Can the Bumper and Winch Cause Overheating? 3.0L EcoDiesel

[ToJTornottoJT]

I know that Jeep used a different grill on the EcoDiesel Jeeps to help cooling. I live in Tempe, AZ where average summer temps are probably 110-115 every single day of the summer and regularly tow my boat to the lake up some pretty steep hills. I have been thinking about getting an AEV EX front bumper but am worried about it overheating. Does anyone have any real world experience with aftermarket bumpers? Do they impact cooling? I don't want to spend $2,000 plus on a bumper and then have to swap it out because I am overheating.

Thanks!

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[Glad_he_ate]

What’s with the picture of the gas jeep??
Anyway yea the eco runs hot. If your going to block off more of the grill it’s going to run hotter. Will it over heat possibly?? But not likely. It all depends on how hard your working it. Is the boat 5500 lbs ? Is it 2500?? Are you trying to maintain 65 of 55? Lots of info on here bout towing with the eco diesel
I tow heavy and my oil runs hot so I’m fixing it with a cooler. Mine has not over heated or derated. But I have not hauled heavy in 110 degrees either.

 

[PyrPatriot]

From what I recall the towing specs come from testing in 100 degree weather, and the folks at Jeep separately commented on how the cooling was the limiting factor and they had to squeeze every ounce of thought into maximizing cooling, down to a modifying the grill design. So I would not obstruct the front grill at all unless maybe I was in constantly cold weather.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

People forget it's not just about blocking, but it's also about changing how the air behaves up there. So they make comments like "there's still room behind the lights" or "that bar doesn't block" - ok, maybe it's not like cardboard on the grill, but it does modify air flow. Air changes directions and behavior when it hits or comes close to an obstacle.
If a bumper causes air to go down instead of up, or around and to the tires instead of through the grill, it's going to change cooling. The bumper, the filler panel, the plastic "air dam" under the plastic bumper - all change how the air behaves. A bumper won't block air but can force it to change directions.
A bar with lights may not "block" air but it's going to change which way it goes - and it may not choose to wrap around the bar and lights and go into the grill.
some of the most recent wind tunnel testing by GM and Dodge/RAM on trucks has been fascinating.

 

[869 KPH]

I know that Jeep used a different grill on the EcoDiesel Jeeps to help cooling. I live in Tempe, AZ where average summer temps are probably 110-115 every single day of the summer and regularly tow my boat to the lake up some pretty steep hills. I have been thinking about getting an AEV EX front bumper but am worried about it overheating. Does anyone have any real world experience with aftermarket bumpers? Do they impact cooling? I don't want to spend $2,000 plus on a bumper and then have to swap it out because I am overheating.

Thanks!

Have you asked AEV directly? I know they thought a lot about this kind of stuff with the Brute and their engine conversions. To @ShadowsPapa's point, they may have improved airflow for all I know.

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

What’s with the picture of the gas jeep??
Anyway yea the eco runs hot. If your going to block off more of the grill it’s going to run hotter. Will it over heat possibly?? But not likely. It all depends on how hard your working it. Is the boat 5500 lbs ? Is it 2500?? Are you trying to maintain 65 of 55? Lots of info on here bout towing with the eco diesel
I tow heavy and my oil runs hot so I’m fixing it with a cooler. Mine has not over heated or derated. But I have not hauled heavy in 110 degrees either.

That is the AEV Jeep. It is the only picture I could find with the AEV bumper on it.

 

[Glad_he_ate]

Ha I was confused

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

What’s with the picture of the gas jeep??
Anyway yea the eco runs hot. If your going to block off more of the grill it’s going to run hotter. Will it over heat possibly?? But not likely. It all depends on how hard your working it. Is the boat 5500 lbs ? Is it 2500?? Are you trying to maintain 65 of 55? Lots of info on here bout towing with the eco diesel
I tow heavy and my oil runs hot so I’m fixing it with a cooler. Mine has not over heated or derated. But I have not hauled heavy in 110 degrees either.

I can currently tow my boat fine with my Gladiator. It comes in a 5,300 pounds fully loaded. During peak summer time it does downgrade the power.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/will-it-tow-my-boat.45857/

 

[Deleted member 22728]

About 65% of the entire cooling cell is available for ram-air (going down the road), with 5 of 7 slots providing a pathway. The lower 35% of the cooling cell is obscured by the bumper assembly, as well as either skid plate. Any further restriction or disruption of air flow will potentially create problems (or improvements??). This includes different bumpers and winches.

 

[ilovebikes99]

That AEV jeep is getting like 15% wind between the headlights and that huge bar. I wouldn't do this on a diesel even if in a cold climate. I wouldn't even do it on a gas jeep

 

[Glad_he_ate]

Have you checked Out the derate thread??

I can currently tow my boat fine with my Gladiator. It comes in a 5,300 pounds fully loaded. During peak summer time it does downgrade the power.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/will-it-tow-my-boat.45857/

 

[PyrPatriot]

People forget it's not just about blocking, but it's also about changing how the air behaves up there. So they make comments like "there's still room behind the lights" or "that bar doesn't block" - ok, maybe it's not like cardboard on the grill, but it does modify air flow. Air changes directions and behavior when it hits or comes close to an obstacle.
If a bumper causes air to go down instead of up, or around and to the tires instead of through the grill, it's going to change cooling. The bumper, the filler panel, the plastic "air dam" under the plastic bumper - all change how the air behaves. A bumper won't block air but can force it to change directions.
A bar with lights may not "block" air but it's going to change which way it goes - and it may not choose to wrap around the bar and lights and go into the grill.
some of the most recent wind tunnel testing by GM and Dodge/RAM on trucks has been fascinating.

Dont forget you will get a bit of sag up front, something like an inch or 2 lower. So it changes how air hits the front end too, adding to the effect of air flow cooling the vehiclr

 

[dcmdon]

I was going to say that if you don't tow in the summer you will be fine.

But now I see you to a pretty big boat in the summer. Lets just say that putting that in front won't help things.

I think it would be unwise. You will derate sooner than you currently do. Do you want that?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Dont forget you will get a bit of sag up front, something like an inch or 2 lower. So it changes how air hits the front end too, adding to the effect of air flow cooling the vehiclr

Wow, glad mine didn't drop that much with that crazy heavy winch and 80 pound bumper and skid plate on top of that.

 

[cotnballs2000]

Blocking air flow will raise your temps. I seen in on my JKU (winch block the radiator) and that’s why I'm going with a bumper with the winch recessed into the bumper.

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