Hi Everyone,
Been raining miserably here in NC and tonight I got in the truck and to my dismay the headliner all above the back window and the floor around the jack area was soaked. Is it coming in around the hi mount middle brake light? I don't have a sliding rear window or super cab.

Thanks a bunch,

 

That sounds like the only place it could come from.......unless you have a hole in your roof.

 

I had this same pronlem in my 1991 and it took me like 3 weeks to find it. It ended up that i had a small crack in my rain gutter. That was the last place and the place i kept overlooking. I know you dont have gutters so here it goes. Check the seal and see if there is a gap. Sometimes the spacer on the door latch comes off and leaves a small gap for water to come in. Check your window seal. And yes check the brake light.

 

my 93 leaked... actually came from the front windshield seal... CHECK ALL YOUR SEALS!!!

 

mine had the same problem and instead of it being around my third brake light, it actually turned out to be a bad seal between the window and the truck body itself. I just had to re-set the rear window and it solved all problems. Also, I first suspected the brake light for being the cause of the problem because that is where is started soaking in...

 

i have a question i think i have a third brake light on my truck. Its a 1999 ford ranger stepside and i don't think the brake light works. How do i get it to work. thanks

 

It could be the seal on the third brake light, but it could also be the window gasket or the corners of the cab. If it is the brake light, you are kind of stuck either getting a new light ($35 or so at the dealer, built in seal), or using silicone. If you go the silicone route, it will be a pain to change the bulb later on. Leaking cab corners can be fixed with silicone, but I'm not sure how well it will seal up the window.

 

Replace the bulb first. Remove the screws on each side of the light and pull it out. Turn the bulb socket to remove it from the lens and replace the bulb. Do not overtighten the screws when putting the lens back on the truck or you may end up with a leak.

 

3rd brakelight seems to be the blame; either seal it up with some caulk or just buy a new one (would probably look better..lol).

If you have a 95+ Ranger, get an 05+ superduty 3rd brakelight, they look much better than the ranger lights

superduty light on top/ ranger light on bottom; tell me which one looks better?

 

3rd brake light

 

mine had the same problem today theres bolyts the tthe rigjht and ;eft side of the mdiddle of the headiner silicone them ahould solves your problem


*(sorrt im prettyy effed up right now(

 

BJ -Does the whole brake light assembly come off or just the glass (plastic) part? Does the rubber base stay on?

The 05 Superduty looks a lot better by the way. I was thinking about changing mine out as I upgrade my look on the 98 Splash. Good find.

 

The super duty looks great! I will try this method first and update.

Thanks all.

 

my 92 leaks in the firewall I THINK, everytime it rains my carpet in the front gets soaked with water... and the worst part about it is it winter time and we just got a big snowfall and now its melting. Like the other guys said check you windshield seal because you could be most likley be leaking from there if your headliner is wet.

 

Do you have the part number of the super duty middle brake light? thanks

 

Dealer says light cost $60 bucks.

 

$60 my friend. I'll caulk it.

 

go to wal mart and buy some of this:



Thats what i used on mine. works fine

 

I got mine for 30 bux on ebay, check there, and junk-yards- unless you're good at sweet talkin the parts guy lol.. The caulk will look trashy, I did that at first, then just bought a new one.

 

The whole assembly comes off, gasket and all.

 

Thanks Alan. The first time I tried to get it off because the light burned out, was at about 20,000 miles back in 99. Since it was under warranty and I didn't know better I just took it to the dealer to have them replace it. They ended up putting a 1/2 inch scratch on my roof down to the bare metal.

I was so ticked, I forgot to ask. They repainted it, but did a poor job. That's the only part of my ranger that is showing any clear coat problems/fade in Florida.
I am going to get the roof repainted later this spring. I am just going to have to go a little ape removing the brake light assembly this time. Gettin' a smoked one.