Budget Snorkel Review

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Also, since they have been baking in the GA sun for several months, how is the condition of the plastic?

The one on my 80 has been holding up just fine in the Florida sun, but I did coat it with bedliner to match the rest of the rig before the install

 

[yooper]

It's a fricking plastic tube, if it's the right shape how bad can it be?

 

[pfran42]

It's a fricking plastic tube, if it's the right shape how bad can it be?

Different polymer compounds have different physical characteristics. Just because you have a piece of black plastic that looks like a Safari doesn't mean it is the same as a Safari. Not saying that Nick's won't stand the test of time. It's just that Nick is the only person I am aware of that has been running one for any length of time. If I were looking for a budget snorkel and Nick had been running it for 5 years and gave me the thumbs up, I would pick one up. Keep in mind these things come from multiple factories and most likely don't share the same molds and polymer composition formulas. In summary, it's a crap shoot.

 

[Anthony.L]

So I pulled the trigger and bought one this week. Purchased on eBay from seller motorbone2012, price was $165.80 shipped. My snorkel was shipped within 24 hours via Fedex Ground Home. Since they are located in CA it arrived at my doorstep in 3 days. Clicked purchase on Monday, arrived on my doorstep Friday. So far zero complaints.

Out of the box, I have to say I'm more than surprised. The plastic mold seems are rough on the snorkel head, but fairly smooth on the snorkel itself. I really don't care, as long as it's sealed I'm happy. My truck looks 100x worse than this brand new snorkel. The bolt inserts looked to be SS and are nice quality well molded into the plastic. I can't see these failing without some serious user error. The overall quality and craftsmanship on the snorkel overall is excellent, especially considering the price paid. Still zero complaints.

On the back of the main snorkel body there is a web URL molded into the plastic.

www.rv4x4.net

That site doesn't load for me currently, but Google search has a description of "Telawei 4x4 Off-Road Accessories Factory". Further Google search turns up an ad on Alibaba showing the LC 100 snorkels along with many other models and random 4x4 accessories. Almost all of them are mirror copies of ARB products, right down to the identical tow/snatch straps.

http://rv4x4.en.alibaba.com/product...0_series_Landcruiser_Lexus_LX470_snorkel.html

So, hopefully install this weekend. I'm not expecting any issues. The paper template arrived in one piece. There are ZERO directions included, but honestly it's pretty self explanatory. If you need directions you could follow the ARB/Safari ones in principle if not to a T.

 

[yeti in ga]

the template for me and nick was a little off on the bottom hole near the passenger door. Let us know if yours lines up fine. I had to tap another small hole to get it to line up right.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

the template for me and nick was a little off on the bottom hole near the passenger door. Let us know if yours lines up fine. I had to tap another small hole to get it to line up right.

The trick is to drill all the holes first using a standard sized bit, then step each hole accordingly with a uni-bit until everything lines up

Doesn't matter if one hole is slightly larger than another because it comes with large fender washers to compensate

I even went with a large 4" hole saw for the intake hole so I'd have more wiggle room

 

[Anthony.L]

FYI, the 100 series snorkel inlet is larger than the 80 series. I measured the OD on my snorkel at 4 1/4". I'm going to pickup a 4 1/2" Bi-metal hole saw tomorrow. Unfortunately I have a 4" and 5" in the toolbox, but nothing in between.

 

[Anthony.L]

The trick is to drill all the holes first using a standard sized bit, then step each hole accordingly with a uni-bit until everything lines up

This is excellent advice, and exactly how I planned on doing my install. Tip, Harbor Freight has really cheap stepped uni-bits.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Here's another possible option/source for the knockoff and this guys an actual dedicated MUD member.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=251162475634




If the above link doesn't work here's one to his store front.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/axxis-offro...7a733c72&vxp=mtr&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Nice to have options!

-Daniel

 

[stinkyfj60]

Here's another possible option/source for the knockoff and this guys an actual dedicated MUD member.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=251162475634


View attachment 682358

If the above link doesn't work here's one to his store front.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/axxis-offro...7a733c72&vxp=mtr&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562.

Nice to have options!

-Daniel

I don't see 100 Series option, only 80 series

 

[The Jade Bean]

I don't see 100 Series option, only 80 series

Oh oops my bad, I'll have to ask him if he has one for the 100.

-Daniel

 

[Diesel 80]

I'm over hanging out in the classifieds hoping this pops up...and it's posted here..lol. Good job Daniel, thank you. Pm me your address and I'll send ya out a little something
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes, we do have 100's & FJ Cruiser snorkels as well. I can post pics on Monday if anyone is interested?? We have a lot more stuff for 80's 100's & FJ's that I don't have on the internet yet. Roof racks, ladders, tailight guards, JDM style swing aways, JDM style fender mirrors etc.

I started AOR to have fun, wheel, give back to the community and meet new people. If there's anything any of you need, please don't hesitate to contact me. And of coarse there's Mud discounts

Cheers,

Brian
Brian@axxisoffroad.com
www.axxisoffroad.com

 

[Diesel 80]

Oops...sorry...60 series too!!

 

[The Jade Bean]

Diesel 80, I just wanted to help out honestly. If we're gonna buy knockoffs better to buy from a reliable source IMHO.

-Daniel

 

[Yukon LX]

this is my wife's interpretation of an artistic snorkel pic for the ARB catalog. . . sorry a tad off topic

 

[The Jade Bean]

^ Good pic and have a river in place of that grass and it would be a great pic!

-Daniel

 

[Anthony.L]

Ok, chinese knock-off snorkel is installed! Taking my time, it was about a 3-4 hours, and I would say a one job.

My post-install tips:

• Have a 13mm ratcheting box end combo wrench handy, flex head even better. Couple of the 13mm locknuts inside the fender are in a tight space.
  
  
• With my snorkel I got two sets of three rivets. One set was smaller diameter and longer, the other set was shorter and larger diameter. I used the larger diameter set, they fit the hole in the a-pillar bracket perfectly. When installing the bracket permanently I dabbed some black ATV sealant in the holes to make sure they have a water tight seal.
  
  
• Tape the paper template on the fender. Then select a drill bit that is the same size as the holes in the template. These holes will be much smaller then required. Once all the pilots are drilled, pull the template and set aside. Using a uni-bit (stepped drill bit) enlarge the holes. I found 2-3 of the holes are slightly off on the template. I opened each hole to 7/16, and they all worked perfectly. This size will be larger that the mounting studs, but don't worry. The kit comes with large washers for the inside of the fender.

Here is a link to the stepped drill bit set I used.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-91616.html

Here is the 4 1/2" (114mm) hole saw I used for the main snorkel hole. This was the lowest cost quality hole saw I could finding locally.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_348153-2830...1&currentURL=?Ntt=4+1%2F2+hole+saw&facetInfo=

Post install thoughts, this kit is MORE than worth the money. Huge value here, for $165 shipped I can not be more happy. All the hardware is quality stainless steel, I don't see any of it failing any time soon. ARB claims the plastic used by the chinese is inferior, for what I will use snorkel for (rare water crossing) I'm not worried. I really like and prefer the "LAND CRUISER" molded into the snorkel body versus the Safari logo. There is nothing on the snorkel head, only main body.

 

[Anthony.L]

Wheel removed, fender liner removed, factory air intake thingy inside fender removed, and factory power antenna ditched. Ready to start drilling.

Fender prepped, and template taped in place. Time to start decreasing the value of my fender!

Small pilot holes drilled, and the big hole is done. Next is use the stepped drill bit to open up the mounting holes to 7/16.

A-pillar bracket mounted. There is no templete here, so what I did was mount the snorkel with the a-pillar bracket attached. Then mark with a silver sharpie the location of the bracket on the a-pillar. Remove the snorkel, align bracket to marks, mark the three holes for drilling and proceed. Worked like a charm, and mounted up perfectly. There is a small amount of black ATV under the bracket as I wanted to make sure it was water tight.

And we are done. Where is the water?!

 

[BBQ BOY]

Why did you ditch the antenna? I had a amplified antenna installed in hopes the signal would be better(not) so I could go with the TJM,but, I will be sticking with the Safari version solely to retain the OE antenna.

 

[Anthony.L]

Why did you ditch the antenna? I had a amplified antenna installed in hopes the signal would be better(not) so I could go with the TJM,but, I will be sticking with the Safari version solely to retain the OE antenna.

Never use the radio, ever. I have iPhone integration which is the only source of audio I use. Since I never use it, I didn't care to notch the snorkel for the antenna. Also tired of seeing the antenna going up and down when switching inputs.