I run a hardtop and full doors, so maybe/probably not the best example of "common use". That said, even as mine is configured, not exactly a hermetically sealed interior environment.
Time to change your cabin air filter
- Thread starter dbbd1
- Start date
I run a hardtop and full doors, so maybe/probably not the best example of "common use". That said, even as mine is configured, not exactly a hermetically sealed interior environment.
if the cowl drain "funnel" with rubber "duckbill" is present it'd be near impossible for anything to get into the cowl area via the drain
If you are talking about leaves and junk, agreed. I just meant the magnet filter over the top opening isn't going to protect you from dust in the air because of the drain.
WestCoastDan
TJ Enthusiast
A cabin filter on a TJ is probably less effective than these:
I haven't found that to be the case, but to each their own. Depends a lot on how you use your Jeep. Many use them as top off toys and store them in their garage, often parking them in the off season, I drive mind daily.
If your passengers like getting blasted in the face with dirt/dust when running the HVAC after a dusty trip or you like your HVAC system getting packed with leaves, etc., then you don't need to worry.
With the added bonus of not looking like a colossal douche wearing a mask in your own vehicle...
Yes, to each their own.
Everything that gets through that rather coarse mesh on top of the cowl, ends up inside.
For the cost, for me, it's a good add-on.
(I also think that it is safely out of the of way of anything but the most direct aim of a pressure washer)
With the added bonus of not looking like a colossal douche wearing a mask in your own vehicle...
Well, I have been called worse...
And probably by better people than me.
I think something to keep garbage out of your air system makes sense, regardless of use. To be clear, I'm not knocking the design being sold, and I feel like the guy selling them might be a member here as something similar was posted months ago when I uploaded shots of the design I was working on.
Shameless plug: I put up a guide on how to roll your own cabin filter together with the later intake setup here.
I have found that it works well, but it does clog up pretty quickly and noticeably lowers HVAC vent flow rate. For where I wheel, it may make more sense to use a lower MERV filter and eat a little bit of the fine dust...I was looking at my furnace filter recently and may have to cut it up for science.
The ebay one looks OK, but it could be more likely to get blocked by leaves, etc or splashed on without the OEM cowl cover that was added in the later TJs. If you're in the desert and don't park under trees, it should be better than nothing as long as you change the filter.
@chili_pepper that looks like a good design, thanks for sharing the files with the community.
I have found that it works well, but it does clog up pretty quickly and noticeably lowers HVAC vent flow rate. For where I wheel, it may make more sense to use a lower MERV filter and eat a little bit of the fine dust...I was looking at my furnace filter recently and may have to cut it up for science.
The ebay one looks OK, but it could be more likely to get blocked by leaves, etc or splashed on without the OEM cowl cover that was added in the later TJs. If you're in the desert and don't park under trees, it should be better than nothing as long as you change the filter.
@chili_pepper that looks like a good design, thanks for sharing the files with the community.
Trashwrencher
New Member
I was able to adapt the kit being sold on eBay for 2002+ TJs to fit my 1999. I took a dremel to some of the additional molding around the screw holes in order to get it to fit relatively flush with the vent opening. @chili_pepper I like your design quite a bit in that it certainly seems much more water resistant. Let us know if you ever plan on selling a version of it.
I just did this over the weekend but I can certainly report back after trying it out this week.
Some primitive flow testing I did on mine.
If you know someone with a 3D printer capable of printing in ABS, you can download the STL files for free from my domain. Zip password is "WTF". I only have one printer, and while it's pretty quick, I couldn't produce them in any serious quantities for sale.
For anyone with an older TJ, I'd be interested in knowing the measurements of the hole in the sub-cowl, relative to the screw holes (assuming they are at the same location as later models, and it would appear from the modification above that they are). I could develop an additional air plenum part design to accommodate earlier TJ models and include it in an updated zip for download.
If you know someone with a 3D printer capable of printing in ABS, you can download the STL files for free from my domain. Zip password is "WTF". I only have one printer, and while it's pretty quick, I couldn't produce them in any serious quantities for sale.
For anyone with an older TJ, I'd be interested in knowing the measurements of the hole in the sub-cowl, relative to the screw holes (assuming they are at the same location as later models, and it would appear from the modification above that they are). I could develop an additional air plenum part design to accommodate earlier TJ models and include it in an updated zip for download.