Honest opinions

monstrousmac

monstrousmac

Caught the Bug
Ok, please be honest. What do you all think about this JK Hood. I was going to buy a hood louver for my Jeep. My Jk runs a little on the hot side when temps hit 95 and above. Now, that I live in Arizona I wanted to add some sort of vented hood, I already have vented inner fender liners. I found this while looking online. They are asking 300 for it. So what do you all think? Any cons going to a fiber glass hood? What about pros, other then weight (the hood only ways 3 lbs.)?
 

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Looks cool but I think you'll find that it won't do much to cool things off. Sure, it'll help a little but that's about it.
 
wayoflife said:
Looks cool but I think you'll find that it won't do much to cool things off. Sure, it'll help a little but that's about it.
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Thanks Eddie, I always value your opinion. What about pros and cons to fiberglass hoods. I am sure you ran by a few. Any suggestions on heat, my thermostat goes almost to the 3/4 mark never in the red, but definitely passed the halfway point. It is the 3.8 liter. Only when it is 95 and above outside.
 
monstrousmac said:
Thanks Eddie, I always value your opinion. What about pros and cons to fiberglass hoods. I am sure you ran by a few. Any suggestions on heat, my thermostat goes almost to the 3/4 mark never in the red, but definitely passed the halfway point. It is the 3.8 liter. Only when it is 95 and above outside.
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You May have a flow issue. In particular, your radiator may be caked with mud, bugs, etc. I had that and got the high temp readings you describe. Thoroughly hosed out the radiator and have had no problems since, other than one time heading up a long steep grade in the heat of summer with a bunch of camping gear on a roof rack.

I’ll add that I have a Poison Spider louvre hood. I like the look but I doubt it does anything to help cooling.


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Only thing I can think of as a con might be more hood flutter on the highway. Also fiberglass doesn’t “give” like sheet metal. It cracks and breaks. I dunno?

It does look cool though.


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monstrousmac said:
Thanks Eddie, I always value your opinion. What about pros and cons to fiberglass hoods. I am sure you ran by a few. Any suggestions on heat, my thermostat goes almost to the 3/4 mark never in the red, but definitely passed the halfway point. It is the 3.8 liter. Only when it is 95 and above outside.
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fiend said:
You May have a flow issue. In particular, your radiator may be caked with mud, bugs, etc. I had that and got the high temp readings you describe. Thoroughly hosed out the radiator and have had no problems since, other than one time heading up a long steep grade in the heat of summer with a bunch of camping gear on a roof rack.
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I'd have to agree with fiend. Before you spend any money on something like a new hood, I would take apart your cooling stack and clean it out. Over time, a TON of crap can build up between the condenser and radiator and block good airflow.

Otherwise, nothing wrong with a glass hood or that I've seen anyway.
 
Fiberglass will eventually “spider web” and stress fracture ...but if you like it that’s all that counts. I have a couple AEV hoods on jeeps, and I certainly can see the heat pouring out of the vents...especially on cooler or cold days...so it has to be better than trapped under the hood...
 
Brute said:
Fiberglass will eventually “spider web” and stress fracture ...but if you like it that’s all that counts. I have a couple AEV hoods on jeeps, and I certainly can see the heat pouring out of the vents...especially on cooler or cold days...so it has to be better than trapped under the hood...
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This one has already Spider webbed. [emoji23]IMG_1294.JPG


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I think it looks pretty cool. Never had any experience with a fiberglass hood so I can't chime in there, but if you are having heat issues really take a look at the cooling system and build up just like a few have stated above. I've had to clean between mine a couple times. I do have the poison spyder hood louver and you can see heat escaping on colder days but I got it for the look of it really not because I had an over heating issue.
 
RCVRY said:
Have you thought about upgrading your cooling system? Aluminum 3 or 4 core radiator, bigger fan? Not sure what options are out there.


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unfortunately, it seems that all of the aftermarket aluminum radiators end up leaking especially with off road use. theory is that the JK body just flexes too much.
 
Do under-hood temps tend to run high on Wranglers with the stock hood? Would be interesting to put a temp probe in a few spots then swap hoods to see the difference. Whether engine temps go down or not, reduced under-hood temps are always good.

In my experience with race cars, exhaust wrap brought engine my bay temps down more than just about anything (and certainly a lot more than Jet Coat). But I doubt that is practical for our application, and it can be pretty tough on the header/manifold itself.
 
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