So a few of us have suffered with the third brake light leak. Most have used silicone to seal around the light including myself. Well I decided today to make a rubber gasket seal for it. And here is how I did it.

First I made a template. Cereal boxes are great for making templates.


Cut out template and test fit.



I used an old innertube for the seal. Marked out the template on the innertube and cut it out and test fit.



I did glue the seal to the housing to keep it from moving around and installed.

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03 RANGER EDGE 3.0
60/40 Seat Mod, Expo Full Console, Expo Mod Diff Cover, Thunderbolt Signal Mirrors, Flowmaster, Billet Grills, One Piece Halo Projector Headlights, HID Fogs w/Halos,
LED Lightbar, Euro Taillights, Interior Accents Painted, OHC, Indigo Cluster, 7" LCD Headunit, Mustang Dome Light, Manik Brush Guard
PNW CREW

Nice write up.

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Nice bit of "Redneck Engineering" there.

I was one of the lazy ones who just used some clear silicone instead of the gasket though.

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You guys ever have your high mount brake light harness melt? I went to replace the bulb the other day and it was burned up.

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Automotive Electronics Engineer
2000 XLT 2.5L A/T
Mods:
Explorer OHC
Explorer Autodim Mirrors w/ Autolamps
Explorer Sport White Face Gauges

Great how to!!

x2. Now if I only knew how to keep the water from going in the brake light and causing condensation, then I'll be good lol

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Sunny
2002 Ford Ranger Edge Flex Fuel 2wd
LED Crazy!
Complete Pioneer Audio setup
5000k HID Projector retrofit and 3000k Fogs
Achilles Desert Hawk 255/45/20 with 20'' rims
Looking for a professional retrofitter? Send me a message!

nice write up, im doing it. this would be great with some of that stuff people make their hurst shifter gaskets out of

nicely done Paul!

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2001 Ford Ranger Supercab (4dr), Oxford White, 4.0 Sohc, 4x4, Manual trans (hurst equipped), 4:10's, 3" body lift.

Thanks guys for the comments.

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03 RANGER EDGE 3.0
60/40 Seat Mod, Expo Full Console, Expo Mod Diff Cover, Thunderbolt Signal Mirrors, Flowmaster, Billet Grills, One Piece Halo Projector Headlights, HID Fogs w/Halos,
LED Lightbar, Euro Taillights, Interior Accents Painted, OHC, Indigo Cluster, 7" LCD Headunit, Mustang Dome Light, Manik Brush Guard
PNW CREW

just did this the other day but I used some household air conditioner weatherstripping. It works great !

Mine's disconnected because of the bed cap, so no issues here.

I will need to look at the seal when I go to wire the cap light into the dome light wiring though. I plan to have a disconnect right there at the light for times when the cap has to come off.

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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap

never, i have had a ranger since 2003, and never had an issue with my 2001, and no issue yet with the 2006

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2012 mustang premium v6 pony package
702 crew
XBGT:IKONIK MOPAR

I've had it happen before, not the harness though, it was the sockets that melted.

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1987 2.3/TK5, 125K.

ive had the bottom part of my mount melt on the inside but not noticeable until u take the bl apart lol


great write up! i have some old bike tubes, not as wide as the one you used tho. may have to try it. i think i would do two layers to be safe?

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and a harness i got recently was almost melted but works great still lol

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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts

I finally got tired of cleaning up water messes after a heavy rainfall and followed your (OP) lead and made a gasket, I used a piece of rubber roofing material and cut it so the rubber goes beyond the outside edge of 3rd BL. I did notice that when it was all put back together the top center edge was not clamping up tight, not too loose but enough that if I pressed on the top center edge of the light I could see a little bit of movement. I'm hoping this will take care of the problem once and for all, if not, out comes the silicone chalk.

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1999 XLT 4x4 3.0 Auto Reg. Cab Short Box

Just a little upstream from the former Twin Cities Ranger Factory