Is hood flutter a thing?

[aldo98229]

All my JKs suffered from hood flutter; I replaced the soft OE rubber in the hood latches with stronger rubber from Daystar. It was a $12 fix that solved the issue permanently.

My JL is now 3+ years old: never had any hood flutter.

Sponsored

 

[Xorak]

I've seen it happen a few times on my various JL/JTs that I've owned. None of the instances concern me after owning JKs lol. I can tell some of you have never owned any Wrangler older than a JL based on the comments. both of my JKs fluttered around like paper bags until I installed Daystar latch rubber. It was common on JKs and they greatly improved it on the JL/JT but haven't eliminated it.

 

[nU7OuxIx]

The only time I saw hood flutter was when I was driving 60 against probably 50 to 60mph wind gusts. It was a rare occasion and never happened again.

 

[Ratbert]

That is what I am thinking too, but I have not looked at the center latch settings as it happens so infrequently, it is sort of out of sight and out of mind.

With that said--it is a real thing and I am not imagining the hood trying to lift under those conditions, it is happening.

Fortunately this thread made me realize that this isn't just "a Jeep thing." I thought it was.

 

[unsavory]

The only time I saw hood flutter was when I was driving 60 against probably 50 to 60mph wind gusts. It was a rare occasion and never happened again.

Same here. Only had it happen out in Death Valley with a very strong headwind. But when it happened, I thought the hood was going to rip off and blow away. Was sure it would at least be bent, but it's fine.

 

[nU7OuxIx]

Same here. Only had it happen out in Death Valley with a very strong headwind. But when it happened, I thought the hood was going to rip off and blow away. Was sure it would at least be bent, but it's fine.

Yup, I thought the same exact thing too! I pulled over to make sure it was latched and everything was OK and it was. The only thing that is wrong with the hood is a bit of corrosion under the hinges. :D

 

[Jeep Dude]

I've seen it happen a few times on my various JL/JTs that I've owned. None of the instances concern me after owning JKs lol. I can tell some of you have never owned any Wrangler older than a JL based on the comments. both of my JKs fluttered around like paper bags until I installed Daystar latch rubber. It was common on JKs and they greatly improved it on the JL/JT but haven't eliminated it.

I don't recall my circa 1989 Sahara's hood fluttering ?.

Then again, I wasn't stupid enough to drive it 75+ miles per hour ?

 

[Jeep Dude]

I wonder if the 392 dudes with their steel hoods ever suffer from this flutter phenomenon? ?

 

[Deleted User 38384]

I had a fluttering hood yesterday when I left work. Thankfully I was headed towards McDonald's right down the street to grab a shamrock shake while they're still around instead of what I normally do which is hop on the highway and smash the accelerator!!

Anyways, I pulled over. Turns out forgot to latch the hood down. ?

Good thing I removed the Dixie horn couple weekends ago, and reinstalled my safety hook. With my grill removed, wind would have gotten up there real easy and smashed my hood a third time ???


On a more serious note, the only time I've ever heard of this being an issue is like previous responders have said, in the JKs. But it was an easy enough fix so I understand with aftermarket options. That was definitely one of the upgrades that I know they made sure was from the factory with the JL's.

I remember when the JL's first came out,
There was whole forums dedicated to showing you how to install JL hood latches on your JK. It was the hot mod at the time!

 

[Jeep Dude]

Makes me wonder if the guy with snow sucking into his engine compartment could have hood issues like that.

It does not.

^^^
From the horses mouth. ; )

 

[NeilP]

I decided to return the Morimoto side lights for fear that it may cause the hood flutter and/or raise the under-hood temperature. Well crap! The company that I ordered them from charges a 20% restocking fee. By the time I pay for shipping and their fee, it's not worth sending them back.

Lesson learned.....look at a retailers return policy before ordering! That will be the one and only time I order any parts from that vendor. (It's not Morimoto.....but a vendor that sells Morimoto lights.

 

[Opus]

I decided to return the Morimoto side lights for fear that it may cause the hood flutter and/or raise the under-hood temperature. Well crap! The company that I ordered them from charges a 20% restocking fee. By the time I pay for shipping and their fee, it's not worth sending them back.

Lesson learned.....look at a retailers return policy before ordering! That will be the one and only time I order any parts from that vendor. (It's not Morimoto.....but a vendor that sells Morimoto lights.

Well, if you can confirm that was the issue, you could always try selling the side lights on to someone else.

 

[NeilP]

Thats the problem, there is no evidence to show if plugging those vents may or may not cause problems. I did not install them so I have o first hand knowledge how they may effect the air flow or under-hood heat.

 

[Ratbert]

On a more serious note, the only time I've ever heard of this being an issue is like previous responders have said, in the JKs.

You made it this far through the thread and somehow missed the posts talking about it happening in JLs?

Let me attempt to clarify it for you: it happens in JLs.

 

[Ratbert]

Thats the problem, there is no evidence to show if plugging those vents may or may not cause problems. I did not install them so I have o first hand knowledge how they may effect the air flow or under-hood heat.

There's no reason to not try them now, right? I'm assuming that you can remove them if they cause an issue.

Sponsored