Along with the good weather and warm temperatures, summertime brings with it the thrill of sun-soaked trails, epic rock crawling and the satisfying crunch of gravel beneath your tires. But as those warm temperatures continue to climb, so too does the heat under the hood of your lifted Jeep, which can lead to problems when it comes to performance. Managing engine heat is important to maintain the reliability and longevity of your Jeep vehicle, but there are some mods you can get to help with this. Today we’re going to talk about two examples of these, hood vents and auxiliary fans, to help you make sure your lifted Jeep is ready for summer heat.
Why Heat Is a Jeep’s Silent Enemy
Extreme temperatures can wreak havoc on any vehicle’s engine and other underhood components. Heat soak after things like slow-speed crawling, desert exposure or intense towing – fairly common activities behind the wheel of a lifted Jeep – can put even more stress on things like your radiators, transmission coolers, electronics, intake systems, hoses and gaskets.
Your cooling system is going to be working overtime to regulate temperature, especially if you’ve equipped your lifted Jeep with large tires, aftermarket body armor, power mods and more. The hotter and hotter your engine bay gets, the higher the risk of reduced power, premature wear and even limp mode becomes. But that’s where strategic cooling mods come into play.
Hood Vents: Passive Cooling
While many people might think hood vents are just a style choice – which, admittedly, they can enhance the aggressive styling of your Jeep quite a bit – they’re actually functional upgrades that can help to improve airflow and reduce heat soak within your engine bay. As hot air within your engine bay rises, hood vents can allow it to escape, which in turn draws cooler air in and stabilizes the temperature. Here are some other examples of their benefits:
- Relieve trapped heat during low-speed crawling
- Reduce engine bay pressure and improve cooling efficiency
- Minimize paint fade or hood warping over time
- And of course, enhance the rugged look of your lifted Jeep
There are many different kinds of hood vents available, but some of the most popular options include aluminum, louvered or mesh-style kits. These kinds of kits are often bolt-on but typically require minor cutting, so it’d be best to bring your vehicle in for professional installation if you don’t feel comfortable. To really complete the package, you can pair your new hood vents with heat-reflective hood liners to shield your paint job and further reduce cabin warmth.
Auxiliary Fans: Active Cooling
While hood vents provide a source of passive cooling to your engine bay, auxiliary fans take matters into their own hands by actively cooling the area. These electric units are designed to supplement your factory radiator fan, and are particularly useful for off-road vehicles. This is because when your Jeep isn’t generating much forward motion while rock crawling or slow-crawling through trails, they also aren’t generating much airflow to cool off the engine.
You’re able to install auxiliary fans on many different parts in your engine bay, including front-mounted radiators, transmission or oil coolers or just behind your grill guards or winch bumper. Installing at least one auxiliary fan can have a ton of benefits, including:
- Boost airflow through radiators and coolers
- Lower engine temps during rock crawling or idling
- Improve automatic transmission longevity under heavy loads
- Support aftermarket performance mods
Protect Your Jeep from the Heat at LiftedJeeps.com
We’d be happy to help you protect your Jeep from the heat right here at LiftedJeeps.com, so feel free to give us a call with any questions that you might have. Combining hood vents with auxiliary fans is the perfect way to maximize your heat control, as you’ll get the benefits of both active and passive cooling. Schedule an appointment today for a consultation!