Snorkel (cleaner air intake) that functions well and looks good on the 4Runner?

Well I was watching a video not related to 4Runner but reminded me if we could have a low profile good looking snorkel?
(Not saying that this looks really really good but not bad and just to show the low profile look)






For looks I really like TJM. TJM has a good looking snorkel but seems to have problems where all the water wiped from the wipers suck in and contaminate with water.



TJM seem to have the same problem in winter driving;





I know ARB snorkel has very good reviews in functionality where you can turn the snoot (not sure what it calls) backwards when it rains or snows.


But to me personally it looks ugly..



And yes I won't use as a snorkel for deep water crossings since I haven't seal the vital electrical and electronic components from water. (Wish there is a clear water depth rating like the Land rovers.) For now my stock air intake and diff breathers are good enough for little water crossings. But love to have a snorkel as a clean air intake high up vs from the wheel-well since I do lot of dusty roads driving. And yes I change my air filter frequently with paper based filters. (not interested in oil based air filters.)



Anyone else has the same requirement as me? Cleaner air intake snorkel that looks good?

Anyways it won't be a project that I will be doing soon since its not in my priority list but thought this might help anyone..

 

I've carried similar thought processes and considerations to a snorkel before; and for the same reasons. Summertime around here, unless your leading the group, your sucking dust the entire trip.

I don't really have any conclusions to share though, unfortunately. Thinking in terms of function over form, based on the options I'm aware of (same options you posted above), for me it would be between the ARB or Dobinson.

I've seen some kind of cool modular setups for wranglers before; Rugged Ridge XHD, and I think River Raider made that sit just above the hood line... but of course the location isn't totally ideal without the taller stack added, which then in my opinion make them almost look worse that just a traditional snorkel. But I guess the idea would be to run the shorter/just above the hood line part for daily driving, then just switch out the taller stack when hitting the trails. (None of which really helps, since I've only seen these styles for Jeeps).

 

There's another video where this guy routed near HVAC intake on a Tacoma;

 

Runnin4tacos is supposed to be releasing a 5th Gen snorkel soon. Unfortunately they (the company) kinda suck.

 

The Safari snorkel has drain holes in it:



There's also the bowl type pre-cleaner head.That has internal fan blades to separate dirt from the air.

 

I'm super jealous of the new Land Rover Defender snorkel.. man I want one of those vehicles!

I looked a lot into the TJM snorkel, and everyone who actually owned one in winter climates said that it had no issue with snow or water. Regardless of the snow being packed in the head, users reported no water in the air box. That's the one I'd go with if I was to get a snorkel. The other one is hideous. If it was a completely modded vehicle with bumpers, 34'' tires, etc.. maybe the Safari would look OK. But on a fairly stock 4Runner... BICEP FLEX!!!

 

Without a doubt they are the best for functionality.

I lost interest when I saw it in person. It was way bigger for my taste. Again it's just me for someone who like to keep the stock look as much as possible..

 

Most heavy equipment - graders, backhoes, tractors have the precleaner type of snorkel head.
Toyota uses a variant on it's Middle East / Africa spec LC70 vehicles.



If you're going to have a snorkel and cut that hole in your fender, might as well get the best available head for it.
https://snorkelupgrade.com/

Most normal folks wont want to cut that hole in the fender.

 

Exactly..!!! I really wish we get a good looking snorkel for the 4Runners like the Defenders.
I think if TJM can change the direction of the intake it would look good and functional as a Safari. (Maybe..)

 

I’m sorry but that’s a silly ass reason to get a snorkel

 

I just change out the air filter after some serious dust trails in the summer
The TRD pro Tacoma got a lot of hate because it came from factory with a snorkel, when all it does is help provide cleaner air while in “dusty” conditions. I think the offset of having cleaned air potentially isn’t worth the cost of a snorkel if that’s all you’re wanting IMO. That’s what the air filter is for.



here’s this though: https://caliraisedoffroad.com/produ...MI-vHyrv287wIVC5WGCh39zQgQEAQYASABEgJzrPD_BwE

 

So you two guys think snorkles are just not necessary, period?

I believe they are designed more for dust than water issues. But I see that some here think that the air filter is all that is necessary, regardless of dusty running conditions.



I'll admit, I've wondered how much of a difference it makes to raise the intake by roughly a foot..

 

I mean, how much dust do you have in the mountains?

I have a reusable air filter. I just don’t think it’s necessary, but just my 2 cents.

 

Here we definitely have very dirty / dusty roads and, despite the humidity, on a dry summer day you cannot see the vehicle in front of you once they're about 20 yards up. Still, I wonder how much of a difference a snorkel would really make as I've never tried one personally. I tend to agree that it isn't worth it, especially for a DD, hence me not having one. All good for discussion, though!

 

Definitely not necessary; but still not a terrible idea for those who are frequently subjected to dust. After some time out on the trails, when we'd stop for a break, I'd often pull my filter out to shake the sand out of it. Sometimes would be a fair amount. But... it's not like I ever experienced hesitation or any other related issues from it; nor found signs of any significant amount of dust making it past the filter. As such, I've contemplated snorkel options before, but never truly felt compelled to buy one.

 

The biggest reason I don't intend to use the snorkel as water crossing is it only helps air intake and probably can route the diff breathers in to the snorkel (maybe?). Also seal the air box including the drain.

Even after working on air intake and breathers still there are so many exposed to water damage right? If ECU or any ignition components gets water game over right (at least for someone like me who has no idea about mechanics)?

That's why I was looking for snorkel for clean air vs needing to cross water..

 

I like snorkels because off-road. Always thought they were cool. You won’t find me trying to push its limits that’s for sure, but I didn’t put it on just to look______.

The ARB is solid. It’s not beautiful, but it serves a purpose.

I personally like the FTS snorkel looks the best but not sure if you can still get it.

 

Yeah, there's a lot of work that goes into preparing for deep water crossings. Just to name a few things: Dielectric greasing exposed terminals and connections (which will need to be periodically reapplied); silicone sealing any open end of a wiring harness and/or small egress holes (including in the snorkel and intake itself, as they usually have small drainage holes for condensation and what not; meaning if you seal them, you'll now have to periodically check and drain it yourself); making sure ECU and fuse box are sealed; breather tubes relocated; interior under seat electronics relocated or water sealed (because if you get above door line, water is likely coming inside); and I feel like I'm still missing a few things...

Not to mention that even after all that, stalling in the water could still hydro lock you; as the exhaust underwater when engine cuts outs can create a vacuum and suck water in like a straw (more of a concern for manual trans vehicles - happened to a buddy of mine in his jeep through a deep puddle... wheel caught a big underwater rock he wasn't expecting and stalled the jeep; hood line was above the water, exhaust was not - tried to save the engine, but still had to limp it off the trail and get trailered home).

A snorkel (without all the other pre-work) could potentially save you from brief incidental water perhaps though... if you've ever hit a mud hole or water over the trail where all of a sudden the front gets really light, as it starts going nose down... usually you just hit reverse as quickly as you can and get out of it... but I've seen it happen to people where they don't do it in time and end up sucking water. Snorkel might at least save you from a hydro lock in that scenario.

But for the most part... they're far more useful for minimalizing dirt intake, and of course for Instagram cred.

 

I'm wondering, if following behind a vehicle(s) kicking up a cloud of dust, is there really THAT much less dust at roof level than at headlight level?

 

^ This is where I'm at. But I'm inclined to trust all of those Safari guys that run them...

It's gotta make a difference. But I'm also at... it only makes a worthwhile difference at those extremes.