Best Snorkel for 5th Gen 4Runner - Safari vs Dobinson vs FTS

[Lexington]

Hi All

I’m interested in getting a snorkel for my 2016 4Runner and have been searching the forum and the internet for what options are currently out there.

At the moment is seems there are 4 options.

1. Safari
2. Dobinson
3. FTS
4. TJM (Not interested in this design)

I was trying to see if I can find any comparisons but I haven’t found any. So I was hoping those who already have snorkels if you can share your thoughts about them and any pros or cons.

Personally I like the looks of the FTS but I’m not sure if it’s even available. Their website doesn’t show a price for it.

Anyway, advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ThinblueMN]

I have the dobinson and I’m happy with it. The install template was way off, don’t have any experience with the other ones.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

I have the dobinson as well. I couldn’t justify twice the price for the safari one.

Agreed the template was not correct and had to redrill holes and expand some as well. It’s all hidden under the snorkel itself so not a huge deal but still annoying.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lexington]

Thanks for the info. I just got a reply from FTS and they still sell it for $315 plus shipping. I’m waiting for a reply to see how much that will cost.

On the FTS web site they say it’s is plastic reinforced with fiberglass. Is that suppose to make it stronger than plastic?

 

[DaveSmith]

Size comparison between Dobinson & Safari

Does anyone know the difference in dimensions between the Dobinson and Safari snorkels? Which one has a lower profile and which one would require the least amount of trimming to fit Bushwacker oversized fender flares?

 

[Seattle206]

Dobinsons here. Easy and straight forward install. I don't recall the template holes off too much but something a step bit can't remedy with ease. I also didn't drill into the pillar and instead used high strength, outdoor 3M tape. No issues so far.

 

[Lexington]

From what I could gather the Dobson appears to be a copy of the Safari. If you’re looking for a lower profile the FTS may fit your needs better.

 

[Lexington]

Dobinsons here. Easy and straight forward install. I don't recall the template holes off too much but something a step bit can't remedy with ease. I also didn't drill into the pillar and instead used high strength, outdoor 3M tape. No issues so far.

Nice idea on the 3M tape. Of course it won’t last as long as screws but its a nice alternative to drilling holes. If last at least 5 years I would consider that a win. Just simply replace when it wears out.

 

[BR4RTrail]

Looks awesome! Thanks for the pictures. The 3M tape idea is great.

 

[Gxblade1]

Nice idea on the 3M tape. Of course it won’t last as long as screws but its a nice alternative to drilling holes. If last at least 5 years I would consider that a win. Just simply replace when it wears out.

FRP is the same thing bumpers are made of.

 

[Lexington]

FRP is the same thing bumpers are made of.

What’s FRP? Don’t follow.

 

[MStudt]

What’s FRP? Don’t follow.

FRP is a fiber reinforced plastic and is the technical term for composite. It's basically a hybrid of fiberglass and plastic.

Mike

 

[Nalcyon]

Hi All

I’m interested in getting a snorkel for my 2016 4Runner and have been searching the forum and the internet for what options are currently out there.

At the moment is seems there are 4 options.

1. Safari
2. Dobinson
3. FTS
4. TJM (Not interested in this design)

I was trying to see if I can find any comparisons but I haven’t found any. So I was hoping those who already have snorkels if you can share your thoughts about them and any pros or cons.

Personally I like the looks of the FTS but I’m not sure if it’s even available. Their website doesn’t show a price for it.

Anyway, advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Just curious as I am looking into a snorkel soon, what in particular do you not like about the TJM, is it a materials, aesthetics, or functional concerns?

Asking because my wife likes the looks of the TJM over the ARB or Dobinsons.

 

[Jetboy]

FWIW - everything you commonly think of as "fiberglass" is FRP. Fiberglass the raw material is strands of fibers. Usually it's sold in either random orient mat or in various fabrics.

It is then mixed with some type of plastic to become FRP. Most commonly the plastics are in the form of liquid resins that harden such as polyester, vinylester, or epoxy (in that order from cheapest/weakest being polyester resin to strongest and most expensive being epoxy resin. For this purpose it doesn't matter. Any of those will work.

The addition of fibers provides a significant strength increase. It's similar to adding rebar to concrete. It's also more expensive and complicated to manufacture because you can't simply roto-mold them. The rotomold ABS ones from most vendors are probably perfectly fine. The are likely not as strong as a FRP. But they're much easier and cheaper to produce. So it's a good alternative.

If you're integrating into a fiberglass fender set - I would ask what resin is used. Most likely you could use the RFP one and blend it smoothly into a fiberglass fender for a pretty seemless look where the snorkel and fender are one combined piece.

The bumper covers are not FRP. They are just plastic. There's no fibers in them. They would be far more rigid if they had fiberglass in them, and a lot harder to cut with a box cutter.

 

[Lexington]

Just curious as I am looking into a snorkel soon, what in particular do you not like about the TJM, is it a materials, aesthetics, or functional concerns?

Asking because my wife likes the looks of the TJM over the ARB or Dobinsons.

It’s aesthetics. There is nothing wrong with it. It’s a nice low profile snorkel but not my cup of tea. I just doesn’t look like a more traditional snorkel. I want it to be more noticeable. Just a personal preference. The only problem I see with TJM is if you plan on putting on a full size Gobi rack. The snorkel will be in the way.

Right now I think the Safari and the TJM are for the most part the only game in town for the moment. The Dobinsons are out of stock and I have no idea if they plan on making any more in the near future. On eBay I have seen a no name brand that looks like a Safari/Dobinson knock off. You can still get a FTS but you have to order it directly from the manufacturer in Taiwan and then have it shipped. Personally I like the FTS because it has a bit of a lower profile. The Safari/Dobinson do stick out a bit.

I hope this helps.

 

[Lexington]

By the way, I’m planning to buy and install a snorkel in the next month or so.

For those of you that have snorkels, I’m curious when you are driving in heavy rain or snow if you do anything to prevent excessive water getting into the air vent or experience snow build up. Do you flip the air intake backwards or do nothing at all?

I’ve watched some installation videos and I’ve seen some people drill small holes in the air filter box to drain water from rain.

I noticed the new Tacoma snorkels by Toyota do have a cool little cut near the top that acts as a water drain. Unfortunately Toyota has made nothing for the 4Runner.

Also, what precautions do you take when going to the car wash?

Thanks

 

[EmotionCRZ]

I live in New England, I have the Safari snorkel. I do not turn the head around when it snows or rains heavily. I have not had any issues. For car washes, I do sometimes use a touchless car wash. You just have to make sure the dryer in the car wash is a fixed unit. The dryers that move up and down to dry will hit the snorkel.

By the way, I’m planning to buy and install a snorkel in the next month or so.

For those of you that have snorkels, I’m curious when you are driving in heavy rain or snow if you do anything to prevent excessive water getting into the air vent or experience snow build up. Do you flip the air intake backwards or do nothing at all?

I’ve watched some installation videos and I’ve seen some people drill small holes in the air filter box to drain water from rain.

I noticed the new Tacoma snorkels by Toyota do have a cool little cut near the top that acts as a water drain. Unfortunately Toyota has made nothing for the 4Runner.

Also, what precautions do you take when going to the car wash?

Thanks

 

[Lexington]

I live in New England, I have the Safari snorkel. I do not turn the head around when it snows or rains heavily. I have not had any issues. For car washes, I do sometimes use a touchless car wash. You just have to make sure the dryer in the car wash is a fixed unit. The dryers that move up and down to dry will hit the snorkel.

Hi EmotionCRZ

Thanks for this info. Just our of curiosity, so in heavy rain you never have water get into the air filter box or just not enough to create a problem?

Thanks

 

[sn_85]

By the way, I’m planning to buy and install a snorkel in the next month or so.

For those of you that have snorkels, I’m curious when you are driving in heavy rain or snow if you do anything to prevent excessive water getting into the air vent or experience snow build up. Do you flip the air intake backwards or do nothing at all?

I’ve watched some installation videos and I’ve seen some people drill small holes in the air filter box to drain water from rain.

I noticed the new Tacoma snorkels by Toyota do have a cool little cut near the top that acts as a water drain. Unfortunately Toyota has made nothing for the 4Runner.

Also, what precautions do you take when going to the car wash?

Thanks

I'd get something like the Snorkel Upgrade Pre-cleaner. Planning on getting it for my Dobinsons snorkel sometime down the road.

Off Road Snorkel Head Air Pre-Cleaner - for Trucks, Jeeps & SUVs.
– Snorkel Upgrade

 

[Lexington]

I'd get something like the Snorkel Upgrade Pre-cleaner. Planning on getting it for my Dobinsons snorkel sometime down the road.

Off Road Snorkel Head Air Pre-Cleaner - for Trucks, Jeeps & SUVs.
– Snorkel Upgrade

Problem solved! Thank you very much for this info SN_85!