 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Heater Air Intake Grill Cowl/Cover options ? |
 
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| Screbble Member Since: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2108   
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Google 'Defender Snow Cowl.'
There are plenty available. Example below 
 Click image to enlarge |
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12th Jan 2016 10:43pm |
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| Windowlicker Member Since: 24 Aug 2014 Location: East yorks Posts: 290 
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Difficult to see, but I do t have a specific picture of it to hand, mine is the abs plastic one from mud, colour coded, as it stood out too much as textured black plastic.
I also chose plastic as I did like the idea of any force or impact on a metal one , transferring the damage into the wing top. I hope if ever there was such an impact or force , this one would just rip off or deform. Click image to enlarge "Procrastination is the thief of time" |
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12th Jan 2016 10:56pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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The original snow cowl or heater air intake were metal and designed/made for the military!
The plastic ones are normally vacuumed formed from different suppliers. Will not comment on how quality of plastics can vary. We supply stainless steel versions, normally black powder coated. I have never of a wing being damaged by one. We also can supply a 5mm rubber gasket as well.. Improves the seal especially if cowl is going straight on top of chequer plate. Brendan |
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12th Jan 2016 11:27pm |
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| Nostromo Member Since: 17 Jul 2015 Location: The Mendip Hills Posts: 73
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Thanks for the useful info and comments.
My Defender's Aintree Green . . . any thoughts on whether any supplier could provide one pre painted in Aintree Green ? . . . I'm certainly thinking a colour coded matching one would be the way I'd prefer to go. I'm still considering plastic and metal . . . as there appears to be pro's and cons to both ? Thanks 
by the way - my photo above came from a post called DEFENDER WITH BENTLEY ALLOYS in Wheels & Tyres. |
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13th Jan 2016 6:04am |
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| Anderzander Member Since: 08 Feb 2011 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1000
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Perhaps the other points to make are that the standard arrangement is designed to cope with water. It has a drain off point with a rubber valve on it - and you should only have problems if that becomes blocked.
The other point, and I've only read this, is that the cowls restrict airflow for your heater and you will notice a reduction in its output. All of that said - plenty of people live with them happily, probably inspired by the aesthetic as much as anything ? I'm thinking of starting to drive to the Alps to ski, rather than fly, and would fit one for that. |
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13th Jan 2016 6:37am |
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| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
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Standard Mud Cowl unpainted
Click image to enlarge Standard Mud Cowl Painted Sant Black Click image to enlarge Military Grade Painted Satin Black on Grey and Green Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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13th Jan 2016 7:01am |
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| nosnibod Member Since: 15 Aug 2007 Location: West Midlands Posts: 370 
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I found on my Td5 that the air flow was restricted by the cowl and I removed it during summer months. Where the cowl excelled was in conjunction with the Webasto fuel burning heater I had on that vehicle - it kept the vent clear of snow whilst I was still tucked up in bed and the 110 was defrosting itself.
I may fit (or get fitted) a pre-heater to my current 2.2 but the heater and air flow is so much better I wanted to go through a winter first and see what it was like. If I do fit one, I'll fit a snow cowl too. I have an aluminium one from IRB Developments ready to fit -who I will also get to fit a Webasto if I feel its warranted. I suspect that on a Puma you wouldn't notice a decrease in airflow with a cowl fitted. Dave Green Goddess - 1998 Defender 110 300tdi |
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13th Jan 2016 7:32am |
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| Screbble Member Since: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2108
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http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic13138.html?view=next
Plenty of helpful discussion here. My personal favourite, although not to everyone's taste, is the KBX |
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13th Jan 2016 7:49am |
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| Scoobeenut Member Since: 04 Mar 2015 Location: West London Posts: 310 
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I just fitted the MUD snowl cowl and when I took of the old grille the heater duct was full of pine needles and other crud. I think it's a worthwhile to fit to keep the crud and water out.
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13th Jan 2016 7:52am |
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| Litch Member Since: 10 Mar 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 765 
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I agree that it definitely restricts the air-flow, I only fit mine when snow is likely and for the rest of the time it is in the garage. Can't get away from the fact that when it does snow, they really does the job.
My heater has always been excellent (mainly due to me setting it up correctly, I think they are built with the incorrect adjustment!) and I like to keep it that way hence I am happy to spend 5-minutes fitting the cowl a couple of times a year when snow is forecast. ONE LIFE, GET IT! |
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15th Jan 2016 9:16pm |
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018 
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I certainly don't notice a decrease in mine. |
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15th Jan 2016 11:00pm |
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| Edzi Member Since: 20 Sep 2015 Location: London Posts: 279 
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I went for a steel one from the fab folks at http://www.4x4overlander.com/
Very pleased with the look, quality and fit. Got a gasket for it too as I have chequer tops. |
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16th Jan 2016 3:35am |
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