Stupid Question?

[aerotruk63]

Look for rust patterns on the outside of the frame.

[Captainfab]

This sounds to me like the most sensible function of the tubes.....seems like a good idea, particularily in Texas where it's hot.

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

How about a place to discard that "stash" (brewski's or wacky weed or ??) as you are being pulled over by the police.

All silliness aside, perhaps it was merely a way to get air flow to circulate through the dash / kick panel vents and then out through the vent tubes? The working man's Astro Ventilation?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

This sounds to me like the most sensible function of the tubes.....seems like a good idea, particularily in Texas where it's hot.

But Texan's don't drink & drive....

[lakeroadster]

Scoti,

It's Astro Ventilation, not Houston Astros Inebriation.

[Northern lights]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

perhaps it was merely a way to get air flow to circulate through the dash / kick panel vents and then out through the vent tubes?

A good possibility. I know with my truck, the kick panel vents flow alot better with a window open. Also, they could be to vent the cab to make the doors close easier. I have to slam the door to close mine but if I crack a window, they close rather easily.

[aerotruk63]

You could drive in the rain with the windows closed and ventilate the cab.

[lakeroadster]

I work near a Dodge dealership. They have a number of new Ram duallie trucks with no beds on them and the trucks have (2) large vents on the back of the cabs located where they would be hidden by the bed See picturr below. The actual vents look like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...ltDomainQ5f100

I am thinking this would be an excellent addition for our trucks. Anybody have any experience with these and are they also used on new Chevies and Fords?

I did find this interesting patent on-line in regards to "cab ventilation".

United States Patent 5779536

Truck cab ventilation system and method

A truck cab ventilation system and method which includes an air exhaust channel that extends from an upper channel portion adjacent the ceiling at the rear of the cab and through a lower channel portion to an exhaust vent mounted adjacent the floor of the cab over an exit opening in such floor. An inlet vent in the front of the cab produces a positive pressure within the cab which causes flow-through ventilation air flow from the front to the rear of the cab when the truck is moving. As a result, air flows into the upper channel portion of the exhaust channel and out of the exhaust vent through the exit opening to the exterior of the cab. The exhaust vent includes flexible louvers of elastomer which are held by gravity in a closed position and are moved into an open position when air flows out through the exhaust system.

[Northern lights]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Anybody have any experience with these and are they also used on new Chevies and Fords?

My 2001 Ford superduty has the same vents.

[onequickchevy]

Sounds like the most plausible idea for sure (and a great idea to boot) . It is strange to see what people add to their cars. I once saw a mid eightees caprice with a box welded in the floor board so the upstanding owner could hide certain things. We were doing a custom paint job and interior on that one back when I earned my living painting cars.....don't miss that clientele for sure