Hidden Compartments?

Hello! I own a first gen 03’ Xtra cab SR5. Was hoping someone can tell me what these two rectangular plastic covers are covering and how to access them. They are on the left and right side on the back of the cab, it looks like the only way to get to them is by removing the bed? Some kind of cubby or compartment maybe? Is there a way to access from inside the cab? Any help is appreciated!

 

I think they're for ventilation, not a hidden compartment

 

I use those to smuggle air.

 

The real secret compartment is behind the center console

 

and so that when you close the door the air pressure doesn’t blow out windows. It allows air to escape from the cab, they’re not super air tight so I’m sure air can get in but they’re built for out.

 

Lol not valves. Only method you’d be able to use to keep air going one way. I’m pretty sure you could seal those up and close the door and not blow out windows.

 

Yeah probably right. Looked them up again they’re vents so you “don’t have to slam the door”. Pickups have small cabs it’s easy to have positive and negative without them unlike a car or suv that has more room to play with.

either way. Those are cab vents, not storage/hidden compartments. Similar to dryer outlet tubes with the flaps, they’ll “block” air coming in but they aren’t even close to air tight that way.

 

Best not to mess with it, if you know what's good for you. If you didn't install the secret compartment, then it's not yours. Don't ask about it.

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

As stated above, cab vent to make closing the doors easier. They have flapper vents, just like a clothes dryer air outlet.

Also, when you are inside the truck, it helps prevent pressure on the ear drums when closing the door.

 

umm, folks. get in your truck. close all windows. turn recirc off. turn blower on high. think about where all that air getting pulled into the cab is going after it wafts past your face...

Those are not there to stop the windows from blowing out, or make the doors easier to close, or ear stuff. They are the exit for cabin ventilation. And before you say it, yes they secondarily do those other things, but that is not their reason for existence.

 

Common drug cartel modification to smuggle drugs. The best smuggler is one that doesn’t know he’s doing it.

Best case scenario, your truck is out of “service” with them. Worst case, your truck might go missing from time to time and you might not get it back.

 

Haha you guys are awesome, thanks for the warm welcome and good laugh! I literally LOL’d while reading this. makes sense, cab ventilation... though the question remains; can that area be accessed from the inside of the cab? Just in case there’s bands of 100s in there I should know about

 

Not easily - you could cut the inner skin with a grinder or dremel to get at it though.

 

One day late for Friday.

 

They’re just vents that vent into the inner cab walls. Almost every modern car has them, next time you see a car with the rear bumpers missing you might see it hiding behind them.

 

The 1971 GM full size cars had them on the deck lids and tail gates. For one year, until GM found out they leaked.

 

Yes, but you'd have to pretty much remove all the interior lining to get to it.

You don't put drugs/money in those vents anyway. Everyone knows you put in in the oil pan and gas tank.