Factory tow hooks and lower air dam

[schardein]

I hated to post this, as I think the answer is out there, but the photobuket thing is preventing me from being able to see it.

 

I am installing factory tow hooks with the 3 piece bracket on each side.  I know I will need to trim the air dam to clear the hooks, and I want it to be as close to factory as possible.

 

Can someone past a pic of the air dam that is factory cut for tow hooks?  Or perhaps, have a printable template?

 

Thanks

[HOrnbrod]

I did a post up on this topic, sort of  (you posted in it) and all the images are now visible using the PB fix. At least in my browser. Are you not able to see the pics?

 

https://comancheclub.com/forums/topic/51351-nos-air-dam-with-tow-hooks/?tab=comments#comment-522840

[kook911]

2 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

I did a post up on this topic, sort of  (you posted in it) and all the images are now visible using the PB fix. At least in my browser. Are you not able to see the pics?

 

https://comancheclub.com/forums/topic/51351-nos-air-dam-with-tow-hooks/?tab=comments#comment-522840

I am on a iPad and I can not see the pics. I don't know if there is a work around for the iPad. 

[87Warrior]

I don't think their is a mobile work around for photobucket...yet. 

 

These are the images Don posted in the aforementioned thread.

[HOrnbrod]

Thanks Brett. 

[schardein]

Thanks guys.  Yes, that is the thread I was looking at and I couldn't see the pics.  Don't know if its my mac computer or the fact I'm currently out of data and running at dial up speeds.  

 

So the factory cut out was a perfectly round hole?  I can kinda eyeball it from the pic, but would you mind measuring it and giving me a diameter?

[HOrnbrod]

Nooooo, that's not Jeep factory - that's Don's factory.    No idea what the factory did with tow hooks through the air dam, if anything.  Have never seen it..........

[schardein]

Haha, thanks Don.  I've seen it, when I pulled these parts a couple years ago.  Can't remember, and of course didn't take pics... or maybe it was missing.

[schardein]

Just wrapped up replacing all my AC components under the hood, adding factory tow hooks, and a little bling to the front end!

[HOrnbrod]

Mmmmm chrome. Bling is always good.  

 

EDIT: That's why I haven't converted to the late model XJ mirrors - they don't make them in chrome. 

[johnj92131]

That is one good looking front end !!!

[Minuit]

Damn, that does look good.

[schardein]

12 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

Mmmmm chrome. Bling is always good.  

 

EDIT: That's why I haven't converted to the late model XJ mirrors - they don't make them in chrome. 

 

11 hours ago, johnj92131 said:

That is one good looking front end !!!

 

7 hours ago, Minuit said:

Damn, that does look good.

Thanks guys!  Now I wish the late model mirrors came in chrome too!  But I am used to the bigger view now.  I will probably eventually switch to the chrome door and tailgate handles.  The front bumper came from the pic-n-pull and is dated Aug 1985.  The pic makes my paint look nice... it's not.

 

Made a run to the metal salvage today, got two compliments

[Skorpyo]

On 9/11/2017 at 8:29 AM, HOrnbrod said:

Mmmmm chrome. Bling is always good.  

 

EDIT: That's why I haven't converted to the late model XJ mirrors - they don't make them in chrome. 

I'm pretty shocked no one sells a chrome cover... I looked and it's kind of surprising...

[Minuit]

On 9/11/2017 at 0:18 AM, schardein said:

Just wrapped up replacing all my AC components under the hood

 

If you don't mind me asking, what compressor did you use?

[schardein]

8 hours ago, Minuit said:

If you don't mind me asking, what compressor did you use?

Great question.  (I really need to start a build thread).  I'll be 50 soon and have never owned a vehicle with working AC.  So, this summer I replaced all the underhood components on my Silverado, Cherokee, and Comanche.  Now I have 3!!

 

On the XJ and MJ, I basically converted to a 1996 setup.  I used parts for a 96 XJ- condenser, compressor, receiver dryer, expansion valve, and lines.  Everything went in well, I like the way the lines are ran versus the 91 routing.  I did buy the small line from the expansion valve to the dryer at the junkyard as I couldn't find it new (2 of them).  I also sourced the large line from the ex valve to the compressor from the junkyard (x2).  All the other lines and parts are new.  The dryer uses a different cutout switch and plug, which I also got at junkyard (x2).  The XJ had previously been converted to 134, the MJ had not.  I thoroughly flushed the evaporator on both.  I bought a 30lb can of 134 off Amazon for $75.  I used about 6 lbs between all 3 trucks, so I feel like I have a lifetime supply.  This was my first time doing AC work, after a lot research.  I bought a manifold gauge set, vacuum pump, and I happen to have a very nice digital weight scale to precisely measure how much refrigerant I was adding.  All three were a complete success, although for some reason the XJ doesn't cool quite as well as the Silverado or MJ.

 

Not sure if that answers your question, if you are looking for a brand name, I can get it.  I got the XJ compressor from Rockauto, and the MJ I think from ebay.  I just looked for the best price.

[Kerry]

What did you end up doing with the air dam? It's hard to tell from the picture but if needed I have a couple of them with the factory cut outs. You are welcome to one if you pay the postage.

[Minuit]

10 hours ago, schardein said:

Great question.  (I really need to start a build thread).  I'll be 50 soon and have never owned a vehicle with working AC.  So, this summer I replaced all the underhood components on my Silverado, Cherokee, and Comanche.  Now I have 3!!

 

On the XJ and MJ, I basically converted to a 1996 setup.  I used parts for a 96 XJ- condenser, compressor, receiver dryer, expansion valve, and lines.  Everything went in well, I like the way the lines are ran versus the 91 routing.  I did buy the small line from the expansion valve to the dryer at the junkyard as I couldn't find it new (2 of them).  I also sourced the large line from the ex valve to the compressor from the junkyard (x2).  All the other lines and parts are new.  The dryer uses a different cutout switch and plug, which I also got at junkyard (x2).  The XJ had previously been converted to 134, the MJ had not.  I thoroughly flushed the evaporator on both.  I bought a 30lb can of 134 off Amazon for $75.  I used about 6 lbs between all 3 trucks, so I feel like I have a lifetime supply.  This was my first time doing AC work, after a lot research.  I bought a manifold gauge set, vacuum pump, and I happen to have a very nice digital weight scale to precisely measure how much refrigerant I was adding.  All three were a complete success, although for some reason the XJ doesn't cool quite as well as the Silverado or MJ.

 

Not sure if that answers your question, if you are looking for a brand name, I can get it.  I got the XJ compressor from Rockauto, and the MJ I think from ebay.  I just looked for the best price.

Nope, that's exactly what I was looking for. I'm really thinking of converting to the 96 system too. My converted R12 system works ok (~50 degree air) but the compressor is pretty sick. I don't really want to use an aftermarket or reman compressor if I can help it, and the OEM Sanden 4727 for the 94-96 XJ looks like it's still available. I think I'll be going that way too - thanks a lot.

 

Did you get any temperature readings at the vents? I'm curious to see how a native R134a system compares to my converted R12 system, original condenser and all.

 

6 hours ago, Kerry said:

What did you end up doing with the air dam? It's hard to tell from the picture but if needed I have a couple of them with the factory cut outs. You are welcome to one if you pay the postage.

 

PM sent.

[schardein]

4 minutes ago, Minuit said:

Nope, that's exactly what I was looking for. I'm really thinking of converting to the 96 system too. My converted R12 system works ok (~50 degree air) but the compressor is pretty sick. I don't really want to use an aftermarket or reman compressor if I can help it, and the OEM Sanden 4727 for the 94-96 XJ looks like it's still available. I think I'll be going that way too - thanks a lot.

 

Did you get any temperature readings at the vents? I'm curious to see how a native R134a system compares to my converted R12 system, original condenser and all.

 

 

PM sent.

I bought a thermometer just for this.  Silverado- 40, XJ 48, MJ 44 (on max). 

 

I will say this, when I took out my condensers, the fins basically fell out of them on both Jeeps.  I suspect that they weren't nearly as efficient as they were when new.  The new condensers I bought from Rockauto are the multiple pass type.  I don't know if that's considered a better design, but I do read they should be replaced if the compressor fails because they can't be effectively flushed like the old single pass design.  Also, the new ones were smaller in size than the originals.  So they would have a smaller surface area.  Do they make up for that in better efficiency of their design?  I don't know.  Perhaps another brand has one closer in size to the original?  Does it matter?  Again, I don't know.  On my XJ, all my work netted about the same performance as you have now.  I don't know if I have something else going on that I could fix to make it better... not an AC expert (yet).

 

At the end of the day, I'm excited to finally have working AC, I learned a lot, made what I consider some pretty comprehensive repairs for way less than what a shop would charge, and didn't mind spending the money on the tools because now I can do it all myself in the future if I need to.

 

On the XJ, one of the compressor bolts seized in the bracket and broke off.  I tried to get it out, but gave up and put on a spare bracket.  I think I could have saved it, if I had been patient and soaked it in PB Blaster and let it work when I first noticed it was getting tight. 

[schardein]

7 hours ago, Kerry said:

What did you end up doing with the air dam? It's hard to tell from the picture but if needed I have a couple of them with the factory cut outs. You are welcome to one if you pay the postage.

I basically made a U shaped cut from the top.  Should have taken a picture.  I really appreciate the offer.  I may take you up on it, but would you consider posting a picture of the air dam, specifically the area of the factory cutout?  Curious to see how close my solution was to what the factory did.

[Minuit]

48 minutes ago, schardein said:

I bought a thermometer just for this.  Silverado- 40, XJ 48, MJ 44 (on max). 

 

I will say this, when I took out my condensers, the fins basically fell out of them on both Jeeps.  I suspect that they weren't nearly as efficient as they were when new.  The new condensers I bought from Rockauto are the multiple pass type.  I don't know if that's considered a better design, but I do read they should be replaced if the compressor fails because they can't be effectively flushed like the old single pass design.  Also, the new ones were smaller in size than the originals.  So they would have a smaller surface area.  Do they make up for that in better efficiency of their design?  I don't know.  Perhaps another brand has one closer in size to the original?  Does it matter?  Again, I don't know.  On my XJ, all my work netted about the same performance as you have now.  I don't know if I have something else going on that I could fix to make it better... not an AC expert (yet).

 

At the end of the day, I'm excited to finally have working AC, I learned a lot, made what I consider some pretty comprehensive repairs for way less than what a shop would charge, and didn't mind spending the money on the tools because now I can do it all myself in the future if I need to.

 

On the XJ, one of the compressor bolts seized in the bracket and broke off.  I tried to get it out, but gave up and put on a spare bracket.  I think I could have saved it, if I had been patient and soaked it in PB Blaster and let it work when I first noticed it was getting tight. 

The parallel flow condenser is considered about 20-30% more efficient. I should mention that 50 is probably the lowest temp I've seen out of the vents, and that was taken moving from a cold start on low, so probably the coldest the air could ever get. My compressor leaks oil from both the front seal and the seam between the main body and front plate, and it's probably a little louder than it should be. Other than that, the system is 100% original and breaks down in one way or another every 8 months or so, so I'm just replacing it entirely. I replaced the evaporator (with a NOS part - my advice, don't - the only benefit is retaining the "frozen evaporator shutoff" probe) as part of my interior overhaul, and that slightly improved performance from my memory of how it was in the past. The air coming out of the vents never really feels very cold, but it gets the job done and hasn't ever really felt insufficient, but its reliability is poor to say the least.

 

Could anyone tell this started off as a tow hook thread?  

[schardein]

Haha, yes, the tow hook, air dam mods, and chrome were all secondary to the AC work anyway!

 

I was disappointed in the XJ results (temp at vents), especially after the results from the Silverado that I did first, but after driving it had to admit that it does get the job done.

 

Both Jeeps, the condensers and the lines coming from them were in very poor shape.  Neither had working AC when I got them.  I was probably a little lazy in not trying to diagnose/troubleshoot what I had, but in the end decided my time was best spent in starting from scratch on all three.