does anyone know where I can find parts for the sunroof latch and also the weatherstripping to keep water from leaking threw my sunroof in a 86 ranger? i have searched high and low and can not find anything for 1st gen ranger sunroof parts.
I have a "Factory" sunroof in my '87 supercab and after more than a decade
with it I can tell you that if it's leaking it probably isn't the rubber weatherstrips.
Where it's much more likely to be leaking is between the metal frame and the painted roof panel.
when the original adhesive foam seal fails water leaks via capillary action
the best fix for this isn't silicone or even urethane windshield adhesive...
What I used last time on mine is 3M heavy duty foam emblem mounting tape
The 1/2" wide Grey stuff.
you'll need three of the small packages they sell at walmart or most auto parts stores, because you'll need to put two layers of it on the frame before reinstalling the frame.
I've installed or resealed these sunroof assemblies about a dozen times.
I will not do this job again with any other sealing material.
If you remove the headliner one day and remove, clean up and reinstall the second day you can
have the sunroof in and out in an afternoon. then re-install the headliner after you verify that it isn't leaking.
the "seal job" shown on the explorer forum is great for wind noise if the frame or roof and the
glass panel don't fit each other perfectly... but it is only masking the real symptom, that the "seal"
at the base of the "turtle neck" around the lift mechanism is leaking (this is invariably the source of leaks near the knob)
AD