Snorkels?

[John21powerwagon]

Here in SoCal, I’m seeing an ever increasing number of vehicles with snorkels, especially tacos like mine.

what are the advantages?

Locally, I think the deepest water crossing is in Afton Canyon that comes to my mind, I guess I’m not considering those folks traveling to Alaska or South America? Maybe I have not considered climate change? I’ve read some folks talking about cleaner air, would that’ make a big enough difference?

 

[M Rose]

Here in SoCal, I’m seeing an ever increasing number of vehicles with snorkels, especially tacos like mine.

what are the advantages?

Locally, I think the deepest water crossing is in Afton Canyon that comes to my mind, I guess I’m not considering those folks traveling to Alaska or South America? Maybe I have not considered climate change? I’ve read some folks talking about cleaner air, would that’ make a big enough difference?

Most snorkel kits aren’t waterproof... they are there to get to the clean air above the dust... are they worth it... I drive 90% gravel roads and I have to change my air filter every six months... I’m looking at a diy snorkel for my rig... other’s experiences might differ.

 

[Boostpowered]

Not just for water crossings but for dusty roads it makes a pretty noticeable difference in air filter life. Also the cooler than asphalt or concrete ambient air makes for better engine performance. Another thing is when in traffic in city your engine is pulling in a better o2 ratio , typical stock intakes are in the fender or behind headlights so your pulling in alot of the exhaust from the person in front of you.

As m rose says they don't come out of the box water proof you will have to use silicone sealant at any joint and be generous with it, I use amazing goop marine grade same as I use on my boat. There are alot of other thing you will also need to waterproof before you take the deep plunge here again silicone is your friend.

 

[Shakes355]

As mentioned, It really depends where you drive and what an air filter costs for your rig. Some of them are down right spendy. If you're in the desert or caravan on dusty dirt tracks, it could be worth it.

My filter costs $22 and I change it once a year. The cost of a snorkel kit doesn't make sense for my application because it would take years before it saved me enough in filters to break even.

 

[Stinkbug 867]

I live in Vegas and the dirt out here is like moon dust so it makes a huge deference with me. It is a must if you hit the trails here also the heat as well of the black top keeps engine running cool.

 

[Ursa Major]

I live in New England, and with the amount of moisture out here has made me curious if I would NEED one. I currently use a "normal" K&N air filter on my Ranger and those are pretty pricey, but I just have to clean it vs replace it. Any thoughts from the community?

 

[LostInThought]

Here in SoCal, I’m seeing an ever increasing number of vehicles with snorkels, especially tacos like mine.

what are the advantages?

Locally, I think the deepest water crossing is in Afton Canyon that comes to my mind, I guess I’m not considering those folks traveling to Alaska or South America? Maybe I have not considered climate change? I’ve read some folks talking about cleaner air, would that’ make a big enough difference?

So, just $0.02 from someone else thinking about a snorkel. They are butt-ugly (though some like the look) and there seems to be too few deep water crossings in my part of New Mexico to justify a snorkel based on fording depth (go figure), but I've been considering a snorkel because air drawn from near the top of the windshield is a little cooler (especially on pavement) and much less dusty (especially on trails) than the air drawn drawn from the wheel well. The non-gravel forest roads here are basically covered in up to 6-inches of very fine volcanic ash (think all-purpose flour fine) - it's extremely abrasive and fine enough for tires to kick it up to hang in the air even when they just rolling over it, let alone if they are spinning. The air filter seems (not sure how I'd know for sure) to catch it all, but when I run the shop-vac over the filter after a trip, there seems to be a lot of it. I have wonder how much it impedes the airflow through the filter.

So, my questions for the more experienced here: Is this sufficient reason to bore a 4-inch hole in my fender? Or should I just carry spare filters and knock the dust out of them at the end of each day?

 

[Boostpowered]

So, just $0.02 from someone else thinking about a snorkel. They are butt-ugly (though some like the look) and there seems to be too few deep water crossings in my part of New Mexico to justify a snorkel based on fording depth (go figure), but I've been considering a snorkel because air drawn from near the top of the windshield is a little cooler (especially on pavement) and much less dusty (especially on trails) than the air drawn drawn from the wheel well. The non-gravel forest roads here are basically covered in up to 6-inches of very fine volcanic ash (think all-purpose flour fine) - it's extremely abrasive and fine enough for tires to kick it up to hang in the air even when they just rolling over it, let alone if they are spinning. The air filter seems (not sure how I'd know for sure) to catch it all, but when I run the shop-vac over the filter after a trip, there seems to be a lot of it. I have wonder how much it impedes the airflow through the filter.

So, my questions for the more experienced here: Is this sufficient reason to bore a 4-inch hole in my fender? Or should I just carry spare filters and knock the dust out of them at the end of each day?

You can do either on the filter front if you feel like going the spare route go for it, just watch out crossing water. If you want to knock the dust down to near zero you need a snorkel with a pre filter and you will have to clean that quite often.

 

[John21powerwagon]

Very interesting replies, I’ve never thought about carrying a spare air filter in any of my 4x4s over the years.

 

[Sparksalot]

Because you can’t be a “real overlander” without one!

 

[Shakes355]

You'll be Happy to have a spare on board if your standard media filter gets soaked.

The main thing to consider is experience. Some vehicles have air boxes that will damn well let your filter get petrified before it gets dirty. Others make you wonder if they're scooping pavement going down the road.

Each person and application is different. If you*want* one, by all means dont let anyone stop you. But if you want to know if you *need* one, you've gotta check your filter regularly and make the call for yourself.

 

[M Rose]

I live in New England, and with the amount of moisture out here has made me curious if I would NEED one. I currently use a "normal" K&N air filter on my Ranger and those are pretty pricey, but I just have to clean it vs replace it. Any thoughts from the community?

That is what my dad runs in his 1996 Ranger since... umm... well... 1996. His truck is his DD and trail truck here in the Northwest. It works great for him and his needs...

 

[T. Stanley]

I have used K&N filters for many years and although they cost more initially, they are worth the investment because you clean them when they get dirty, put them back in and you get a better performing engine with them

 

[Boostpowered]

If your gonna be crossing rivers, creeks mudholes etc, the choice of snorkel or no snorkel is only real critical if you have a diesel, a gas engine can pull in about 3 or 4 cups of water and can be restarted if you know what your doing. a diesel will be ruined with just a shot glass or 2 of water due to the diesel runs off compression and water doesn't compress you end up with a big hole in your block.

 

[MarioT'sCJResto]

I live in New England, and with the amount of moisture out here has made me curious if I would NEED one. I currently use a "normal" K&N air filter on my Ranger and those are pretty pricey, but I just have to clean it vs replace it. Any thoughts from the community?

I was at Advanced Auto Parts a few weeks back picking up a new Die Hard AGM, the sales guy had asked me about my Ram and one discussion point to the next led to an interesting conversation we had on the subject. I had told him my plans on the build, and that I would be picking up a AEV snorkel among other mods. He quickly had me second guessing this point when he asked me; " Do you plan on doing any river crossings, do you plan on moving back to AZ and running the truck through the desert " Well I actually had to sit back and think about this one.
I just moved back east from AZ, so the odds of returning to the Valley of the Sun any day soon is slim, and when it comes to river crossings... I wouldn't risk the odds of something happening. (I learned that lesson in AZ watching those with H1's getting stuck during the Monsoon season thinking they could cross a dry river bed that had turned into a raging river during a flash flood)
So back to the drawing board, I crossed out the snorkel from my renderings and decided to go with either a Mopar CIA or S&B CIA.

 

[MMc]

I also live in So. Cal. and spend a ton of time in Baja and know moon dust. A air filter for my truck is $20.00 for a replacement. I carry a extra with me and will change them on the road if need be. A snorkel is $300.00 to $500.00 for my truck. That is 15 plus filters, I change the oil religiously I will not be adding a snorkel. I chose not to big water crossing if I can, if I can’t well .... I believe most snorkels are purchased for fashion not for performance. Nobody here of coarse.

 

[Boostpowered]

I also live in So. Cal. and spend a ton of time in Baja and know moon dust. A air filter for my truck is $20.00 for a replacement. I carry a extra with me and will change them on the road if need be. A snorkel is $300.00 to $500.00 for my truck. That is 15 plus filters, I change the oil religiously I will not be adding a snorkel. I chose not to big water crossing if I can, if I can’t well .... I believe most snorkels are purchased for fashion not for performance. Nobody here of coarse.

I have seen people cut the hole in the fender and attach half the snorkel for the looks but never hook it up to the airbox.
Look at the Australian or maylasian eBay if you want snorkel for less $$$

 

[Boostpowered]

Also a snorkel doesn't necessarily have to be outside on the fender you can route piping into the cabin of your vehicle too as long as you seal everything real well.

 

[Things]

I put one on in case I need it, $150 and a few hours. They CAN be waterproof if you do a decent job on the install.

Its there if I need it. I wired in a fan cutoff seitch also.

Just need to be prudent on any water crossing, my Jeep isn't a submarine and I treat it as such.

 

[Trigger T4R]

You’re overthinking it... just get it if you like it

Or save your $, get an AFE dry filter, knock off the dust & keep going.

K&N are dust magnets because of the oil & aren’t cleanable on the go.