Question regarding the Windsheld defrost

[homerun]

I’ve had the opportunity to try out my plugs a few time since my install and made a few tweaks. At first, it was much better towards the sides, but I noticed a little icing in the center because not enough hot air was hitting the windshield. Rather than remove some of the plugs, I drilled small holes in the plugs that are located under where the driver-side windshield wiper sits so a touch mire hot air can hit the wiper. It seems to be working how Jeep should have designed the vents in the first place. I drove around in record snow yesterday (snow falling at 2” per hour with over 20” in to total), and only had a little icing on the driver’s side, where the wiper hits the end of its reach and deposits the snow. This is to be expected. My wipers never iced over and my view was always clear. Not once did I have to stop and scrape ice off the windshield. Very happy!!

sounds like you got it dialed in. Remind me again what you used for materials? Did you buy or 3D print? Sorry it’s a long thread to back over.

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[NCIC105]

I’ve had the opportunity to try out my plugs a few time since my install and made a few tweaks. At first, it was much better towards the sides, but I noticed a little icing in the center because not enough hot air was hitting the windshield. Rather than remove some of the plugs, I drilled small holes in the plugs that are located under where the driver-side windshield wiper sits so a touch mire hot air can hit the wiper. It seems to be working how Jeep should have designed the vents in the first place. I drove around in record snow yesterday (snow falling at 2” per hour with over 20” in to total), and only had a little icing on the driver’s side, where the wiper hits the end of its reach and deposits the snow. This is to be expected. My wipers never iced over and my view was always clear. Not once did I have to stop and scrape ice off the windshield. Very happy!!

Price?

 

[JeepFan]

I’ve had the opportunity to try out my plugs a few time since my install and made a few tweaks. At first, it was much better towards the sides, but I noticed a little icing in the center because not enough hot air was hitting the windshield. Rather than remove some of the plugs, I drilled small holes in the plugs that are located under where the driver-side windshield wiper sits so a touch mire hot air can hit the wiper. It seems to be working how Jeep should have designed the vents in the first place. I drove around in record snow yesterday (snow falling at 2” per hour with over 20” in to total), and only had a little icing on the driver’s side, where the wiper hits the end of its reach and deposits the snow. This is to be expected. My wipers never iced over and my view was always clear. Not once did I have to stop and scrape ice off the windshield. Very happy!!

What size drill bit did you use?

 

[FoxyJeeper]

Price?

 

[FoxyJeeper]

What size drill bit did you use?

I used a 9/64 but 1/8 will probaly be fine too.

 

[LizardBoy]

After long searching I found these Chinese silicone rubber plugs that fit perfectly. No gaps. Flat. Stay put. Only downside is they take 2-3 weeks to get here. I got the 15.6 mm ones. I ordered 20 and they are arranged as shown in the photo. No more defroster problem!

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000668231379.html?spm=2114.12057483.0.0.36972789AVL9Ew

 

[Sierra]

Sold out. 🥸

 

[MyDaughters20JL]

So, this would be the 10% of conditions you mentioned earlier? Do you know what those conditions are such as temp/humidity/precipitation/etc? I'd be curious to poll the JL owners in the midwest who had the -50 F temps, the areas where they were doing the "boiling water challenge" (where boiling water thrown into the air froze mid-air). What was their experience and why haven't we heard from more folks?

I'm in WA, and just had this issue this past saturday when I had to go over the mountains to take some stuff to Spokane.

Started Snowing at about MP 34 just out of North Bend & by the time I reached the summit, it was a literal blizzard (variable speed zone, limit was set at 45, but in all honesty, everyone was doing about 25 due to poor visibility).

Several times, I ended having to pull off an exit & scrape snow/slush/ice off my LED headlights and fog lights (but THAT is another topic altogether), so took a few extra seconds to clear the snow & ice buildup of fthe wipers at the same time.

By the time I got to Cle Elum, temps were in the low teens with intermittent heavy snow..what snow fell, melted on the center portion of the windshield, got pushed to the edges & promptly froze

fortunately, the snow stopped & the windshield eventually cleared completely.

my package of plugs came today and are installed...keeping my fingers crossed until the next time I need to drive in that crap

 

[donmontalvo]

O K you made me go look for these. Here is a picture of the plugs showing top, side and bottom views. Also is the packing bag with the guys name i got them from.
Don’t know if he’s still on ebay.
A word of caution....if your not careful and put them in straight they can possibly fall into the hole and be a real bear to get out.

I only started noticing the uneven defrost issue when I put my 35s on and my Jeep no longer fit in my Garage. I bought the same bag of 5/8" plugs from dangoodbuy. They came in, I installed them like this (x is a plug; 0 is noplug).

0000000000xxxxxxxxxx00xx00xx00xxxxxxxxxx0000000000

The windshield is defrosting more evenly, but I doubt it'll ever be completely even.

I also noticed one of the plugs fell through the hole when I pushed it in just a bit too hard.

Luckily I had my Swiss Army Knife with me, and was able to grab it and pull it out.

They've got a dozen or so packs of 24 left if anyone is looking:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/24-Square-...Great-for-Jeep-Wrangler-JL-Vents/254075679696

 

[rocklobster]

I have already been printing prototype ones (see above) and I am now printing them in black as a "finished" print. Assuming I don't have any major changes, I'll probably put these models up on Thingiverse for anyone who wants to print them out. The only restriction really is that they are long prints, so you need a larger bed (I have to turn them 45 degrees to fit them on my print bed)

Hi, did you ever post to Thingiverse? I would like to print one, it should come included with every Wrangler!...

 

[thadius65]

Depending on how many people are interested, I don't think I'd have a problem printing them for people if they pay for shipping/plastic (which the plastic cost is negligible for a print like this anyway)

PM me costs for product and shipping to 17754. I like this sleeker design. Thanks!