FTS 5th gen Snorkel Install

[KVA]

I am probably in.

What options are there for dealing with rain/snow since the intake is pointing forward into the rain/snow? Obviously you can turn it around...though at some point this get annoying. I know I have read about baffle's like those in a snorkel so water won't enter the main intake and affect the filter, etc... on other brands. I am most concerned about adding this to deal with one issue but creating others in its place.

Thoughts?

 

[TOY2G]

I am probably in.

What options are there for dealing with rain/snow since the intake is pointing forward into the rain/snow? Obviously you can turn it around...though at some point this get annoying. I know I have read about baffle's like those in a snorkel so water won't enter the main intake and affect the filter, etc... on other brands. I am most concerned about adding this to deal with one issue but creating others in its place.

Thoughts?

You do not have to turn the snorkel intake around, it is designed in a way that the moisture (rain ans snow) will hit the wall and be pulled down and out via the recesses in the head itself. It it is tried and true and has been working this way for many years. I know it may be confusing as I explained, so her ear a couple pictures that may help.

hope this helps.

FYI, we are driving ours today with pouring rain...

 

[KVA]

hope this helps.

FYI, we are driving ours today with pouring rain...

Thanks...it helps. Have you thought of changing out the intake for something a little better like the Safari version (if it even fits)?

 

[TOY2G]

Thanks...it helps. Have you thought of changing out the intake for something a little better like the Safari version (if it even fits)?

Actually, I did. I keep tops for the FJ Cruiser snorkels we sell in stock (same as Safari) and I put it on this one. IMO it looked odd, so I put the factory one back one (it has the same channels in it). Also the Safari style ones have a little more wind noise and sit a little more upright. In the end, I thought the one that came with it was a better choice.

 

[Ryan1975]

So far we have the following people committing to the FTS snorkel:

1. @Ryan1975
2. @Narkhelek

This is likely to be your one and only chance to get a snorkel for a 5th Gen under $600. Who else is in?

I confirm.

 

[Ryan1975]

They make a ton of stuff, this snorkel it one of about 200 products, to include 5th gen skid plates. In all honesty I bet there a few companies out there that you have not heard of. Fact is, I learned of FTS on this forum and because of the business I do in China, I was not in a rush to order a snorkel from them. As it turns out, Taiwan is far superior to China in many aspects related to quality. You have to keep in mind, FTS did not invent anything here, fiberglass is not new, however thickness, and fitment were my concern, and to my surprise, it is both sturdy and it fits. :becky:

All that said.... FTS leaves me scratching my head.. they make a snorkel for the Sequoia and for the 5th gen...... Both US only vehicles..WHY.?


I have one of their snorkels on one of my trucks, I still do not trust them because 1 is far too small of sample group. Time will tell man.

Here is a link to their site so you can look at what they do..
? FTS ??We Design, Develop and Make Performance 4x4 Accessories?

Taiwan has US looking 4Runners IIRC

 

[Ryan1975]

In the US Overland market, aesthetics are king, function always take a back seat.

Ain't that truth.

 

[KVA]

Actually, I did. I keep tops for the FJ Cruiser snorkels we sell in stock (same as Safari) and I put it on this one. IMO it looked odd, so I put the factory one back one (it has the same channels in it). Also the Safari style ones have a little more wind noise and sit a little more upright. In the end, I thought the one that came with it was a better choice.

Good to know. Guess you just have to powder coat the stock clamp to match, lol or get something like this

 

[TOY2G]

Taiwan has US looking 4Runners IIRC

I still do not understand how they got a 4runner and a Sequoia over there....???

Good to know. Guess you just have to powder coat the stock clamp to match, lol or get something like this

I have asked them to make the clamp black on future models, I already switched mine for one of my PRG snorkel clamps. the silver looks a little off.

I also covered the two bolts for the A-Pillar along with the L-Bracket with black Liquid Tape... When the clamp is silver you can see it from inside your cab, and i could not handle it.

I will update if and when they agree to the black hose clamps.

 

[eddiebx]

I still do not understand how they got a 4runner and a Sequoia over there....???

bootleg ones, LOL.

They drive on the right side of the road there and china, so it's no surprise they would just import USDM models...it's been ages since I've been to the motherland, but I saw lots of USDM model japanese cars roaming around there.

 

[Hillbilly Mac]

I've been on the fence because of the fiberglass, but having the option is better than nothing even if I never install it... I'm in.

 

[TOY2G]

Post one updated with group buy info 5 confirmed, there is a chance we can move on these.

 

[Hillbilly Mac]

Post one updated with group buy info 5 confirmed, there is a chance we can move on these.

What's the price if I just drove up & picked it up from you? Columbus is less than 2 hours away since they finished the Nelsonville bypass.

 

[TOY2G]

What's the price if I just drove up & picked it up from you? Columbus is less than 2 hours away since they finished the Nelsonville bypass.

I figured $25 per snorkel for shipping in the price.

 

[KCcarguy]

I'm very tempted. Have you thought of improving the template yourself? If seems a little vague.

 

[TOY2G]

I'm very tempted. Have you thought of improving the template yourself? If seems a little vague.

If you look at the instructions on FTS's site it shows them holding the template over the fender flare. I cut y template so the template sat on the fender flare.

It also goes over the antenna, and has lines to align on the A-pillar. But I was still very nervous to make holes because even with everything in the right place, it did not look exact to me. Partly because it's a flat template on a curved fender. In the end the template worked like it was intended, but you will notice in my pictures some numbers in black ink...... That was me double checking the distance between holes on the snorkel vs the marks on the template.

Even when I do my next one, I will still double check everything. Fact is, it's difficult to align the template (any paper template) on a vehicle as curvaceous as ours. I taped, tucked, pressed, moved, re-taped, and moved again my template over and over until I felt like I had it as good as I could. Then I punched holes and to my relief, it worked just fine. Wait.... To be honest I did have to egg out one hole a tiny bit, and I mean very tiny bit (about 2mm or less) because I could not get the bolt to start. It was not a big deal since the washers are 3/4 inch and everything is covered by the snorkel.... I bet you cannot even tell which one in the picture.

Sorry to be long winded.

 

[Colonal Angus]

I don't think it looks any different from any other snorkel on the market. I think people are hesitant because it doesn't have the name Safari, Airflow, etc...so, they don't have that 'brand recognition' and level of comfort they need.

I will say this...I didn't even know about this group buy until I saw narkhelek post it on another forum. Maybe people just haven't realized there is a group buy that brings the $600 price down by a third. Hope you guys reach the 10

 

[Hillbilly Mac]

Hey Jesus...er...Nathan, would you be willing to help with the install if I drove up there? I used to pay with cases of beer back in my 18 years of hard drinking, but now with almost a long hard year sober it's against the code. I want to hold off on the RTV till I get it Line-Xed, but other than that, name your price brother.

 

[Narkhelek]

No one else interested in being one of a handful of people that will have a snorkel on their 5th Gen? After all the wailing and gnashing of teeth about the lack of a snorkel this is all who are interested?

 

[Ryan1975]

No one else interested in being one of a handful of people that will have a snorkel on their 5th Gen? After all the wailing and gnashing of teeth about the lack of a snorkel this is all who are interested?

Oy real men have snorkels.