Vacuum behind windshield...

[too_many_hobbies]

As the temperature has gotten warmer, I have been using the Argo windshield and top only, without the zip-on/snap-on doors and sides. Since the body of the Argo is closed off and the windshield is rather large, there is a substantial vacuum produced behind the windshield. The air that is rushing in to fill the vacuum pulls dirt, debris, and exhaust fumes into the cab area. I can often feel debris hitting me in the back of the head and dust covers the inside of the windshield, dash, and my Tablet PC screen.

I have solved similar situations before on motorcycles and more recently on the Dune Buggy my son and I restored:



In the picture above, you will notice 2 vents that we fiberglassed into the hood. We also made underhood ducts that direct the forced air through multiple vents that we installed just behind where the windshield rests on the hood. Forcing the air straight up behind the windshield prevents the air from blowing in your face and eyes. The faster you drive, more air is forced through the vents to fill in the increased vacuum. This solution works extremely well for the Dune Buggy and now it hardly even blows your hair at highway speeds.

I now want to fill in the vacuum behind the Argo windshield with clean air from in front of the vehicle. I have several ideas such as installing vents in the windshield base and installing air scoops on the sides of the windshield base. Has anyone already tackled this problem or does anyone have any suggestions?

[tizbass]

I'm surprised the Argo goes fast enough for this to be a problem. I haven't noticed it with mine with the doors off. Whats your top speed?

[too_many_hobbies]

I'm surprised the Argo goes fast enough for this to be a problem. I haven't noticed it with mine with the doors off. Whats your top speed?

I mainly drive straight lines through farm fields while collecting topographical survey data, commonly from a quarter to a half mile long. When the field surface is relatively smooth, I travel at about 10 mph. But, I am getting a lot of intake of dirt and debris when going much slower. From a health perspective, what concerns me even more is the intake of exhaust fumes since I am sometimes in the Argo for several hours per day.

It has been my experience with motorcycles and the Dune Buggy that it takes a significant amount of airflow to fill in the vacuum behind the windshield. I am going to start with cutting multiple slots in the base of the windshield. There is only about 3 inches of vertical space to work with in the middle of the windshield base. So far, I have not located a closable vent that is only about 2 inches or so tall to insure that there is still sufficient structural integrity in the windshield base after cutting the slots. The width of the vent is limited by the spacing of the bolts that mount the windshield to the body. I am also considering just cutting slots and using press-in rubber or plastic plugs to fill the holes when the vents are not needed.

Any recommendations for adjustable/closable vents, or plugs/grommets to fill in the slots, or other ideas?

Would it be possible to cut a slot/hole in the windshield and install a vent directly in the glass?

I have also considered using one of the wind deflectors that are normally used over the rear window of a crewcab pickup:



These already have adhesive and could be mounted upside down on the rear of the Argo windshield base to deflect the airflow from the slots upward behind the windshield. Then I could fashion some type of air scoop, ductwork, and vent to direct air into the floorboard area of the Argo.

[philipatmaxfour]

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss252/N1048D/WindowDeflector.jpg[/IMG]

These already have adhesive and could be mounted upside down on the rear of the Argo windshield base to deflect the airflow from the slots upward behind the windshield. Then I could fashion some type of air scoop, ductwork, and vent to direct air into the floorboard area of the Argo.

I use the 2 piece plastic hatches that are common on boats-usually sailboats. They come in diameters from about 3 inches to 12 or more inches. You drill the round hole then install the round threaded ring with screws or pop rivets and screw the cover on when you want the opening closed. It might work for you?

[too_many_hobbies]

I use the 2 piece plastic hatches that are common on boats-usually sailboats. They come in diameters from about 3 inches to 12 or more inches. You drill the round hole then install the round threaded ring with screws or pop rivets and screw the cover on when you want the opening closed. It might work for you?

Are you referring to the same type of hatch that we used through the hood for access to the gas cap on the Dune Buggy? It is the black round hatch on the hood you can see in the picture above. I found the hood scoops and the access hatch for the Dune Buggy at a marine supply.