[moshie]

Help me decide. Should I put a snorkel on my 5th Gen or not? I don't do many water crossings, but I have heard that they do help with cleaner air (can anyone attest to this)? Give me some pros and cons.

I asked on another site, but they said to do it for #OverlandPoints. I don't want to add anything on for aesthetics. Thanks in advance.

[AINOMOATACO]

You answered your own question 😂😂😂

[moshie]

Originally Posted by AINOMOATACO

You answered your own question 😂😂😂

Thanks, haha!

[mo_mo]

Originally Posted by moshie

Help me decide. Should I put a snorkel on my 5th Gen or not? I don't do many water crossings, but I have heard that they do help with cleaner air (can anyone attest to this)? Give me some pros and cons.

I asked on another site, but they said to do it for #OverlandPoints. I don't want to add anything on for aesthetics. Thanks in advance.

Stock a 4Runner can run in water up to the top of the tires with minimal risk to ingesting water into the intake (pop your hood and the air filter box open and see where the intake draws air from the passenger side fender). When doing water crossings with a 4Runner, be sure to let your differentials/transmission/etc. cool by letting the vehicle idle a few minutes before entering the water. The water temperature can cause the oil/fluids of the systems to shrink due to thermal expansion/contraction (I was in the pool!), and there are one-way check valves that when submerged in water go closed. This can pull a slight vacuum on seals and can cause them to leak if there is too great of a deltaT.

Have you seen a dirt problem in your intake downstream of the air filter? If not, then you're good as is (hint, that's what air filters are for).

If you're doing water crossings 'hot' (desert sprints and then crashing into water crossings), then think about extending the 'one-way check valves' into high point 'breathers'.

If you're doing water crossings above the top of the tires, then think about a boat.

[TOYO74]

When is the last time you drove through water over your bumper, and would you consider driving through water that deep or deeper?

Deep water crossings bring all kinds of problems other than sucking water in the engine air intake. Are you willing to deal with things like soaked interior carpet, water mixed with diff oil (if you don't have breather tube extensions, electrical system problems, etc. ?

Snorkel installation is permanent--unless you replace the fender, you will have an open 4-6 inch hole in your fender if you decide to remove the snorkel.

To me they look like black PVC drain pipes with an elbow fitting at the top.

All negatives,but I can not think of a really useful purpose for most drivers.

[moshie]

Originally Posted by mo_mo

Stock a 4Runner can run in water up to the top of the tires with minimal risk to ingesting water into the intake (pop your hood and the air filter box open and see where the intake draws air from the passenger side fender). When doing water crossings with a 4Runner, be sure to let your differentials/transmission/etc. cool by letting the vehicle idle a few minutes before entering the water. The water temperature can cause the oil/fluids of the systems to shrink due to thermal expansion/contraction (I was in the pool!), and there are one-way check valves that when submerged in water go closed. This can pull a slight vacuum on seals and can cause them to leak if there is too great of a deltaT.

Have you seen a dirt problem in your intake downstream of the air filter? If not, then you're good as is (hint, that's what air filters are for).

If you're doing water crossings 'hot' (desert sprints and then crashing into water crossings), then think about extending the 'one-way check valves' into high point 'breathers'.

If you're doing water crossings above the top of the tires, then think about a boat.

Originally Posted by TOYO74

When is the last time you drove through water over your bumper, and would you consider driving through water that deep or deeper?

Deep water crossings bring all kinds of problems other than sucking water in the engine air intake. Are you willing to deal with things like soaked interior carpet, water mixed with diff oil (if you don't have breather tube extensions, electrical system problems, etc. ?

Snorkel installation is permanent--unless you replace the fender, you will have an open 4-6 inch hole in your fender if you decide to remove the snorkel.

To me they look like black PVC drain pipes with an elbow fitting at the top.

All negatives,but I can not think of a really useful purpose for most drivers.

So I am not doing any major water crossings, but like I said I have heard that they do help with colder air and better air intake. Other than that reason, I truly have no reason to get one. They are like the same price as the cold air intake. Just trying to make my 4Runner the best I can.

Someone told me they get better gas mileage but I don't believe that one..

I agree that they aren't pleasing to the eye.

[Off-choader]

stock is the way to go, provides plenty of clean air and costs nothing. There are no noticeable mpg or performance benefits to going with snorkel or cai unless your going hella deep in water.

[TOYO74]

I really doubt that the air coming in through a snorkel is significantly cooler than through the stock air intake. I have read claims (vendors) but have never seen any data to show that.

[phillyd2]

Your truck will always tell you exactly which mods it requires and it’s not at all shy about how bluntly it tells you. That the question was asked as it was means that your truck doesn’t need it.

[moshie]

@phillyd2 @TOYO74 @Off-choader @mo_mo @AINOMOATACO

Thank you all for your help! Much appreciated

[mteolus]

I just ran mine through 37 inches of water. My starter has been acting up since. I wouldn't put a snorkel on personally. It will get you through deep enough water without it but you will want to avoid deep water as much as you can anyway. Not worth it.

[bsa70]

I hate the looks of a snorkle but... sounds like you have a vaild reason to have one. If I were putting my baby through water and there was a slighest chance of sucking up water, I would have one.

[Whippersnapper02]

Do you want it: Get it
You don't want it: Don't get it.

[moshie]

Originally Posted by mteolus

I just ran mine through 37 inches of water. My starter has been acting up since. I wouldn't put a snorkel on personally. It will get you through deep enough water without it but you will want to avoid deep water as much as you can anyway. Not worth it.

Thanks! I'm definitely not going that deep into water. Hopefully

Originally Posted by bsa70

I hate the looks of a snorkle but... sounds like you have a vaild reason to have one. If I were putting my baby through water and there was a slighest chance of sucking up water, I would have one.

I'm hoping that the deepest I go is like up to the middle of my tire..already done that...

Originally Posted by Whippersnapper02

Do you want it: Get it
You don't want it: Don't get it.

I don't want one, but if there were actual reasons to have one (other than water crossings). I would get one.

[Whippersnapper02]

Originally Posted by moshie

I don't want one, but if there were actual reasons to have one (other than water crossings). I would get one.

Originally intended to reduce dust inhalation by the engine. If your in an area that's very dusty then it will help because most dust stays fairly low to the ground. Even then most people do not run one and are just fine. I'd run one in our deserts though especially since I'm usually following someone faster.

The water capabilities were a secondary gain from adding a snorkel but the rest of the vehicle is not sealed so you can't go into submarine mode.