Safari snorkel on a 5th gen?

Should've posted this here:
Installed!
Installed Pathfinder Outdoors FTS Snorkel:
Thanks Nathan - [MENTION=64685]TOY2G[/MENTION]
FTS 5th Gen Snorkel Kit Toyota 4Runner

Received the snorkel, well packaged, and fast!
Fiberglass Snorkel- Wasn't fond of the fact that it was fiberglass, but willing to take the chance! Well made, and seemed to look as if it would fit well. Not fond of the Snorkel Intake Head. Have a universal, more Safari looking one coming today.

Decided the glossy look of the fiberglass painted was not going to fit my 4Runner look. I painted it the Dupli-color Bumper Trim Flat Black that I have been using for years on my FJ and 4Runner. It will match the rest of the trim perfectly AND when I paint my Fender Trim, it will be a perfect match!
Painted using Duple-Color Bumper Trim:
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You can see the difference in finish, as here is the underside
NOTE:
As seen in the below picture, I made my own headless anchor bolts. I simply went to Lowes, obtained the M8 x 1.25 in an 1 1/2" length and cut them carefully with the Dremel, and verify threads before mounting to the Snorkel. I then used loctite-red and used the supplied washer that came with the kit, and added the appropriate lock washer and nut. Made it MUCH easier for placement and install. I would have fought this trying to find the hole through the fender blindly. It also helped to make sure the Snorkel was placed correctly AND that all holes lined up:
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Begin the Drilling. I forgot to get a picture of the template laid on fender. It is a tricky template as you simply line it to the top of the Fender trim, and hope for correct placement. Once I felt lucky, I center punched the holes:
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Drilled smaller pilot holes before using the Step Bit to achieve a 9/16" hole:
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9/16"
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At this point, I removed some of the fender liner bolts and peeled down the fender liner to gain access to the inner fender. Only needed to remove the top 3, and one on the upper side towards the passenger compartment. This made it easy to get my arm up.

Removal of airbox should be done as well:
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Time to cut a 3 7/8" hole. Rather than buy a new hole saw, I reused the 4 1/8" that I had from installing a snorkel on my FJ. Seemed like it wouldn't make a big difference, as a 4" hole was also suggested from Pathfinder.
NOTE:
It is best to drill using the upper fender angle first, as there is more fender to cut. If you use the lower, more straight up and down angle, it will be much harder to cut when you hit the upper part of the fender. You can see what I mean in pics below.

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Continued Below
 
Test Fit, just hanging on the Anchor studs. Looks good enough to tighten down!
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Tightened Down:
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I used a silicone tube that was left over from another install, to go over the FTS inlet and the stock airbox connection. I will probably RTV at some point, but the connection is pretty water tight for now. Stock airbox fit over the FTS inlet perfectly. The holes and alignment, much to my surprise, was PERFECT. The inlet from the FTS (seen in above post) was perfectly centered in the opening:
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Tightened Down:
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FTS Snorkel Head attached. Safari ABS style coming today.
NOTE:
The Plate that attaches to the A Pillar is supplied with silver bolts. I will be painting, as the silver ruins the look. Also note that the plate will need to be built up with double sided tape, as it does NOT lay flat to A Pillar. FTS supplies one layer of double sided tape, AND self tapping screws. The screws could not be used in my case as the plate is about 5/8" from A Pillar. I also used one 6" piece of double sided tape along the snorkel back, from just below where the head attaches, and down the snorkel.
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anyone who revives this thread without posting an update from Safari should be automatically banned and castrated :rockthrow:
 
Why are we posting non safari snorkels in a safari snorkel thread?

P.S. The FTS snorkel looks good!

Sorry-
I guess more or less helping people out who are really looking for a snorkel now, not in 8-10 months....

Not meaning to hijack the 2+ year old thread, that until recently, only teased 5th Gen owners of a Safari to be.

Plus many people know a snorkel to be Safari, and sometimes have no idea that another brand is available.
Again, sorry.
 
So funny.. I was going to add I could look at that arse all day long, but didn't want the thread to get creepy! But yes.. I'd hit it!

You leave my ass alone!

Sorry for the late reply. Just got back from Mojave Road/Las Vegas. Sorry to jump in here, but the snorkel has been doing just fine.

Here's my take on the FTS vs Safari Snorkel: Safari is the leader in snorkels, they take their time but know how to build them right. While the FTS one looks fine, I've handled one, and don't begrudge anyone for going with that over waiting...Safari/ARB isn't going anywhere so you know you're going to have support down the road. I had huge qualms about drilling major holes in the truck body for a fiberglass snorkel, that looks sorta funky, and doesn't have the pedigree of the Safari.

Again I don't turn my nose up at the FTS, I just know that I wanted to invest in the product of a company that's been doing this for decades.

Now you could counterpoint my argument by pointing out that if I smash my snorkel I'd have to get ARB to make me another prototype, and while that's true, I bashed this on a few joshua trees at 45-50mph, and outside of some scratches, it took the hits just fine.
 
I will definitely be holding out for the Safari. FWIW, I have had a Safari snorkel installed on my 98 Tacoma for over 10 years now. It has been exposed to sun, inclimate weather, bashed on trees, etc. and it still looks brand new.
 
You leave my ass alone!

LOOK at it! It is very hard to leave it alone. One day when I see it in person, I am going to actually check out ALL of it in person... The inferno was made for your setup!

I agree about the Safari... I'll buy a new fender and paint it, just to drill new holes for the Safari, when it comes out! But until then, I hope this holds up!
 

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