I cant take complete credit for the method I used here but I couldn't find a writeup so here's mine.

I decided to try some louvers to decrease under hood temps. My intake temps were running around 160 normal driving. If the intake temps are that hot just imagine how hot all those wires, hoses, and even the onboard compressor gets. Hot enough to burn you after wheeling that's for sure.

There are a couple of different companies that makes louvers. After searching around I decided on RunCool louvers: http://www.raceace.com. These are the Large High Flow set, powder coated aluminum flat black.

It took 3.5 hours start to finish. I started by removing the hood and placing it on some sawhorses.



Next I taped the hell out of the hood to give it some obvious protection for what was to come. Place the louvers in the desired location then trace around.



Remove the louvers then draw 1" inside the outer trace for where to cut. I decided to use the original tie down loop as a center point so I could reuse that loop (even though I never plan to fold down the windshield)



I then grabbed my grinder with .045" cutting wheels. I was careful not to cut too deep so as to leave the under hood bracing in tact.



After cutting the holes place the louvers back in place and dril the many holes for the rivets (drill bit provided in the kit). Grind off rough spots then remove all the tape. I Swiss cheesed some holes into the cross members for some added air flow.



Tape again just outside the drilled holes. Paint everything flat black for looks and to cover the cut edges.



Let dry then remove all paper and tape.



Put louvers back in place. Time for the rivets. Man that was alot of friggin riveting!!

All done. Stand back and admire the work. It dropped my intake temps down 30 degrees just driving to work. When the fan kicks on at a 210 water temp it's like a blow drier is under the hood. Hot air is just spilling out the louvers. Now time for some high speed and crawling to just see how much they benifit.

 

Nice work, any tests on temp. changes yet?

 

Other than the initial 30 drop in intake nope. I head to Moab Wed and will really test her there. 100 degrees outside, pulling the Chaser, and running the AC will do the trick. I'll post up when results are known.

 

any alignment issues when re-installing hood?

 

I wonder if this will fog up the windshield in the winter time?

 

Nope. Can't do it wrong. The bolts that go into the hinges are tapered and self aligns the hood. Idiot proof (famous last words)

I would expect they will help clear the windshield. Will see when the time comes.

 

Nice job and very clean looking for sure. Hope they do all that you were looking for them to do for you.

 

awesome job!

 

Looks pretty cool on a black rig - not sure how it would look on another color, unless you paint matched them...

Nice work!

 

very nice work man. looks like a great weekend project and very functional. might be better in the winter and snow as far heating the caben. the intake for the cab is at the base of the windshield. might just work out that the hot air from the engine heats the cabin as well.