Headliner wet across front.

[dvdswan]

Ok Ranger Gurus. My headliner is wet at both front corners.

Is this a common problem over time?
Is this a poor windshield install?
Or a poor install of the windshield top molding?
Is the top windshield molding glued in with the windshield adhesive?

The molding looks perfectly flat against the body, there are no visible signs of rust or corrosion that I see.

How do you remove the molding?

 

[franklin2]

On the older rangers, they used a double sided gooey tape when they installed the windshield. When you get it replaced, they may use the tape or they may just glue it in. I had the same problem with mine.

They make tools to take the trim off. They look like the piece below.

Once you get one piece of trim off, I have found it easiest to slide the other pieces off if possible. Once you get the trim off, you can try to seal it up yourself with some sealer you can get from the store. Some people frown on it,, but I just smeared silicone on mine and then re-installed the trim.

 

[dvdswan]

I was hoping that would be the case and easy to do. So are there clips that hold the trim on or does the trim have dimples or clips that snap in/on something?


Edit: Did some searching after seeing the tool. It looks pretty simple. Hopefully they pins that hold the clips aren't rusty and I can reuse them.

 

[franklin2]

Sometimes the clips will go flying when you try to pull the trim, so just keep an eye out and try to see where they go. Like I said I find it easier to get started and get one piece off, and then try to slide the rest off if I can. If any of your pins rust off you can get little screws and drill holes to take place of the pins. If you have one or two missing it's usually not a big deal anyway.

 

[dvdswan]

Well, I took a look at the floor which the carpet was SOAKED. Guess I'm pulling the interior this weekend and finding a leak. I called the glass shop just to see how much to replace the windshield (250) and they said the 3rd brake gasket fails causing this. So there is another place to investigate.

 

[Shran]

I bet you will find that you just need the windshield resealed. You can get flowable windshield sealer in a tube at the parts store... I'd try that first, remove the top trim and run a bead all the way across. If it's making the front wet, it's almost certainly not the 3rd brake light, although that is absolutely a problem area as well and could be part of your wet carpet issue.

 

[franklin2]

Well, I took a look at the floor which the carpet was SOAKED. Guess I'm pulling the interior this weekend and finding a leak. I called the glass shop just to see how much to replace the windshield (250) and they said the 3rd brake gasket fails causing this. So there is another place to investigate.

You are doing the right thing. I had a leak that was making my pass side floor carpet wet. The only way I found it was to pull the carpet back. I kept driving it and found it would only leak if I parked with the pass side downhill. I though it was the windshield, I though it was the door seal. Found out it was a seam leaking between the kickpanel and the air chamber behind the kickpanel. This air chamber is connected to the chamber under the grille where the wiper arm linkage is located. If I parked with the pass side downhill, rain would fall into the wiper grilled area, and run down the pass side, down into the chamber behind the kickpanel and leak. There is a area like this on both sides, with drains at the bottom, but my seam between the floor and the kickpanel was rusted and leaking.

 

[dvdswan]

Ok, pulled the interior, started drying out the headliner and carpet...

both sides were wet, pass. side soaked.

A lot of condensation on the roof interior...

Floor boards... no rust thankfully. 2 screws for each side door sills I needed to drill out to get the sill plates off.

Both seatbelt bolts on the floor are corroded and wouldn't come out. They are soaking in penetrant right now.

Someone has been here before. Missing body mount bolt cover...

Sprayed water on the 3rd brake light.... It leaked on the left side dripping on the cable run.

Sprayed the windshield, leaked at the top corner on both sites. Pictures didn't focus though. Put sealer around the edge of the windshield on the outside on the sides and top and re-installed the trim. 3rd brake light I'll need to find a assembly or make a gasket.

 

[4x4junkie]

Ford used some pretty gnarly Loctite on those seat belt bolts during assembly. Heating them up good & hot from underneath using a torch might be what you need to get them loose.

 

[Uncle Gump]

One of our new members @mlkary mentioned someone on ebay selling an improved gasket for the third brake light. Maybe he can link the source for you or you can search it on ebay.

 

[dvdswan]

I was googling 3rd brake lights, there is only one listed as a direct fit for 100.00.

Clear silicone 4-6 bucks.

 

[MikeG]

Yeah, that's what I did with mine. Mostly because I could do it right now, instead of waiting on a gasket.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm not sure if this is the one he was talking about but it has a lifetime warranty for $13 dollars.

1993-2011 Ford Ranger Third Brake Light Seal/Gasket With Adhesive Backing | eBay

 

[dvdswan]

I'm not sure if this is the one he was talking about but it has a lifetime warranty for $13 dollars.

1993-2011 Ford Ranger Third Brake Light Seal/Gasket With Adhesive Backing | eBay

I have a 91. That would be sweet if it fit. 13 is a heck of a lot better than 100.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That will teach me for not looking at the model years...