Dash pad rattle

[RobsRanger]

Anyone ever have a rattle coming from the dash? I get a rattle when I hit bumps in the road, sounds like it’s coming from where the dash and windshield meet, and it’s right at the drivers seat. Drives me nuts but no idea what it is or how to fix it

 

[sgtsandman]

I do not but with all the gear I have in my truck, it could be masking it.

 

[Dirtman]

I've yet to find a ranger that doesn't make an assortment of creaks, rattles, and clanks...

 

[Curious Hound]

Something could have fallen down into the defrost vent.

 

[Dirtman]

Mine will sometimes make a loud vibrating rattle, I just bang on the glove box until the spare change in there shuts up.

 

[SenorNoob]

What year? Mine has the metal dash with little rubber pads between it and the windshield. Maybe missin?

 

[RobsRanger]

What year? Mine has the metal dash with little rubber pads between it and the windshield. Maybe missin?

2007. Rubber/vinyl dash. It only does it once in a while.

 

[Dirtman]

Below the steering wheel, under the plastic panel is a steel brace that the plastic snaps into. The plastic clips on mine broke and the plastic panel rattles against the steel brace. (Especially common on the 2.3 engine because it's a vibratey bastard at idle).

 

[RobsRanger]

Below the steering wheel, under the plastic panel is a steel brace that the plastic snaps into. The plastic clips on mine broke and the plastic panel rattles against the steel brace. (Especially common on the 2.3 engine because it's a vibratey bastard at idle).

Mine is definitely not under the steering wheel, it’s above by the dash/windshield

 

[Dirtman]

Ghosts?

 

[noticz]

I have been dealing with the same thing for months in my 1988 B2. Any flex of the passenger side suspension and I get a loud tick noise that seems to be coming from the windshield. I think I pinpointed where it is coming from but will have to remove the windshield trim to investigate. The sound coming from the top middle of the windshield where the trim comes together. I also have a clanking rattling noise coming from something under the dash. Only fix is to tear everything apart which would be a winter project. And at that point might as well replace the dash with a new OER dash.

With my lead foot doing 65 mph on off-road trails it was bound to happen but surprised that y'all don't have more suggestions?

 

[Curious Hound]

If you do 65mph on the offroad trails I drive, your problems will become obvious real fast.

maybe have someone else drive it on tough terrain while you poke around and try to find the source of the noise. The truck is so old that plastic fasteners are likely to be loose or broken. Tape holding wire bundles in place is deteriorated and failing, foam pads and rubber bumpers and isolators are deteriorated. There are literally 100’s of things to make noises like that in these old trucks.
Personally, i only worry when my truck gets quiet. Because that means something has fallen off or broken completely free.

 

[Dirt Squirt]

I have a loud whiney noise coming from the passenger seat area. Oh, never mind that is my lovely wife of 39 years.