JL Wrangler - 2024 grille swap install complete

[BeachNJeep]

I'm not an engineer, but the new grille is shorter (look at the height of the bottom bezel). So if the openings are shorter but wider, does it offer more airflow than a grille that has taller but narrower openings? At any rate, these aren't rear engined VW bugs, they're all water cooled with radiators. While more air is always welcome, how efficient is the radiator, thermostat, and water pump at keeping the engine cool? On my RAM 1500, I had active grille shutters that closed st highway speeds to improve aerodynamics (if you could say a truck was aerodynamic...,). So a wide open grille doesn't cool any more at highway speeds but can actually hinder aerodynamic efficiency (quite a few cars and trucks have active grille shutters).

I can possibly see the benefit in low speed rock crawling in really hi temps. So while I might not necessarily agree that it's complete bullshit, there is some horse shit in there somewhere...

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[TorturedMargot]

I'm not an engineer, but the new grille is shorter (look at the height of the bottom bezel). So if the openings are shorter but wider, does it offer more airflow than a grille that has taller but narrower openings? At any rate, these aren't rear engined VW bugs, they're all water cooled with radiators. While more air is always welcome, how efficient is the radiator, thermostat, and water pump at keeping the engine cool? On my RAM 1500, I had active grille shutters that closed st highway speeds to improve aerodynamics (if you could say a truck was aerodynamic...,). So a wide open grille doesn't cool any more at highway speeds but can actually hinder aerodynamic efficiency (quite a few cars and trucks have active grille shutters).

I can possibly see the benefit in low speed rock crawling in really hi temps. So while I might not necessarily agree that it's complete bullshit, there is some horse shit in there somewhere...

I think you’re spot on.

New grille is up there with angry eyes IMO.

 

[Upnarms]

The new grille may look nice and allow more air to reach the condenser / radiator PUT

Here is what I discovered and what I am working on
This is how the cooling system works or not working
The thermostat opens at 190 degrees
The cooling fans comes on at 1/4 speed at 221 and will only go fulls speed at 231 degrees
I have been trying to get control of the cooling system by adding a pusher fan on the condenser put this is what I found
Most cars including the jeep JK the condenser is mounted 1/4 to 1/2 in. from the radiator
On the Jeep JL the condenser is about 1 1/2 in. away from the radiator
I can get the pusher fan to shoot air though the condenser at 150 MPH put as soon as it hit the radiator the air blows out the large gaps between the condenser and radiator and NO air going through the radiator
Next step was to close the caps between the condenser and radiator to force the air through the radiator
So now with the gaps closed off I have about 15% of the air going through the radiator and the rest of the air is blowing back though the condenser and trans cooler
Two things wrong here. The gap between the condenser is to large and the radiator WILL NOT allow free flowing air to pass through it whether you are pushing air at 150 mph with a fan or diving down the road at 60 /70 mph and that is why you see a 40 to 50 degree swing in the coolant temps. You would thing driving down the road you are getting air passing through the radiator put you are getting very little to none until the fan kicks in and sucking the air through the radiator
I ordered a Mishimoto radiator (back ordered) it looks to have a more open core that will allow more free flowing air to pass through
I will install the Mishimoto and see how it goes
And NO. The radiator is not plugged in any way inside or out side. The jeep did this from day one . New in 2020
The Engineers got this one wrong

I guess I would question the engineers getting it "wrong". My jeep (3.6) never exceeds 238 even when towing up hills in the summer (110+ temps). My former JK 3.6 would get into the mid to high 240s under the same circumstances. So the jeep is running cooler and not in danger of overheating as far as I've experienced . Seems like the cooling system works just fine as engineered. I cant speak for the diesel, the 392, or the 2.0.

 

[DrummerDudeNJ]

Looks awesome! I've got mine on order from Distinction Applied with an ETA end of September. Fingers crossed lol

 

[mikegcny]

I did the JT grill swap last year and unfortunately haven't seen any noticeable decrease in engine temps. At least it was a cheap, easy and reversible mod, but based on that experience, I doubt the '24 grille will result in lower engine temps.

I am not certain if it is that simple.

I thought the whole purpose of the new grill (besides looking different for the refresh) is so that a winch can be fitted at the factory. With that, the engineers had to contend with how to fit the winch at the factory and crash test standards. So they decide to make the grill shorter to fit the winch requirements....

But one problem with that: They have calculated the maximum air flow required for the different engines and found that making the grill shorter would not work for all of them. And why would they want to deal with all different grill geometries on the same model... So they decide to make a grill that will work for all of the engines.

They engineer a grill that meets the maximum air flow requirements for all engines under all environmental (temperature, altitude, humidity, etc.) and operating (rock crawling, highway, towing, etc) conditions. Then when the engine needs to be cooled the radiator cooling fan module tells the cooling fan to spin a a certain speed to draw the amount of air needed to cool the engine (not overcool it).

So it is not simply a function of the grill opening that cools the engine (i.e. just making openings larger will not improve cooling).

NOTE: I know people will argue that the fan is not running when the vehicle is at speed... I know that. Remember the grill is designed to meet the needs of all engines under all environmental and operating conditions. A vehicle crawling through the desert on a 100 degree plus day will not draw its own air.

 

[flyer92]

I guess I would question the engineers getting it "wrong". My jeep (3.6) never exceeds 238 even when towing up hills in the summer (110+ temps).

Wow...you are lucky. Oil temp (not coolant temp) on my 2-door Sport reaches the mid to upper 240s in the same conditions without a trailer. This was one reason I wanted to try the JT grille, but unfortunately, it makes no difference.

 

[Upnarms]

Wow...you are lucky. Oil temp (not coolant temp) on my 2-door Sport reaches the mid to upper 240s in the same conditions without a trailer. This was one reason I wanted to try the JT grille, but unfortunately, it makes no difference.

I only looked at coolant temps, admittedly.

 

[4x4snowmachinejeep]

@4x4snowmachinejeep Where'd you get the new grille from?

I ordered it in tax free NH - Keene Jeep - they are AEV dealership too- talk to Jeremiah -keenejeep.com

 

[Mabe855]

Mind sharing the total cost for all the pieces?

 

[TorturedMargot]

Wow...you are lucky. Oil temp (not coolant temp) on my 2-door Sport reaches the mid to upper 240s in the same conditions without a trailer. This was one reason I wanted to try the JT grille, but unfortunately, it makes no difference.

3.6L or 2.0T?

 

[Willys41]

I have a 3.6

 

[flyer92]

3.6L or 2.0T?

3.6L

 

[CarbonSteel]

I am not certain if it is that simple. They engineer a grill that meets the maximum air flow requirements for all engines under all environmental (temperature, altitude, humidity, etc.) and operating (rock crawling, highway, towing, etc) conditions. Then when the engine needs to be cooled the radiator cooling fan module tells the cooling fan to spin a a certain speed to draw the amount of air needed to cool the engine (not overcool it).

So it is not simply a function of the grill opening that cools the engine (i.e. just making openings larger will not improve cooling).

In the end, the cooling system (with or without larger grill openings) is not up to the task--I would surmise that you could remove the grill completely with no noticeable difference in temperatures.

I think this because even with relatively cool ambient air (70°F), mine will still hit the 240°F mark so it is not really about the air, it is about the air/heat/water transfer that happens (or doesn't happen in this case).

I have driven downhill coasting for more than a few miles at cool temperatures and my coolant never goes below 224°F so definitely more to it than just the airflow.

 

[Willys41]

Yes
Like I have been telling everyone
Even with a pusher fan on the condenser air will not free flow though the radiator

 

[2nd 392]

“In the end, the cooling system (with or without larger grill openings) is not up to the task--I would surmise that you could remove the grill completely with no noticeable difference in temperatures.”

I think this because even with relatively cool ambient air (70°F), mine will still hit the 240°F mark so it is not really about the air, it is about the air/heat/water transfer that happens (or doesn't happen in this case).

I have driven downhill coasting for more than a few miles at cool temperatures and my coolant never goes below 224°F so definitely more to it than just the airflow.

Where’s @Tredsdert when you need him ? Is he getting more through the cooling stack and therefore better cooling ? …… If the new grille improves cooling why haven’t they promoted it with flow test results ?

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