Leaking clearance lights?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 34
Leaking clearance lights?
I was reading some threads on this but I couldn't figure out whether it was a problem limited to some years or whether all years are susceptible to incoming rain water through the light holes.
Im about to order a truck and trying to decide whether the eye candy is worth it.
Im about to order a truck and trying to decide whether the eye candy is worth it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 198
Likes: 101
From: Georgia
My two cents: if it isn't mandatory to have holes drilled in your roof for those little plastic lights (e.g. you have a DRW), I would not get them. Less holes drilled into your perfect new roof, the better as far as I am concerned. Over time, they are susceptible to water intrusion unless you stay up on resealing them periodically.
Last edited by Stiletto364; Apr 25, 2026 at 11:58 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,668
Likes: 4,764
From: Itinerant
Going back to '88' all my trucks have had the clearance lights never an issue.
Personally I like them and don't fear the covered hole in the roof. Also don't fear a 9000 mile oil change either. Maybe just a risk taker.....LOL.
Personally I like them and don't fear the covered hole in the roof. Also don't fear a 9000 mile oil change either. Maybe just a risk taker.....LOL.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 2,195
I was reading some threads on this but I couldn't figure out whether it was a problem limited to some years or whether all years are susceptible to incoming rain water through the light holes.
Im about to order a truck and trying to decide whether the eye candy is worth it.
Im about to order a truck and trying to decide whether the eye candy is worth it.
with the increasing popularity of home pressure washers there is a creater likely hood of water intrusion under those conditions...but..if low pressure washing is being used and you have sunroof, leaks are morelikel cuased by clogged sun roof drain holes which cuase the water to over flow and drip into the cab. agrevated by parking on slopes.....not a perfect system.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 244
Likes: 96
From: New England
I was reading some threads on this but I couldn't figure out whether it was a problem limited to some years or whether all years are susceptible to incoming rain water through the light holes.
Im about to order a truck and trying to decide whether the eye candy is worth it.
Im about to order a truck and trying to decide whether the eye candy is worth it.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 306
Likes: 211
Dont grab them and use as support when removing dirt, snow ice, cleaning top of cab.......this is my guess how they get compromized.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,835
Likes: 106
From: Martinsburg, WV
They especially are good when your 6'8" truck needs to go under a 7'2" parking garage... The reflection of the light is handy.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 778
From: SoCal/Wyoming
I have had them on a few trucks since the 80s and I have never had an issue with them. While I have driven in some heavy rainstorms, I wash my truck with low-pressure water from a garden hose. I would not expect them to hold up to a pressure washer or a self-serve car wash if you are holding the nozzle right up to the light.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4,019
Likes: 2,335
I don't have any opinion on them. If you have them you just have to periodically maintain the gaskets like all rubber parts. As mentioned there are already two large holes drilled for those danged antennas that I didn't ask for.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 34
I ordered a Cayman last year. They let me delete the XM roof wart at the factory. Car looks so clean without it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,835
Likes: 106
From: Martinsburg, WV
Depending on options, sat radio, nav, 5g antenna
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 790
Likes: 232
"gear" oil in my starter, burn up and leak out (like an oil leak).
My first new car, 86 Capri 5.0 had it's orig stock struts/shocks for 20 odd years.
In fact, I can't recall any new car I've owned in 40 years, having a strut/shock completely
fail this soon (before now).
I would say past perf has nothing to do with what Ford is putting out these days.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,114
Likes: 1,645
But are we talking Ford's current quality? Under 5K miles, I already had oil leak out of a shock and
"gear" oil in my starter, burn up and leak out (like an oil leak).
My first new car, 86 Capri 5.0 had it's orig stock struts/shocks for 20 odd years.
In fact, I can't recall any new car I've owned in 40 years, having a strut/shock completely
fail this soon (before now).
I would say past perf has nothing to do with what Ford is putting out these days.
"gear" oil in my starter, burn up and leak out (like an oil leak).
My first new car, 86 Capri 5.0 had it's orig stock struts/shocks for 20 odd years.
In fact, I can't recall any new car I've owned in 40 years, having a strut/shock completely
fail this soon (before now).
I would say past perf has nothing to do with what Ford is putting out these days.