Jeep Vent Cowl, Ripped it out, what now - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

GoTime · 10-20-2007, 07:39 PM

All the stock vent crap was busted up under the dash when i bought it, ripped it out and in build procress have made a custom dash. I know i am not the only person who has ripped that crap out, What did you guys do about keeping water from coming through the cowl into the tub? Dumb question, but need some ideas, thanks.

BHAM · 10-20-2007, 09:52 PM

You should try blue torch fab. They make a cowl cover to replace the vent that you have removed. It is cheap and easy to install.

Hackfabricaton · 10-21-2007, 05:12 AM

I'm assuming you aren't going to run the heater?

Since you've got a nice steel body, bend up a piece of sheet metal and weld the vent up. It's not a complex curve, you can probably find something round in the shop to bend it with. Tack it on, slowly weld the edges (to prevent warping), grind the welds, then: Add some body filler, sand and finish.

Just like shaving door handles.

piratebuggy · 10-21-2007, 08:36 AM

Just make a thick sheetmetal cover-round the edges nice. Either run bolts thru the inner part-thru the openings already in the body, or around the edges into the body with sheetmetal screws. Either paint it black or body color or something. Everybody is going to be able to tell it's been customized whether you fill it in or whatever-might as well go the easy route and not hide the changes. I would think trying to fill in the little grill openings would be tough to get totally smooth and would probably come back to haunt you later with cracks and unlevel surface.
Don't leave it open to the weather like my PO did-it plays hell on the electricals! I managed to get the airbox back in mine-I want to run a heater though. Just my .02 .

GoTime · 10-21-2007, 02:28 PM

Preciate the input. I ordered a nice new hinge kit for the hood, and it came with a nice black powder-coated cowl.lol. so I was trying to come up with a way to use it, but keep water out. I think I might just take some 20 guage or something and put it under the new cowl from the outside of the tub...paint it black, and bolt the new cowl over top of it. sound like a plan?

piratebuggy · 10-22-2007, 05:46 AM

A cowl scoop? Those look cool-won't be doing much airflowing that way -haha. I'd use some black gasket sealer under your homemade blocking device too.

GoTime · 10-22-2007, 08:01 AM

I agree, sounds good. thanks for the input.

10-20-2007, 07:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
GoTime Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 83482 Location: Cookeville, Hendersonville, TN Posts: 51	Jeep Vent Cowl, Ripped it out, what now All the stock vent crap was busted up under the dash when i bought it, ripped it out and in build procress have made a custom dash. I know i am not the only person who has ripped that crap out, What did you guys do about keeping water from coming through the cowl into the tub? Dumb question, but need some ideas, thanks. Attached Images __________________ Learning a lot. Progress Build, a jeep, with some stuff.

10-21-2007, 05:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Hackfabricaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70509 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 1,198	I'm assuming you aren't going to run the heater? Since you've got a nice steel body, bend up a piece of sheet metal and weld the vent up. It's not a complex curve, you can probably find something round in the shop to bend it with. Tack it on, slowly weld the edges (to prevent warping), grind the welds, then: Add some body filler, sand and finish. Just like shaving door handles. __________________ "In the end...It's all Hack."

10-21-2007, 08:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
piratebuggy Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Member # 53597 Location: near St. Louis,MO Posts: 989	Just make a thick sheetmetal cover-round the edges nice. Either run bolts thru the inner part-thru the openings already in the body, or around the edges into the body with sheetmetal screws. Either paint it black or body color or something. Everybody is going to be able to tell it's been customized whether you fill it in or whatever-might as well go the easy route and not hide the changes. I would think trying to fill in the little grill openings would be tough to get totally smooth and would probably come back to haunt you later with cracks and unlevel surface. Don't leave it open to the weather like my PO did-it plays hell on the electricals! I managed to get the airbox back in mine-I want to run a heater though. Just my .02 . __________________ 78 Jeep CJ-5 304 ---setting off car alarms with extreme prejudice....... out cali style!!!!!!

10-21-2007, 02:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
GoTime Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 83482 Location: Cookeville, Hendersonville, TN Posts: 51	Preciate the input. I ordered a nice new hinge kit for the hood, and it came with a nice black powder-coated cowl.lol. so I was trying to come up with a way to use it, but keep water out. I think I might just take some 20 guage or something and put it under the new cowl from the outside of the tub...paint it black, and bolt the new cowl over top of it. sound like a plan? __________________ Learning a lot. Progress Build, a jeep, with some stuff.

10-22-2007, 05:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
piratebuggy Granite Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Member # 53597 Location: near St. Louis,MO Posts: 989	A cowl scoop? Those look cool-won't be doing much airflowing that way -haha. I'd use some black gasket sealer under your homemade blocking device too. __________________ 78 Jeep CJ-5 304 ---setting off car alarms with extreme prejudice....... out cali style!!!!!!

10-20-2007, 09:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
BHAM Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Member # 86511 Location: Buda, TX Posts: 116	You should try blue torch fab. They make a cowl cover to replace the vent that you have removed. It is cheap and easy to install.

10-22-2007, 08:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
GoTime Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 83482 Location: Cookeville, Hendersonville, TN Posts: 51	I agree, sounds good. thanks for the input. __________________ Learning a lot. Progress Build, a jeep, with some stuff.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode