This is my first time posting a mod, so be kind. I'm building my Cherokee for the long haul, and money has been getting tighter with the economy like it is and with the expense of everything else I'm doing to this thing, so I've decided to mod my airbox as opposed to buying some expensive setup.

Also, with a open cold air intake filter, you run the risk of mud/dirt packing into the filter, and causing more problems than you may want.

so here we go.

I used simple basic tools: a cordless drill, 1/2 and 3/16ths drill bits, bastard file, and a hacksaw.

I started by opening up the intake of the airbox by drilling 3/16ths holes along where I was going to be doing the cutting to relieve the pressure on the box when I started doing the cutting, the reason is the airbox itself is kind of brittle, and you don't want to crack it.
After i drilled the holes, I used the hacksaw to cut to each hole. Then used the file to clean up the cuts.
You'll want to leave 3 of the original snorkel openings as this will act like a dam to direct air into your box.








You'll want to add a couple of drain holes to the bottom of the box, and to open up the original holes to help with draining of water or debris, this is where the 1/2 inch drill bit comes into play.

 

After I did this mod, I realized that there was a piece of steel that is basically blocking any direct airflow to the airbox from the grill, so i decided to cut this piece out. This was fun.

I used the same process as with the airbox. I used the 3/16ths drill bit and drilled holes along where I wanted to make the cuts with the hacksaw. I also laid down a magnet that you pick up at anyone of the corporations that give them away that you stick on your fridge, and put this under where I was drilling and cutting and filing, as the metal shaving stuck to it, so they wouldn't go all over.

Note: I didn't use a dremmel or cutting disk as I didn't want steel shavings flung all over the place and, I don't have one anyway.

After drilling the holes, I "connected the dots" with the hacksaw, and removed the piece of steel. I then filed the rough edges down with the bastard file. I then bought some door molding and put it along the cut area to make it look like a factory mod.

I hope you like it and hope this helps someone. It didn't take too long to do, maybe a couple hours.

 

My dad did something very similar to his 97 XJ. After trimming the radiator support, he then used some type of PVC to route the forced air into the box. Then he used foam, and completely surrounded that same piping, then used exhaust tape, and wrapped it around all of the air intake components. Works pretty well.

 

I have a K&N filter in my box, so this should basically be just like a open air cold air intake, only more direct, and without the exposure to debris.


I hope you all like it.

 

This is an awesome set up (same one i run-i cut alot more plastic tho and added a "funnel")

What you could do is take some plastic pieces does not matter where you got it just make sure it wont melt! and you mount the plastic to where it butts up against the radiator support and flush with the box.(i used nuts and bolts to mount mine and a couple L brackets.

 

for your dads xj wrapping it with exhaust heat wrap is a bad idea, that will hold heat in and not really stop it from heat soaking, your are better using that reflective heat tape

 

It is a good idea I have used it on a few of my vehicles, the only thing that hinders performance now it the ribbed inlet tube. The ribs casue friction and turbulence thus decreasing efficency. You just need to find a company that sells just the inlet tube, or make one.