5th Gen Snorkel Pre-Install

[TOY2G]

We (Pathfinder Outdoors) were considering stocking FTS 5th gen snorkels. So I decided to spend the near $600 to get one sent to me for testing.

Here are some important points about the snorkel and a video of it in my possession.

-The snorkel is Fiberglass and resin. Pre-ARB it is the way most snorkels were made, but now it is more common to get mass produced snorkels in some forms of thermal plastic or PVC.

-There are no instructions, even so snorkel installs are fairly simple given a good fender template.

-They offer NO warranty

-The template is hand Cut (by the end user) which cause some fitment issues regarding hole placement.

-Fiberglass snorkels typically have less deflection (they do not have to be stretched against the fender) so the fit can be very good.

-There is no under hood hardware for this kit
VIDEO





I will add information as i continue the install (when the weather permits)

 

[Moving Chicane]

From the "never-run-a-snorkel-in-the-past" perspective, it appears that option/kit leaves MUCH to be desired! I want to get it installed and have piece of mind, not spend hours/days/$$$ getting it to fit right in the first place only to worry about an optimum install and longevity.

 

[mace.]

[MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION] thanks for stepping up and taking one for the team on this one. I was quite surprised with the lack of items included.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Thanks for the writeup and video. If I do ever consider a snorkel, this won't be on my list of choices. No warranty, no thanks.

 

[Gabex35]

From the "never-run-a-snorkel-in-the-past" perspective, it appears that option/kit leaves MUCH to be desired! I want to get it installed and have piece of mind, not spend hours/days/$$$ getting it to fit right in the first place only to worry about an optimum install and longevity.

Thanks for the writeup and video. If I do ever consider a snorkel, this won't be on my list of choices. No warranty, no thanks.

I'd have to agree with these guys. with $40k truck i would want a quality component. I wish ARB would make one...

 

[m(a)ce]

thank you for the recon.

I'm very interested in snorking. can't someone just 3D print a complete one on their Makerbot? ;]

 

[mace.]

thank you for the recon.

I'm very interested in snorking. can't someone just 3D print a complete one on their Makerbot? ;]

Here is a great write up of a DIY.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/109438-bandit-runners-custom-snorkel-build.html

 

[TOY2G]

From the "never-run-a-snorkel-in-the-past" perspective, it appears that option/kit leaves MUCH to be desired! I want to get it installed and have piece of mind, not spend hours/days/$$$ getting it to fit right in the first place only to worry about an optimum install and longevity.

Perhaps there is nothing to add on the engine compartment side. I guess I will find out soon enough. Problem is, once I cut that hole, there is no going back.

[MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION] thanks for stepping up and taking one for the team on this one. I was quite surprised with the lack of items included.

I came to the realization after I made this post, that I am Running the TRD intake. The only difference that will effect this snorkel is the TRD inlet (from the fender side) is 12mm larger. So I will have to do some figuring anyway. But one would still think something should have come with the kit.

Thanks for the writeup and video. If I do ever consider a snorkel, this won't be on my list of choices. No warranty, no thanks.

They said there is nothing to warranty. If you break the fiberglass it's your fault not theirs. But I am concerned with the threaded holes in the snorkel breaking out. I have sent them an email requesting more information

I'd have to agree with these guys. with $40k truck i would want a quality component. I wish ARB would make one...

I have spoken with ELI at Ironman offroad, and he is working on a 5th gen snorkel. ARB said and I quote "The 4Runner snorkel market is far too tiny and picky to even consider a snorkel at this point". This is from a visit to their booth at SEMA this year. Perhaps they will sing a difrent song now that the FJ is going away. There is no model of 4runner that ARB has ever really supported well. 4runners always get the parts that "also fit the 4runner". It's an American market vehicle that they see little potential in. IMO

thank you for the recon.

I'm very interested in snorking. can't someone just 3D print a complete one on their Makerbot? ;]

Someone did exactly that for a 3rd gen on this forum. I recently bought a dual head 3D printer and a 3D scanner myself. However I do not have the skill set (cad)to use it to the capacity I would need to design and produce a snorkel.

 

[b_w.]

interested to see how it works out.

 

[Intruder]

They said there is nothing to warranty. If you break the fiberglass it's your fault not theirs. But I am concerned with the threaded holes in the snorkel breaking out. I have sent them an email requesting more information

The real question is if you only break the top (a fairly common occurrence) can they sell you a replacement and for how much?

ARB said and I quote "The 4Runner snorkel market is far too tiny and picky to even consider a snorkel at this point". This is from a visit to their booth at SEMA this year. Perhaps they will sing a difrent song now that the FJ is going away. There is no model of 4runner that ARB has ever really supported well. 4runners always get the parts that "also fit the 4runner". It's an American market vehicle that they see little potential in. IMO

One thing is that ARB doesn't make snorkels. They sell Safari snorkels and Safari doesn't make one for the Tacoma either. There is probably way more demand for Tacoma and 3rd and 4th gen 4Runner snorkels than 5th gens. The FJC is sold in Australia, so it isn't surprising they make one for them. I honestly can't see a Safari snorkel for the 5th gen coming any time soon.

At this point I've pretty much given up on a snorkel. Oddly I've seen a number of Tacoma owners around here selling their snorkels along with the cut fender in return for an intact fender. A lot of people forget that while a snorkel will protect you from hydrolocking there are other components that need to be protected during deep water crossings as well.

 

[Jeff M]

Oddly I've seen a number of Tacoma owners around here selling their snorkels along with the cut fender in return for an intact fender. A lot of people forget that while a snorkel will protect you from hydrolocking there are other components that need to be protected during deep water crossings as well.

That, or they realized just how stupid they look driving down the highway.

 

[m(a)ce]

Here is a great write up of a DIY.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/109438-bandit-runners-custom-snorkel-build.html

haha- AMAZING! thanks!


sounds like Ironman is our best bet but your FJ point is good too. anyway we can encourage them?

 

[Intruder]

That, or they realized just how stupid they look driving down the highway.

Somehow doubt that since these were fully modded long travel Tacos that see a lot of trail miles.

 

[TOY2G]

The real question is if you only break the top (a fairly common occurrence) can they sell you a replacement and for how much?


One thing is that ARB doesn't make snorkels.

There is probably way more demand for Tacoma and 3rd and 4th gen 4Runner snorkels than 5th gens.
l.

The tops may work off my current models for the FJ. if thats the case, parts are easy.


The supplier in China that we (Pathfinder Outdoors, and Iron Man Off Road) made bodies for safari for about 2 years

this company offers Tacoma snorkels, and Very Oddly IMO a snorkel for the Sequoia.

I use to have a lifted Sequoia with sliders, ARB bumper, Winch exc and i would have loved to have a snorkel for it back then....but why on earth would they make a snorkel for a sequoia????

if this one works well I may consider bringing in a dozen or so for 5th gen owners. Its -3 outside today, so I will not be putting it on soon.

 

[zech80]

Had a snorkel on my Wrangler. I think its one of the best mods you can do. Aside from brief water fording capabilities, it acts as a cold air intake. I would get one in a second if they made one for my 14' trail.

 

[Titanpat57]

Well it's easy to put a snorkel on a shoebox...:lookout:

 

[1engineer]

Had a snorkel on my Wrangler. I think its one of the best mods you can do. Aside from brief water fording capabilities, it acts as a cold air intake. I would get one in a second if they made one for my 14' trail.

...And what's that cold air intake going to do for a 5th Gen?

 

[eddiebx]

...And what's that cold air intake going to do for a 5th Gen?

Provide the engine with cooler air, dummy.

 

[tamerunner]

...And what's that cold air intake going to do for a 5th Gen?

Make it suffer by trying to breath through a long straw

 

[zech80]

Umm it might provide cold air vs sucking air from a hot engine compartment?