Mdub said:
I have a Lebaron Vent right above throttle body. Had it for over a year. I run it through car washes all the time. Go for it. Start cutting.
One recommendation, cut too small at first then SLOWLY open up the hole. Mine was 1/8" too big in one spot. I ended up taking care of it, but if you can avoid cutting too big.
I also put mine in about a year ago. I thought I would have prob's during the winter (blizzard in s.e. col.), but as it turned out, they worked great and had no problems at all inside the engine compartment. I placed mine like many others at the back, near the cowl as close as I could to the hood supports. Cut Small at first and it will go better!!!
I used a Jig saw with a very fine tooth blade, and worked great too.
So far ir has been close to 100 a few times here and the heat that pours out of the openings is incredible.
It is a good thing you have the Labaron Vents, they work great and look really good too.
I really like them for their weight. I secured them to the hood using some leftover pellet stove exhaust caulk that is rated for 500 degrees. It is black and matches the vents. It has held them down really good as well. That way I didnt have to use screws and do more than necessary.
Another piece of advise though.......I found that ususing thsi site to inquire information is a great idea, but if you wait for the right answer, you will get too much info!! Sometimes it just comes down to just doing it and seeing what happens.
Cutting into the hood though will be very weird, to the point you feel very uncomfortable and maybe feel you have to ask forgiveness of the Jeep god's, or God himself?
Have fun and enjoy