Replace or salvage my intake?

[blueblur1984]

Since buying and working on my 4 runner it's become clear that this truck has been pretty neglected over the years. I'm slowly fixing her up but one thing I'm stuck on is the rice rocket intake the last nitwit put on there. It is a simple intake, pipe, cone filter and a heat shield. It's functional but the trips I like to take typically have me crossing streams and I don't want to get the filter wet.

Can I retrofit this existing pipe to have an air tight box, should I go buy a factory pipe/box from pick and pull, or is there an aftermarket, smog legal, intake that will be water proof (or at least can be made water proof with silicone sealant)? I'm looking to eventually install a snorkel so if that factors into the advice out there.

 

[weekendclimber]

If an snorkel is in your future, the easiest thing to do is replace it with a factory air box. You can always do the deck plate mod to get more air in there. I'd wonder if the elbow is still in the passenger side fender if it was replaced with the "rice rocket" intake.

 

[JayRolla]

I would look for a stock intake. I got the crappy pipe too (im the nitwit) LOL. I will be installing my stock intake with deck plate mod after water loggin the motor on a fine rainy offroad trip. But man it sounds so cool! LOL

 

[blueblur1984]

I've installed a few of these cone filters myself, but after having one on my last tacoma I said never again (well...on a 4x4 anyway). I'm cruising craigslist for one but they seem to get snapped up quick.

 

[JayRolla]

I've installed a few of these cone filters myself, but after having one on my last tacoma I said never again (well...on a 4x4 anyway). I'm cruising craigslist for one but they seem to get snapped up quick.

Before my 4runner I had build multiple 300-400hp turbo 4 bangers. It was my first mod. I just used piping and cone in the garage. Never again. LOL

 

[AZ4Running]

Yeah go back to stock. For a 4x4 that sees a lot of off road conditions the short ram/pipe and cone filter intakes are not a good idea. Not only the high risk of water into the intake but the lack of filtering ability those types of filters have, especially the cheap ones that come with ebay intakes. Even a K&N filter does not trap much in the way of fine dust. I was looking into the Airaid Jr intake that keeps the stock air box but replaces the intake tube and filter but now i feel that stock setup works just fine. I may do the deckplate mod and get just the airaid intake pipe due to my stock one being rock hard. Aftermarket intakes dont do much at all in the way of power gains either, they all claim like 10 to 20 whp but in reality its like 2 maybe 5 on a good day. Yeah 10 to 20 with headers, full exhaust and tuning or on a supercharged or turbocharged motor but not on a stock naturally aspirated motor. Keep it simple and save your money on more pratical mods not on that intake for those looking at doing one.

 

[JayRolla]

Yeah go back to stock. For a 4x4 that sees a lot of off road conditions the short ram/pipe and cone filter intakes are not a good idea. Not only the high risk of water into the intake but the lack of filtering ability those types of filters have, especially the cheap ones that come with ebay intakes. Even a K&N filter does not trap much in the way of fine dust. I was looking into the Airaid Jr intake that keeps the stock air box but replaces the intake tube and filter but now i feel that stock setup works just fine. I may do the deckplate mod and get just the airaid intake pipe due to my stock one being rock hard. Aftermarket intakes dont do much at all in the way of power gains either, they all claim like 10 to 20 whp but in reality its like 2 maybe 5 on a good day. Yeah 10 to 20 with headers, full exhaust and tuning or on a supercharged or turbocharged motor but not on a stock naturally aspirated motor. Keep it simple and save your money on more pratical mods not on that intake for those looking at doing one.

Yes Airaid pipe, high flow filter and deckplate mod is best bet on these vehicles. You get the extra flow (dont do much), sound and able to close her up for the river crossings.

 

[blueblur1984]

Thanks for the input everyone. After reading up on the deck plate mod I agree that is the way to go. Now I just need to keep cruising craigslist until I find one :fish2:

 

[AZ4Running]

Check the foral sale threads, there are a few 4runners being parted out. Also check local auto wreckers.