Homemade Snorkels

[CJS]

I don't remember seeing anything about this recently, so let's talk about them. I figured out how to do it when I had my 93' but now I have a 90' and there is a few more lines running to the back of the airbox. :) If you were going to do it how would you?? I'm hoping to find a way to route the snorkel to the passenger side and through the hood, but was just wondering if anybody else had some ingenious ideas.

[PaulJ]

Just make a fake one. You've got lots of other problems to solve if you really want to go in water that deep.

[Fore Wheeler]

If I were you, I'd buy mine.

I've never really used it, besides I hate getting my feet wet.

[TOZOVR]

http://users.adelphia.net/~javamoose/23hs1.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~javamoose/23hs14.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~javamoose/23hs15.jpg]

I like this idea from a TJ....

I have a safari and dig it.

[Beezil]

I'm still waiting for someone to post pictures of snorkel owners actually USING them.......

rovers don't count, I wanna see an xj in water above the hood line dammit....

convince me that snorkles aren't the biggest poseur mod out there!

come awn!

:)

[TOZOVR]

http://www.authorizedvehicle4x4.com/MABELL/11.jpg

This got deeper...honestly wish they took the pic 3 seconds later. (jeep is at 6" of lift...)

Had it to the door handles twice...had it on since Oct.

Did I get it to go up to the roof?
Nah...I got it because the airbox on the XJ is just mounted silly. I think it's more applicable for me in water situations that are unknown...

Last Oct, the front slipped into a hole and the rear pass wheel went up and the drivers front dipped in...water was over the drivers corner of the hood.

It's a $200 insurance policy against what happened to BigFodee. :D


EDIT: After 15 min, the door seals leaked when stuck LOL!!

[Kejtar]

Originally posted by Beezil
I'm still waiting for someone to post pictures of snorkel owners actually USING them.......

rovers don't count, I wanna see an xj in water above the hood line dammit....

convince me that snorkles aren't the biggest poseur mod out there!

come awn!

:)
well.... the water doesn't have to get above the hood for the snorkle to be needed... I think that of the top of my head I can think of at least 3 XJ's that wish that they had snorkels!

Kejtar

[Beezil]

doesn't count toz!

I want proof!

that picture doesn't show the xj in water deep enough to prove the snorkle is anything more than just a poseur mod!!!

i suppose all you snorkle poseurs have waterproof distributor caps and coils?

I've had my engine die from having my distributor soaked from water no where near coming to my valve cover-crossover intake......

bring it!

[Rev Den]

Beezil,
the picture toz attached does show water at the level of the stock airbox intake, it is possable that he could gulp water at that point. Yes, your distributor will get wet 1st, yes that may stop the engine before it ingests water. A proper speed in water will form a "bow wave" and keep water from the ign system, but, it is possable to get water behind the headlight and into the box if you are in the water long enough, Drummond Island comes to mind.
There are 2 ways to get your air intake away from water, raise the Jeep, or raise the intake. Allot cheaper to raise the intake, even if you never intend to travel deep water. I am sure you have entered creeks, streams, lakes...etc. where the entry angle dumps the front of the XJ under for a few feet, the chance for water getting sucked into a stock box at that point is very real. Your solution maybe a open element, but open elements do not appeal to everyone.

Rev

[Fore Wheeler]

Originally posted by Beezil
I want proof!

i suppose all you snorkle poseurs have waterproof distributor caps and coils?

I've had my engine die from having my distributor soaked from water no where near coming to my valve cover-crossover intake......

bring it!


There's been times that I could have used one (before I had one), before I put more money into my axles/t-case and such, now I just don't run in the deep mud/water cuz it sucks to have to change the fluids everytime you go out, and that liquid mud gets into EVERYTHING, which the seals wear because of it and then it's in your bearings and it cost more than the average photographer can pay to repair. Once you've gone to rocks, you really don't want to go back to mud.

BJ, you just havn't wheeled hard enough in MI to need one, I can agree that Wal Mart parking lots rarely need one so don't waste your money. :flipoff2:

[2xtreme]

I agree with Beez, the vast majority of rigs with snorkles probably do not have all of the other "water protection" that needs to be done for the snorkle to be effective.

Plus, if you do get water in the intake, just blow the water back out (without plugs) and your off again.

Just the last couple of weeks I was going to build a snorkle and decided that a large K&N cone on a custom tube would work plenty good for me at the moment. Not to say that I might not eventually do a snorkle but the extra work and design that was required was not worth it at this point.

my $.02

[Fore Wheeler]

BTW, my distributor is sealed up against H2O

[TOZOVR]

All the breathers on my Pig are plumbed up high...all the wires and dist have vast amounts of dialectric grease...

Beez...where is the airbox intake on a stock rig? Where is the waterline on my truck in that pic (hint, check the headlight...)

about 3 feet farther in that pic the water was even with the top of the fenders and spilling up and across the hood. I stopped. Backed up 3 feet and then continued on forward.


The previous mentioned Oct Stuck, I sat idling in the water for over 15 minutes. The Dia. grease works very well. The next guy to go through was in a YJ on 32's...(I was on 30's at the time)
http://www.authorizedvehicle4x4.com/K&N.jpg
There's his K&N that I had to pull out of the intake tube...
He put a Connecting rod though his block...I'd say my $200 snorkel was good insurance;)
http://www.authorizedvehicle4x4.com/bad.jpg
Don't like them? Don't have many water crossings? Save the $$ or time and don't get one...I do have frequent water crossings and it was worth the time and money to me to do it right (as in the peripheraries in relation to waterproofing the rest of the system and extending breathers).

[Rev Den]

Originally posted by 2xtreme
I agree with Beez, the vast majority of rigs with snorkles probably do not have all of the other "water protection" that needs to be done for the snorkle to be effective.

On this we agree. I also agree with Mr Wheeler....cleaning mud, or worse sand out of everywhere sucks. A snorkel is in my plans...the local Walmart lot gets pretty deep out here.

Rev

[Safari Ary]

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/arebrahi/Jeep%20pictures/6798182-777d-00800060-.jpg

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/arebrahi/Jeep%20pictures/6798227-7114-025801C2-.jpg

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/arebrahi/Jeep%20pictures/6798338-d67e-025801C2-.jpg

In those pics, you'll notice that my hood is covered in mud, and in the first pic, the bottom of my headlight is touching the water. In the last pic you can see the mud-line down the side of my Jeep. In my opinion I was in deep enough to take water into the stock airbox. Oh wait, that's right, I DID, when I pulled out of that hole I popped the hood to see what the airbox looked like and it was still draining by the time I got to it. Good thing it wasn't hooked up ;). I run a home-brewed snorkel. In otherwords, I turn the rubber elbow around so it's at the back/top of the firewall and put a sock over the end to keep out major debris. Used only when running through "holes" and not on a long-term trailride, it works very effectively. However I will be going to a snorkel as soon as the new air-flow snorkels come out b/c I won't have to trim my BWs much, if any to fit it.

Oh, and btw, what's a distributor, I think mine's missing ;)

Ary

[Beezil]

rev, never ever, never, ever said anything about the stock airbox.....

i just said I've never seen anyone USE thier snorkel......

I'll buy any snorkel user a sixpack of beer, if they'll show me proof that they've forded water to a depth higher than where a open element filter located over the valve cover gasket wouldn't have been sufficient.....I'm not talking about going splashing into a mudpuddle, I'm talking about true water fording....motor humming along the whole while, water pouring into the cabin, becuase the water depth is over the hood......

show me that, score a six pack....

and everyone stay calm now, i'm just challenging a friendly debate.....never called anyones snorkel gay......

[TOZOVR]

:D let me see if I can dig some up...I'm usually driving so I have to rely on others for pics LOL!

[Fore Wheeler]

I have some from Land Between the Lakes, I have to find them.

I want home brew.

[Tucker]

Found this (http://home.earthlink.net/~devguru1/) a while back, dunno details...

[Beezil]

http://home.earthlink.net/~devguru1/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/opening.jpg

okay, see? THATS what I'm talking about!!! everyone take a look at that guy! Provided he has done the rest of the necessary mods to keep that engine running while he finished the water crossing, THAT guy justifies his snorkle.......

I contend most snorkle owners don't have the balls to ford water deep enough to justify their snorkel.....

At least this guy has.......

if this guy shows up in Moab, I owe him a sixpack. I hope he like bud light, cause thats what he's getting.

[Rev Den]

Originally posted by Beezil
I wanna see an xj in water above the hood line dammit....
:)

Yup, you did say above the hood. Yup, got me there....you would have to be an idiot to drive in water that deep...snorkel or not, waterproof or not.
Maybe you and I have different views on the true use of a snorkel. I view it as a insurance policy to raise the intake above stock to prevent the intrusion of water in the case of sudden quick submergence, like driving into a body of water off a steep bank. I can see how your open element would also do the same thing, and may be another solution, provided it is mounted high enough in the engine bay.
The only downside I can see to the open elemnet is that mud, that seems to cover everything under the hood, may cause an issue by plugging the element. Again, I dont do rock, I do run some mud (lotta mud in the 'burbs) and after a few moments the engine is covered. I would think in this case the snorkel would be preferable.

I still run the stock box, have thought about a snorkel and a open element....still on the fence. This is a good debate, I look forward to hearing from both sides.

Rev
BTW - I do not consider ANY (except maybe a chrome tailpipe)Jeep mod gay.

[Rev Den]

Originally posted by Beezil
http://home.earthlink.net/~devguru1/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/opening.jpg

okay, see? THATS what I'm talking about!!! everyone take a look at that guy! Provided he has done the rest of the necessary mods to keep that engine running while he finished the water crossing, THAT guy justifies his snorkle.......

I contend most snorkle owners don't have the balls to ford water deep enough to justify their snorkel.....


Actually....going by your initial comments....NO he does not justify his snorkel, your open element would still be above water, assuming it was on the passanger side.

Rev

[Fletch]

Well I dont have a snorkel... yet.

But after goin into deep water. (it was over my hood) I spent about $170 replacing everything - so the 220 to buy a snorkel would of been a good idea.

Look at this engine (http://community.webshots.com/photo/84863447/84863973IxGKIX)


Now fixing that is a bit more money then the 220 a snorkel could of saved, not to mention the time it took. I dont think 104 k on the engine alone could kill it. and I have not dished out any other punishment then the water.

[ChuckD]

I've seen that before, my wifes XJ look like that when we got it for 2k. It's a 93', it took on water about 2wks before it threw a rod, just like yours. When we got it run, it sounded really bad. Now it has a nice rebuilt and it purrs just fine.

[TOZOVR]

Great pic...but if you read my lil ancedote from Oct I had the hood under water of the river while the ass poked in the air...truck ran dandy...I don't want a beer, and was too busy getting unstuck (and bailing water out with my coffe mug) to get pics, but I'd call it justified...just look at the pics of the YJ LOL! He had a new motor on the to do list after...I had to get a new mug and dry the rugs out;)

Originally posted by Beezil
http://home.earthlink.net/~devguru1/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/opening.jpg

okay, see? THATS what I'm talking about!!! everyone take a look at that guy! Provided he has done the rest of the necessary mods to keep that engine running while he finished the water crossing, THAT guy justifies his snorkle.......

I contend most snorkle owners don't have the balls to ford water deep enough to justify their snorkel.....

At least this guy has.......

if this guy shows up in Moab, I owe him a sixpack. I hope he like bud light, cause thats what he's getting.

[XJEEPER]

Originally posted by Beezil
http://home.earthlink.net/~devguru1/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/opening.jpg



I thought the main reason for a snorkel was to collect cooler air and the speed induced ram effect to deliver it to the motor? Being able to drive through deep water is a side benefit. Save the beer money Beez.....buy the guy a floatation device cause that open window is begging for an interior bath......the snorkle won't help a submerged fusepanel:eek:

[4ward]

Is that Jes :D

I've been in over my hood for more than 20 mins. with no snorkle and made it out without shutting the motor off. Snorkels ARE gay. They limit how high you can cut your fenders :rolleyes:

Sean

[Bones]

Snorkels, the "usually a poser, but sometimes sh*t happens mod."

http://www.flawlessfotos.com/jeepin/Badlands1_photos/bones_aftertug2.JPG
http://images.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/42106/114641/rudmud1-vi.jpg
http://images.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/42106/114648/bigstuck-vi.jpg
http://images.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/42106/114641/smmuda1-vi.jpg
http://images.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/42106/114633/plunge1-vi.jpg

Bones :skull1:

[PAUL B]

My snorkel was one of my first mods, & I love it! I live in south Louisiana we have lots of water to deal with. Every time it rains we get street flooding. I've had water over my bumper driving to work, a snorkel was a real good investment.

[woody]

I could have used one on two occasions: Once in Uwharrie and once at a construction site/pipeline in Raleigh.

The first one cost me a motor... the second one I just had to bail out the airbox (and the cabin...I had standing water higher than the door sills, till it oozed out) Both times the motor stayed running even though the distributor was submerged...grease & silicone is your friend in mud/water.

Since then I have added an airtube/K&N (Renix on drivers side) and have pondered cutting a hole in the hood and making a 'temporary' snorkel from an elbow and a 1.5' piece of tube... something easy enough to chuck on there for short water xings...not for daily wear.

If I had a Safari Snorkel, it'd been crushed or torn off on my last trip to tellico... or at least it would have scooped big dirt through the inlet.

[Fore Wheeler]

Originally posted by woody


If I had a Safari Snorkel, it'd been crushed or torn off on my last trip to tellico... or at least it would have scooped big dirt through the inlet.


you'd be supurised how tough the safari snorkel is, I've had my snorkel hit hard on trees/rocks and it's still in one piece.

[randomxj]

i another one for wish i had a snorkel.On a water crossing last year it got over the fenders stalled the truck i got it about 20 min later (hand winch).When i got it out i started it and drove home fine 2 weeks later i though a rod and put a six inch hole in my block a 70 miles a hour.It keep runing until i got to the sholder and shut it off .This is on my 95 with 90,000 on it . A used long bolck only cost me 200 but driving to a constution site most of the winter in a minivan hurt learn from me get a snorkel

[vintagespeed]

I'll agree that the first thing most street jeepers buy is a snorkle. Then they buy the rest of the chrome crap in the catalog. I'm not saying that everyone with a snorkle is a street jeep......... I needed to relocate my airbox and I figured I'd make the intake as high as possible just to be safe cause I do like to mud womp it during the rainy season.

http://www.rockxj.com/images/airbox/airbox2.jpg
http://www.rockxj.com/images/airbox/airbox3.jpg

It's off a Chrysler LeBaron I think (coolness) and has the same size inlet as the Heep box does. The bottom will be ducted into the valance under the windshield and will suck air in from there.

:anon:

Forgive the condition of my motor, I'm waiting for it to die so I can stroke the carcass. :D

[Rev Den]

Cool!!

now that is a good idea.

Rev

[xj92]

I like relocating it to the back of the engine compartment like that better then the external snorkel. Is it sucking air from up front like a stock box or just from the engine compartment?

[vintagespeed]

It is sucking air from below the front windshield. The same place your cool air comes in for the A/C, if you have such a thing. LOL.