I'm not even sure this is the right thread, but here goes. Recently bought a '98 with some goodies, but it still has the factory insulation on the hood. I live in a cold winter climate, but in as much as these jeeps tend to run hot anyway, is this necessary or should I just get rid of it for the summer driving conditions? Truck is not overheating at present, but I always think the cooler the better. Please advise. Thanks.

 

Cooler is not better. There is an optimal temperature, and there is everything else. Everything else is, by definition, not optimal.

These beasts were designed to run around 210. That's not "running hot" and that's not overheating, it's running correctly. That's optimal.

That's also not just where they happened to land because the factory didn't engineer it carefully. That's where they were carefully engineered to run. Your computer expects to see that, and it makes fuel/air decisions based (in part) on the engine's temperature. Run too cold and you'll burn excess fuel and shorten the life of your engine.


That said, I'm not familiar with your hood insulation, but since you are not overheating, and you have not been through a Wisconsin winter, why not keep it in place and see if it's actually beneficial during your winter?

 

It's to reduce sound.......

 

Hides the lifter tick HAHAH

 

That's exactly what it's for, sound deadening. I took the one off my ZJ and the snow melted off the hood where it didn't before. I didn't notice any sound difference either. I'm used to taking them off of my Chevys because they tend to droop after a while. The hoods do get hotter, but IDK if it makes any difference on engine cooling. The one on my WJ is still there.

 

They also fall on the engine when there is a major fire. Seems to smother it a bit.

 

Eh, what's that???

 

An old lady came into her doctor's office and confessed . . .
. . .to an embarrassing problem: "I fart all the time, Doctor Johnson, but they're soundless, and they have no odor. In fact, since I've been here, I've farted no less than twenty times. What can I do?"

"Here's a prescription, Mrs. Barker. Take these pills three times a day for seven days and come back and see me in a week."

The next week, an upset Mrs. Barker marched into Dr. Johnson's office: "Doc, I don't know what was in those pills, but the problem is worse! I'm farting just as much, and they're still soundless, but now they smell terrible! What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Calm down, Mrs. Barker," said the doctor soothingly. "Now that we've fixed your sinuses, we'll work on your hearing!"