Deleting rear flappy vents?

[fourfa]

These things that live behind the rear bulkhead cover panel in the cab:

Anyone see any major downsides to replacing these 6"x6.5" openings with airtight metal panels? Reason being, I'm doing a house battery system with DC/DC converter and bulky LiFePo battery inside the cab behind the rear seats. I'd like to use the right spot as a mount point for the DC/DC converter; on the left to make more space for the battery; and both as electrical cable passthroughs to and from the bed. I'd also like to add sound deadening over the thin sheet metal here - the rubber vent flaps are paper thin, and right in front of the rear wheels. Seems like a lot of road noise comes in through these. You can see in the pics I'm adding a lot of kilmat all over, now that I have the back panel off. Seems like it could help?

Also, having cleared rodent nests out of the A/C system on one truck, and the engine air box of another, I'm generally in favor of blocking off critter entry points like these.

I understand these are there to vent overpressure when you slam the doors. I can't really see giving a shit about that. Anyone aware of any other reasons before I just go for it and see what happens?

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[robinja]

Would make a nice spot for a secret lock box. Makes me want to see if there is a ready made marine box that fits the dimensions.

 

[mountainpass]

Those are there per feds so that air passes through cab all the time vehicle is moving to prevent carbon monoxide building up.

 

[DylanM]

I believe they also play a role in allowing the HVAC fan to more easily blow air into the vehicle when the system isn't set on recirculate. Without an outlet for the cabin air, the volume of fresh air from the vents is reduced.

 

[fourfa]

Ah, that makes sense. I will probably add some relief valve to one of my panels then

 

[kevman65]

Those are fart relief flappies, you don't want to be trapped in there with an in-law and not have the protection........

 

[MrT]

When I added sound deadener to my interior I covered the bottom third of the vent on both sides, covered the metal plate on one side leaving a slot for air and made a scoop shape on the other side. It did make a difference in road noise.

 

[bgott]

They might help serve all those purposes. The reason I read they have those vents is to keep from blowing your eardrums out if you deploy the airbags.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Wouldn’t recommend getting rid of those. If you do you want to keep the parts and reinstall upon selling. Thats something the next-owner would probably want.

 

[fourfa]

LOL, I have a whole shed full of the stock parts I’ve pulled off. No plans to ever sell but you never know. Just FYI, if you plan to give the same advice to everyone who asks about mods on this forum, it’s going to keep you very busy

In the end, I was able to fit the battery (group 24 LiFePo) behind the rear driver side seat without removing the flappy panel, so there it will remain. If you want to try this, a “mini” size 100 Ah would fit even better. But currently there are not “minis” with both bluetooth and self-heating - you have to step up to a Group 24 size for that. But these batteries are changing so fast, we’ll probably see one by the end of the year.

Spent a little quality Sunday time in the work machine shop making up the DC/DC heatsink adapter that takes the place of the other vent:

Should help with cooling as I’ve been reading that these run fairly hot.

Thanks all

 

[JW Jeep]

They relieve air pressure in the cab. They also help when shutting doors . good you left the vent in place and nice job !

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