To Snorkel or not to Snorkel.....that's the question!

My 2024 ORP build is coming along nicely. I'm to the point now of deciding on a snorkel install. I'm going to Arkansas in October and am told there will be various water crossings involved in the trail runs. Not a big fan of the snorkel looks, but I realize the benefits when it comes to water crossings and dusty conditions. So......for those of you that have them, what are the pros and cons? I hate to cut up my finder and then realize later that it was a waste of $$ and time.

 

I hate the size of ARB. Too big for 4runner imo.

I love the size of TJM but the intake is right in front of the windshield.

Your next challenge would be sealing electronics.

(I personally don't have a snorkel. But discussed a little with my 4x4shop for a future plan.)

 

I'll likely go with TJM when the time comes. I like the low profile look and if you seal it properly on install it will provide the protection you're looking for.

Raising the intake will also drag less dust into the air filter so that's a plus.

 

I stumbled on a fiberglass fender that came with a snorkel hole already installed. I'd have to look for it later, but it could be the difference in getting one and then not liking it.

 

Are you sure you only want to hear from people with a snorkel? Some people without them purposely made that decision, and have good reasons.

 

For water crossings you have a lot of other things to address before worrying about submerging the vehicle up to the air box.

I went with a snorkel for a more practical reason. When I installed the front bumper, the fenders liners needed to be cut way back in the front. The factory air box has a big wide open hole inside the fender that was then significantly more exposed. I drove though some watery nasty mud about 5” deep for 1/4 mile on the way to a cabin up in the mountains. I checked the air box after and found a bunch of mud in the bottom of it and about 1/4 of the air filter was caked in mud.

That was my motivation to install a snorkel.

I hated how it looked when I first installed it, I think it’s looks stupid, but it serves its purpose and I don’t even really notice it anymore.

 

I've thought about trying to design a removeable ad hoc snorkel. In other words, a pass-through mount that would be capped on an everyday basis but take a snorkel when desired. You'd need a way to reroute the airflow the same way the outside/recerc flap works in the cabin. I assume there's not enough demand for something like that b/c a lot of people have snorkels just for the look so a stealthy one would defeat the purpose. All that said, seeing a muddy wave breaking over my hood scoop was the only time I've ever needed a snorkel as opposed to wanting one. I was very, very lucky to get out of this huge dip at Windrock without sucking in water.

 

I like the idea of one that would be looking almost like part of the body of the vehicle. I saw this one on a LC200 and they blended it well with the color of the vehicle. It blends well IMO. This of course a custom job and probably not cheap.

 

Generally most do not need a snorkel so don't do it if you don't like it. If you haven't had an issue now then it's fine. Water crossing protection is a side effect of running a snorkel while dust is the primary reason for one. Here in CA we have silt in the desert that will easily plug up filters. Here are my buddies in mojave:

https://youtu.be/xIMcybKedtg?si=H9TlJWScppKGdi5g

https://youtu.be/IFzExcqf-uk?si=h6tyX7uAjhrsVEoN

 

^This. If you have removed your fender liners for a bumper or viper cut you should seriously consider a snorkel.

 

There’s this misconception that snorkels are for water.

they’re really not. They’re mostly for keeping dust/sand out of your intake. Why do so many trucks in the desert have them? Exactly.

if your 4runner is low enough in water that the snorkel comes into play, you got a whole lot of other problems to worry about.


Anyways, my arb is fine. There’s some nicer looking ones but I think it looks fine.

 

Or for mall parking lots.

 

Post a pic .

 

You be surprised how much dust the street sweeper kicks up...lol

 

Look at where the door sill is relative to the air intake. If you plan to use the snorkel for water crossings, make sure your carpet and insulator pad have already been removed. Have a spare starter and evap canister pump on hand as they will typically die within a month of submersion.

 

Alpha has the best style of snorkle. It's sleek, but it's expensive because it's carbon fiber.

I like what the aussies do, and get 3"(or larger) stainless tubing bent to flow with the vehicle.

 

I did a trip to Ark. last March with 3 other rigs. At the 2 deepest water crossings, the water was to the top of our tires. Keep a reasonable speed to get the bow wave going and you will have no issues. A Tacoma I was with had a snorkel and it really wasn't needed. It rained an inch on Monday and brought the water levels up quite a bit.

 

This is why I love forums. Seriously. I had never thought of dust as a rationale for a snorkel. The trails here in north Georgia can be dusty, but nothing like out west. Good to know.

Considering the dust angle, do any snorkels come with supplemental air filters or are they just pathways to the regular airbox?

 

The alternator is the low hanging fruit on a 5th gen. It will be completely submerged by the time your air intake is drinking if you haven't done anything that directs water into the inner fender. Generally speaking, you shouldn't be fording much above your hubs and if you are, I'd make sure your group has a spare alternator if you're going remote.

That said, I'll be going ARB for the aforementioned desert reason unless someone comes up with a clean tube one.

 

One person mentioned this brand. If I go this route, this is probably who I’m going with. Also, I don’t think you have to drill in the A pillar with this one.

https://alphaequipt.com/

 

yup, sy-clone is what it’s called. It’s half the price of a snorkel though. You can what us poor do, and just turn your snorkel intake around

 

I would venture to say that your electronic crap inside the cab will short out before you suck any water into the motor.

 

I have done a mild viper cut to eliminate some rubbing which included removing some of the fender liner on the air box side. So.....I will be installing a snorkel before my trip to the Ozarks next month. I'm not taking a chance with hydro-locking my engine due to water. We also have some pretty dusty trails here in East Texas. (Barnwell Mountain) So.....a snorkel will help with that as well.

 

Desert? Yes please!

 

avoid water up to your window period-- plus snorkels are ugly. Dust has more applications than use for water crossings