What are these for? (Newby Question)

[Trappey74]

New to the bronco world since last friday so excuse the ignorance but what are the vents or "ducts" that are located by the firewall under the hood for? Seems like it is a good way for rain, leaves etc to get in and rust floor pans. The heat works in the bronco and it has A/C installed but needs freon. Can these things be covered up to prevent rain from getting down in them?

 

[patterdale]

New to the bronco world since last friday so excuse the ignorance but what are the vents or "ducts" that are located by the firewall under the hood for? Seems like it is a good way for rain, leaves etc to get in and rust floor pans. The heat works in the bronco and it has A/C installed but needs freon. Can these things be covered up to prevent rain from getting down in them?

That is where your fresh air comes from. The one on the pass. side feeds the heater box. The one on the driver side has a door that you can open to get fresh air at your feet. In the old days we called it 2-55 air. Roll down 2 windows and drive 55 mph. There are drains on them to let water out. Yes they fill up with stuff and are a pita to clean out. Many on here have eliminated them for various reasons like they live in CA or FLA or AZ etc. And don't use heat. More will respond here with even more insight and better info.

 

[sykanr0ng]

What some do is fit some 1/4" or so screen in the openings, keeps the larger trash out while not restricting air flow very much.

Others put scoops over the openings, again keeping the trash out while letting air in.

 

[hotrodtim68]

Vent covers.

This is how I solved the debris problem and increased fresh air flow to the floor area in my rig . Shapped these scoops from aluminum along with a open/close door, mounted on a rubber seal. I also added screen under the hood to keep debris out as was stated earlier.

 

[naneumranch]

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Under_Hood_Storage_Box

 

[sykanr0ng]

This is how I solved the debris problem and increased fresh air flow to the floor area in my rig . Shapped these scoops from aluminum along with a open/close door, mounted on a rubber seal. I also added screen under the hood to keep debris out as was stated earlier.

Good looking scoops.

But, I would have faced them toward the back, to take advantage of the high pressure air zone near the windshield.

As it is they are in lower pressure and won't draw as well.