What Does This Seal Do?

[COS80]

There's a well-angled land directly above this hood seal that would be ideal for my new light strip, but the seal would block the light. What would happen if I removed it?

 

[Kernal]

Best guess; it helps the incoming air (and rain water) to go through the radiator instead of above??

 

[FIDO96]

Mine mounted to the inside of that strip. Works nicely.

 

[COS80]

Best guess; it helps the incoming air (and rain water) to go through the radiator instead of above??

I think it's entirely above the radiator, but that was the concern - I don't want to diminish cooling effectiveness.

 

[COS80]

Mine mounted to the inside of that strip. Works nicely.

View attachment 4086948

We must have different seals - mine is C-shaped, and the opening faces forward.

 

[COS80]

Got a 2nd wind and test-fitted the light strip. I thought this angle was too steep, but it's actually perfect. The seal will stay.

 

[Marvelicious]

As long as we're on the subject, what specific product is anyone running here, and is it holding up? I've found a lot of cheap LED light strips start going dark if you look at them funny and engine bay heat can't help, but the limited lifespan of the cheapies makes me leery of spending real money without a proven track record.

 

[COS80]

Mine is this kit, but it'll be a long time before I can say anything about longevity.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

As for the seal, You want to keep the seal if you want to max your cooling. Without it you will create unwanted pressure reducing the pull from your radiator in to the engine bay.

 

[Hornd]

As long as we're on the subject, what specific product is anyone running here, and is it holding up? I've found a lot of cheap LED light strips start going dark if you look at them funny and engine bay heat can't help, but the limited lifespan of the cheapies makes me leery of spending real money without a proven track record.

 

[alia176]

The turbo conversions bring upwards to 200deg F of heat pooling on top of the engine. I'm hoping to find a strip that can withstand this type of heat! Both fenders are untouchable but more of the heat pools up on the driver side of the fender/hood area, interestingly enough.