Hood Vent Install Opinions

[HOrnbrod]

I scored a set of regulation 98 ZJ hood vents and would like ask for install opinions. I plan to mount these in the factory location as shown on the XJ pic below. When Chryco mounted these in the ZJ hoods (and the export Orvis XJ "bonnets" also), they did not punch a big hole in the hood the same size as the vent; they punched six smaller rectanguler holes that corresponded to the individual louver openings. I don't have a rectangular hole punch, but I do have set of round Greenlee chassis punches up to 3" dia. I thinking of using these punches as I figure it will retain the hood's strength better and not restrict the airflow too much. Opinions?

 

 

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[Wildman]

I'll throw my 3 cents at ya -

 

Yes, I like the locations on the XJ in the picture. But, I would think the center point would be a little better, a little further back towards the windshield, that is if there is no cross brace there.

 

As far as the hole, I don't think you'll loose too much of the hood strength by cutting a large hole, after all, it's just the sheet metal, no structural member.

 

Even if you do cut smaller rectangular holes, I would think a air nibbler would be the best tool to use, it will give you a nice clean cut, and clean edges.......but alot of little half moons all over the place :roll:

 

Course you can prevent that with a pan under the cut :brows:

[wolfpackjeeper]

I used the front vents from a 3rd gen firebird. I had to cut out the entire area becaue the semi flush mount. That being said, I taped the area off so as not to ruin the paint, then I used an electric jigsaw. Worked fine.

 

 

I put mine in the front right behind the radiator, there is a low pressure area there while driving, so it helps to pull the hot air out.

[HOrnbrod]

Thanks guys.

 

Bob, the XJ in the pic is how the factory located these vents in their XJ Exports. I would prefer that the most effective underhood airflow would be at slow speeds, thus mounting further back toward the firewall as you suggested should work best for this. I think I could get them in there behind the X-brace, similar to those who have mounted the LeBaron vents. But of course I'd like to preserve the factory look too. :D

 

wolfpackjeeper, I'll probably install as you suggested too - cut the large hole out w. the jigsaw using the tape. The location is what I'm thinking about more now, structurally I don't think a bunch of punched holes or one large hole will matter.

[ridergoatee]

Just a little heads up on using jigsaw;sharp blade and don't let the metal start "rattling" under your saw. Sheetmetal is weak and I've seen cuts distort the metal. Heard mounting them up higher on the hood helps keep ice off windshield in the winter. I'll see this winter since I'm bound to see some of that here in CO..

[mvusse]

 

If you have a variable speed jigsaw, cut slowly.

[mjdoa]

As always ,no pics.I'll post some,promise.I got mine from Gen-right,

cut 2@4" x 15" holes with an air cutter,high speed

grinder lookin' dealie.Worked fine.

Be sure and paint the cut edges.

As far as placement,somewhere on the interweb is an

article where some guy taped strips of rag all over th outside

of his xj hood,and a bunch of temp sensors inside,then drove it.

Concluded the best placement is toward the rear corners of the hood.

I put mine about 3" from the rear and just inside the ridge

lines on either side.

Runs about 190 to 105 on the road,never gets above 210

wheeling at 3 mph for 2 or 3 hours.Used to be you couldn't

touch the hood when off road,it got so hot.

I think they're probably one of the most useful

additions I've made to the heep.

Hope that'll help.

[wolfpackjeeper]

I believe that the strip test is on gojeep's website. And it is speed dependant. At speeds over 10mph and below 65mph(iirc) there is a low pressure area that forms over the front of the hood, so if you locate the vents there it will have the effect of dragging the air out. Farther back is good for higher speeds and possibly below 5mph. It has been a while since I looked but his site is why I decided on placing mine towards the front. That and looks. The vents I got looked better towards the front

[HOrnbrod]

I believe that the strip test is on gojeep's website. And it is speed dependant. At speeds over 10mph and below 65mph(iirc) there is a low pressure area that forms over the front of the hood, so if you locate the vents there it will have the effect of dragging the air out. Farther back is good for higher speeds and possibly below 5mph. It has been a while since I looked but his site is why I decided on placing mine towards the front. That and looks. The vents I got looked better towards the front

 

I talked to Marcus via email last and he recommended that for low speeds the vents work best more toward the rear. For higher highway speeds they are more effective up front. I'm pretty sure I'm going to mount my ZJ vents in the factory location, perhaps a little further back as the cross brace will permit.

[Jiffy]

I'm wondering where the water goes when it's raining like crazy, as it often does in Seattle, especially the Le Baron ones. Anyone having any problems with wet ignition?

[mjdoa]

No problems with water in the vents.I live in So FL.

Most of our offroading is done in the swamp.

I have a snorkel for that reason.As far as

waterproofing for offroad,I took apart every electrical

connection I could get too,plug wires,rim of dist cap,

coated liberally with dielectric grease.

I also empty a can of silicone spray into the

engine compartment before I go out.

(Makes it a lot easier to get the mud off afterwards too.)

Also is my daily driver,rains daily in the summer,if

any water gets in the vents it hasn't caused any problems yet.

http://caloosajeepers.21.forumer.com/vi ... php?t=1196

Here's a link just to give you an idea of what our offroading

is like,not a lot of hills or rocks, lotsa mud and water.

Mine's the maroon mj that's bed deep.

Drive through that kind of stuff all day.

Fun,fun.

[mvusse]

Could you post a picture somewhere else? The site won't let me in unless I register.

[mjdoa]

Not from work,sorry.

I've said I'd post my heep on here since I joined.

I will do it this weekend without fail.

Just a show off pic in deep water anyway.

I'll get it up here and some posers,so you all

can have a laugh. :cheers:

You could always join our forum. :D It's small,

but nice people.We gould always use more input.

Caloosajeepers.com

 

edit.I'll get the vents too.

[mjdoa]

 

 

Still at work.

Copy and paste this address in your browser,see if it works.

Nope,just clik,it made a link.

Your mj will stand that much water easy.

And at that point,I don't think water getting in hood vents

is gonna hurt much. :brows:

[Wanderin]

 

Got a lifejacket in there somewhere :shake:

[mjdoa]

Don't like to do that often.Unlike you guys up north,

I have almost no rust,and would like it to stay that way.

And I still have carpeting,which is a total beeeeyotch

drying out every time. :roll:

Anyway,that's what we wheel in all summer here in the

everglades,so don't be too concerned about a little

water dripping in the hood vents.

Your Jeep won't mind. :cheers:

[WyoCherokee]

Florida people...... :shake: :hmm: lol

us PNW guys just drive in 5 ft of slop, they gotta outdo us and drive in water. lol

[mjdoa]

no,no,not outdo,just what we have to wheel in.

I'd kill to drive up a hill or over a rock.

We've got neither.Lots of mud though.

Going to No Fl in Oct,Ocala,place called Hardrock Park.

Scared shirtless,they got HILLS.

:eek:

But I'll get to meet BLHTAZ,hopefully.

Should be a cool trip.

[wolfpackjeeper]

ocala is in north FL? whaere the hell is P-cola then

 

:D