GUIDE: Washout Flooring of the Ford Bronco

Howdy

Thanks @Laura. Since I got base, I get the same # of plugs with carpet as the rubberized flooring...didn't know that....and I prefer to call them Active "Challenged" Plugs...Dummy seems so harsh.

David

By Laura Zielinski



The washout flooring of the Bronco is high on many customers’ wish lists, especially those who plan on using their vehicle in the dirt and mud. Drain plugs may be a non-negotiable option for some, yet nearly everyone would say they are a “nice to have.”

Washout floors with drain plugs come standard on Black Diamond and Badlands. To stick with the rubberized flooring on Badlands, you’ll need to keep the standard Marine Grade Vinyl (MGV) seating. Choosing leather-trimmed seating means moving to carpeted floors (which are easily protected with available floor liners).

Active vs. Passive Drain Plugs
Even carpeted Broncos have drain plugs. You won’t be hosing out a Bronco optioned that way, but Ford has added in passive drain plugs under the carpet in case water gets in to where it’s not supposed to be. There are six passive plugs in the passenger area of the 4-door models and one in the jack compartment.



These passive plugs carry over to Broncos with the washout floors as well. In addition to the seven passive drain plugs in the 4-doors, there are four active plugs. The reason for the passive drain plugs is to drain water that gets in below the rubberized wash-out liner – for example if you tackle an overly ambitious water crossing.

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Using the Active Plugs
Having MGV seats and washout flooring doesn’t mean you should douse the interior without care. Don’t flood the upholstery, and sponge or wipe down critical components like the dash.


To properly rinse down your Bronco’s floors, use a low-pressure garden hose –– not a power washer. Aim for a flow rate of 10 liters per minute.

1. Pull out the floor mats, if equipped, to get to the plugs. Rotate the drain plugs counterclockwise to “open.”
2. A good rule of thumb is to spray each zone for 30 seconds at a time, to prevent flooding. Aim for the highest part of the zone first, such as the sides of the transmission tunnel in the driver or passenger footwell. Rinse the debris toward the drain plug.
3. Let the water drain for approximately 30 seconds.
4. Repeat if necessary and move on to the next zone.
5. Take care of visible puddles with a towel/sponge so you don’t cause mold or corrosion to develop.
6. Rotate the plugs to “close.”

KennyMac

Yes, but just how "challenged" are they?

WuNgUn

I just wanna know why Ford engineering would put these channels in the floor that do NOT lead to the drain holes! Every floor/passenger location has one View attachment 28565

TK1215

Maybe they run some of the wiring harnesses underneath

WuNgUn

Why would that matter? It's safe under a rubber floor

TK1215

It might be a channel to run it thrrough

David

By Laura Zielinski



The washout flooring of the Bronco is high on many customers’ wish lists, especially those who plan on using their vehicle in the dirt and mud. Drain plugs may be a non-negotiable option for some, yet nearly everyone would say they are a “nice to have.”

Washout floors with drain plugs come standard on Black Diamond and Badlands. To stick with the rubberized flooring on Badlands, you’ll need to keep the standard Marine Grade Vinyl (MGV) seating. Choosing leather-trimmed seating means moving to carpeted floors (which are easily protected with available floor liners).

Active vs. Passive Drain Plugs
Even carpeted Broncos have drain plugs. You won’t be hosing out a Bronco optioned that way, but Ford has added in passive drain plugs under the carpet in case water gets in to where it’s not supposed to be. There are six passive plugs in the passenger area of the 4-door models and one in the jack compartment.



These passive plugs carry over to Broncos with the washout floors as well. In addition to the seven passive drain plugs in the 4-doors, there are four active plugs. The reason for the passive drain plugs is to drain water that gets in below the rubberized wash-out liner – for example if you tackle an overly ambitious water crossing.

• 
• 
• 

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3

• Previous
• Next

Using the Active Plugs
Having MGV seats and washout flooring doesn’t mean you should douse the interior without care. Don’t flood the upholstery, and sponge or wipe down critical components like the dash.


To properly rinse down your Bronco’s floors, use a low-pressure garden hose –– not a power washer. Aim for a flow rate of 10 liters per minute.

1. Pull out the floor mats, if equipped, to get to the plugs. Rotate the drain plugs counterclockwise to “open.”
2. A good rule of thumb is to spray each zone for 30 seconds at a time, to prevent flooding. Aim for the highest part of the zone first, such as the sides of the transmission tunnel in the driver or passenger footwell. Rinse the debris toward the drain plug.
3. Let the water drain for approximately 30 seconds.
4. Repeat if necessary and move on to the next zone.
5. Take care of visible puddles with a towel/sponge so you don’t cause mold or corrosion to develop.
6. Rotate the plugs to “close.”

MIGeezer

I thought a guy named James Edward Splanger invented a thing called the vacuum. You plug it into the outlet, hit a switch and it sucks all the dirt and stuff out of your vehicle. Now I know with all the conversion to wind power, if the wind is not blowing it might not work. Also using water is a big waste of that resource, NO?? I hope you neighbors are not, you know, one of them. I also hope these mats don't let the water between them and the metal floor so that orange stuff starts to form. We all know what happens to floor pans when it grows and creates baby orange stuff. Are these Alum floors? Now I'm not a big green person. SO I don't care...just food for thought for others!

Tommyphillips

Question ..We have wildtrack and got caught out in a very heavy rain .vacuumed the carpet and wiped out the interior should i pull the carpet sides up and bow air underneath to assure that mildew or any smell will not accure ...im old school and if carpet got wet in a okder vehicle we pulled it and dryed it out