Hi, I'm pretty new here and recently purchased a 98 4x4 4.0 super cab. I noticed when i got the truck there is a water stain about three inches above the back window and alot of rusty looking crap caked on around the rear clothes hanging post thingy. The water stain is pretty consistent across the whole back, but higher up on the passenger side and very gradually sloping downward across to the driver side. It has the back slide window but I'm pretty sure thats not what is leaking. Any help or ideas would be awesome

Thanks

 

the 3rd brake light is leaking

 

How do you think would be the best way to go about fixing that? I wondered about that so I was going to take the cover off and look at it but it seemed stuck on there pretty well so I didn't bother.

 

get some clear silicone

 

Ok, I went out and looked at it and took the third brake light off. The rubber/foam seal looks pretty bad but i can't really tell if any water is leaking in through there. If i do the silicone, should I apply it to the brake light and screw it on or right onto the body and then put the light back in? If i ever have to change lightbulbs there will it be a big hassel to get it back off if i do the silicone?

 

Check your rear window seal... My 98 had water coming in when i first got it... checked the third brake light as well as cab corners and pin pointed it to a dried out seal. Easy enough to replace and sure enough no more water coming in the cab. My symptons were similiar to that of yours.

- Brad

 

How do I check the actual window seal? I know the black part of the outside of it is just decorative trim. Could you recommend a good place to get a new seal and sort of walk me through the process of removing the window and such? I don't want to wreck anything on the back window.


EDIT:

Ok I found a really nice tutorial on here for replacing the rear window seal, for anyone else that has this issue

https://www.ranger-forums.com/interior-exterior-electrical-123/how-reseal-ranger-rear-window-98-12-a-90474/


Thanks for your help everyone.

 

I just found out yesterday that my back window was leaking. We had a down pour and hear water dripping in. I just sealed the 3rd break light now I have to wait til the next rain fall to see if it worked. Hope you fixed your leak.

 

Mine was also leaking.

Thanks for posting the link above for the how-to.
I wrote up some stuff with pictures as well, to provide another source outside of forums.

It can be found here:
Ford Ranger - Useful-Info

 

I put a bead of clear silicone along the top and sides of rear window seal, seemed to work nicely.

 

funny this thread got bumped up. i had a river of water pouring into my truck last night and i had to throw a tarp on it overnight. replacing the window seal later today ugh

 

I had a leak from the window seal on my 01 XLT. I put silicone around the edge of the window also, and it helped. The problem was completely solved when my son broke out the center-sliding window. New "used" window and new window gasket did wonders...

 

There is an aftermarket gasket available for Rangers, Mazdas and 1999-2003 Ford Super Duty trucks. Go to Ebay and type in Ranger Third Brake Light Seal/Gasket. Don't glue your housing to your cab!

 

I have a 1995 Ranger 4.0. It was pouring yesterday and I noticed it leaking on the passenger side on the lip by rear window. Should I try the brake light which doesn't work, or do you think its the window seal.

 

Impossible to tell without looking but the window seal is considerably more expensive and a boatload more time intensive to replace. I would start with the third brake light gasket.

 

I am going to look at it tom. Thank You

 

had to do this to my 01. I initially thought it was the third brake light but my 97 Rangers third brake light was in much worse shape than the 01. Rear window seals on the rangers arent that great. Its not a hard fix though. I didnt have to buy the seal that goes around the window. Just took the headliner back and got to the bolts that hold the rear window in, then popped it out and but a small bead of butyl sealant around the window seal. I bought a kit at Harbor Freight to remove the rear window and bought some of that butyl sealant at autozone to reseal it. Just make sure you dont get the thick butyl or the window wont sit flush against the cab. the butyl needs to "crush" as you tighten the window down.

But i agree with the above statement. Make sure its not your third brake light first. get some tape and seal off the upper part of the back window where it fits against the cab, get a hose and simulate rain...if it leaks, its probably the third brake light. if it doesnt, and you take thew tape off the top of the seal....and it leaks, thats your culprit.

 

I took the rear panel off and loosened the headliner then undid all the bolts to pull the glass and scrape all the old junk off and got the butyl from someone that worked at a glass company.

it is easy to do though, just have to be careful