What are the tailgate vents really for?

[Yellow Cake Kid]

Does anybody really know what the tail gate vents are for?

I have read several threads that offered plausible conjecture, common sense rationale, random guessing, and/or make believe fantasy stories.

When were the tailgate vents were introduced to Jeep bodies?

Was there ever an official manufacturer's statement indicating the actual intended purpose?

Thank you.

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[Karnak]

It has multi function use but every vehicle has vents or someway of relieving the air pressure in the cab to offset the additional air pressure buildup when closing a door for example or having an exhaust for the surplus air when putting your heater fan on or also reducing the wind noise of having only one open window while driving sometimes creating a pressure build-up inside and annoying sound we all have experienced at some point in older vehicles. I think this is also why the vents (called cab relief vents/exhaust vents) are usually a rubber membrane that is made to open up on positive pressure but closure on Negative pressure to ensure cold air doesn't "get in" which it probably does a bit anyways.

https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-those-rubber-flaps-are-hidden-behind-your-re-1828016409

 

[limeade]

I really doubt Jeep would release a manufacturer statement on an item which is included on every car/truck. These vents help to reduce the pressure inside the cab so when you close a door the windows don't pop out or burst.

My first pickup, a 77 Chevy, had these kind of vents on the back wall of the cab.....so they've been around awhile.

Those vents aren't necessarily important on a soft top (especially older CJ's, YJ's, and TJ's) due to the fitment of the soft top naturally not allowing a build up of air pressure. Not sure if my 77 CJ-5 had tailgate vents, it's been too long since I had it.

 

[Yellow Cake Kid]

The link you posted made a reference to a patent dated 1968. Thank you. The explanation that the exhauster vent is intended to lessen the strain on the heater blower motor makes better sense than any of the other reasons I have encountered.

Thank you.


edit to add a link to the patent:

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/26/6b/c1/70fbf532873e79/US3391628.pdf


.

 

[Tunesoul]

It has multi function use but every vehicle has vents or someway of relieving the air pressure in the cab to offset the additional air pressure buildup when closing a door for example or having an exhaust for the surplus air when putting your heater fan on or also reducing the wind noise of having only one open window while driving sometimes creating a pressure build-up inside and annoying sound we all have experienced at some point in older vehicles. I think this is also why the vents (called cab relief vents/exhaust vents) are usually a rubber membrane that is made to open up on positive pressure but closure on Negative pressure to ensure cold air doesn't "get in" which it probably does a bit anyways.

https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-those-rubber-flaps-are-hidden-behind-your-re-1828016409

This is the correct answer.

 

[roaniecowpony]

You're not going to find a design statement from Jeep. But even the 70s GM and Ford cars had vents in various locations. They started showing up after the lawsuits on carbon monoxide poisoning in the 60s, which forced car makers to take a good look at cabin ventilation. If you were to look for a design standand, possibly SAE would be a likely source.

If this inquiry stems from what tailgate table to get, I had the same concern with some of the more popular ones that completely block the vents.

 

[dski]

All cars allow air to escape the vehicle by design

You're not going to find a design statement from Jeep. But even the 70s GM and Ford cars had vents in various locations. They started showing up after the lawsuits on carbon monoxide poisoning in the 60s, which forced car makers to take a good look at cabin ventilation. If you were to look for a design standand, possibly SAE would be a likely source.

If this inquiry stems from what tailgate table to get, I had the same concern with some of the more popular ones that completely block the vents.

Not a factory rep anymore...but i do know this is true. Modern vehicles are not air tight by design and air is going to flow through the vehicle. I cannot speak to the tailgate vents and all of the answers above are plausible.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Tailgate Exhauster
Mopar 68323649AB

 

[roaniecowpony]

All cars allow air to escape the vehicle by design

....

And vents are that design feature.

As car manufacturers are driven to make quieter vehicles, they necessarily incorporate more air tight sealing of all the cabin doors, windows and other panels. Most vehicles today have double door seals due to the market demand for quieter cabins.

So, completely blocking the tailgate vents with a table is a no-sale for me.

 

[drivingfool]

My TJ had the vents in the hard top. You could see them flutter when closing a door.
I wouldn't block the tailgate vents unless it was topless or a soft top.

 

[oceanblue2019]

Does anybody really know what the tail gate vents are for?

I have read several threads that offered plausible conjecture, common sense rationale, random guessing, and/or make believe fantasy stories.

When were the tailgate vents were introduced to Jeep bodies?

Was there ever an official manufacturer's statement indicating the actual intended purpose?

Thank you.

Hard top on, doors on, windows up, and front-window down. Needs the vents or will blow out the windows....

Truth or urban legend? Not sure, but sounds good

 

[SirMagnus89]

Throw the tailgate shit when all the doors and windows are closed. You can hear the flaps open and shut with the pressure change inside the Jeep.

 

[Buckster]

Definitely to prevent excess pressure when closing doors. I've had a couple of cars that would automatically crack the power window just a bit when opening the door. After the door was closed, it would automatically roll back up. Serves the same purpose.

 

[mwilk012]

Definitely to prevent excess pressure when closing doors. I've had a couple of cars that would automatically crack the power window just a bit when opening the door. After the door was closed, it would automatically roll back up. Serves the same purpose.

no, that is a function of frameless windows, to make the proper seal and protect the glass.

 

[jdhunt0]

Mine flop around and rattle. Is that not their intended purpose?

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