REVIEW:
Ok so I installed mine this morning and I have some thoughts and experiences I'd like to share. I'd like to say in advance that I've only installed one of these kits so I am NOT an expert by any means. JoeBlow can chime in and let us know if I'm correct/incorrect in any of my thoughts/criticisms.
NOTE: My application is a CUCV M1009 with a HMMWV coolant crossover installed.
First, the kit is nice! The parts are quality and you can tell JoeBlow put some thought and care into the manufacturing and engineering of the product. After I installed the kit I took it for a drive and I noticed a distinct drop in cab temp. I can't wait to take it rock crawling on a hot day to see how crispy cool it keeps my engine.
Second, there are some mild flaws that I believe are due to the possibility that JoeBlow doesn't have a CUCV and is engineering these kits for the CUCVs based on HMMWV motors.
My findings/opinions:
1. Its not a big deal but I thought I'd mention it in case it helps someone. The passenger side blank plate has a steel or aluminum line running right over it that you will need to bend out of the way for the new plate with the water port to be installed. Remove the vacuum pump to make your life easier when installing this side. You will probably need to lay across the engine so bring a pad.
2. The glow plug "thermister" or temp sensor will lose its home when this kit is installed. If the truck still has a GP card (like mine) then this is a problem. I found a solution to this which leads me to my next item...
3. CUCV owners with glow plug card system intact probably should buy and install a HMMWV crossover if they're going to buy this kit. The HMMWV crossover will allow you to relocate your temp sensor and keep this system functioning. See the pic below to see where I put my GP thermister, you'll also see it in more pics later on. The HMMWV crossover also allows for a water temp sensor to be installed for a guage and will allow you to buy the cheaper HMMWV cooling kit from Joe Blow.
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4. My next challenges were due to my stock air filter housing. The passenger side hose is not long enough to travel around the housing and is currently pinched between the intake and the air filter housing. The short length of this hose makes it so I can not install the "Y" fitting to the drivers side of the throttle cable assembly which then causes my next problem. The AN assembly that comes out of the crossover is also too long and, as you can see in the pics the hoses are pushed right up against the air filter housing causing them to crimp. This also puts undesirable pressure on the AN fittings and unions. You can see in a previous post the installer had the "Y" fitting installed to the drivers side of the throttle cable assembly but I think this is because he has a turbo which gives him more space to run his passenger side hose.
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I'd like to know from JoeBlow if I have made mistakes during my installation or if my assessments of potential flaws are correct.