water leak in cab

[LilBlueTruck]

Hi guys - quick question about a leak that I have in the cab of my 2000 Ranger regular-cab. I seem to have a leak near the upper-right rear area of the cab. It seemed to leak only during colder weather and during a heavy rain, but now it seems to be more often. The water drips in right above the corner of the rear window and it slowly soaks the right-rear area of the headliner, the carpet on the passenger-side, the passenger seat, and anything that I have behind the seat on that side! Has anybody else had a similar problem and, if so, managed to fix it? I was going to just deal with it, but since it seems to be getting worse, I am thinking about pulling the headliner and running a hose in the general area to see if I can pinpoint the location. If I am successful with that, then I will attempt to seal it with some silicone. Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Jspafford]

Seal around the third brake light. I used clear silicone. Fixed it on both my Rangers.

 

[LilBlueTruck]

Hey, I never thought of that, but it makes sense that the 3rd-brake-light could be a source of a water leak in this area. Thanks for the input! Has anyone else had this problem too?

 

[mhughes165]

it comes standard with most ranger with a 3rd brakelight or a cargo light....

 

[Jspafford]

it comes standard with most ranger with a 3rd brakelight or a cargo light....

Even on the XL trim packages!

 

[mhughes165]

Even on the XL trim packages!

ive even seen it on fleet vehicles, now those are BARE BONES

 

[exbass94]

I have the same problem. I was thinking about using silicone, but would if I ever had to remove the light to change the bulb, would the silicone take some of the paint off with it? I was thinking of maybe applying the silicone to the light and letting it dry fist, then reinstall it. Thoughts/opinions?

 

[LilBlueTruck]

Yeah, good point! If you are sealing it without removing the headliner or anything in the interior, then it must be sealed from the outside somehow. I thought of making a gasket (using black silicone to make it less obvious) around the plastic brake-light surface that contacts the body of the truck, let it dry, and then tighten back down the light. Is that how you guys did it? I want to fix the leak, but I don't want to make a mess on the outside with silicone and/or make it a pain to remove the light and change the bulbs when necessary.

Thanks again.

 

[Mark_88]

I have one of those on my current Ranger (cargo light)...will have to take a look at it but so far it hasn't leaked...the front windshield, however, leaks near the top on the driver's side...and the previous owner put silcone everywhere but the right place...quite a mess, actually!

 

[irishblessing]

Yeah, good point! If you are sealing it without removing the headliner or anything in the interior, then it must be sealed from the outside somehow. I thought of making a gasket (using black silicone to make it less obvious) around the plastic brake-light surface that contacts the body of the truck, let it dry, and then tighten back down the light. Is that how you guys did it? I want to fix the leak, but I don't want to make a mess on the outside with silicone and/or make it a pain to remove the light and change the bulbs when necessary.

Thanks again.

thats sounds like good idea i just found out i have a leak there and need it done

 

[daniel3507]

when i did my light the silicone was actually pretty easy to remove from where i screwed it up. That being said, if I had to do it over again I would still be MUCH more careful. I pulled the light off and laid down a small bead on the part where it meets the cab and then put it back on and tightened it down. Had a small amount coming outside of the light when i put it back on so I knew it was sealed good. Kind of used the silicone on the outside like caulking in a bath tub and hasnt leaked since.

 

[irishblessing]

i was thinking i would just put a line of silicone around the whole outer edge of the light then place it back on

 

[daniel3507]

i was thinking i would just put a line of silicone around the whole outer edge of the light then place it back on

Thats how I did it the first time but it didnt turn out very clean. I probably just used too much though.

 

[irishblessing]

i did it today i hate silicone that stuff gets everywhere i hope it works

 

[irishblessing]

its still leaking and its pouring down rain here is there a seal i can buy from ford that will fit inside of the 3rd brake light to stop it from leaking or do i just have to mcguyver it?