Help, have had a leak in my 2002 Ford Ranger 4x4 XLT for months (no money to go to a repair shop at the moment), now have swishing water behind the seats under the carpet. Ford dealer said I would have to remove the carpet and that all I had to do was pop off the moulding??? I am female and work inside and out, but not really good when it comes to anything other than oil and fluids.. I do not know where to begin or what tools I need to peel back that carpet and get to the water that is most certainly going to rust out the bottom of my truck.... Please help if you can. New to the site so not good a navigating to the right forum if this is not it.... thank you, anyone who is reading this.

 

First welcome to R-F.

Take out your seats, they simply unbolt.
The cup holder has to come out and the moldings around the carpet.
Most of the moldings are push pins.

As for the water leak check the 3rd brake light and around the rear windshield. very common areas for leaks.

Make a signature so we can see what you own

 

How do I make a signature? Take a photo of the truck? If you can navigate me I can do this tomorrow... thank you.

 

Go to the R-F main screen
Top left it will say user CP go there
Click edit signature

Include details on your truck
Year
engine
2 or 4wd
mods you've done

 

https://www.ranger-forums.com/profil...=editsignature

 

here are two threads that deal with removing the flooring.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/showth...ghlight=carpet
https://www.ranger-forums.com/showth...ghlight=carpet

 

i believe in your truck the front seat bolts are a 15mm and the rear ones are a 17mm..once you get the seat out the rest is pretty much self explainator and easy.....most common prob is the seal on the third brake light which can be done from the outside by removing 2 phillip head screws. I would recommend doin that first just because its the easiest and cheapest. but you will prob have to remove the carpet anyways and let it try out so it wont mold and stink up your truck...lol.

 

I will start with the brake light. Just remove and use what silicone..I guess I will see what is under there.... all new experience.

 

once you get the brake light off you'll see that they install a rubber gasket under there....you can get a new one from the dealer for just a few bucks.

 

Is there a special tool you need to remove the moldings? Screw Driver? The pins must be under the molding I gather but do not want to damage the molding by removing it incorrectly. Thanks.

 

Thank you I will go to NAPA and see if they have one and get more SILICONE... would be great if this does it..

 

which moldings are you refering to? most of the interior stuff is help in by push in's which with a nice hard tug they will pop right out. If something feels like it doesn't wanna come out just feel around good with your fingers to check for any possible screws.

 

Remember, I am not a male so I am doing my best in the truck area... love my truck, but never had to repair it myself and now I do. The moldings that run front to back of the truck. I was hoping to remove the portion on the driver side where I hear the water swishing around. I was told I cannot just razor blade into the carpet, although I sure would like to if it would be easier to get to the water.

 

if your refering to the window moldings..the side ones are held on by screws..the back one you will have to remove the rear glass...as far as that goes all you should have to do is remove the interior in that area and see where the water is standing if any.

 

Thank you for all the great information. I was referring to the floor behind the passenger and driver seats. Water has leaked I believe from the brake light and also use to come in like a faucet in the top corner ceiling at the back window ( after silcone it is just a trickle now, but still there) Crazy part is I hear the water swishing and it comes out from there as I see it on my running board on the driver side...that is the carpet I would like out of there...

 

best thing i can suggest is..if you have comprehensive on your insurance, get a new back glass....step 2 go to junkyard and find a rubber floor cover instead of the carpet and get rid of the carpet. i like the rubber floor better just for that reason and its easier to clean if it gets dirt or mud on it. I just went through the same thing except my front windshield and rear slider glass was leaking. Got new front and rear glass and installed for free.

 

Oh cool, you're from Copley! I'm from Tallmadge, welcome to R/F neighbor haha.

 

I had this same thing happen to me for months, put silicone around the 3rd brake light and everything is all good, no leaks. Definitely try this first.