Arb snorkel.....

[dILzNAK]

OK Fellas, I need some input. Who runs them, do you like it, How was the install and did you notice any improvement in HP or Mileage???

Last, where did you purchase it? and how much if you don't mind me asking...

Thanks, Nick

 

[Mtbcoach]

I run one (~2 yrs), install is simple but stressful when cutting a 4 1/8" hole in your fender.

No reason to expect any improvement in HP or mileage. It is simply sucking air from a different location than stock. Some theorize that since the air is coming from a cooler spot, it may be a more effective CAI that others that cost WAY too much that still get the air from the stock location. Add a hi-flow air filter in the stock location and you will have a "pure" CAI.

I purchased in a group buy and don't recall the price off the top of my head. I'd look at on-line places like Toyota of Dallas since they have always been very competitive with ARB accessories. Being that you are in OR, I'd check with MetalTech since they carry ARB stuff and it may save you shipping being closer or you could always make a road trip to Portland to pick it up...

 

[dILzNAK]

Word, Thanks for th input!!

 

[dILzNAK]

P.S. How about a picture or two if you have them avlb...... Thanks!

 

[Corey]

Did not really see any HP or fuel improvement.
Got mine directly from ARB on an air freight shipment before the ocean container came in for all the orders for other shops.
Mine was the third FJ n the states to have one installed.
The ocean container actually showed up while I was there getting mine.

 

[dILzNAK]

word, thanks Corey

 

[Corey]

word, thanks Corey

You are welcome.
I did not get mine really for water crossings, to many electronics under my seat to risk getting to wet anyways.

I bought mine mainly for dust control.
Up where I like to camp and explore, when we get a lot of rigs following each other, the dust is really bad, and you can hardly see in front of you.
Kind of like in this photo from ARB.

 

[dILzNAK]

I understand that, its the same way here in Southern Oregon....

 

[Mtbcoach]

Here are the pics of my snorkel install, I used the technique to remove the plastic pins/rivets, a sharp chisel and a bit of force. They were easy to shear off and getting replacements were not that difficult.

Here is the pic of everything marked up and ready to start drilling...

Pic from inside the engine bay with the intake removed...

Pic from inside the fender well with intake removed...

Another view of the same with a bit more in the pic...

Pilot holes drilled, could turn back if I had to...

No turning back now, 105mm hole drilled, easy view into the engine bay...

Major holes finished in the fender, the step drill made these really easy...

Working the burrs off with some 220 grit wet/dry...

Now to apply a bit of the Sun Fusion touch up paint to help hold off the rust...

Plastic nuts installed. This is the one place I would be careful to not round the holes any larger than the spec. Mine went in tight but when I went to install the bracket, they spun in the hole. It took some force to get the to hold, once the screw expanded the plastic enough, they held firm...

A-pillar bracket installed, awaiting snorkel body to be mated with...

end of part one...

 

[Mtbcoach]

part two...

AAAHHHH, fits together like a glove, the body installed and mated to the A-pillar bracket...

A couple shots from inside the fender well with everything snugged up...

Time to hack off the intake for the union of the snorkel to the intake. I was careful to not take off too much but found that there is plenty of margin. Due to my paranoia, leaving plenty of material on made for having to really squeeze it back into place. I could have taking off another 1/4-1/2" without any problems...

I chose to hit it with a file to knock off the rough edge and give it a little bevel to make it easier to slip on the rubber union between the snorkel and intake. A few extra minutes made for an easy slip on of the junction...

All done, not bad after all and it still looks pretty good...

My final assessment of the task is a 3 out of 10 at most. With the right tools, it is a piece of cake. The biggest issue is removing the inner fender liner and using the chisel method makes it easy, you just have to replace the plastic rivets. I bought some from Lowe's home improvement and the did NOT work. They are too big to fit into the holes and when I tried to compress the "legs", the plastic was so brittle, one of the legs would snap off. I'm going to go by the local Autozone to buy the ones there. They are a bunch cheaper than the Lowe's ones (~$1 each) and they worked out.

The only other hassle is marking the holes for the A-pillar. I did mine alone and it was a bit of a juggle holding trying to get my hand in the right position to mark them with the sharpie. These holes have less tolerance than the fender holes so its important to get them right.

Once all the holes were cut, the actual installation of the snorkel is a quick job. It took me more time to put everything down to take pics than it would have to just put things together. I like the form and fit, it is clearly designed well to fit the FJ Cruiser.

Lastly, don't let the job stop you from doing it yourself. I double checked with my buds on the forum for any last minute advise and everything went as others have posted. The pay off is pretty sweet, I can't believe how much more power it has now...:silly:

 

[Corey]

I will have to say Jerry I really dig the looks too of the Safari snorkel on the FJ Cruiser, and other rigs as well.

I constantly at stop lights will glance over at other cars and they are checking out the snorkel.
Some know what it is, but I bet some do not.

Same thing with my roof top tent.
Once guy asked me how many snowboards or skis my "sportsbox" could hold

 

[Mtbcoach]

Yeah, my favorites are those that ask...so you can go in water over your windshield? Or, how deep have you gone with that snorkel?

If they ask that, then they've opened the door to getting the dust discussion...

 

[targa88]

Used mainly to keep the dust out when trailing in the desert

 

[dILzNAK]

part two...

Lastly, don't let the job stop you from doing it yourself. I double checked with my buds on the forum for any last minute advise and everything went as others have posted. The pay off is pretty sweet, I can't believe how much more power it has now...:silly:

Are you being sarcastic there or honest?

 

[Mtbcoach]

Are you being sarcastic there or honest?

Extremely sarcastic...

 

[dILzNAK]

word, thats what i figured

 

[MoabFJ]

There are some Chinese knockoffs of the ARB snorkle floating around.
I understand that the plastic is brittle though.

 

[lgrt]

you do want to be careful with the knock offs... not really worth the savings. BTW: here is a video on installing the ARB snorkel... I still cringe every time I see the DRILL ARB Snorkel Install Video

 

[kjnarmyfj]

no probs with mine i live in south louisiana and gets lots of hard rain and bugsss! it catchs lottsss of bugggss! i made a screen for my air box just for that so i dot have to blow them out the air filter , and every one ask me how deep of water i can go in hahah and at the lights pepeol stare and light tuns green and they still looking , but all in all easy to put on and didnt see any better mpg ,