This post would be for anyone owning a late model crew cab. When driving above 40 MPH (approx) and the rear windows only are rolled down, there is a sound produced that would make you think your rear tires are way out of balance (or flat), though they're not. It's a pulsating sound that's annoying enough to make you roll up the windows. Any have any ideas ?

 

I have no idea what causes the phenomenum, but I get the same thing in my truck and I have a 2001. It's weird because it goes away as soon as you crack the front windows open.

 

You hit the nail on the head. I've been searching all the data bases here and can't find that's it's been discussed anywhere. We can't be the only two in the nation that experience this. Sure hope someone has the answer. Thanks for the reply

 

There have been a few threads on this way back when. Basically it is just a wind buffeting phenomenon that is inherent in the design of the SD.

There is little if anything you can do about it other than crack one of the front windows to equalize the pressures in the cab.

Waxy

 

My Excursion does it too unless I open the rear wing windows. (or the front ones.)

Many cars that I have owned did the same thing.

Fun thing to do when the kids are actin' up.

 

I asked about this at the dealer where I bought my 2001. Service manager said it was normal. I guess they designed it to do this. At least I know my 2003 is supposed to do it.
Greg

 

Yeah mine does that too....sounds like I'm flying a helicopter! I've experienced the same phenomenon in other vehicles with 4 doors also.

 

Guess what guys , you are not alone. If you take you wife's four banger out for a spin and only roll down the back windows you will experience the same thing. The sound you here is caused by some strange wind movement that causes the the rear door panels to move in and out. That is the noise you hear. Almost any four door car will do that.

 

They didn't design it to do this on purpose, it would be a little more correct to say that they are unable to design it out of the vehicle. As the other post said, you'll get this phenomenon in almost any 4-door vehicle built today. It's an inherent part of the aerodynamics, especially in a 4-door pickup truck. I would imagine that, for most of you, this is your first crew cab vehicle, so there's no previous vehicle that's similar that you can compare it to.

 

My 4 door 97 Mercury Mountaineer doesn't even have a hint of this noise with the rear windows only down or with all windows down. It is also a 4 door truck.
Greg Sanders

 

I just noticed the same thing on my '03 CC. I live by a National Guard Base and I DID think it was a helicopter.

Matt

 

Mine does the same thing as well. It is just the pressure created from the design of the trucks interior. Crack a front window like everyone has mentioned. Mine gets so bed it pressurizes your ears and is rather painful. As far the four door thing, all of my other four door cars never had this phenomenom, so that is why I think it is pretty much a Superduty thing.

 

My guess is that the wind immediately hits the flat back window, whereas if it were in a passanger car there would be room for the rushing air to dissipate. From there the wind pushes forward to the front of the cab and causes the helicopter effect.

I just tell my kids..."We got a Blackhawk down! We got a Blackhawk down!" Not to poke fun about the Somalia incident, but the oldest one who has read the book gets the point and the windows come up. Or my wife shakes her head and cracks her window open.

I wonder if Supercrews experience the same thing?

 

My thanks to all who responded. It appears this is not as unusual as I first thought. Weird, but not unusual. I don't think I could have received more info anyplace else. This is networking at it's best !!

 

I've had vehicles with sunroofs that experience the same phenomena when the sunroof alone is open. I remember someone posted a similar complaint about the roof on his 2003 truck (I'm jealous; that option wasn't available in 2002 when I ordered my truck). Like everyone said, this is a design flaw. Just aerodynamics & buildup of pressure.