Why Didn't The TJ Get a Stock "Cold Air" Induction?
- Thread starter TJRick
- Start date
Rubicon John
TJ Enthusiast
I hope to one day start a thread like this. One that asks a relatively on-the-rails question, albeit odd, and turns into a treasure trove of gems from the inner bowels of the WranglerTJ forum introverts who come here attempting to propagate their “social” abilities.
It makes for wonderful entertainment and brings the TJ community closer together. It also makes me giggle.
It makes for wonderful entertainment and brings the TJ community closer together. It also makes me giggle.
Going back to the main question-I once tested the intake temp for my TJ using a meat thermometer sensor-like the kind you would use if you are smoking meat on a smoker or grill. I taped it across the stock intake opening. Each test session was about 20 minutes, and I did 2 separate tests at different ambient temps to see if there was any variation.
At 60 mph, the air intake temp was about 3 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than ambient temp in the summer and actually 2 degrees cooler than ambient temp in the winter. Pretty constant temp diffs on all 4 occasions.
Idling in 4-low in the summer, the air intake temp was between 86 and 90 degrees warmer than ambient. Not sure why it fluctuated like that but it was definitely going up and down, likely with the opening and closing of the thermostat but I am not entirely sure. This held true on a very hot day and on a mild day.
For what it's worth, it anything at all.
At 60 mph, the air intake temp was about 3 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than ambient temp in the summer and actually 2 degrees cooler than ambient temp in the winter. Pretty constant temp diffs on all 4 occasions.
Idling in 4-low in the summer, the air intake temp was between 86 and 90 degrees warmer than ambient. Not sure why it fluctuated like that but it was definitely going up and down, likely with the opening and closing of the thermostat but I am not entirely sure. This held true on a very hot day and on a mild day.
For what it's worth, it anything at all.
If the TJ came stock with the intake sucking air from the grill area the title of this thread would be “Why does the TJ have the air intake located where it’s prone to water injestion?”.
Not only that, but they'd be bitching about how much water it can ingest.
I guess I didn't get that memo
.At the top of Devil's Punchbowl:
The Animas River near Animas Forks, Colo.:
I rarely drive in water deeper than the bumper, so I've haven't had a water ingress issue.
OP
I don't know about that.
Is that a common complaint from the CJ or YJ crowd? Their air intakes suck air from in front of the grille. And those older Jeeps were more likely taken off road (or across rivers) than the newer Jeeps that spend 95% of their time on the highway.
Nice! I’ve had water to the top of 35” tires plenty of times and over the hood a handful.I guess I didn't get that memo
At the top of Devil's Punchbowl:
View attachment 175079
The Animas River near Animas Forks, Colo.:
View attachment 175080
I rarely drive in water deeper than the bumper, so I've haven't had a water ingress issue.
It’s an awesome feeling crossing a stream and having the Jeep float downstream a few feet, well not really, I thought I was going to crap my pants.
The last three Jeeps I’ve owned had the much-hated snorkel to prevent water damage to the engine.
I had planned to do a snorkel in fiberglass to go with the Cool Cowl, and prototyped one using parts from several MOPAR air intakes to get an idea of the dimensions but I since it didn't look like the Cool Cowl would get to market I didn't go through with it.
Here's the rough prototype snorkel, the fiberglass one would be much more form-fitting to the cowl and the Jeep than this rough prototype.
What's nice about the idea is that a snorkel could be installed without cutting any holes in any external sheet metal.
And with attaching a snorkel in mind, I also created a prototype Cool Cowl with a side port - the side port would be a much better looking place to attach a snorkel.
Perhaps you could start something like "What's the Best Flag to Fly Behind My TJ."
But back to some semblance of relevance to the original topic of this thread:
Like my CJ-5 and my CJ-7? Water intrusion would rot the accordion hose to the air cleaner over time so most of us would just throw the hose away when it was ruined and draw air from the engine bay. The difference in performance was minimal, if any
I did not close off the orifice in the grill for the air cleaner hose and never noticed any issues from water intrusion. I don't think anyone thought it was an issue at the time. There was more water coming up from below from rain on rainy days and during stream crossings. What's a little more from a rectangular orifice up high in the grill assembly?
afitzray97
TJ Enthusiast
Good point, sorry for being a jerk. I’m still glad that one guy seems to be gone though. I’m no expert so I’ll try to keep my posts to stuff I know and stay away from the pointless posts from here on out. Again, I’m super thankful for the knowledge I’ve gained here.
A few months ago my "Cool Cowl" cold air intake cowl design came up in this thread. There were questions about whether it was in production or not and at the time I said:
About a week ago I got my molds back - unharmed, which is good. And today I received one of the cowls - the person who borrowed the molds had several cowls made for himself and friends, and one for me which was a nice way for him to say thank you. Much appreciated.
The fiberglass shop did a nice job on the cowl. There are a few minor things I would suggest that the fiberglass shop do differently if they were to make another run of these, but as molded and once trimmed and painted these will fit great, work well and look fine.
A quick fit on my test tub shows that a little trimming is required, but that's to be expected - the fiberglass shop doesn't have a TJ handy to test the fit on.
The bottom side showing the ducting; they did a fine job with the duct.
I don't make parts for sale or sell anything myself, I just design this stuff and make prototypes for my own use and testing. I've never lent out molds before so this was a bit of an experiment. Other than taking longer than expected due to the virus, it was a successful experience from my side and hopefully also for the person that borrowed the molds.
About a week ago I got my molds back - unharmed, which is good
. And today I received one of the cowls - the person who borrowed the molds had several cowls made for himself and friends, and one for me which was a nice way for him to say thank you. Much appreciated.The fiberglass shop did a nice job on the cowl. There are a few minor things I would suggest that the fiberglass shop do differently if they were to make another run of these, but as molded and once trimmed and painted these will fit great, work well and look fine.
A quick fit on my test tub shows that a little trimming is required, but that's to be expected - the fiberglass shop doesn't have a TJ handy to test the fit on.
The bottom side showing the ducting; they did a fine job with the duct.
I don't make parts for sale or sell anything myself, I just design this stuff and make prototypes for my own use and testing. I've never lent out molds before so this was a bit of an experiment. Other than taking longer than expected due to the virus, it was a successful experience from my side and hopefully also for the person that borrowed the molds.
@Chris @zebra12 we have to organize a group buy....A few months ago my "Cool Cowl" cold air intake cowl design came up in this thread. There were questions about whether it was in production or not and at the time I said:
About a week ago I got my molds back - unharmed, which is good
The fiberglass shop did a nice job on the cowl. There are a few minor things I would suggest that the fiberglass shop do differently if they were to make another run of these, but as molded and once trimmed and painted these will fit great, work well and look fine.
View attachment 193388
A quick fit on my test tub shows that a little trimming is required, but that's to be expected - the fiberglass shop doesn't have a TJ handy to test the fit on.
View attachment 193389
The bottom side showing the ducting; they did a fine job with the duct.
View attachment 193390
I don't make parts for sale or sell anything myself, I just design this stuff and make prototypes for my own use and testing. I've never lent out molds before so this was a bit of an experiment. Other than taking longer than expected due to the virus, it was a successful experience from my side and hopefully also for the person that borrowed the molds.
I like this... this could almost take some of my money...
there are snorkels for the JT/JL that replaces the cowl corner, similar to this, and only modifies a piece of weather Stripping under the hood... I think it’s Rugged Ridge...
This could even keep the same overall design as stock, only draw in cooler air instead of underhood air... could even adapt a dust trap/pre-filter to help the stock filter in dusty environment...
Last edited:
Bet ya big money it won’t be the same story for thisWe tried that for the JL and CJ grille and there wasn't enough interest
It’s form and function!