New design eBay snorkel

I still like the old sock idea. Lol

 

lol yeah I saw that video where the Australian dude used cooking oil and coated an old sock with it, then put it over the snorkel head. I could see doing that on a trail where you're not driving fast. I'm still learning the best way(s) to put these tricks to use, and when. I've found that it's nice peace of mind to spend an extra $20 on a cheap air filter and keep it in the cab with me while on the trails just in case I need it.

 

That was mostly sarcasm but it is a good trick to know if you forgot/lost your filter and notice a lot of dust accumulating in the air box. I just bought on of those pre filters like you see on heavy equipment. It looks stupid so I leave it the tool box. If I'm ever in a convoy on a dirt road, I can pop it on really quick. That why I'm not restricting any airflow and filtering out the dust.

 

Drilled the holes today. Wont be able to finish up until tomorrow though. Will say this, after drilling the holes - not bad at all. Starting and during the drilling, NERVE WRACKING AS HELL. lol

One thing, even with the template lined up edge to edge and NOT overlapping, it seems as if its sitting a little bit further away than it should. Can't look at it more now but will take a closer look at the main hole tomorrow. Probably nothing - I'll know more once I test fit with all the hardware a little tighter.

Oh and HOW IN THE HELL do you reach that top bolt above the air tube? lol you all were not exaggerating about that one...

Pics to follow.

 

I didn't, lol. I just left that one be, the snorkel is on there tight and has no wiggle/play to it at all so I just figured I'd leave it. I couldn't work my hand up in there for the life of me. One of these days I might try again, or ask my wife to do it since she has tiny hands lol.

 

These snorkels dont modify the air box or anything smog related. If a smog tech flags you solely for the snorkel hes wrong. Idk if theres really anything you can do but as far as I know as long as you dont modify anything between the air filter box and the last cat, you havent modified anything smog related and are CA smog compliant.

 

oh and another thing, never did realize just how THIN our fenders are. Crazy.

 

That took longer than anything else during the install. I held it between my index and middle finger with my hand flat. After dropping it several times and spending way too much time trying to find it in the gravel, I finally got a thread to bite. That nut is a bitch!

 

You can use the step drill to make 1-2 out of the 3 bolt holes bigger. That will help with alignment. Don’t worry about making those bolt holes bigger since the washer/nut is what holds the snorkel base in place.

Don’t stress over that upper top bolt

 

So a quick update and an IMPORTANT NOTE to anyone with a planned install -

DO NOT bother drilling that top bolt hole!

Pointless unless:

• You plan on removing the fender to thread it on or,
• You are Slender Man

Just drill out the 2 on each side of the air tube and the 3 on the a-pillar.


After half the morning of trying to get my arm in the right position and threading that locknut, my arm and knuckles are shredded. Save yourself the torture... SKIP IT.

Also, note - the stock air intake tube has two bolts which need to be removed. The antenna also needs to be unbolted and pulled down out of the way (makes attaching the air hose easier and/or shredding your arm if you want to try for that top nut). These 3 bolts are 10mm.

You will definitely need a sharp hole saw and drill bits. I picked up the Milwaukee others have mentioned
(

$18 Milwaukee Electric Tool 49-56-0193 Bi-Metal Hole Saw, 3-1/2"

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-49-56-0193-2-Inch-Hardened-Hole/dp/B0017WTULA)

If you don't have one, you'll also need an arbor since it does not come with one
(

$20 MILWAUKEE ELEC TOOL 49-56-7250 3 or 8 Lg Quickchang Arbor,

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-49-56-7250-Hole-Large-Arbor/dp/B004AGGKWC)

First drill bit I grabbed for my pilot holes was a little worn and skipped on me lol. Nothing serious and covered by the snorkel base but definitely make sure your gear is ready for the job. Rookie mistake, I should've saw it coming. If you have a spring loaded/automatic center punch for marking drill sites, use it. This should help with/eliminate drill bit wander (

$12 Automatic Center Punch - 5" Brass Spring Loaded Center Hole Punch with Adjustable Tension, Hand Tool for Metal or Wood - Pack of 2

https://www.amazon.com/d/Center-Punches/Automatic-Center-Punch-Adjustable-Tension/B07BJMYRFQ)

While the included hose clamps do the job, might consider replacing them with better quality clamps. I noticed the two I received for the hose kind of cheaped out on me when tightening down.

Other than that, good to go.


EDIT: you can do the top mounting hole. To give yourself enough room, just unbolt the fender at the bottom of the wheelwell. This should give you some extra room. Be careful not to pry it back to far of course.

 

I was considering getting a set of those hose clamps that require a specific kind of key to tighten/loosen, as a way to prevent some a-hole from walking by with a screwdriver and removing the snorkel head. Sucks but it's something I have to be wary of living in a major metropolitan area

 

Surprisingly, the snorkel head clamp tightened up fine. No issues. Chalk it up to the cheap price lol.

You definitely have a point though. Worried about the same thing. I ended up positioning it kind of facing the driver side and pointing towards the tire. Someone wants to take it, they'll have to jump up on the hood or have a step ladder to get angle on it.

 

That's a good idea, I'll do the same thing...I have one of those angled screwdrivers so I can work it into a spot where someone can't get to it with a normal one

 

Little feedback on this one - because of the angle of the snorkel side of the bracket, you will not be able to use this riveter. The head will get in the way and you will not be able to seat it completely down on the rivet. The other riveter I had needed a six million dollar man death grip. All because of that damn angle of the bracket - heavier duty riveters are out.
This results in a loose rivet which will have to be drilled out

After prepping all over again, I think either rivet nuts or self tapping screws will be the next step. I was able to track down some nylon inserts like the ARB version has so might try those before moving to the rivnuts/or screws.

If I had to do it all over again, I would've just positioned the bracket and used self tapping ss screws in the first place. Problem solved.

 

Thanks a lot Mike!! This will help tons when I decide to buy this snorkel (that’s if it comes back in stock) and also if the price doesn’t jump that much.

Show us some pics ! When you get the chance.

 

I would still pick it up when it comes back in stock. Sure it has its hiccups but then again, you have to look at the price point. If you do, look at (in addition to the items in the Products Discussed section at page bottom):

Heavier duty hose clamps for the air hose (x2)
Self Tapping Stainless Steel screws/bolts for the bracket---> A Pillar
Silicone for the a pillar holes and a low odor/sensor safe silicone for the airhose to factory intake tube

*if going to attempt the rivets, make sure you have a nice sharp new handheld (like the ones you can pickup at Lowes/Home Depot) riveter on hand. Might work for just those 3. The one I first tried I had put through its paces on a Snugtop Shell refurb. Needless to say, it wasn't up to the challenge.

Good luck and will do on the pics, as soon as I finish the damn thing lol (tomorrow hopefully)

 

I guess I have a million dollar man death grip because I used a shitty harbor freight hand held. It wasn't super easy, but you just man up and squeeze the hell out of the SOB while pushing into the bracket and it will tighten up. Also take smaller bites. The closer your hand is to a fist, the stronger your grip will be.

I have both styles of riveters. One in the garage (the cheap harbor freight), and one the work truck (the "heavy duty" Amazon one). Both have the same size head and either would have worked. I didn't get my rivet flush against the bracket but I didn't need to. Just get most of it onto the hole. The way a rivet works is it squeezes two pieces of metal together by pulling the mandrel head through the rivet, expanding the back of the rivet to a size larger than the hole. This pulls the rivet head towards the mandrel head and because neither is larger enough to get through the hole, and squeezes the 2 pieces of metal until the mandrel pops leaving two joinded pieces of material. Because of this, even if you come in at and angle and the head is not completely flush, it will pull the head flush in the end.

What I usually see that causes loose rivets is not giving firm steady pressure. If you wiggle the rivet gun while it is pulling on the mandrel, that weakens the mandrel and it will cause it to break prematurely before the head is pulled flush.

I really didn't like the idea of using sheet metal screws. There isn't enough material there to get a screw to really "bite". When it come to connecting a part to thin metal, like the pillars on our truck; a rivet, rivet nut, or a through bolt is the the best option. In fact I think I recall some people talking about using a piece of rubber, foam, or something to stop a rattle between the pillar and bracket. Did you guys you use screws or rivets?
Also a dab a blue thread lock will keep the bolts from coming loose later if you decide to go with rivet nuts.

 

I used the same Harbor Freight rivet gun, you're right it was a bitch to squeeze the rivets on but it worked nonetheless. I had to use a step ladder to get a good angle on it even though I'm 5'11 but otherwise I could see it being nearly impossible. They were a bitch to get on but now that they are, they hold it nice and snug

 

This is what I get for not being on TW for awhile. Totally missed out on this. I much prefer the way this and the arb snorkel are designed as opposed to the hilt versions. Anybody know when the next stock will be ready?

 

I emailed ebay seller 2 days ago. Got a fast reply. All they said was make sure to place item on your watch list and you will be notified when item is back in stock. Other wise they don't have any dates on next batch.
Time to wait I guess.​