clearance lights

[ETurner]

I washed my truck today, I notice there was water in the clearance lights on the roof. I removed the lense to try to dry it, but I couldn't. Has anyone else had this problem?Do I take it back to the dealer for new lenses, or seal them with silicone?

 

[Casey Balvert]

Yup first time I washed mine three of the five leaked where the top and bottom are glued together. The dealer replaced them. I ran a bead of gelled cyanoacrylate along each seam of the new ones before installing them. No prolem since. Did the same to the old ones which I stuck up on the shelf just in case.



Casey

 

[Rosco]

On my first '03 I had to replace one of mine due to condensation in the lens. The parts guy gave me one under warranty and asked if I would just return the bad one when I switched it, which I did and after that it was O. K.



Previously, my '01 2500 had water drip out of the trip computer which was also the result of a bad light/gasket.



Therefore when I ordered my second '03 I specifically did not get the cab clearence lights since my previous two experience's with them were lousy. However, I know you guys have 3500's so you had no choice.



If its any consolation both Ford's where I work have water in every clearence light on the roof.

 

[MMeier]

Not only do I have water in the lights, My freakin' sunvisor mounts drip water inside the truck everytime it rains or I wash it!!:{ dealer ordered 5 new lights last week and should be in by midweek. Hopefully not as long as it took to get my exhaust brake in!! See what happens when they swap the lights out!!

 

[rbattelle]

Well, I noticed after washing it today the middle light has a hairline crack in it, which is just enough to allow water to seep in. So I'm up there taking it off so I can dry it out a little, and as I'm putting it back on I fumble with one of the screws and it rolls down the windshield. Of course, I lost the little nylon washer that was on it. On the bright side, I didn't lose the screw.



When you get a replacement light, does it come with new screws/washers?

 

[MMeier]

Don't know the ste**er installed the 5 replacements, was under the impression they were supposed to come with screws, washers, gaskets, etc. .

 

[Dean Upson]

I bought a tailgate clearance light for my louvered tailgate and the screws did not come with it. Most replacement lights probably would not have screws and washers with them because many of them would just get thrown away, as you would use the originals. If you know any of the mechanics at the dealership, he may have the part you need in his "junk box", or you could check with a body shop.



Dean

 

[loncray]

My clearance lights leaked into the roof - drips came out my sunvisor - so I had the dealer replace them - they leaked again once and they rereplaced 2 of them - they're fine now. I'm betting DC got a load of bad gaskets.

 

[JHardwick]

Originally posted by rbattelle

Well, I noticed after washing it today the middle light has a hairline crack in it, which is just enough to allow water to seep in. So I'm up there taking it off so I can dry it out a little, and as I'm putting it back on I fumble with one of the screws and it rolls down the windshield. Of course, I lost the little nylon washer that was on it. On the bright side, I didn't lose the screw.



When you get a replacement light, does it come with new screws/washers?

I can make you one



My '99 leaked into the overhead console. The mounting screw had been over tighten and it split the washer, whipped out a new one!



I'm sure the local hardware store can hook you up!

 

[ThomasLawrence]

I had the same happening on my '99. The water was getting underneath the screw heads, and winding it's way down the threads, dripping into the roof, and eventually out the trip computer. I didn't feel like messing with new washers or gaskets around the screw heads - I just sealed over the screws with some clear silicone. If I ever have to replace a bulb, it's not hard to dig through the silicone and back the screw out, then re-seal it again.



No leaks in almost 4 years with this approach

 

[SSage]

I have water "drops" in one of mine, I persume no water at all should be in them right? Are they hard to replace? I guess I need to do a water hose test.

 

[rbattelle]

They should be bone dry inside. Replacement couldn't be easier. 2 screws. Worst you can do is screw up like me and lose one of the washers.

 

[goodwid]

Was just reading this Thread and decided to have a look at my clearence lights. I noticed a little water on my dash after washing it the other day.



4 of the 5 plastic lenses have multiple hairline cracks in them and also have moisture present on the insides. Sounds like a common proplem all round, then again so did my 02 gasser in the rear tail lens.



I will have to bring this up with the "Service" folks next time I'm in Town.

 

[zari]

Speaking of tailgate lights...

A little off-topic... I replaced the 'standard' tailgate with a louvered one for use with the 5er. The dealership told me "no big deal not to have clearance lights on it".



Is that so? (If I get a ticket, I'll take it to the dealership ... )



Are there clearance ligths that can be mounted on the louvered gate? What have others done in this case? Or should I just take the ones off my original tailgate?



Alain.

 

[Ladders]

Zari,

by no means and "expert" on the DOT regs, but ifn it was me, I would take them off the old and find a place for them on the new (or maybe below the gate). If I was with the 5th all the time (wishing yet!! ) I'd not worry as the 5th would hide/cover the rear. But ifn I run solo more then.....



just another "bad" opinion... .



SOTSU!!

\\BF//



EDIT: you could also use a thin LED bar. http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/pac207013series.html has 2 sizes. 12 or 20 ifn I recalls.

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: Speaking of tailgate lights...

Originally posted by zari





Are there clearance ligths that can be mounted on the louvered gate? What have others done in this case? Or should I just take the ones off my original tailgate?



Alain.

I bought the same lights as on my regular tailgate from Mopar. You have to buy the harness also.



Dean

 

[Casey Balvert]

I did the same thing as Dean. Of course it looks better on BLACK truck.



Casey



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[zari]

Great!

I guess the lights (and harness) can be ordered from the mopar Web site? I s'pose it's not too complicated to mount the lights on the gate?



Thanks. Alain.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Casey Balvert

I did the same thing as Dean. Of course it looks better on BLACK truck.



Casey





MAYBE in Canada, it does .



Dean

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: Great!

Originally posted by zari

I guess the lights (and harness) can be ordered from the mopar Web site? I s'pose it's not too complicated to mount the lights on the gate?



Thanks. Alain.

I got the parts from my local Dodge Truck dealer. I made a simple metal back (you could use Lexan or Plexiglas) and got some long screws and fashioned some metal brackets for the inside of the talegate and tightened it on. I put some velcro (loop side) on the metal brackets to keep it from rubbing on the tailgate. Pretty simple.



Dean