Driving with tailgate open - OK or not ok ...

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Out of curiosity, has anyone driven their LC/LX with the tailgate open?
Was wondering in that a lot of air can circulate with the upper part of the
hatch open.
I'm from the old days of 4/70 air conditioning - i.e. 4 windows down, 70mph.
 
I have found all windows need to be down as exhaust comes back into the cabin.
 
i've done it a few times when i needed to move something. I wouldnt do it without rolling down the front windows per Dan's advice above
 
Windows down burns more gas than running AC......

As others stated keep all windows down due to exhaust at stops also if you hit a good bump you could mess up your tailgate.
I broke out the back window on an 89 Jeep when I was a kid like that on the freeway, the bump forced it down and up and the wind didn't agree
 
I did it while hauling a chicken coop home. :meh:

Don't make a habit of it. Loud and smelly...
 
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Windows down burns more gas than running AC......

As others stated keep all windows down due to exhaust at stops also if you hit a good bump you could mess up your tailgate.
I broke out the back window on an 89 Jeep when I was a kid like that on the freeway, the bump forced it down and up and the wind didn't agree

I read a Car and Driver article years ago that said A/C uses slightly more gas than rolling the windows down, so you may as well be comfortable. This is my first summer with the '02 LC and maybe it is a shear mass thing because my gas mileage has not changed running the A/C.
 
If you are going any distance I would tie the hatch down a little to take the up and down load off of the strut mounting locations. Let a rope or strap take the up or down shock as you go over bumps rather than the sheet metal around the strut mounting points.
 
CO has no odor and can kill quickly. Not to be a nay sayer, but be careful.
 
You can get a lot of air moving through the cargo area by opening the far rear side windows. Much safer than an open tailgate while underway.
 
It sucks if you have to do it while it's raining. :D Me and a friend built 2 portable duck blinds. I designed them to fit perfectly in the cruiser when disassembled. Mine fit fine, problem is, my buddy built his a bit out of spec and I had to leave the back open during transport...while raining...and cold. I still give him hell for it. Haha
 
If you use a supplied air mask you will be just fine for short and long trips.

images
 
If you use a supplied air mask you will be just fine for short and long trips.

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I like. Years ago I had a gas mask that I took meetings.
When someone went off on a tirade or had diarrhea of the mouth,
then I would put on my gas mask. Sometimes others would
nudge me that it was time to put on the mask.
 

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