My quarter panels are rusted out and so I cut them out and welded in new metal. it seems Water got in through pinch welds in the wheel wells and through this rubber grommet thing on the underside of the panel. Would there be a drawback to welding all the seams closed, including welding a new piece where that rubber grommet went? Basically, I would be sealing off the inside of the quarter panel except from the cargo bay. Is this a bad idea?

and as an additional question, can I easily access the quarter panels from the inside if I remove the cargo area carpet?

 

There is a panel on both sides inside the jeep that access your quarter panels. They have a rubber drain plug on the bottom of them. When I got my xj, the right side was full of water almost to the top of the floor where the carpet is

 

I know I could just remove my panels to find out what you are talking about, but I don't want to do that just yet. Are you referring to the side panels? How do you gain access to the drivers side with the gas tank filler line in the way?

 

I am talking about inside the jeep. The plastic interior panels behind the rear wheel wells. There's a few Phillips screws holding them on or if you have a spare tire mount still then I think there's 2 10mm screws holding it on as well