Leaking Rear Cab Vents

[kurek]

Definitely noticed less road noise. My replacement vents had full width flaps instead of isolated square flaps.

 

[nlambert182]

Vents are super easy to replace. Definitely a cheap fix and worth the effort.

 

[mtofell]

I'm anxious to see what the current vents look like when I pull them. The flaps I found on m driveway with the leaves were pretty trashed. I got a back-order notice from Geno's so it will probably be a few weeks. I'll likely wait for a bit warmer weather anyway.

 

[04fxdwgi]

I'm anxious to see what the current vents look like when I pull them. The flaps I found on m driveway with the leaves were pretty trashed. I got a back-order notice from Geno's so it will probably be a few weeks. I'll likely wait for a bit warmer weather anyway.

When I got my '16 three years ago, 1/2 the flappers were missing. The older style has a bunch of individual flappers and the new style has one big flapper per row. Well, mine did, anyway. Super easy for me to change from inside.

 

[Adamcr68]

I'm anxious to see what the current vents look like when I pull them. The flaps I found on m driveway with the leaves were pretty trashed. I got a back-order notice from Geno's so it will probably be a few weeks. I'll likely wait for a bit warmer weather anyway.

Check with @AllMoparParts.com, got mine in 2 days at a great price, but if working outside I understand waiting.
With my luck there would be a huge storm that would hit just right and I would end up with gallons of water in the cab.
I’m in a condo, but can uses bay at work as my garage, just have to remember to bring any tools I might need.

 

[mtofell]

Check with @AllMoparParts.com, got mine in 2 days at a great price, but if working outside I understand waiting.
With my luck there would be a huge storm that would hit just right and I would end up with gallons of water in the cab.
I’m in a condo, but can uses bay at work as my garage, just have to remember to bring any tools I might need.

Geno's already sent them and I should have them in a few days. I'm in Oregon and we have about 10 straight days with no rain which is pretty much unheard for January around here. Prior to the water getting in we had an absolute crazy run of rain.

 

[David H]

I might stuff something like this between the bed and cab until I could get around to the job. I suspect most of the water that gets in comes from above. Not so much from spray down below.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Everbilt-1-2-in-Foam-Semi-Slit-Pipe-Insulation-5-8-in-ID-x-6-ft-K7PXE048058HD1/327682623?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl&pla=&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-LNC-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-CON-NA-CLV_Test_Increase&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-LNC-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-CON-NA-CLV_Test_Increase-21382214621-164392119798-647979926099&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21382214621&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfOuCJnUfINxO6cbmhYgjoc0&gclid=Cj0KCQiAprLLBhCMARIsAEDhdPd8h5-97DOlcH8un-Ldt0Z9Xcm2AFATZQ-6i12F77Gfme0ygrM7U7gaAj3yEALw_wcB

 

[mtofell]

Update - still haven't got around to the project but have noticed something that is opposite of what I expected. I figured parking on an upslope would be worse as water runs back off the roof and over the vents (that are missing a bunch of pieces). Turns out it's worse parking on a downslope (especially with a bed cover).

When water runs off the bed and the truck is nose-low the water drips forward a bit and right against the damaged vents. When on an upslope it runs off the cab roof but the vents protrude a half-inch or so rearward and the water runs around them. Kind of like a chimney cricket for those of you fellow construction folks. We've had some rain and I've been watching the water when parked in each direction and it's far worse when nose-low.

Anyway, I'm embarrassed I haven't found time to fix it but I've got a bunch of life-craziness currently and just haven't gotten there. At least now I can let it sit without fear of water leaking in.

 

[Adamcr68]

Update - still haven't got around to the project but have noticed something that is opposite of what I expected. I figured parking on an upslope would be worse as water runs back off the roof and over the vents (that are missing a bunch of pieces). Turns out it's worse parking on a downslope (especially with a bed cover).

When water runs off the bed and the truck is nose-low the water drips forward a bit and right against the damaged vents. When on an upslope it runs off the cab roof but the vents protrude a half-inch or so rearward and the water runs around them. Kind of like a chimney cricket for those of you fellow construction folks. We've had some rain and I've been watching the water when parked in each direction and it's far worse when nose-low.

Anyway, I'm embarrassed I haven't found time to fix it but I've got a bunch of life-craziness currently and just haven't gotten there. At least now I can let it sit without fear of water leaking in.

I would have thought the same thing regarding parking, seemed like there was no pattern to when mine would leak, I did put a rolled up towel under my vents to try to keep my carpet dry.
I would just switch the towel out after a rain/wash until I replaced the vents, it worked good for a temporary fix.

 

[ffeschjeff]

Update - still haven't got around to the project but have noticed something that is opposite of what I expected. I figured parking on an upslope would be worse as water runs back off the roof and over the vents (that are missing a bunch of pieces). Turns out it's worse parking on a downslope (especially with a bed cover).

When water runs off the bed and the truck is nose-low the water drips forward a bit and right against the damaged vents. When on an upslope it runs off the cab roof but the vents protrude a half-inch or so rearward and the water runs around them. Kind of like a chimney cricket for those of you fellow construction folks. We've had some rain and I've been watching the water when parked in each direction and it's far worse when nose-low.

Anyway, I'm embarrassed I haven't found time to fix it but I've got a bunch of life-craziness currently and just haven't gotten there. At least now I can let it sit without fear of water leaking in.

Don't take to long though i ended up with mold under my carpet because you can't really get all the water out...i kept getting a weird allergy reaction when i would drive it, and kept getting a real musty smell inside, so i lifted the carpet lining the storage under the rear seat and there was mold everywhere. I instantly pulled the seats and yanked the carpet out and had to bleach everything. no problems after that.

 

[mtofell]

Finally getting around to this. Seats came out easy but it looks like Geno's Garage screwed me. Their vents are slightly larger and don't fit (see pics). I'm also a bit confused as some videos I watch guys talk about slipping them between the cab and the truck and there's absolutely not room. I've tried from the bottom, top and sides and it's just not going to work.

I guess I'm going to have to go bend over at the dealer. I'm surprised at Geno's. Their part is clearly larger with some extra angled bracing, etc.

I checked my Geno's receipt and they say these are for 03-26 2500/3500... I'd disagree.

I've slid the old ones back in a few times just to be sure I'm not a complete fool and it goes in, albeit a VERY tight fit but it does go. Any extra size like on Geno's and it's not going.

Update/Edit: Looks like it's not really Geno's Garage fault... Went to the dealer and the new ones look just like Geno's. Parts guy said they changed the design of them and I'm sure Geno's is just copying the new design. Parts guy said the only way to install them is from the back. Problem is I absolutely don't have the clearance. The best chance is from the underside but it's just not wide enough.

I've come up with a workaround, though. I'm going to use the frames from the original vents and glue strips of Tyvek house wrap to mimic the factory flaps. The weatherstripping around the frames got pretty trashed when I removed them and it's 12+ years old so I'll probably just run a bead of caulking around the inside to take its place.

Kind of ridiculous what a PITA this turns out to be.

 

[Adamcr68]

Finally getting around to this. Seats came out easy but it looks like Geno's Garage screwed me. Their vents are slightly larger and don't fit (see pics). I'm also a bit confused as some videos I watch guys talk about slipping them between the cab and the truck and there's absolutely not room. I've tried from the bottom, top and sides and it's just not going to work.

I guess I'm going to have to go bend over at the dealer. I'm surprised at Geno's. Their part is clearly larger with some extra angled bracing, etc.

I checked my Geno's receipt and they say these are for 03-26 2500/3500... I'd disagree.

I've slid the old ones back in a few times just to be sure I'm not a complete fool and it goes in, albeit a VERY tight fit but it does go. Any extra size like on Geno's and it's not going.

Update/Edit: Looks like it's not really Geno's Garage fault... Went to the dealer and the new ones look just like Geno's. Parts guy said they changed the design of them and I'm sure Geno's is just copying the new design. Parts guy said the only way to install them is from the back. Problem is I absolutely don't have the clearance. The best chance is from the underside but it's just not wide enough.

I've come up with a workaround, though. I'm going to use the frames from the original vents and glue strips of Tyvek house wrap to mimic the factory flaps. The weatherstripping around the frames got pretty trashed when I removed them and it's 12+ years old so I'll probably just run a bead of caulking around the inside to take its place.

Kind of ridiculous what a PITA this turns out to be.

Seems like we have similar luck, my vents went in easy but the seat was a battle, but sounds like you have a plan to make it work.

Hoping the rest of your fix goes good without too much aggravation.

 

[Grams]

You’d have thought a major automobile maker could figure out that a simple rubber “duck-bill” flapper would greatly simplify this problem.

 

[mtofell]

but sounds like you have a plan to make it work.

I'm still re-thinking things..... I think Ram overcomplicated this. A simple louvered vent termination would work. I'm comfortable with it keeping out water from the top but am worried about road spray hitting it from underneath. Although, the design Ram has would leak from the bottom so I'm hoping/guessing it's buried high enough up between the cab and the bed that water from the bottom isn't a problem.

Something like in the pic below mounted to a thin piece of plywood.... probably just glue the plywood to the body from inside.

Other random thoughts from the project:
Wow, is the truck ever LOUD without the backseat and insulation panel in.
Took the under-seat subwoofer out to get the carpet out and the stereo really doesn't sound much different.... strange.

 

[mtofell]

Oh man.... what a rabbit hole I'm down with this thing. I've got the rear vents buttoned up and will post the complete repair later - I ended using the factory hard plastic but replaced the flaps and had to seal the edges as the factory gasket was brittle and crumbled apart when I took the vents out.

I've water tested the vents and all looks good..... EXCEPT, during the hose test of spraying water on the cab roof I now see water coming in at the lower corners of the rear windows on each side. I got more on the passenger side as that sits a bit low in my driveway. It looks like there's a drainage channel and some weep holes. I'm not sure if my weep holes are clogged or if I just overwhelm the drainage track with my hose testing. I wanted to post because in my research I found a great YouTube and this guy is going through pretty much my exact plight. Only difference is I have my back seats out and want to be 100% sure before I put it all back together. I don't need the rear seats at all as I have another vehicle available so I'm going be sure it's fixed before I reassemble.

Anyway, here's the video and is a good watch for anyone having trouble with ANY leakage in the back of the cab on a 4th generation.

Dodge Ram rear window leak

Found another leak in the back cab of my truck at the rear window.

www.youtube.com

 

[Adamcr68]

Oh man.... what a rabbit hole I'm down with this thing. I've got the rear vents buttoned up and will post the complete repair later - I ended using the factory hard plastic but replaced the flaps and had to seal the edges as the factory gasket was brittle and crumbled apart when I took the vents out.

I've water tested the vents and all looks good..... EXCEPT, during the hose test of spraying water on the cab roof I now see water coming in at the lower corners of the rear windows on each side. I got more on the passenger side as that sits a bit low in my driveway. It looks like there's a drainage channel and some weep holes. I'm not sure if my weep holes are clogged or if I just overwhelm the drainage track with my hose testing. I wanted to post because in my research I found a great YouTube and this guy is going through pretty much my exact plight. Only difference is I have my back seats out and want to be 100% sure before I put it all back together. I don't need the rear seats at all as I have another vehicle available so I'm going be sure it's fixed before I reassemble.

Anyway, here's the video and is a good watch for anyone having trouble with ANY leakage in the back of the cab on a 4th generation.

Dodge Ram rear window leak

Found another leak in the back cab of my truck at the rear window.

www.youtube.com

That’s definitely a “ if it’s not one thing it’s another” situation, I told you we have similar luck.
Hopefully the next fix will go smooth and you’ll be leak free in the end.