Changed Out Rear Vents and Hitch Bolt Cover

[Yardbird]

The rear vents on my truck have been leaking, actually, only the passenger side rear. I pulled them yesterday, and both were dirty, but in excellent shape. I've been trying to figure out how the one was leaking, and I think the word "TOP" embossed on the sealing surface may have been holding the rubber open at that spot. The tabs were in place, and all was tight. There was water on the top of that vent when I took it out.

I sealed the new ones across the top and around the upper corners behind the rubber seal, and on three sides inside the truck. They better not leak now.

Also changed out the rubber hitch bolt cover on the rear bumper. It was cracked up on one side. Only the trucks with a factory hitch have that bolt and that particular cover. The RAM dealer said there was a nationwide backorder on those, so I got one from Amazon that appears to be of good quality.

Whole thing only took about 45 minutes start to finish, including putting up tools. There are only four bolts to remove to get the solid back seat out, and three bolts for the child seat tethers.

 

[Daw14]

The rear vents on my truck have been leaking, actually, only the passenger side rear. I pulled them yesterday, and both were dirty, but in excellent shape. I've been trying to figure out how the one was leaking, and I think the word "TOP" embossed on the sealing surface may have been holding the rubber open at that spot. The tabs were in place, and all was tight. There was water on the top of that vent when I took it out.

I sealed the new ones across the top and around the upper corners behind the rubber seal, and on three sides inside the truck. They better not leak now.

Also changed out the rubber hitch bolt cover on the rear bumper. It was cracked up on one side. Only the trucks with a factory hitch have that bolt and that particular cover. The RAM dealer said there was a nationwide backorder on those, so I got one from Amazon that appears to be of good quality.

Whole thing only took about 45 minutes start to finish, including putting up tools. There are only four bolts to remove to get the solid back seat out, and three bolts for the child seat tethers.

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When I changed my vents out I also insulated the rear cab wall with sound deadner.
It seems to have made a big difference in the amount of road noise getting to my ears. I could kick myself it took so long for me to get this done !
Maybe a two hour job , with rolling all the deadner flat.

Also I just ended up washing my vents and reinstalling them , mine ended up being chassis cab vents which are of a more robust design.

 

[SitKneelBend]

When I changed my vents out I also insulated the rear cab wall with sound deadner.
It seems to have made a big difference in the amount of road noise getting to my ears. I could kick myself it took so long for me to get this done !
Maybe a two hour job , with rolling all the deadner flat.

Also I just ended up washing my vents and reinstalling them , mine ended up being chassis cab vents which are of a more robust design.

I plan on doing this too when I'm back there since it'll be accessible. Glad to hear your report on it.

 

[6speedcummins]

I just did my cab vents yesterday. I mean the original ones were only 10 years old, with most of the rubber missing on both and they rattled around in the mounting holes. So they weren't even the sacked out lol. I sealed the new ones in and hopefully I'll get a few years out of these. The worst part of the job was removing all the seats and console from the truck so I could dry the under side of the flooring. A roll of paper towels and a hair dryer later and everything was good and dry, no mold or rust on the floor.

Side note: I also removed the floor bins and sealed around those. Just on a hunch I thought they could also be a source of water leakage. Not sure if they were or not, but neither of my bins had and kind of gasket or sealant around them from factory.

 

[EagleChief]

I have ordered new vents for my truck, too. Just haven't had the time to replace them. The sound deadener is a good idea while I'm back there. Although, at this point, 11 yr old truck - I don't know if I'll add it or not.

 

[Daw14]

I have ordered new vents for my truck, too. Just haven't had the time to replace them. The sound deadener is a good idea while I'm back there. Although, at this point, 11 yr old truck - I don't know if I'll add it or not.

Mine was also 11 years old when the work was done.
It is worth the effort imo.

 

[SimpDAD64]

The rear vents on my truck have been leaking, actually, only the passenger side rear. I pulled them yesterday, and both were dirty, but in excellent shape. I've been trying to figure out how the one was leaking, and I think the word "TOP" embossed on the sealing surface may have been holding the rubber open at that spot. The tabs were in place, and all was tight. There was water on the top of that vent when I took it out.

I sealed the new ones across the top and around the upper corners behind the rubber seal, and on three sides inside the truck. They better not leak now.

Also changed out the rubber hitch bolt cover on the rear bumper. It was cracked up on one side. Only the trucks with a factory hitch have that bolt and that particular cover. The RAM dealer said there was a nationwide backorder on those, so I got one from Amazon that appears to be of good quality.

Whole thing only took about 45 minutes start to finish, including putting up tools. There are only four bolts to remove to get the solid back seat out, and three bolts for the child seat tethers.

View attachment 570946View attachment 570947View attachment 570948View attachment 570949View attachment 570950View attachment 570951

 

[SimpDAD64]

I have a RAM 2500 2016 - My vents are leaking and I pulled one, but there is not enough room between my cab and my bed to slide the new vent in. I broke the clips off two vents trying. Any suggestions? I you tubed and tried their options, which did not help. Thanks.

 

[04fxdwgi]

I inserted mine from inside the truck. A little twisting and wiggling and they went thru the cutout cattycorner, turned em straight and popped them in. If you do it, be sure to tie a string to em so they don't fall down and be stuck there for ever.