I have been throwing around the idea of installing hood vents on my 98 Cherokee, I have found the pair I want to go with but before I make not only the jump to buy them, not that they cost a lot, but also the jump into cutting into my hood, I was wondering what happens when it rains or as it likes to do here in Illinois, snow forever, does anything happen to any electrical components under the hood? I have seen Cherokees with them on and I have heard about how well they work, I just want to know if rain and snow would cause any problems to the motor or any electrical things. Thanks

Matt
Down & Dirty club member

 

I'm just about to install some LeBaron Hood Vents on my 98 XJ. The vents have been cleaned and painted. The hood prepared and measured and I'm just now working up the courage to make that first cut.Will probably do it this weekend.

Anyway, to answer your question. The only problem is rain/snow when the vehicle is parked up. I bascially waterproofed everything I needed to beneath the vents, the distributor was my main concern. Once the vents are fitted, I plan to make some drip trays beneath the vents so as much of the rainwater is diverted away from the electrics as possible.

 

Most vents will come with a drip tray and you just run that away from major electrical components

 

You'll be fine. Most of the time when people cut vents into the hood they do it towards the center of the hood. Look at where most of your electrical connections are; mostly around the sides of your bay. Your engine bay is open to the weather anyway, with the main electrical stuff shielded, so cutting into the hood isn't that big of an electrical issue. That being said, just try to keep the holes away from over the top of electrical components.

 

I did mine about a month ago and with all the rain that we had in NJ (LOTS) there are no problems so far...Go For It...Tj

 

^tj im liken those vents.

 

Thanks, got them on eBay for under $20 from JDM...Tj

 

got mine from lowes for under 15 bucks....work great.

 

i am still debating on these or some of the others i have seen i think if i painted these they would look killer i am just a chicken about cutting my hood. i don't know why i massacred my fenders but the hood scares me a little

 

GO FOR IT..it's only a hood. Just measure 3 times and cut once...Lol...Tj

 

Crash, that looks bad ***! Are those just heat vents?

 

i was worried to but just went for it like a week ago. i dont have a super common color xj, at least around these parts in WI. mine came with drip pans. just measure 1000 times and cut once. its scary but im sure youll do fine.

 

I installed mid 90s Le Baron hood vents in my 91 and have no issues with rain.



I pulled this off of a 84 Dodge Daytona Turbo and my install it in my 89 trail rig.

 

that 91 with the lebaron hood vents looks awesome winston427

 

The vents make it look wicked!