Bandit Runner's Custom Snorkel Build

[A.Wilson013]

I figured this would come up. What I did was to park the truck inside the garage, parallel to the side wall of the garage. This took some trial and error, but eventually I got it just right. Then with the use of various levels, squares, tape measures, and plumb bobs, I measured each point to the floor of the garage (Z), the front of the garage (Y), and the side of the garage (X). I'm sure it isn't perfect, but close enough.

Dang, I was hoping you knew of some tool do this... I messed with some sort of laser thing similar to what Weathertech uses for their floor mats, but that's a bit out of the price range for your average DIY fella. Incredible what they can do though, so many pin-point measurements.

Anyway, great idea. Glad it's working out for you.

 

[cj80cruiser]

i'm gonna jump on board here and say if you can produce this for about 150 EVERYBODY is going to buy them. a while back, CJ80cruiser tried to put together a group buy and it died a horrible death. main arguments were the over all cost of the snorkel + shipping. that being said, if there's anyone on here that could have produced their own, it's definitely you! go get em bandit.

Say what?????

It happened, got around 10 ppl or so to get one.

:cheers:

 

[cj80cruiser]

First I want to say, that looks awesome!

I have a question about the part that comes through the fender. It looks like you would have to run bolts through the outside tube, through the fender, and into the custom piece you have completed behind the fender. Am I seeing that right?

You seem like you have it figured out but I was thinking wouldn't it be easier to make the snorkel mount to the fender only and not have to bolt to the inner part as well?

 

[absalom]

Bandit ... you're so dreamy Keep us posted!

 

[revenantdead]

sorry cj80cruiser, i went looking for that thread and it disappeared... guess i missed it. such is life.

 

[puppetz007]

Sub'd. Being a CAD Designer I want to see how this turns out!

 

[bak3rme]

one does not simply...create a BA snorkel like that

 

[t4r4life]

i want!!!!! i'd be interested in buying one if the price is good

 

[bike]

Looks awesome!

 

[Bandit Runner]

First I want to say, that looks awesome!

I have a question about the part that comes through the fender. It looks like you would have to run bolts through the outside tube, through the fender, and into the custom piece you have completed behind the fender. Am I seeing that right?

You seem like you have it figured out but I was thinking wouldn't it be easier to make the snorkel mount to the fender only and not have to bolt to the inner part as well?

Good question. The way I have it designed, no part of the snorkel actually passes through the fender (except the bolts of course). There is the inner piece that you see above, then a rubber gasket between that and the fender. Then on the outside of the fender, there is another rubber gasket, and then the outer piece. The 3 bolts pass through all of these and sandwich them all together. The compression of the rubber gaskets on either side of the fender, seal around the fender opening/airflow path and prevent from water getting in to it.

I'm not sure how you would hold the inner piece in place without the bolts passing through it. Anyway, there may be a better way, but that's how I'm doing it.

 

[revenantdead]

i dunno bandit, seems like the rubber gasket is the first place this could turn south. you hit a big water hole, the force of the water shifts the gasket. hydro-lock. i would say there HAS to be a pass through just to be safe.

 

[Bucket81]

I did a bit of research on the printers, and I want one!!!

 

[4Running Daily]

I think you'll give into peer pressure and build these for everyone!

 

[gannonrt]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Sorry, but there won't be any production quantities available. This will be a custom one-off assembly. There is a lot of custom work involved, and when it is complete, I will have put a couple hundred hours into designing and building it.

Bandit Runner - It seems like most of the assembly is from Lowe's with a few custom pieces that would need to be produced on a complex piece of machinery. If that custom part was produced in a batch run of 30-50 units, you could easily sell the plans and the part for $150. That would likely help you recover the time invested....

 

[revenantdead]

lol probably why i couldn't find it. i was under the impression it spiraled out of control and got ugly.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Good question. The way I have it designed, no part of the snorkel actually passes through the fender (except the bolts of course). There is the inner piece that you see above, then a rubber gasket between that and the fender. Then on the outside of the fender, there is another rubber gasket, and then the outer piece. The 3 bolts pass through all of these and sandwich them all together. The compression of the rubber gaskets on either side of the fender, seal around the fender opening/airflow path and prevent from water getting in to it.

I'm not sure how you would hold the inner piece in place without the bolts passing through it. Anyway, there may be a better way, but that's how I'm doing it.

The safari uses a Tacoma intake that bolts in place to the core support and the snorkel only bolts to the fender. Then a rubber boot is used to connect the 2 tubes together.

Either route you decide to go, I'm definitely anxious to see this happen.

 

[cj80cruiser]

lol probably why i couldn't find it. i was under the impression it spiraled out of control and got ugly.

Well it got ugly only after the group buy happened.

 

[josh.bunch]

Subscribed...and as others have said, if this pans out and you are so inclined, a group buy sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[BigRogers]

WOW.....:snacker:

I work with cad everyday, and what you have created here with the body of the truck is very impressive. The measurements had to be a pain in the ace, but it turned out very nice. GOOD WORK MAN.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build come together especially that simulated hood scoop. What are the means of construction? injection molds or what?

 

[Bandit Runner]

i dunno bandit, seems like the rubber gasket is the first place this could turn south. you hit a big water hole, the force of the water shifts the gasket. hydro-lock. i would say there HAS to be a pass through just to be safe.

I really can't see how the gaskets could move. They have holes in them that the bolts pass directly through. Plus the entire gasket surface is being compressed between the fender and the plastic part.

I'll get some pics of the gaskets soon, so you can see what I'm talking about.