I'm mostly wanting the space for a second battery, my Jeep is my DD and currently unmodified, which is something I plan to fix over time.

 

Seth Here from THOR. I am one half of the organization. Our filter is just like the K&N filters, and need minimal cleaning being tucked away in the Cowl. It is very easy to take the shroud off as it is just a few philips head screws.

 

Seth here from THOR. I recommend the DirtBound Offroad driver's side battery tray in the case you do not want to fabricate your own.

 

Seth here from THOR. I am one have of the operation. We do not recommend closing off the gaps from the shroud. This is intentional as it helps drain water from the cowl in the case that you do encounter massive water intrusion. Otherwise it will flood your filter. Check out this video for a demonstration of what I mean:

https://www.facebook.com/THOR4x4/videos/1698657500430920/

 

Also if you guys use code "Y2KXJ" at checkout, you will get a free pre-filter to better protect the conical filter from the elements. These are normally 20$.

 

I was gonna make my own, but thx for the suggestion.

 

Yeah, but it's only a few screws and the cowl is pretty much sealed off except for the drain, so barely anything gets in there. I only take mine out once per year to clean it and even then it's less dirty than a standard filter after a few months.

 

A second battery is hardly the first mod I would do in a DD that is currently unmodified.

 

Ow.

From what I've seen the tray is "universal' and for 79.00 I would probably just buy it.

I watched the Bleepin Jeep video about the cowl intake and Tim did a spectacular job of installing it and explaining what he was doing. My only qualm would be about clearance around the filter, you don't want any part of that filter touching sheet metal because it will cut through it, vibrations and all.

It looks like a cool part, I'll be looking into one.

I want the polished aluminum intake tube though.

 

Put Mine in late last summer. THOR has great customer service and shipped right away. I like mine. Makes noise in the cabin for sure but you get used to it rather quickly. Most noisy at start up to about 2 minutes then quiets down. Light throttle to steady cruising it's hardly noticeable. Stomp the throttle and it has a deep growl.

I don't do deep water crossings nor was I interested in performance gains. I got it to make room for the air compressor. I replaced the Phillips screws with hex head. Worth every penny to me.

 

It's one of a series of mods I'm planning. I'm looking at doing the dual battery sooner rather then later because I want to upgrade/update/repair the wiring system before I start adding mods that pull current, it just makes since to me to add the second battery during this phase. Lift and tires will be a later phase after I've got the Jeep fictionally solid and to my liking.

 

Bleepin Jeep is where I first found out about it and what set me to looking into it. Thx for the info.

 

Winch, light bars, stereo, amp, subwoofer, roof flashing lights and still on 1 battery and stock alternator. On several XJs not just one.


New battery and upgraded cables goes a lot further than a second battery.


GLW your project.

 

I want the second battery for added security, between farming and work I sometimes overtax my batteries because I don't always want the engine running the whole time I'm using the electrical system, so having a battery for that isolated from the primary allows me to always start the Jeep even if I'm not paying attention, or one of my two teenagers isn't paying attention, and drain the battery to much for it to then start the vehicle. It's either run a second battery or constantly carry a jump pack around or leave the Jeep idling allot more then I want to. Different setups work for different people and your's works for you, I could do fine with a single battery setup, but I'd rather not. I know my own habits and needs would best be served with a dual battery setup, so that's what I want.

Out of curiosity what would you suggest as an early mod vs the dual battery setup?

My end goal is about 4"-5" lift and long arms (I'm leaning towards the Iron Rock Rock Link 5.5") with 35s, winch, bumpers, bigger axles, OX lockers, NP231 swap (4:1 from Tera if I can), roof rack, frame rail stiffeners, LED light bars, some body armor and rock sliders. Engine bay plans are new injectors, possibly relocate the alternator if I decide I can do without the AC, which I'm not sure about, some intake improvements, 3 row radiator, all electric fans, alternator upgrade, second fuse/relay box. I'd really like an on board welder but IDK if the wife can be convinced of that one or not due to the expense, hard to haul the Miller Bobcat everywhere I go though. I'm thinking this will be a 3-4 year build for me and lift and tires are currently sitting around the 2 year mark. Now allot of things I haven't listed because they're more what I'd considered repairs like reworking the wiring system from bumper to bumper, tuneup, cosmetics, etc (my new headliner just came in the mail yesterday!) I started a build thread that I'll update from time to time, this is just one of many steps I have planned and I wanted more info on the intake. Thanks again for the input

 

Sounds like you have a plan.


IRO 3 link front is very nice. Have it to replace worn out TNT radius arm long arm.


Frame stiffners earlier rather than later is a good choice.


Dual batteries is just not a wire in parallel project. Usually require a switching mechanism and isolator and charging strategy. Wiring in parallel will give longer capacity but it sounds like it might give you false security and still would probably run them down and be unable to start.
On board welding requires bigger alternator and/or the dual batteries and works poor at best. Maybe a small generator and small stick welder would suite you well for small welding projects at best.


Your project, your money, your plan. That's what makes modifying XJs so fun.