idea for a tail gate

[UOVB]

I like the lower edge on the tailgate. It helps when looking backwards.
It got me to thinking....
When the tailgate is up, the bottom half of the tailgate should look like it normally does... solid.
The top half would be slotted, like a heavy duty grill. That would allow for backwards visibility. Two sturdy sheets, each one half the width of the tailgate, could be slid down into place to allow for a solid tailgate when required and could be removed when not required.
Bonus - visibility
Negative - cleaning the grill and where do you put the sheets that would slide in and out of the tailgate to allow for a one solid piece?
Unknown - aero dynamics.

[geotech]

Originally Posted by UOVB

I like the lower edge on the tailgate. It helps when looking backwards.
It got me to thinking....
When the tailgate is up, the bottom half of the tailgate should look like it normally does... solid.
The top half would be slotted, like a heavy duty grill. That would allow for backwards visibility. Two sturdy sheets, each one half the width of the tailgate, could be slid down into place to allow for a solid tailgate when required and could be removed when not required.
Bonus - visibility
Negative - cleaning the grill and where do you put the sheets that would slide in and out of the tailgate to allow for a one solid piece?
Unknown - aero dynamics.

Here's a hint about the aero dynamics. A senior honda engineer told me that the 1/16th of inch rubber mat I put on top of the tailgate negatively impacts my gas mileage. Mr. Flint said in St. Louis and possible elsewhere on the site that lowering the tailgate negatively impacts fuel economy. In short, there is a reason for its height.

[UOVB]

Originally Posted by geotech

Here's a hint about the aero dynamics. A senior honda engineer told me that the 1/16th of inch rubber mat I put on top of the tailgate negatively impacts my gas mileage. Mr. Flint said in St. Louis and possible elsewhere on the site that lowering the tailgate negatively impacts fuel economy. In short, there is a reason for its height.

I wouldn't think that it would impact the fuel economy that much. I'd say that driving habits have a bigger impact on the mileage. I'd love a partly see through tail gate that I could convert to a tailgate that would allow small, loose items out, when needed be. I'm sure this would go a long way to reducing the need for a back up camera (come on, remember when you where a kid and you were driving that beat up old half ton that didn't have a tailgate? It was easy to see out the back, right?)
Dave

[djeaux]

Why don't you take your Ridgeline to a metal shop that punches louvers? The F-100 crowd (meaning '50s street rodders who drive "real" Ford pickup trucks) have been doing this for years.

I don't think it will improve gas mileage, though.

As for Geotech, he won't admit it but his sorry MPG figures are due to him driving his Ridgeline like a rented mule, over mud-holes, though blazing corn fields, you name it. "Leadfoot" Geotech is what they call him in the Merrie Olde Land of Oz, y'know? The Honda engineers were humoring him with that 1/6" of rubber bit. Heck, he lays more that 1/16" of rubber at most stoplights -- all four wheels!

[geotech]

Originally Posted by djeaux

. "Leadfoot" Geotech is what they call him in the Merrie Olde Land of Oz, y'know? The Honda engineers were humoring him with that 1/6" of rubber bit. Heck, he lays more that 1/16" of rubber at most stoplights -- all four wheels!

That would be in my favorite position (no not that position): VSA off VTM-4 on & 1st Gear!