Anyone install hood vents?

[NashvilleTJ]

I run louvers:

But it wasn't for heat reduction, it was to cover up these holes in my hood. Prior to having to install a 1" body lift to clear the 545RFE when I did the Hemi, my coilovers and the pulley from the supercharger stuck through these holes. I thought it looked kinda cool...

 

[xXDavidCXx]

With all this back and forth about hood louvers and rain, and with the hundreds or even thousands of these being installed I have not heard from one person that actually has one saying anything about rain

I would think if this were a real problem there would not be dozens of companies producing them.

The only ones saying the rain will cause problems are the ones that don’t actually have one installed. So as a jeep owner that has one I personally have never had an issue with rain causing problems. I am more concerned about the water coming in from underneath

So let’s hear from those of you that have one and where the rain has caused a problem otherwise let’s put this issue or non-issue to rest

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I installed hood vents following this guide not long after buying my jeep June 2021 (http://www.oman4x4.com/hoodvents.htm#theory)

Initially I was having high coolant temp issues, and for the longest time didn't know why. After installing the vents I was able to drive on the highway at about 65 without the temps spiking. Before this I could barely manage 55mph for very long before seeing 235F on a scan gauge.

Then later I installed a headlight harness like this one (https://www.ksuspensionfab.com/store/p6/H4_Upgraded_Headlight_Harness.html#/).

Some time later, after it rained one time the headlights stopped working, but worked using the original wiring. It turns out the relays for the harness were directly under the passenger hood vent and were getting wet. I wrapped the relays in plastic for a while and that worked for some time but eventually I took the harness out when I realized it wasn't worth the hassle anymore.

Also, my overheating issues turned out to be a bad head gasket and now my 4.0 runs very cool all year round.

 

[Zorba]

Genright used to sell some longer vents that weren't as wide but I looked and they don't seem to have them listed anymore on their website. But these are very similar to them

https://hoodlouvers.com/shop/side-l...IlisXduliE-nTFs4OhQj8-KY7YFYSxtEaAmdqEALw_wcB

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Yea, I've seen those - they're a possibility.

How/where do those motobilt catch trays drain?

 

[jjvw]

....

How/where do those motobilt catch trays drain?

They drain into the engine bay using gravity.

 

[Zorba]

They drain into the engine bay using gravity.

So I gathered after reading the rest of the thread. Then what good are the catch trays?

 

[jjvw]

So I gathered after reading the rest of the thread. Then what good are the catch trays?

That is a good question. Whatever they do, it may matter to some. For reasons undetermined.

 

[Wildman]

Yea, I've seen those - they're a possibility.

How/where do those motobilt catch trays drain?

From their website.

Water Management: The included drainage trays are installed on the inside of the hood to divert water away from under hood components. You can even drill holes in the trays to customize water drainage according to your preference.

Looking at the pictures there are only the 4 mounting holes in the trays so you put the drain hole where you want it.

 

[JMT]

 

[rasband]

but they are right on the line where the large louver's would be, so it wouldn't solve that aesthetic problem.

Get the motobilt one and install it cockeyed.

 

[rasband]

Looking at the pictures there are only the 4 mounting holes in the trays so you put the drain hole where you want it.

That makes no sense unless they're really deep and somehow don't experience any airflow. People buying their shit are dumb.

 

[Wildman]

That makes no sense unless they're really deep and somehow don't experience any airflow. People buying their shit are dumb.

Don't know and I guess there are a lot of dumb people by your estimation. Don't the Grand Cherokee vents work to allow heat to escape from under the hood? If they do then what would be the difference?

 

[Apparition]

I think it's too late! But like @PNW_LJ said, I have to stay focused on this swap. I've got side vents on the GR fenders. Does the engine fan not blow the heat back in the engine bay?

My hood is crap. It's got crows feet (been there since I got it in Dec 2016), and I have three dents in it. I hoped I could louver two of them out of existence, but they are right on the line where the large louver's would be, so it wouldn't solve that aesthetic problem.

I do wonder where our TJ's will be 10-15 years from now with all the connectors as brittle as can be imagined.

There’s always the LS swap solution.

 

[Wildman]

There’s always the LS swap solution.

Been wondering when that was coming...

 

[rasband]

Don't know and I guess there are a lot of dumb people by your estimation. Don't the Grand Cherokee vents work to allow heat to escape from under the hood? If they do then what would be the difference?

My comment is about the airflow kicking the water around in those catch trays. They're simply just jewelry.

 

[Jamesval035]

Off the current topic of hood vents and heat dissipation, does anyone know the length of the 1/8” pop rivets for the Genright hood louver? I had the louver sitting around in my garage for a couple of months and misplaced the rivets. Buying three sets of 10 from gwnright will cost me $26 but shipping is $75!

 

[D's Jeep Wrld]

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I can agree i've been driving my jeep with no hood and still am for close to 2 weeks and i had a week of straight rain (lots of donuts were done ) and not one problem have i had, so i can confidently add to this about water not being too much of a real concern
Keep in mind I've driven when it was pourin cats and dogs going 60...70 miles per hour and through puddles hitting my pcm and noting. Keep in mind however that i did dab a bit of some di-electric grease when i got my WF Pcm !

 

[jjvw]

Don't know and I guess there are a lot of dumb people by your estimation. Don't the Grand Cherokee vents work to allow heat to escape from under the hood? If they do then what would be the difference?

What if these drip pans are really nothing more than visual barriers to prevent us from seeing through the louvers?

I don't care what Motobilt says in their marketing. They aren't solving a water problem. Because, again, the entire bottom of the engine bay is open. And so is the grill. Then there is the engine fan sucking in the rain storm we are driving through.

 

[jjvw]

Off the current topic of hood vents and heat dissipation, does anyone know the length of the 1/8” pop rivets for the Genright hood louver? I had the louver sitting around in my garage for a couple of months and misplaced the rivets. Buying three sets of 10 from gwnright will cost me $26 but shipping is $75!

Find a pop rivet with a grip range that accommodates the thickness of the hood, plus the thickness of the louvers panel, plus any backer washer thickness you decide to use.

 

[rasband]

plus any backer washer thickness you decide to use.

And the ever important drip plates!

 

[Wildman]

What if these drip pans are really nothing more than visual barriers to prevent us from seeing through the louvers?

I don't care what Motobilt says in their marketing. They aren't solving a water problem. Because, again, the entire bottom of the engine bay is open. And so is the grill. Then there is the engine fan sucking in the rain storm we are driving through.

OK you don't see the need and maybe they are just fluff. Again I was just pointing out that they offered a kit with the drip pans.

I ran my vents with no issues at all & never had any electrical issues either. And I'm going to run vents again without anything behind them.

Off the current topic of hood vents and heat dissipation, does anyone know the length of the 1/8” pop rivets for the Genright hood louver? I had the louver sitting around in my garage for a couple of months and misplaced the rivets. Buying three sets of 10 from gwnright will cost me $26 but shipping is $75!

I got stainless button head screws to put mine on with instead of using the rivets.