Dobinsons 5th Gen 4Runner Snorkel

[jerad]

Any guys out there with any "driving in heavy snowfall" experience while using the snorkel care to share their feedback for others?

I just did this, we got 8 inches in KCMO and I was driving from Wichita to Kansas city for 3hrs while it snowed heavily. I had originally attached my snorkel to the A-pillar with VHB and it came loose after about 6-7 months so once I got home I had to pull the snorkel to rivet the bracket on. When I opened the airbox there was a small amount of water in the depression where the screw goes next to the drain hole, I had plugged the drain hole with silicone. There was also water inside the snorkel itself, at the base where it connects to the airbox it actually has a little collection point, there was maybe 3-4ml.

I'm confident there is no way any meaningful amount of moisture could enter the engine from rain or snow.

 

[jerad]

No driving photos, but this was it in the morning.

 

[Decipher]

Here’s a few snow shots from yesterday for the membership (not for official marketing).

I’ve taken to flipping the head around in the snow. You could leave the head backwards at all times if you really wanted to. I’ve noticed some water collection in the base of the snorkel tubing but none in the airbox, which is the point of the snorkel. The water in the snorkel body seems minimal and likely evaporates fairly quickly in dry weather.

I riveted the a-pillar as advised by the instructions and I’m glad I did. After several road trips, I don’t want to worry about it breaking loose at high speeds with a head wind.

I’m considering painting the snorkel silver to better blend with the truck. I’m on the fence and may plastidip it first in case I don’t like the look.


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[Decipher]

Few more snow shots from today...wish it could have been more scenic but oh well.









Snow mode with head turned...


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[Crikeymike]

Had a couple of guys checking stock over night. 5th Gen snorkels are sold out right now, but more are arriving by about March 15th.

Dobinsons 4x4 Snorkel Kit for Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen 2010-2020 4.0L V6 | Exit Offroad

 

[Decipher]

Put her to good use yesterday. She earned her place on my truck, especially in one puddle that was halfway up my door.


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[Crikeymike]

During the installation process, has anyone taken a photo of the air intake side of the original air box?

I'm trying to see what it looks like compared to an AFE CAI kit that someone has. I'm pretty sure the shape is different.

 

[Crikeymike]

During the installation process, has anyone taken a photo of the air intake side of the original air box?

I'm trying to see what it looks like compared to an AFE CAI kit that someone has. I'm pretty sure the shape is different.

Nevermind, I found it in a video.

So for anyone else asking about using this snorkel with any other CAI (cold air intake) kit, that part needs to be round for the hose to attach properly from the snorkel to the air box. If it's round, you should be good to go.

 

[Flix]

Nevermind, I found it in a video.

So for anyone else asking about using this snorkel with any other CAI (cold air intake) kit, that part needs to be round for the hose to attach properly from the snorkel to the air box. If it's round, you should be good to go.

When I installed the snorkel, the Dobsinson supplied hose was a very snug fit onto the stock intake hole. Took a little bit of effort to get it on. If the intake on a CAI has the same outside diameter (or slightly smaller) as the stock, it should fit fine. Definitely worth the extra time to measure the OD of the CAI intake and comparing it to the stock.

 

[Decipher]

I’ve noticed water in my air box recently. My working assumption is that water has managed to work it’s way down from the snorkel head while driving in the rain. The underlying issue is that I chose to seal the drain hole with silicone, which is an open option for the end user.

I ultimately punched that drain hole back open and it should no longer collect. I’m not super happy that the head doesn’t channel rain water out of the head as they claim it does. Yes, turning the head takes all of 20 seconds. Other companies make the same claim that their head doesn’t require turning and will channel water away. I’m not sure how true that is, but the drain hole open should prevent the buildup in the box at least.


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[Signal]

So how are you guys liking it. I am looking at this one and the JDM.

 

[Signal]

Is there a memorial day say anyone knows of?

 

[Crikeymike]

Is there a memorial day say anyone knows of?

None on the snorkels. They're sold out right now but due next month.

 

[Decipher]

So how are you guys liking it. I am looking at this one and the JDM.

If you read through this thread you’ll see that I’ve weighed in a lot on this snorkel and my experience.

It’s easily the least attractive thing I’ve visually done to my truck. I’ve had so many people make fun of it, to my face. The audacity of that is unbelievable but society has lost its values.

I digress. The off road function of it has been great with the exception of my above post where I had water collecting in my airbox. Punching the drain hole back into the airbox kind of negates the purpose of the snorkel so for that I’m disappointed. I don’t plan of floating my truck through any bodies of water nor do I even plan on sitting in water deep and long enough to fill the airbox through that drain hole.

My issue may be inherent of all snorkels but I haven’t seen it reported here in this forum at least.

The snorkel is a function over form kind of thing and so, I expect it to perform at least. If it’s not even doing that then I’m at a loss and disappointed I didn’t get the far more attractive TJM snorkel. I have a hard time paying that price though. It’s so ridiculously expensive for what it is.


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[Seattle206]

So the Dobinsons snorkel has been out for two years now. Any long-term reviews regarding build quality? Especially exposure to UV and wet conditions?

 

[Flix]

So the Dobinsons snorkel has been out for two years now. Any long-term reviews regarding build quality? Especially exposure to UV and wet conditions?

I've had mine installed for about 11 months and drove about 11k kms (~ 7000 miles) so far. I'd say there hasn't been any visible UV damage or fading to the unit so far. In terms of handling wet conditions, mine's been good so far considering I live in Vancouver and it's awfully wet in the winter here. I'd imagine any wet condition effects would be to the holes drilled into the fender. I prepped the holes with with touch up paint and silicone just to be sure nothing starts rusting.

 

[Seattle206]

Great! Thanks for the update Flix. I am considering the Dobinsons unit and their price is most attractive. I just south of you in Seattle, WA so we share similar weather.

 

[Flix]

Great! Thanks for the update Flix. I am considering the Dobinsons unit and their price is most attractive. I just south of you in Seattle, WA so we share similar weather.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the snorkel immensely if/when you get and install it. I'll note that after I instaleld the snorkel, I added a bead of black silicone to fill the top portion of the gap between the snorkel and fender. Hopefully it'll reduce the amount of water and dirt that gets into that area.

 

[Anand]

So the Dobinsons snorkel has been out for two years now. Any long-term reviews regarding build quality? Especially exposure to UV and wet conditions?

I've had mine on the truck for ~35k miles and 21 months; other than breaking the grille over the inlet (branches), I haven't had a single concern with it; a few minutes with some plastic epoxy and the grille looks like new again btw.

The body of the snorkel definitely has some scratches on it, but then again, so does the entire truck, so it is totally expected.

FWIW, the truck isn't garaged and has experienced all seasons and all sorts of environments

 

[Seattle206]

I've had mine on the truck for ~35k miles and 21 months; other than breaking the grille over the inlet (branches), I haven't had a single concern with it; a few minutes with some plastic epoxy and the grille looks like new again btw.

The body of the snorkel definitely has some scratches on it, but then again, so does the entire truck, so it is totally expected.

FWIW, the truck isn't garaged and has experienced all seasons and all sorts of environments

Thanks for the review. Ordered my Dobinsons snorkel so I should be installing it later this month. My T4R is parked outside 24/7 365.

From what I read the Tacoma's template was off which left folks having to enlarge the fender holes. I am assuming the 5th gen T4R kit doesn't exhibit this issue?