Windshield Leak
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 169
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From: Kissimmee
Windshield Leak
I have a theory on rusted floorboards on the driver's side. My windshield leaks and has leaked its whole life, due to a windshield gasket(weather stripping) around the window. I removed the rubber mat and found a patch panel exactly where it is leaking. I found a few rust holes underneath that patch panel on the floorboard. It leaks from where the gasket starts and ends on the windshield. And I know this is not with my truck only. I went to the junkyard and found the same issues with 1973 to 1979 F series trucks. I think Ford knew of this issue! If not they would have not made patch panels for the floorboard. What else would make a floorboard rust? This is a Florida truck since day one.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: I live in a warehouse in
I have noticed that same thing in trucks at the boneyard. I have also noticed rust on the passenger side underneath the heater core where it mounts to the firewall. It's almost as if the heater core had a very slow leak or (more likely) moisture gets through the firewall where the hoses mount and rusts the floor underneath.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wabaunsee,KS
My 1978 F-350 super camper special has this same problem. Yeh, it's from a bad windshield weatherstripping. I've watched it leak during a rain storm. The water runs down the inner A-pillar, behind the dash, and then down the kick panels before hitting the floor pan. Which are rusted out of course. I did a quick fixx in the meanwhile with some clear silicone under the weatherstripping (w.s.). I did this from the outside of the cab. I removed the chromed bead molding to loosen the w.s. so it could held back while I squeezed the silicone under it. This has stopped the leaking for now. Now I just need to remedy the cheesy floorboards. Got some POR-15 already. May try to slow the rusting process with that stuff. Dale
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
my truck never had a issue with leaking anywhere . i just replaced the gasket and installed a new windshield then leak tested it is perfect. i think you need to pull the windshield and reseal it. or have someone do it.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 199
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From: Griffin. GA
knock on wood, but i've never had a windsheild leak either. My back window seal has a spot on each side where it puddles a little water and then drips down, but thats b/c its all cracked and worn out after almost 30 years of sun and weather. I don't have chrome molding either, i wonder if maybe that was the problem?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wabaunsee,KS
Forgot to mention......my 78 F-350 Ranger was owned by a farmer since it was a year old ( found paperwork in the glovebox). I will be using it to pull a car trailer. Since it's not a show truck, I'll be hoping that the silicone will remedy the windshield leak problem for a while. I cannot fully justify pulling the windshield for a gasket/ weatherstrip replacement.
Also.....my rear glass leaks at the corners too. It's a replacement style sliding glass.
The chrome trim ( centered on the gasket / weatherstrip and mounted in a channel ) kinda tensions it so it seals against the glass better.
Also.....my rear glass leaks at the corners too. It's a replacement style sliding glass.
The chrome trim ( centered on the gasket / weatherstrip and mounted in a channel ) kinda tensions it so it seals against the glass better.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Griffin. GA
ohh, heh so i guess the chrome kinda helps, but my back window isn't sliding, which would make sense of the leak, but its in a really odd spot.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wabaunsee,KS
The rear glass leaks come thru on the inside on each corner. Actually in about 4 inches or so on the bottom edge. There is a factory seam there where the sheetmetal overlaps. If you look on your cab I'm sure you would understand the location I'm talking about. It doesn't amount to much really. I still need to silicone the rear glass to try and stop it though. I already did the windshield just haven't made an attempt on this rear glass yet.
Truck has many problems that are more important at this time.
Truck has many problems that are more important at this time.
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From: clementsport canada
ask any auto glass shop, they should be able to put some proper sealer around the window, under the gasket and stop the leaking, without pulling the windows... it's a quick, easy and cheap fix, that won't haunt you again if you wanna paint the truck.