Figured I'd make a seperate thread for this odd question.
My Jeep is an ex forest service XJ from Descheutes Forest (mountains and high desert).
Behind the headlight in front of th eairbox intake there is a square hole. On my old XJ and every other I've seen this hole is open for cold air.
On mine there is a cover over it with self tapping screws.
Dealership said the Chrysler part number on it (53030740) was once a valid number on XJs from 95-01 but can't find anything else about why it's there on mine.

Only thing I can think of is it's for extreme cold conditions for warmer intake air or for dusty roads for obvious reasons.

Any ideas from ya'll why it's there?
Should I take it off? I think I'd get colder air then, maybe slightly better mileage (?); maybe put it on in snow?

If the above things are what it's for I'll put it on in cold/dust and take it off in city/summer. Whatcha think?

 

i would take it off cause every other XJ has a hole there, i wouldn't run it in the cold or dust either probably wont make a diffidence in the cold and the air filter is there for dust

 

 

colder air is denser , more air, more fuel, more power, to hot of air, or hotter air coming in to the motor then it is designed for would cause a lean detonation or knock

 

Had to find the camers.
Her ya go; the "stock" hole I was referring to after I remove the cover:



Looks like everyone else's don't it? And here's the cover from Chrysler:



An here is it the way I found it (didn't want to screw it back in so it's a bit loose)

 

I would say it was sometype of cold weather blocker. Never seen one here in FL.

 

The answer lies in your question itself.
RE-read the second sentence.

Your XJ was outfitted for a "job"
Very much like the "security" or "rescue" or "postal" outfitting.

Most times when the Xj gets retired from duty, almost all of the outfitting is removed. (ALMOST).

Awhile back a member posted about a strange electronic box under the driver's front seat. His was an ex-security/police Cherokee. Not everything was removed

 

i had that factory installed too..... dont know why i did . just removed it and never looked back

 

I've also heard some people say they have a duct going from the air box to the hole, I don't.

 

Mine was a Dept of Transportation vehicle in Cincinnati Ohio and it has that plate. I'd bet it is for dusty areas.

 

Let's start a rumor, "Removing the plate adds 3 horsepower".

Repeat until true

 

Ok, here's one repeat. I love these false rumors. They usually have lots of their own HP and Traction.

 

One possible reason could be that it reduces the chance of large amounts of water entering the air box suddenly as happened to my '88 XJ when crossing a small stream at speed (about 24 in. of water) My vehicle was pushing the water ahead of me and it was going over the hood. When i realized that I was hydro locking I let it die and was winched out!

 

I think 4jeepers has nailed it.

 

I've got a PUG utility vehicle that has a Kohler Vtwin with an air block for winter. Acts kind of like a choke in that it reduces the amount of air mixing with the fuel to improve cold weather warm-up and operating.