lip extending out from the cab. The issue I have with it being there is not only does it trap leaves and other trash but more importantly water. Since this part of the cab it's sitting on is steel, it's only a matter of time before things start to rust. I searched all the available parts for the Ranger and cannot find this panel listed anywhere.

It's been raining off and on the past couple of days and there's a mildew smell in the truck when I first open it up. This has been a thing since I got the truck. On several occasions when the mildew smell is present, I have checked nearly every inch of carpeted area inside the truck after rain storm with a moisture meter and nothing. No trace of water inside the truck. When I crawled up under the truck today to inspect the panel and pressed on it, water poured out like squeezing a soaked sponge. I am convinced this is the source of the mildew smell since it sits directly below the pressure vents on the back wall of the cab.

I can't see any way to get this out from below the truck since the lip it's sitting on does not allow much room to shift it as well as the parking brake cable assembly, drive shaft, etc being in the way. Once it dries out, I may be able to use a fishing hook or something to grab it and lift it out provided it's not secured by anything. Does anyone else have this panel sitting here? If so why would Ford think it would be a good idea to put something like this there and create a corrosion issue.

Just checked my 2021 STX Spercab and I don’t have that. Maybe some sound deadening material on the Lariat.

 

[armoredpig]

I don't have anything like that on my 2019 XL

 

[CO2Ranger]

My 21 Lariat has it. Looks like sound isolation between the bed.

Edit: also looks to be primarily attached to the bed itself. Adhesive maybe?

 

[2020FX4]

Recently I saw this panel between the cab and bed. It is a carpeted panel with a jute backer on it and extends the width of the cab resting on a lip extending out from the cab. The issue I have with it being there is not only does it trap leaves and other trash but more importantly water. Since this part of the cab it's sitting on is steel, it's only a matter of time before things start to rust. I searched all the available parts for the Ranger and cannot find this panel listed anywhere.

It's been raining off and on the past couple of days and there's a mildew smell in the truck when I first open it up. This has been a thing since I got the truck. On several occasions when the mildew smell is present, I have checked nearly every inch of carpeted area inside the truck after rain storm with a moisture meter and nothing. No trace of water inside the truck. When I crawled up under the truck today to inspect the panel and pressed on it, water poured out like squeezing a soaked sponge. I am convinced this is the source of the mildew smell since it sits directly below the pressure vents on the back wall of the cab.

I can't see any way to get this out from below the truck since the lip it's sitting on does not allow much room to shift it as well as the parking brake cable assembly, drive shaft, etc being in the way. Once it dries out, I may be able to use a fishing hook or something to grab it and lift it out provided it's not secured by anything. Does anyone else have this panel sitting here? If so why would Ford think it would be a good idea to put something like this there and create a corrosion issue.

I have that too.... and its annoying seeing all that junk get caught in there. I hope someone can chime in on why it is there and how to remove it. Thanks for posting, I've been meaning to post about it as well.

 

[Showmeguy2020]

Maybe you could take a photo not so close to show exactly where this is between the cab and bed.

 

[Aurumulas]

Look for the part number? I bet the part description will tell you Ford's intent.

 

[Marshal.]

My 3rd brake like leaked, causing water marks on the head liner. I removed it and resealed it. Ever had the issue again. My truck is a 2019

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Interesting that some trucks have this while others don't. As @CO2Ranger and @BDawgSTX suggested, it may be some sort of sound deadening method, but to use a material like this in that location. Just asking for trouble in the long run if you ask me. Hopefully I'll be able to take it in to the dealer this Saturday to have them fix the driver's side window tint, and report the mildew smell, when I do I'll ask them about this and have them check the third mount brake light.

Maybe you could take a photo not so close to show exactly where this is between the cab and bed.

I'll try to get a better picture of it tomorrow.

Look for the part number? I bet the part description will tell you Ford's intent.

I have not been able to find a part number on it from what little of it that can be seen. The gap between the cab and bed is very small

 

[Aurumulas]

Interesting that some trucks have this while others don't. As @CO2Ranger and @BDawgSTX suggested, it may be some sort of sound deadening method, but to use a material like this in that location. Just asking for trouble in the long run if you ask me. Hopefully I'll be able to take it in to the dealer this Saturday to have them fix the driver's side window tint, and report the mildew smell, when I do I'll ask them about this and have them check the third mount brake light.



I'll try to get a better picture of it tomorrow.



I have not been able to find a part number on it from what little of it that can be seen. The gap between the cab and bed is very small

You can look it up on some Ford parts websites. I looked, but can't find it on levittown ford's.

Found out you can purchase an entire new bed for $2k though. Kinda cool.

 

[Cabose-1]

Mine has it too. Its seems to be at the very bottom of the bed. Connected onto the bed with push pins. I have no debris. My Ranger sleeps in a garage. There does seem to be some sort of metal lip at the bottom with the cab. A space for debris to fall out. But if tou get leaves and twigs......the bed and cab are very oddly shaped. Not square and open like the pickups of old. I dont really know what purpose it serves. But if you dont want it, more than likely you'll have to just rip it off from the bottom. Very little space. Very little space. So hopefully the lip even with the rubber gone doesnt vause it to happen again.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

You can look it up on some Ford parts websites. I looked, but can't find it on levittown ford's.

Found out you can purchase an entire new bed for $2k though. Kinda cool.

I searched for it on the your oem parts store site (basically the same as Levittown) in both the 2019 and 2020 versions and found nothing as well.

Mine has it too. Its seems to be at the very bottom of the bed. Connected onto the bed with push pins. I have no debris. My Ranger sleeps in a garage. There does seem to be some sort of metal lip at the bottom with the cab. A space for debris to fall out. But if tou get leaves and twigs......the bed and cab are very oddly shaped. Not square and open like the pickups of old. I dont really know what purpose it serves. But if you dont want it, more than likely you'll have to just rip it off from the bottom. Very little space. Very little space. So hopefully the lip even with the rubber gone doesnt vause it to happen again.

By chance are you able see how many or where the pins are secured to on yours? I took a good look at mine again If the push pins are accessible from below, perhaps an upholstery tool may be able to be worked up in the gap from below and pop some of not most of them loose to ease removal.

Maybe you could take a photo not so close to show exactly where this is between the cab and bed.

This is the best I can get with my phone. When I used the flash from the top, the glare from the truck body washed out the image.

This is from the passenger side.

View from the driver's side.

View from underneath the truck. As @Cabose-1 stated, there's very little room underneath to work with here. Maybe 3/8" at best.

Towards the right side almost straight up from the muffler there is a hole for what looks like a place to secure it with a push pin like Caboose-1 was mentioning.

 

[Blue Streak]

Wonder if it was something for installation of the bed to protect the cab & forgot to be removed. ?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

is that it?

I do not believe it is but who knows, the parts picture may not be accurate. The 403B54A parts are made from a thick foam rubber and appear to be glued to the front wall of the bed. When looking for the lower part 403B54B it as well as the A part have been used on multiple years and models of Ford's like the F150 as well as the 2011 Ranger.

The same part on the 2011 Ranger.

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