Water in rear quarter panels.

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C

CowThief

Joined
Dec 5, 2025
Threads
3
Messages
13
Location
Union, KY
Hey guys, I've been tracking down leaks in my newly acquired 80 series and have found that water has been pooling in the rear quarter panels. On the driver side there were only drips while on the passenger side there was a solid 2 inches of water buildup. I took out the plugs and vacuumed all the water out.

IMG_5364(1).webp

(Passenger side rear quarter panel)
I'll admit I'm not too adept with the search function but I haven't found anything for specifically the rear quarters. Could it be the rear sunroof drains? I was only able to find the front two when clearing them out.
Here are where I was able to see streaks of water.
IMG_5360.webp
IMG_5359.webp
(Passenger side)
IMG_5361.webp
(Driver side)
Is it as simple as those sunroof drains? If so what do you recommend I use to clear them, the weed whacker line I was using just kept curling up inside the sunroof cavity. On a related note, Safelite repaired my windshield incorrectly and there is water coming in at each bottom corner of the windshield, soaking my floorboards. What do you suggest I tell them in the directions to make sure it is installed correctly? Attach a pdf of the service manual or just tell them to apply more adhesive/sealant? Thanks, and sorry if this has been talked about before.
 
Couple things:
The rear sunroof drains can fill and leak into the rear but IMO there are other culprits that are more likely given the photos.
The leaking at the headliner is most likely (IMO) a rust through from your luggage rack. Not uncommon to have rust occur under the greyish looking feet under the rack. One note of caution, if you go to pull your rack to check and it is rusty there is a high likelihood that the nutserts will either spin or you will uncover another project. :bang:

I would also be checking around the rear vents - these are the black plastic assemblies right behind your slider windows and your seals around the sliders.
As for searching, the site has a terrible search function but if you go into your browser of choice and type IH8MUD 80 series and what you are looking for it gets better results.

I would also pick up something to treat/encapsulate the rust that has already developed in the quarters.

Lastly, if you haven't already download the FSM and EWD for your truck, available in the resources section. These will help you know how to disassemble things if you need to. You can also download the page on installing the windshield and provide to the glass installer to get it done right.

Here are a few posts dealing with water intrusion:

rc51kid

Thread 'Water leaking in rear quarter panels'

I have water leaking in both rear quater panels. I asaumed.i need to replace the window seals. But after a quick search it looks like some people are just sealing the clips on the belt moulding. Is this the proper way to fix the leak? Much simpler than I thought it would be.

Update: I replaced the rear quarter trim under the windows and still had a little water after rain. Then i remembered that i leave the rear sliding windows "closed" but not latched. I do this because that way i can slide them open and reach in to where i have a spare key hidden. I also like that at camp i can open and...
  • Like
  • Haha

B

Thread 'New 80 Water Intrusion'

Hey all, I just picked up a 97 3x locked 80 with 200k. Motor is shot and hasn't ran in two years. The owner took the cover off a few days ago and I noticed a ton of water in the vehicle. Both driver and passenger floorboards were sopping wet. The rear was wet as well, but was parked on an incline, so gravity may be the culprit for the rear. Any ideas where to start? Luckily, no rust yet. I have DampRid and a heater running 24/7. Again, car hasn't been ran for two years, so nothing has been operated. Thank you for the help, excited to get started.

tempImageuQ0hyJ.webp
  • Like

Andrew Ling

Thread '80 series Water leak'

image.webp
Hello! Today i was washing the land cruiser and realized that the headliner was getting wet in the driver seat. It was the a pillar headliner. Ill show you guys a picture i took. Anways i also realized that water is somehow getting into the rear sliding windows even tho they are closed. Help plzz. I opened up the moonroof and the left drain hole, the water was not draining out but making puddles. So im confused if its just the drain clogged up or something else needs to be fixed. Thanks guys

Enigma

Thread 'rear cargo area water leak'

I've been trying to trace a water leak in the rear cargo area with not much luck. I think it must be the rear side window (above the fuel filler).
I just finished lifting up the carpet in the cargo area, and it was quite damp around the wheel well in that area, with a large portion of the underlay going into the trash.
The foot of the jack where it's mounted in the stock location is quite rusty, but no visible signs of leaks.
I'm thinking of just taking out all the carpet, in the back half anyways, and perhaps rhino lining the interior. I know it's not a fix, but at least there would be no...
 
Last edited:
Brindleboxer said:
Couple things:
The rear sunroof drains can fill and leak into the rear but IMO there are other culprits that are more likely given the photos.
The leaking at the headliner is most likely (IMO) a rust through from your luggage rack. Not uncommon to have rust occur under the greyish looking feet under the rack. One note of caution, if you go to pull your rack to check and it is rusty there is a high likelihood that the nutserts will either spin or you will uncover another project. :bang:

I would also be checking around the rear vents - these are the black plastic assemblies right behind your slider windows and your seals around the sliders.
As for searching, the site has a terrible search function but if you go into your browser of choice and type IH8MUD 80 series and what you are looking for it gets better results.

I would also pick up something to treat/encapsulate the rust that has already developed in the quarters.

Lastly, if you haven't already download the FSM and EWD for your truck, available in the resources section. These will help you know how to disassemble things if you need to. You can also download the page on installing the windshield and provide to the glass installer to get it done right.

Here are a few posts dealing with water intrusion:

rc51kid

Thread 'Water leaking in rear quarter panels'

I have water leaking in both rear quater panels. I asaumed.i need to replace the window seals. But after a quick search it looks like some people are just sealing the clips on the belt moulding. Is this the proper way to fix the leak? Much simpler than I thought it would be.

Update: I replaced the rear quarter trim under the windows and still had a little water after rain. Then i remembered that i leave the rear sliding windows "closed" but not latched. I do this because that way i can slide them open and reach in to where i have a spare key hidden. I also like that at camp i can open and...
  • Like
  • Haha

B

Thread 'New 80 Water Intrusion'

Hey all, I just picked up a 97 3x locked 80 with 200k. Motor is shot and hasn't ran in two years. The owner took the cover off a few days ago and I noticed a ton of water in the vehicle. Both driver and passenger floorboards were sopping wet. The rear was wet as well, but was parked on an incline, so gravity may be the culprit for the rear. Any ideas where to start? Luckily, no rust yet. I have DampRid and a heater running 24/7. Again, car hasn't been ran for two years, so nothing has been operated. Thank you for the help, excited to get started.

tempImageuQ0hyJ.webp
  • Like

Andrew Ling

Thread '80 series Water leak'

image.webp
Hello! Today i was washing the land cruiser and realized that the headliner was getting wet in the driver seat. It was the a pillar headliner. Ill show you guys a picture i took. Anways i also realized that water is somehow getting into the rear sliding windows even tho they are closed. Help plzz. I opened up the moonroof and the left drain hole, the water was not draining out but making puddles. So im confused if its just the drain clogged up or something else needs to be fixed. Thanks guys

Enigma

Thread 'rear cargo area water leak'

I've been trying to trace a water leak in the rear cargo area with not much luck. I think it must be the rear side window (above the fuel filler).
I just finished lifting up the carpet in the cargo area, and it was quite damp around the wheel well in that area, with a large portion of the underlay going into the trash.
The foot of the jack where it's mounted in the stock location is quite rusty, but no visible signs of leaks.
I'm thinking of just taking out all the carpet, in the back half anyways, and perhaps rhino lining the interior. I know it's not a fix, but at least there would be no...
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the great info. I'll check all of that out. I was planning on treating all the rust spots this summer when it stops raining so much and do the whole truck at once properly (welding, coating, etc.) Would you recommend just picking up a cheap rust encapsulate and spray it on until I'm ready to tackle that project?
 
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