Hood Vents - JLU/JL Rubicon functional or only decorative?

[Jeep Generation]

Here is how to make your JL Rubicon have functional hood vents.

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[FUHL]

I opened up the vents to let the heat out. Not particularly while driving but while slow moving or stopped.

I cut the vent in a way that the water will still drain as if there was no cutout, like from the factory. I drilled 3 1.75" holes in each vent directly under the solid portion of the top part of the vent. This will prevent rain from going directly down the drilled holes. I then 3-d printed small vent rings that sit higher in the vent to prevent drain water from going into the engine compartment.

The 6 1.75" holes equal about 12 square inches of vent area.

 

[Euro JEEP]

I would be surprised if engineers overlooked a hack to a hood vent for better thermo efficiency. You are 100% correct. The Gladiator has enlarged grill mesh for more efficient thermal efficiency. Here is a great article on how much work engineers do to get the max cooling capacity. It does not look like the engineers left anything on the table.


https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

I was once told not to open up hood scoops in the hood as it would void the vacuum bubble it creates in the front upper part of the engine compartment while water fording which allows air into the air filter. Hence the reason why the stock air box is always place in the front part of a Jeep.
Though this has its limitations, a snorkel would solve this.

Also, looking at competitors and the new Land Rover Defender for example they make use of different air vents in the front sides of the bumper in front of the wheel for other cooling systems as air conditioning to free up the main engine radiator for its better ventilation/cooling.
Though most magazines only look at the front approach angle, we all know that being able to attack an obstacle directly with your front wheel without having much of a bumper structure or low wheel well in front of it is even more important.

Maybe the aftermarket can find some ingenious solutions?

 

[Euro JEEP]

I opened up the vents to let the heat out. Not particularly while driving but while slow moving or stopped.

I cut the vent in a way that the water will still drain as if there was no cutout, like from the factory. I drilled 3 1.75" holes in each vent directly under the solid portion of the top part of the vent. This will prevent rain from going directly down the drilled holes. I then 3-d printed small vent rings that sit higher in the vent to prevent drain water from going into the engine compartment.

The 6 1.75" holes equal about 12 square inches of vent area.

Now that’s genius!!!! Way to go!
How are these screwed in?
Also sealed off with silicone I guess?

 

[Rogues Gambit]

I opened up the vents to let the heat out. Not particularly while driving but while slow moving or stopped.

I cut the vent in a way that the water will still drain as if there was no cutout, like from the factory. I drilled 3 1.75" holes in each vent directly under the solid portion of the top part of the vent. This will prevent rain from going directly down the drilled holes. I then 3-d printed small vent rings that sit higher in the vent to prevent drain water from going into the engine compartment.

The 6 1.75" holes equal about 12 square inches of vent area.

We found a new product for the market!

 

[Paluss]

We found a new product for the market!

Good idea, I did a test the other day in stop and go traffic, I pulled up the off-road pages and it displayed a coolant temperature of just over 220 degrees. I had windows down and AC off about 91 degree temp. I then rolled up windows and turned the AC on and the very loud fan, in less than 5 minutes the coolant temp was 190 degrees. That is serious cooling and I don't worry about the engine getting to hot...

 

[Rogues Gambit]

Here is how to make your JL Rubicon have functional hood vents.

Good idea, I did a test the other day in stop and go traffic, I pulled up the off-road pages and it displayed a coolant temperature of just over 220 degrees. I had windows down and AC off about 91 degree temp. I then rolled up windows and turned the AC on and the very loud fan, in less than 5 minutes the coolant temp was 190 degrees. That is serious cooling and I don't worry about the engine getting to hot...

Definitely need one (originally, thought it was the reply to the stock one with the grommets)

 

[FUHL]

Now that’s genius!!!! Way to go!
How are these screwed in?
Also sealed off with silicone I guess?

There are 2 screws that hold each vent in place.
Yes I used silicone to seal.

This is more to do with venting when stopped.
Kind of like when you roll down your Windows on a hot day.

3-d vents are available here. I also have some Jeep Keychains.

http://shpws.me/Rtm5

 

[Rogues Gambit]

There are 2 screws that hold each vent in place.
Yes I used silicone to seal.

This is more to do with venting when stopped.
Kind of like when you roll down your Windows on a hot day.

3-d vents are available here. I also have some Jeep Keychains.

http://shpws.me/Rtm5

Glad you're selling them bro! Good luck!

 

[FUHL]

Glad you're selling them bro! Good luck!

I'm not really selling them, just made them available through that website.

 

[AKrubicon74]

I cut mine fully open underneath...zero issues and much better heat dissipation...love the heat waves flowing out the hood

 

[emoody007]

I opened up the vents to let the heat out. Not particularly while driving but while slow moving or stopped.

I cut the vent in a way that the water will still drain as if there was no cutout, like from the factory. I drilled 3 1.75" holes in each vent directly under the solid portion of the top part of the vent. This will prevent rain from going directly down the drilled holes. I then 3-d printed small vent rings that sit higher in the vent to prevent drain water from going into the engine compartment.

The 6 1.75" holes equal about 12 square inches of vent area.

Since you make the vent rings, you should create a template for the holes to cut and install instructions and sell it as a "JL Rubicon Hood Vent Kit"
This is brilliant. To make the vents functional but yet still drain water and retain the hood liner is brilliant. This a great idea. You need to look at getting a patent, high production capability, and marketing. I'll be ordering the vent rings soon.

 

[UtahRyder]

Hi guys

I went after this project today -
Definitely use a sharp razor blade to trim out the under hood heat mat - the tin snipes sucked
I didn't have to take the under hood matting down, I left it right in place. Just gently push a hole up from the bottom and begin making the hole bigger so you can access the plastic clips for the vents. Once the vents are pushed up and out, simply put the hood down and cut the exact shape of the vents with a razor from the top.
Used a dremel to cut out the under side of the vents.
Many people here mentioned only cutting certain spots, so they wouldn't see under hood items, but I cut mine fully and don't see anything from the driver seat.
I used Scotch 3M tin tape to keep the heat mat from fraying.

 

[emoody007]

Finally got a chance to install my hood vents. I decided to only use 2 instead of three per side just so I had some spare vent rings. Plastidipped my engine cover while I was at it.

 

[stylett9]

To each their own, as long as it's not causing them any performance issues. However my uneducated opinion from over 10 years ago when I was into modifying sports cars. Huge debate back then whether "cool looking" fully vented hoods (completely open cut outs) decreased engine bay temperature or not. In short summary, it was determined that opening vents had marginal decrease in engine bay temperatures at idle/stop. However negative effects due to airflow disruption when cars were moving.

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