Damage multiplier potential of snorkels

[kcjaz]

I had a Fabulous Fabrications snorkel on my 200 and hit a tree which destroyed my passenger fender (and a lot of other stuff) but also hit the snorkel and being a SS tube and pretty rigid, it ripped out the rivnuts on the A-pillar and also dented the A-pillar:

Had I not had the snorkel my A-pillar would have been fine or perhaps if it were plastic, it would have just broke but not damaged the A-pillar. I am wondering if I really want to replace it or if I want to go with a plastic Safari snorkel. Or maybe I could figure out a different attachment method. I wonder if a rubber pad and velcro could be used and if that would be better? Or, since I'm now replacing the A-pillar, double down and just weld the snorkel the length of the A-pillar (probably not a good idea as it can't be removed then). Thoughts? Maybe I should just not hit trees.

The funny thing is that I installed the snorkel to give me peace of mind for an annual trip my club takes to Arkansas that has many water crossings. The first thing I did on the trip was rip the snorkel off and then proceeded to do about 8 or 9 water crossings with an hole in my fender and no snorkel... (covering the hole in the pics is black duck tape). Maybe I'll just go snorkeless...

 

[Heritage 2020]

@kcjaz

Glad your windshield survived.

I’d R&R it with whichever snorkel you decide.

Snorkels are primarily beneficial for dust/dirt mitigation—and for style.

There aren’t any submarine photos of snorkels above water with LCs submerged that end up well.

NOTE: A better description of what led to this unfortunate event would be helpful.

 

[sadovnik]

@kcjaz

Glad your windshield survived.

I’d R&R it with whichever snorkel you decide.

Snorkels are primarily beneficial for dust/dirt mitigation—and for style.

There aren’t any submarine photos of snorkels above water with LCs submerged that end up well.

NOTE: A better description of what led to this unfortunate event would be helpful.

The Steve Austin Project

We can rebuild him.... So on my last camping trip, I had an accident where I went off a fire road into the trees and took substantial body damage. By substantial, I mean this. Hopefully this will come in under 6 million dollars. I'll provide more details and pics after I work things out...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[kcjaz]

The Steve Austin Project

We can rebuild him.... So on my last camping trip, I had an accident where I went off a fire road into the trees and took substantial body damage. By substantial, I mean this. Hopefully this will come in under 6 million dollars. I'll provide more details and pics after I work things out...

forum.ih8mud.com

The description of what happened is in the LCDC thread post #264.

Events/Trails - LCDC9

Definitely a good day up Kelly Flats! I feel for the guys that had some trouble but I know they’ll be back in full force next year! Thanks to Cody for leading us though.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[ikarus]

I used heavy duty magnets to hold the snorkel on my 100 to the A pillar. Worked well but might scratch the paint underneath a little.

 

[radman]

Maybe I should just not hit trees.

this.

Also, no way to hold the heavy FF snorkel with tape, velco, or magnets. Also no way to weld the beast "the whole length of the way".

 

[TeCKis300]

Wince. That's a shocking amount if damage!

VHB tape would seem to be a strong contender for this. Probably stronger than many other mechanical solutions.

 

[TomEf]

I used heavy duty magnets to hold the snorkel on my 100 to the A pillar. Worked well but might scratch the paint underneath a little.

A little double sided foam tape with some neodymium magnets would probably hold it nicely without scratches.

 

[radman]

A little double sided foam tape with some neodymium magnets would probably hold it nicely without scratches.

You know the FabulousF is stainless steel not plastic, right?

 

[ikarus]

Yeah makes sense, I was just talking about "snorkel damage multiplier" in general. How heavy is the stainless? How does the stainless snorkel attach - is it only 2 points at the airbox and on the A pillar? The only reason magnets work on a safari snorkel is because it's mounted directly to the fender with 4-5 bolts and doesn't need too much support on the A pillar.

I've been thinking about getting a 4" stainless for my 80 just because it'll actually complete the 4" intake - turbo - intercooler - 3" exhaust loop and help me increase power. Looks great too.

 

[kcjaz]

The snorkel is SS and isn’t magnetic so magnets would have to be mechanically or adhesively attached to the snorkel.

 

[ikarus]

Same with Safari, the L bracket that attaches the snorkel to the A pillar is stainless so you have to epoxy the magnets to the bracket.

Do you have any pictures from installation of the stainless snorkel? I'm interested to see it

 

[radman]

The snorkel is SS and isn’t magnetic so magnets would have to be mechanically or adhesively attached to the snorkel.

My point was more so about weight and not magnetism.

Do you have any pictures from installation of the stainless snorkel? I'm interested to see it

CLOSED: Fabulous Fabrications Snorkel Group Buy - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/closed-fabulous-fabrications-snorkel-group-buy.1268549/post-14280062

 

[kcjaz]

My point was more so about weight and not magnetism.

I understand your point @radman and agree it would be difficult to find the magic amount of attachment force to stay on for normal use yet just brake away if hit in the fender. Coming loose could also take out a $900 side mirror.

I think the best way to reduce damage multiplying is using a plastic or fiberglass snorkel. I just don’t like most of those.

 

[kcjaz]

Same with Safari, the L bracket that attaches the snorkel to the A pillar is stainless so you have to epoxy the magnets to the bracket.

Do you have any pictures from installation of the stainless snorkel? I'm interested to see it

It rivnuts to the A-pillar and the other end attached to the air intake via a rubber elbow. So it need good support at the A-pillar as it is not attached to the fender.

 

[clrussell]

Damage multiplier or not those are hands down the best looking snorkels

 

[ikarus]

It rivnuts to the A-pillar and the other end attached to the air intake via a rubber elbow. So it need good support at the A-pillar as it is not attached to the fender.

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Yeah they do look great. Only 2 points of contact concerns me.. but thousands of Aussies are running them so it must not be a big problem