[UKJeepThang]

As soon as I've installed the Tranny Temp gauge this weekend, the next little job in the XJ is to install the LeBarons vents that have been hanging around my workshop for a couple of years!!. There are loads of writeups on here so I know what I'm doing but a couple of questions that I haven't found the answers to:-

1. Vent preparation - Whats the best stuff to use to clean the vents up, and the best stuff to paint them with. My vents are currently browny/red and I want them black to match the bushwackers. I want them to look GOOOOD!

2. Cutting tool - I've seen a number of people use a number of different tools but whats the best. I was going to use a small angle grinder with a very fine disc and then finish off with a dremmel. Thoughts?

I'm starting to sweat already at the thought of placing that first cut!!!

[robsjeepxj]

A jig saw will give you the cleanest cut and the most control, you'll need to drill a large enough hole to get it started but after that it's smooth sailing, works great for cutting out fenders too.

[JeepXJ1991]

Originally Posted by robsjeepxj

A jig saw will give you the cleanest cut and the most control, you'll need to drill a large enough hole to get it started but after that it's smooth sailing, works great for cutting out fenders too.

X2 agreed for all of that

[XJcruiser]

I like a die grinder with a 2.5" cut off wheel. Its more precise and easier to control than an angle grinder.

[Calvin9r]

Originally Posted by JeepXJ1991

X2 agreed for all of that

x3. Use a bit with a higher tooth count (24 or so). Tape everything off surrounding the cuts, 6 inches or so if you use the jig saw(to account for turning the saw).

[GregB_00XJ]

Originally Posted by XJcruiser

I like a die grinder with a 2.5" cut off wheel. Its more precise and easier to control than an angle grinder.

This is what I was thinking of too... and removing the hood and placing it on saw horses. Makes it easier to get too, no metal in the engine bay and easier on my old back too.

Looking forward to this Mod, have some plans for a custom drip pan setup too. Anyone ever see an early 80's Chrysler Daytona scoop?? Thought about one of those too... sturdier too with a built in drip pan.

Looking forward to your photo's.

[GregB_00XJ]

Check that... forgot about the body line down the middle of the XJ hood. Wouldn't really work with the Daytona scoop anyhow... not cleanly anyways.

[UKJeepThang]

Thanks for the ideas guys, I 'll have to hunt around and see if I've got a friend with an electric die grinder. Anybody got any opinions about how to and what to prep and paint the vents with?

[sprintagogo]

Originally Posted by robsjeepxj

A jig saw will give you the cleanest cut and the most control, you'll need to drill a large enough hole to get it started but after that it's smooth sailing, works great for cutting out fenders too.

I would think carefuly before diving in with a jigsaw. As the hood is quite thin and unsupported the metal will be flexing and bouncing around all over the place and if the blade catches then you would get some bad distortion around the cut. I am not saying it is impossible, I used a jigsaw to cut the hole in the fender for my snorkel, but on such a large flat area it could turn into a rough ride.

If you do use a jigsaw I would think the fine tooth advice is good and I would also say to keep the blade speed at max and cutting rate slow, and obviously plenty of masking tape. Perhaps grinder cutting disc for the straight edges and jigsaw the corners? Watch out for heat build up with the cutting disc, shouldn't really be a big problem in such thin metal but you dont want scorching and blistering along the edges of the cut.

[3xratedxj]

How are you mounting the vents?? If your using rivets one thing I found with my hood vents is I wish I had drilled the rivet holes before I cut the slots out. Doing so after the cuts made the surrounding edges a little weaker and flexed quite a bit when drilling the holes leaving some a little off center.

As for Cutting I went with a die grinder for the sole reason that my buddy used a jig saw with a fine tooth blade and when he got to the bracing under the hook it kicked back and made a pretty noticeable crease looking dent on his hood.
If you do use a die grinder or a grinder just cover your windshield with wet towels so the sparks don't damage the glass.

[nrpalmer32]

Originally Posted by UKJeepThang

Anybody got any opinions about how to and what to prep and paint the vents with?

I have a set thats been painted and ready to go for a year now as well. I actually used a rough sand paper, steel brush and some steel wool. Then used alcohol to clean them, rubbing alcohol that is. And I painted them with Duplicolor Truck Bed Liner spray cans. I like the texture it has plus I wanted the black as well.

[UKJeepThang]

Originally Posted by xratgedxj

How are you mounting the vents??

I'm going to use small pieces of angled aluminium

Originally Posted by xratgedxj

As for Cutting I went with a die grinder for the sole reason that my buddy used a jig saw with a fine tooth blade and when he got to the bracing under the hook it kicked back and made a pretty noticeable crease looking dent on his hood.
If you do use a die grinder or a grinder just cover your windshield with wet towels so the sparks don't damage the glass.

I've definately decided to use a die grinder, just waiting for a mate to confirm back that I cam borrow his. Nice idea re the wet towels. Thank!

Originally Posted by nrpalmer32

I have a set thats been painted and ready to go for a year now as well. I actually used a rough sand paper, steel brush and some steel wool. Then used alcohol to clean them, rubbing alcohol that is. And I painted them with Duplicolor Truck Bed Liner spray cans. I like the texture it has plus I wanted the black as well.

Sounds good, I'll try a test piece first to see if I like the look.

Probably won't get round to doing this till Easter weekend but I'll post some pics up as I do it!!

[00XJ00]

I also have a set going in soon and I was told to use a scotchbrite pad to "rough them up" and then I got some grease/wax remover from Autozone and used that to clean them. Can't remember what it was called, but it was in an aerosol type can. I also used it to clean a skidplate prior to paint and it works well.

Painted them and they looks pretty good imo.

I'm probably going to go with an angle grinder on mine, just because I've been warned about the jigsaw blade catching.

[Calvin9r]

When I installed mine I painted with a basic primer, color matched the paint and clearcoated with an automotive clear.

I removed the hood and put it on sawhorses with the top facing downward. I made all my markings on the underside of the hood to make sure I had the vents between the hood braces. I drilled a starter hole for the jig saw and made the cuts with a 24(?) tooth blade. I didn't use the cutting wheel because it can make the hood metal too hot and cook the paint off. Keep the speed up but the cut slow, it didn't catch at all. I cleaned up the holes with a dremel.

I used the angled aluminum with the LeBarron vents because of how they are made. The mounting holes end up being inboard of the holes cut in the hood so there's nothing to bolt the vent to without the aluminum. I used long bolts to clamp the hood between the vent and aluminum. I cut off the excess bolt. I guess you could use rivets but I'd bet they'd loosen easily, the bolts were just simple if I wanted to remove to repaint.

[UKJeepThang]

An update on my thread from last month but I finally got the LeBaron hood vents installed today.

I'd prepped them a couple of weeks ago in a matt black finish (thanks guys) and spent the last couple of days telling myself that a could cut two big holes in my clean hood and there would be no problem

In the end I used a 4 1/2" angle grinder, a jig saw with a 25 tooth blade and a dremmel

Here's the clean and shiny hood this morning:-


All measured up, I must have rechecked this 10 times!!


Settled the nerves and started to drill some reference holes at the corners of where the vents would go


And then just went for it!!!! Here's the hood with the two holes cut


And with the vents installed


The whole job took me about 4 hours (I was taking my time with the cutting) and I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out.

LeBaron hood vents are pretty rare in the UK so thanks to everybody that gave me adviceand onto the next job now which will be to re-route my ARB Snorkel tube into the side of the airbox rather than entering the airbox from below.