This is a mystery to me, and perhaps you guys can provide some clues. I was removing the interior trim in my cargo area today to scope out where to run wires to some rear lights I'm installing and to refresh grounds. I noticed what appeared to be a black plastic bag stuck between the rear wheel arch and the fuel filler down in the bottom of that recess (pic 1). I pulled it out, and it looks like a plastic-covered piece of soft foam (pic 2), though I've not yet opened it up. The area where it was sitting is a bit rusty now (pic 3), as I suspect it was trapping moisture, so I'm planning to clean it up and spray it down with Fluid Film.

Any idea what the hell this thing is? I'm tempted to pull the other side apart now and see if there's one stuck down on the passenger side fender.

EDIT: Passenger side has it too (pic 4).

 

This is a guess but it could be the trailer wiring pkg. is all I can think of. But your right on the rust that is a mess on the inside and needs to be fixed.

 

Sound deadening. My 99 had it too. I removed it also as it was holding moisture in there. I can't remember if the other side had one.. I think it did.

 

That makes sense. I pulled the two bags apart, and sure enough they were full of sound deadening material. What genius at Chrysler though this was a good idea?

 

Chrysler wasn't the only genius to use this idea. I have found those in several different vehicles. I used to scrap cars, so I've seen a few apart.

 

Well, crap. The trapped moisture on the driver's side caused it to rust through under the bumper end cap. I'd like to patch it so I can keep the water out and rust proof if from the inside. Any pointers for patching the hole?

 

The rusted metal needs to be cut out and replaced with new metal welded in.

Break out your small angle grinder with a cut off wheel and the mig welder.

 

Once you cut out all the rot that's going to be one freakin big A hole. Is the window gasket leaking? No sense in doing anything until the cause is found and repaired.

 

Not that I know of, but I'll definitely check before I button it back up. What I did notice this morning is that there is a drain hole on each side that's open facing rearward. I suspect water splashed up in there while driving in the rain and while washing the car that was trapped by the black plastic. I'll make sure they're clean and open before I apply Fluid Film.

Here's a pic I snapped of the passenger side drain.

 

My 97 has the rubber plugs, but there is no hole next to it, on either side. Also, those bags were in both 1/4s. You dont need them, but they are still useful. Take the mats out and spray them with adhesive and stick them behind something else.


I bought patches for both lower 1/4s. I forget from where, but the box was branded Keystone. My uncle and i are in the process of tackling the driver side at the moment, which was all but gone. The panel with the drain was shot so that is also being replaced. It is a lot of work, but ALL the rust has to go. I have pics somewhere. If i can find the camera.

 

It turns out the seal between the fender and the gas filler recess is leaking, so I need to take that apart and fix the seal first. Good thing I checked first.

 

Glad you discovered the cause. On my old '01 the passenger side lower quarter rotted out apparently due to a leaking quarter window seal (you could see the mess coming through right below the rear portion of the window). That baggie just lays in that space to reduce noise and can't really trap or hold moisture.