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View Full Version : WTF is the hole in this tailgate for?

rd97tj
10-26-2005, 06:40 AM
I just bought a 2003 tj tailgate to replace my 97 that I destroyed. Everything fits perfect, but there is a great big square hole in the middle of outside of the tailgate. What the hell covers that up?
Grnscru
10-26-2005, 06:46 AM
If it is a grate looking cover behind where the stock spare tire resides it serves as a vent for when the hardtop is installed. The older TJ's had vents built into the hardtop. If it is just a hole then it is missing a black plastic grate to serve as the vent.
rd97tj
10-26-2005, 06:53 AM
I wondered if it was a vent hole, but I have not been able to find a listing for that vent cover, I have no idea where I'm gonna find one. I had also thought that maybe they changed the tire carrier, and that it might cover the hole. Thanks for the info.
frankiefire702
10-26-2005, 09:57 AM
The chrysler part number for that vent is 55055998-AD.
shopteach
10-26-2005, 10:01 AM
check davey's jeeps 330 692 2125
TSM_88YJ
10-26-2005, 11:53 AM
so without the vents on the hard top or tailgate, the jeep will explode/implode? :eek:
JeepJay
10-26-2005, 01:45 PM
Yeah that’s the vent in the tailgate for the hardtop. In previous years, the hardtops had the vents built in. Basically without it, when you go to close your door with all the windows up, the force of the air might cause the tailgate or the glass to pop open.
SteveZ59
10-27-2005, 06:29 PM
Yeah that’s the vent in the tailgate for the hardtop. In previous years, the hardtops had the vents built in. Basically without it, when you go to close your door with all the windows up, the force of the air might cause the tailgate or the glass to pop open.

The vents are probably also for the airbags. Most modern cars have some form of venting so that peoples eardrums don't pop if the airbag goes off. That might explain why they went away from the smaller vents in the side of the hardtop to a larger vent in the back of the tailgate. The small vents were enough to allow you to close the door properly but maybe not enough once they began putting airbags in?
ZachW
10-27-2005, 10:17 PM
so without the vents on the hard top or tailgate, the jeep will explode/implode? :eek:

This is not a laughing matter. I once lost a loved one due to an uncovered tailgate vent implosion :flipoff2:
TSM_88YJ
10-28-2005, 12:26 PM
This is not a laughing matter. I once lost a loved one due to an uncovered tailgate vent implosion :flipoff2:

Well I just figured from all the various bolt holes, drain holes, doors not sealing properly, and everything else associated with a jeep, that there'd be enough "vents" to not NEED the vents on the top or tailgate. Are you sure this loved one didn't expansion foam their tub a little too well, or maybe trying to make a raft? :D

This just proves you can never have too many "speed holes".