I found a local guy parting out a '98 Grand Cherokee 5.9, and he still had the hood. Wouldn't sell just the louvers. Wanted $150 for the entire hood. I offered $125, he accepted, and I pick it up Saturday. I'll likely be duplicating your positioning, though I'll toy with other positions before committing to the cuts. Did you also use the "trays" on the underside of the hood? I assume those are for diverting rainwater. Here in the PNW, it's probably not a bad idea.
Btw, that Ebay set for $100 (plus crazy shipping cost) is not bad, given the rarity of these things. If I hadn't found these local ones, I'd be all over those. Someone should jump on 'em.