How to vent the rear of your Hard Top!

[markmascotto]

Finding a good venting system for the rear of my 110 Hard Top has been a real problem but I think I've found something that works! I'm not sure if anyone else has done this but the idea was new to me so I thought that I would share it.

While I was driving on the highway pondering my options for what to do, I noticed that many late model transport trucks used various manual vents for the rear berth areas. Not sure if this was a practical solution, I went to an area semi wrecking yard and looked through a number of makes of rigs until I found a vent I though could fit and felt I could remove without damaging. It took me about an hour but I pulled out a set that I thought would work. I paid the yard $10 per vent and went home to install them. They worked perfectly including the fit of the interior trim! These vents are very sturdy and open both directions to allow intake and exhaust venting!

[red90]

From the Flickr page, share (arrow bottom right) and BBCode.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/623/22043952082_54d8b6601f_k.jpgExterior view of vent by Mark Mascotto, on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5669/22066331401_2127f5cc70_k.jpgInterior view of vent by Mark Mascotto, on Flickr

Do you have the stock vents as well?

[markmascotto]

No. I looked at them but was concerned about the quality.

[red90]

These, are, I'm sure much better. It is nice that you can open and close. The stock ones are small and plastic and stupidly expensive if you can find them.

[Dave_F]

I had the same problem, with one summer inside temps hitting 40c inside.

Finally installed a set of station wagon windows. Works great, no wind noise, keeps the temp down and actually works like the old no draft windows...and I can finally merge left into oncoming traffic with my RHD 3 door.

[obalme]

My wife has the same kind of vent in the roof of her featherlight horse trailer

[markmascotto]

Excellent. You can just make out where I placed them if you look at my avatar. It was just a matter of cutting out the side wall and making sure it was sealed properly. The depth to my inner wall was identical to the truck wall depth so the interior trim fit snuggly. As you can see, it was from a red truck but I will be repainting the whole vehicle shortly and it should integrate pretty seamlessly. I'm pretty sure it was a Volvo I took it from.