Wet headliner, but at least my wipers worked!

[jballard81]

My painstakingly renewed headliner got wet (first time in rain). Right by the rear window. I was thinking maybe the gasket/whatever on the cargo light, so whipped up a gasket for it.

But when I was putting it in, I noticed how much the window was pulled away from the body.

I saw that there should be some butyl tape in there fighting the good fight, but seems like a big gap. I guess I could wait for the headliner to dry
and then pour some water on it again and see what happens

Opinions?

 

[JoshT]

I think we need to do this on dad's 2000. Sounds like his leak is lower than yours, his does not get the headliner wet.

You could try what you suggest, or maybe it's just time to pull and reseal the window. That's what I'm planning to do on dad's, just need to figure out the size of butyl rope that is needed.

 

[jballard81]

I went ahead an put in the gasket I made for the cargo light.
I'm going to look up the procedure to replace the butyl tape on the whole thing. My luck with this truck it's probably the whole seal.

 

[JoshT]

If you find it or do it, please post a link or the details. On this one it's a matter of pulling the interior trim, unbolting the glass and sliding it out. I think it's the same for all Extended cab Rangers, atleast the 93+ ones, but I've never done it on any of them.

 

[jballard81]

If you find it or do it, please post a link or the details. On this one it's a matter of pulling the interior trim, unbolting the glass and sliding it out. I think it's the same for all Extended cab Rangers, atleast the 93+ ones, but I've never done it on any of them.

Looks like the headliner needs to be pulled or moved some for the rear top bolts. I gotta do some more research, but will write it up when/if I do it

 

[jballard81]

I made a gasket for my cargo light. Today I went through a rain storm. It was NOT the problem

So I need to replace the butyl tape on the rear window.

Looks like I'm going to be pulling the interior again. Though I'm looking for a replacement for the whole b-pillar trim I broke when I did my headliner. Don't want to pull all of that stuff twice of not needed.

Will probably put some type of tape on it if I have to drive in the rain in the near future...

 

[KaHOnas]

I have a similar issue, I think.

My '99 super cab has been getting wet at the base of the headliner. I siliconed the crap out of the brake light but it had no noticeable effect. I also have the gap around the rear window trim. I'm not looking forward to pulling that. Have you done it yet?

 

[jballard81]

I have a similar issue, I think.

My '99 super cab has been getting wet at the base of the headliner. I siliconed the crap out of the brake light but it had no noticeable effect. I also have the gap around the rear window trim. I'm not looking forward to pulling that. Have you done it yet?

I have. It's not too bad, remove the headliner and the trim underneath the window to find the 8 or so nuts above and below the window.
Then you can carefully push it out, clean it up to remove the old butyl tape. Add new butyl tape and reinstall the nuts being careful to tighten them down evenly between them.

Since then I've washed it, left it outside in rain and driven it in rain with no more wet headliner.

 

[KaHOnas]

Thanks. It's good to know that you had success with this. I didn't want to dig into this project only to discover the problem was caused by something else. I guess I have another weekend project in my future.

 

[jballard81]

Here's the replacement butyl tape I used

3M Windo-Weld Round Ribbon Sealer, 08611, 5/16 in x 15 ft Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQ4AOE?tag=959media-20

 

[KaHOnas]

Man, 3M is proud of their stuff but if it works, I guess it's worth it. Thanks for the link!

 

[jballard81]

Man, 3M is proud of their stuff but if it works, I guess it's worth it. Thanks for the link!

She's a little pricey for sure. Don't look at how much it costs at the auto parts store!

 

[Bill]

I recently had a leak that was due to loose retaining on the screws that hold the windows in. I tightened them and so far no leak. However, the loose nuts allowed a gap to form between the butyl rope and the body and that has certainly allowed dust to get in there which affects adhesion and that could potentially leak in the future. I'm going to replace the butyl rope to prevent that problem.

 

[Brain75]

$33 wow... I feel much better about my $3 tube of generic RTV butyl rubber I used on the window of my '48

 

[jballard81]

I recently had a leak that was due to loose retaining on the screws that hold the windows in. I tightened them and so far no leak. However, the loose nuts allowed a gap to form between the butyl rope and the body and that has certainly allowed dust to get in there which affects adhesion and that could potentially leak in the future. I'm going to replace the butyl rope to prevent that problem.

Tightening the nuts to get the window back in place with the new tape was probably the toughest part of the job to me. I spent a little while to make sure I was tightening them evenly across the window. Even then, at the end there might have been a tiny gap but I didn't feel comfortable cranking on it anymore