What is the purpose of the black rubber backing behind the grille? Most vehicles usually leave that area open to allow more air to cool the radiator. Has anyone taken their’s off?

_________________
2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

I'm guessing that it is to allow the engine to come up to temperature. I think early KJ diesels took a long time to reach operating temperature, if they reached it at all. I saw many complaints of this on the forums.

Isn't that kind of an issue with any diesel engine though?

_________________
02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

Ive never seen a piece of rubber behind my grill.



Are you talking about the rubber on each side of the condenser? Thats to seal off the sides and direct the air through the condenser/radiator.

_________________
LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

I don't have any pictures but there's a piece of rubber behind mine that gets sandwiched between the plastic when it's on. If it's the same piece I'm thinking of I would think it's just to keep things from rattling when your driving. It just kinda creates a seal.

_________________
-Gavin
2006 4x4 Sport ~ Dark Khaki
2.5" Rockfather II
Tow Hooks ~ HH Rear Hitch
Hella 500's

gwip Design

Probably, we have Dodge diesels at work that don't warm up at all from cold start while sitting idling, they have to be driven for a distance to get any heat. This is with the ambient temp at about 10 degrees.