Gary's brake light thread

[Gary DuBois]

https://www.partsgeek.com/39c243r-ford-ranger-third-brake-light.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ff&utm_content=UK&utm_campaign=PartsGeek+Google+Base&utm_term=1995-2003%2C+2008-2011+Ford+Ranger+Third+Brake+Light+SKP+95-03%2C+08-11+Ford+Third+Brake+Light+2001+1999&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17182816450&gbraid=0AAAAAD_bfN48RO1pBWCktWzUqmTfhacg7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0uSmj7jmkgMVURKtBh2RCxDzEAQYAiABEgJXf_D_BwE

 

[JoshT]

You should verify that the third brake light is the actual source of your leak. It is also rather common for the rear windows to develop leaks over time.

The third brake light uses a gasket between it and the sheetmetal to seal and that gasket can fail over time. My '99 (and I think dad's '02) has the original gasket in place and are not leaking. If you determine leak to be rear brake light it is your choice to eithe rreplace the entire light assembly, or simply install a new gasket for the one that is there.

If the rear window is leaking you'll need to rmove it to replace the seal. They are held in palce with nuts from the inside, and sealed to the cab with butyl rubber rope. The seal comes in a roll and is available from most auto parts stores. Entirely possible to do the job by yourself, but having an extra set of hands can definitely help. Dad's 02 was leaking around the rear window and he was 69 and probably in similar condition to your dad's friend when he replaced it by himself. I have the feeling that my '99 is probably due for it as well, waiting for some warm dry weather to leave it open and dry out for a few days to see what happens.

 

[Curious Hound]

I want to buy 2 new screws and 2 new tabs then try that before i buy a new 3rd brake light assembly part.

you need to call / stop by your local ford dealer. Maybe you can find them at a generic hardware store but you will have to match them up. Ford doesn't usually publish the kind of screws / clips that they use

they're usually in the self help section in parts stores.

Gary. Do you have pictures of the parts you need?. I often save fasteners and clips when disassemblung things so that I have replacements when I need them. I might have what you need. But they will be used in good condition.

Gary said;

"I called oriellys and they said they have a assortment of clips and screws but not exact 2 clips and 2 screws for a 02 ranger fx4 off road

I took my 2 clips out and my dad looked at the clips and said the 2 screws are threading but when i put the 2 clips back in and tightnened my 2 screws the screws would not tighten all the way

=( "

[Gary. This is all one topic. Please keep it together.]

These are the 2 clips i am talking about - https://www.ebay.com/itm/257284777836?_trkparms=itmf=1&aid=1110006&rkt=5&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&mech=1&algv=DefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRankerWithCassiniEmbRecall&pmt=0&amclksrc=ITM&sd=406593360380&sid=AQALAAAAECZF5j/Dku8u8mhLpLco72I=&itm=257284777836&noa=1&brand=Ford&asc=20200818143230&ao=1&rk=3&pid=101224&b=1&mehot=none&lsid=100&meid=ba818ff7e1334cc18481dafc679c6c74&pg=2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c101224.m-1

I want to find 2 new screws and clips =)

I went to the orielly here in puyallup by riding my wolf king gtr electric scooter with no helmet at 35-40 mph for 3.5 miles away from where i live one way.

The orielly people said they didn't have those 2 new screws and 2 new clips so i will keep looking because my ranger is to nice looking to use cheap silicone so i will continue my searching for those parts that are new and have never been used.

HAPPY FRIDAY =)

I have a few of those screws, but not the plastic expanding nuts. Your screws are probably fine. You just stripped the threads out of the nuts.

Try a autobody supply store for the clips and a hardware store for the screws

not too hard to get.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Needa Parts Nylon Nut Fastener Assortment 12 Piece | AutoZone

Hillman Solutions is a leading North American provider of hardware products, including home improvement products, protective and job site gear solutions including gloves and storage, and robotic technologies encompassing key duplication and accessories, engraving and knife sharpening. Hillman...

www.autozone.com

Will these parts from orielly work -

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/dorman/dorman-1-4-inch-thread-multi-purpose-retainer/dor0/961351d?srsltid=AfmBOoqc5bHeJ002B2Bei5LIu8o3UPVP3nnN8dumko52j_qsARxOv9BM

take your screws and grommets in and match it up. those listed are for 1/4 in fasteners....i was just showing you there are options. go to napa and match it up. they will have them.


short of that...i would probably just get something from the junkyard like a fatty mc fatt pine cone push fastener in there with a 3/32 hole drilled and run the screws back in....or just get the retainers...

what are the size fasteners that i need for my third brake light on my 2002 ranger fx4 off road. I don't want to have to take the fasterners out a 3rd time until i find and buy the replacement fasteners.

well....you should.

the odds of me buying a ranger with a third brake light of that vintage are damn near zero. so i dont know what you have exactly....maybe yours was already modified and the wrong stuff anyway...

since you managed to strip them its probably time worth spending. if you are buying them on the spot what difference is there? 2 screws.

the link you posted i would say #8 would be better....but the size of the square hole is also a thing.

 

[Curious Hound]

View attachment 139757

Ford Nylon Nut Fits 1/4 Hole #8 or #10 Screw Size

Ford Nylon Nut Fits 1/4 Hole #8 or #10 Screw Size

www.clipsandfasteners.com

my 02 ranger has the factory 2 fasteners and i did not strip them out. I will keep looking until i find what i need.

I like that link the best so far but maybe i can find them local and then go in and pick them up =)

If they don't work, then SOMEBODY stripped them out. Doesn't matter who. You need to measure the hole and measure the diameter of the screws and figure out what to buy.

You can find charts on-line to figure out the dimensions of threaded fasters. That screw is not a common machine screw thread. But its diameter will be close to the same. So, if it measures 5/32" or 0.15625", then it is a #8 screw size. You can do this.


View attachment 139764

I wish i was able to find those exact fasteners at oriellys because i like oriellys auto parts they use to be called schucks auto parts if i remember correctly.

for exact replacement, you may need to go to Ford. go in person, tell them what you need, year of truck etc, they can look it up on their system and they might even have them in stock. (take your old ones to compare) I had to do this for the stupid plastic clips for the tailgate handle on my 97 because all the auto parts stortes did not have anything that worked. some were close but still didn't work. you might be surprised at how cheap OEM Ford hardware might be, it cost me 11 bucks for two new plastic clips, made by ford. I can't imagine those being that much.

As for stripped, your clips may have also been aftermarket (maybe the previous owner needed to replace them and found a Dorman version and they were a so-so fit and now you are dealing with the fall out. give Ford a try.

AJ

Do you have an Ace Hardware nearby? They are much more helpful than my local O'Reilly. They'll help you find what you're looking for, or something close enough. The stark reality is that these vehicles are getting old enough that OEM is just not available for smaller bits and pieces.

Now, what a lot of people do is future model compatibility research, and similar model year research, because sometimes those parts have a different part number but are either the same or similar.

I kind of want to reiterate what some other guys have said in that it's not necessary or even possible to find those exact screws or clips, but that it doesn't matter because another clip will do what you need, and in the end, maybe you could help us by telling us what you did find, here in this thread. I am actually looking for screws for my tail lights, too.

 

[Curious Hound]

I called ford and the parts counter guy said it will cost $6.50 per clip for my third brake light on my 2002 ford ranger

Does that diagram picture look correct

Link doesn’t work

Price sounds about right for them. Probably sold as a pack of 4

Looking at the picture on an actual computer, that appears to be the right diagram

looks right to me. for 13 bucks for the pair, I would call it good and order them.

AJ

 

[Curious Hound]

I want to buy a new third brake light so my leak stops and i have a brighter light with a clean look =)

Can probably still get one from ford

Keeping water out is a matter of keeping it sealed - new gasket, maybe some caulk. Butyl rubber sealant like they use on RVs would be just about perfect.

New Light? My choice would be a good quality aftermarket unit. Check Google, Amazon, eBay

You can try this place. I don't know them and have not dealt with them, just heard the name mentioned.

https://www.tascaparts.com/search?page=8&search_str=Third%2Bbrake%2Blight%2B&year=&make=&model=&catalog_type=parts&=

View attachment 140642

Thank You but they are asking $92.73 when i can get that dorman one from orielly that cost $69.99

Pay the extra to get the ford one

Pull yard for about $15 or less. Not new, but not 70 bucks either. New, better sealant will stop the leak. That's how I fixed mine.

I've ordered stuff from LMC before, but the quality of what you get from them kind of varies and the website doesn't say who made what. I don't know if they could tell you if you call them or not. I ordered both right and left drum brake hardware kits from them at the same time. Both sides were the same price, but when they arrived one side was Doorman and the other was Motorcraft. Their $19 radius arm bushing set was Energy Suspension and made in the USA.

So for $60.65 this could be the Doorman one, or it could be the Ford one, or it could be something else if anyone else makes them.

https://www.lmctruck.com/lighting/third-brake/fr-1993-11-third-brake-light

They also have LED conversions for $48.55 and $64.95.

https://www.lmctruck.com/lighting/third-brake/fr-1993-05-led-third-brakecargo-light

 

[Curious Hound]

Right now my rangers third brake light has water inside on the left side.

I want to get this problem fixed as soon as possible because i live here in wet washington.

Should i buy this part

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/dorman-oe-solutions/dorman-oe-solutions-third-brake-light-assembly/doe0/923206/v/a/5521/automotive-truck-2002-ford-ranger

Do not get a dorman. Pay the extra for a ford one

Do you have the link for a ford one

No I don’t. You’ll have to reach out to a ford dealer or search parts.ford.com

Also, if the lens is not cracked you can try replacing the gasket. They are about $10 on Amazon.

fordpartsgiant.com might have a OEM one

 

[Curious Hound]

Pardon Our Interruption...

I checked about 5 minutes ago and no water is getting into my cab from my third brake light i took my 2 screws out and i took my third brake light off and there was a tiny amount of water inside the bottom left of my third brake light so those 2 new third brake light tabs that i bought and installed are keeping alot more water out compared to the old ones.

Does anyone know if the gasket is one piece with the third brake light / I forgot to look when i was out there LOL.

I don't understand how you have at least Four different threads about your third brake light. It's all the same topic of 'third brake light'. In the future, consolidate your topic to a single thread.

Please delete three of those threads and only keep the best one =) I promise to consolidate my topic to only 1 single thread from now on.