Engine Cooling with a JT vs. JL Grille

[flyer92]

So...after reviewing several forum discussions on the potential benefit in engine cooling with the wider JT mesh, I decided to try it out for myself. I was able to do a pretty accurate comparison between the JL and JT grilles by driving with each on the same road at the same speed (70 mph) for the same amount of time (30 mins), and with the same outside air temperature (87 degrees F) and environmental conditions.

In both cases, the engine oil temperature in my 3.6L eTorque topped out at 226 degrees F. While a little disappointing, I realize these are only two data points, and won't conclude that there is/isn't a benefit with the JT grille. Just wanted to share my experience since there doesn't seem to be much data available for this grille retrofit. Curious if others have tried the same thing and can share their observations. Thanks in advance and happy Jeepin'!

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[unsavory]

I'm guessing you would need to be working your vehicle extremely hard to see any tangible difference. Like maybe towing uphill in 110 degrees.

Or slow speed rock crawling in 90+ degree temps.

 

[flyer92]

I'm guessing you would need to be working your vehicle extremely hard to see any tangible difference. Like maybe towing uphill in 110 degrees.

Or slow speed rock crawling in 90+ degree temps.

Good point. Assuming that's the case, I'm still glad I did the conversion, since I occasionally do slow-speed offroad stuff in 100+ degrees here in Southern Nevada. Last time I was out on the trail, outside air temps were brutal at 109 degrees.

 

[Odyssey USA]

So...after reviewing several forum discussions on the potential benefit in engine cooling with the wider JT mesh, I decided to try it out for myself. I was able to do a pretty accurate comparison between the JL and JT grilles by driving with each on the same road at the same speed (70 mph) for the same amount of time (30 mins), and with the same outside air temperature (87 degrees F) and environmental conditions.

In both cases, the engine oil temperature in my 3.6L eTorque topped out at 226 degrees F. While a little disappointing, I realize these are only two data points, and won't conclude that there is/isn't a benefit with the JT grille. Just wanted to share my experience since there doesn't seem to be much data available for this grille retrofit. Curious if others have tried the same thing and can share their observations. Thanks in advance and happy Jeepin'!

I got mine simply because it made sense for what I’m doing. I’m going from a recessed winch/bumper to a top mount that will block a little more of the grille. It’s not scientific, but my guess is I’m offsetting the surface area I’m losing…to some extent at least.

 

[zouch]

haven't we already seen testing where the grille was removed completely and there wasn't any appreciable difference?

and haven't we seen that these things create the highest temps when under load at speed?
(i know i've crawled all over in triple-digit speeds and not seen temps as high as when moving at speed.)


after playing all kinds of games with my other J**p in search of better cooling, i wouldn't think there's going to be any better improvement found than by using a better radiator.

 

[flyer92]

haven't we already seen testing where the grille was removed completely and there wasn't any appreciable difference?

and haven't we seen that these things create the highest temps when under load at speed?
(i know i've crawled all over in triple-digit speeds and not seen temps as high as when moving at speed.)


after playing all kinds of games with my other J**p in search of better cooling, i wouldn't think there's going to be any better improvement found than by using a better radiator.

Apologies for my ignorance, but no, I don't think many of us have seen this testing. I know it wasn't addressed in the forum discussions I read, so I'd be interested to see the data and how it was collected.

As you stated, I think we all can agree that a better radiator will result in better cooling. However, not all of us really need to make that modification, given our different use cases. I'm just trying to document actual comparative data for the JL and JT grilles, since it seems to be a popular topic here in the forum.

 

[zouch]

agreed; popular topic, well covered (especially in the Diesel sub-forum).
you can find all of this well hashed-over there.

TL:DR
testing was pretty simple; drive with grille and observe temps; drive without grille and observe temps. no difference.

Apologies for my ignorance, but no, I don't think many of us have seen this testing. I know it wasn't addressed in the forum discussions I read, so I'd be interested to see the data and how it was collected.

As you stated, I think we all can agree that a better radiator will result in better cooling. However, not all of us really need to make that modification, given our different use cases. I'm just trying to document actual comparative data for the JL and JT grilles, since it seems to be a popular topic here in the forum.

 

[flyer92]

agreed; popular topic, well covered (especially in the Diesel sub-forum).
you can find all of this well hashed-over there.

TL:DR
testing was pretty simple; drive with grille and observe temps; drive without grille and observe temps. no difference.

Wow...sorry that five sentences were too long to read. I'll be sure to keep all future posts down to a few one-syllable words and stick figures. Regardless, I appreciate the lack of information and hope you have fun making friends here in the forum. Best of luck and happy Jeepin'.

 

[zouch]

how sad.

in the same spirit you've shown; you're welcome, better luck on your future searches (hint; don't expect everyone to do it for you), and thanks!

Note to MODs; thanks for making the 'Ignore' feature so convenient!

Wow...sorry that five sentences were too long to read. I'll be sure to keep all future posts down to a few one-syllable words and stick figures. Regardless, I appreciate the lack of information and hope you have fun making friends here in the forum. Best of luck and happy Jeepin'.

 

[Odyssey USA]

Perhaps they should’ve blocked the grille. lol I’d like to see what blocking 1/3 to 1/2 of the grille would do.

Oh and I wanted a black grille anyway.

 

[Jim1964]

Thanks for posting, some of us ARE interested in facts and data on this topic. I’m sure the impact of changes are somewhat dissimilar with various engines.

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

So, I can be wrong. It happens a lot. Isnt there a thermostat that opens at a preset temp? Unless you're at an extremely high ambient temp or under heavy load, your running temp would be about the same. (or cooler when the thermostat opens)?

 

[Vinman]

Thats correct.
I can attest first hand thats how it works.
My Jeep can run as high as 110-111* Celsius then the fan comes on and t-stat opens and it will cool all the way down to 87* C in a couple of minutes.
No way it would cool down that far that fast if the radiator was inadequate

 

[Jim1964]

Cooling is certainly adequate in some situations. And not in others. There’s plenty of reports, and I’ve personally experienced it. Climates and engine options vary.

 

[flyer92]

Thanks for posting, some of us ARE interested in facts and data on this topic. I’m sure the impact of changes are somewhat dissimilar with various engines.

Thanks for the constructive input, and sorry that y'all had to witness the snarky interlude above. Really love the "ignore" feature though!

Anyway...we know that FCA made a deliberate, conscious decision to widen the grille mesh for the JT. Even though I didn't observe any benefit in the mode of operation and test conditions for my science experiment, there is probably some combination of these factors where the improvement is apparent. As stated previously, perhaps under a heavy load, low-speed offroading at high ambient temperatures....maybe something else?

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