ebay Snorkel Install... Didn't go how I had hoped. WWYD?

[DIFF LOCK]

Worked on the installation this past Saturday.

So in the after action report, I would say I made two errors: (1) I placed too much trust in the template being accurate, and (2) should've elongated my 4.25" hole to compensate before proceeding with the remaining holes. But not doing either of these, I ended up with my snorkel being off just enough to bug the crap out of me.

I went out of my way to buy a premium hole saw from Lowe's (which actually didn't perform that great; certainly not for the price) and took extra care to get the template positioned perfectly based on the fender lines--making sure it was flush against the fender with every edge taped down tight. Unfortunately, my fender hole should have been made about 1/2" further forward and about 1/4" upward for the snorkel to sit perfectly.

Note: I do not plan to drill my A-pillar and will be using small, black epoxy-coated Neodymium bar magnets to retain the upper bracket against the pillar. I also have a Sy-Klone 9001 pre-filter en route from Snorkel Upgrade.

 

[DIFF LOCK]

Additional pics.

 

[DIFF LOCK]

Additional pics.

 

[DIFF LOCK]

And now for the part that bugs the $h!t outta me... Antenna mast isn't centered and the snorkel is slightly raked rather than following the fender/hood line.

So would you elongate some holes to get the whole thing to sit perfectly or stuff that OCD frustration deep down until one day you can't stand it any more and cave and just elongate the damn holes?

 

[Kabanstva]

Looks ok to me

 

[DIFF LOCK]

Looks ok to me

I feel like the few shots I've seen of other users' snorkel installs, they've all been positioned perfectly around the antenna mast and follow the body lines better. That's bugging me.

 

[Kabanstva]

Look at the yellow line I drew. The angle of your snorkel seems dead on with the angle of the A pillar. If you elongate the holes and position the snorkel to have less “rake”, the angle of the yellow line will also change and won’t look right IMO. I’m no snorkel guy though so what do I know

 

[aztoyman]

You're probably the ONLY person that even notices. But I'm like you with little details that can bug me. If elongating the holes will correct it and not cause further problems that will REALLY bug you. Go for it. Sounds like you'll sleep better and lower your blood pressure. Looks good.

 

[knewstance]

Elongating the holes may not work since the upper bracket is held on with rivets.

I'd just leave it as is. You'll forget about it after you get a couple of scratches after a few trails.

 

[DIFF LOCK]

Elongating the holes may not work since the upper bracket is held on with rivets.

I'd just leave it as is. You'll forget about it after you get a couple of scratches after a few trails.

Note I have not yet drilled the A-pillar and do not plan to. See first post about magnets .

 

[Kabanstva]

Good thing you don’t work at the Tesla assembly plant. You’d have a heart attack after seeing the fit and finish on some of those body panels.

 

[suprarx7nut]

So, here's the thing.

On car I'm restoring (not a 100) I went through painstaking work to convince the owner of an aero company to rework his mold and mold me a new part because his current (now old) mold was off by .125-.5" on some mount studs. That was a lot of work and I felt a little silly, but it didn't fit right before and it's a purely aesthetic piece on a car I'm trying to make showroom-worthy.

On the other hand, you just drilled a bunch of holes in the middle of a fender panel to mount a piece of equipment that helps you ford water levels that are enough to warrant a label of "flood damage" to most cars.

If it seals, let her rip! That thing *should* be all about function so if anything the slight imperfection in the alignment will make you feel better about the car when you get some trail damage using and abusing that thing like you should.

 

[e9999]

I'd just wait and see if you can get used to it. No point in doing some more quasi irreversible metal work until then.

 

[nukegoat]

Run it

 

[MountaineerLC]

Although I understand your OCD ticks, it looks fine to me. Don't stress over it!

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Yes, looks just fine. Also, my experience is that you almost never see it since it is on the passenger side.

@suprarx7nut Toyota actually markets snorkels for desert and dusty conditions. You don't necessarily have to ford 4 feet deep water to justify it

As for the A pillar bracket, I used the magnets and unfortunately they didn't work that great . The upper arm of the snorkel used to get detached at highway speeds on windy days and then tap against the A pillar. I'd suggest installing it properly with either riv-nuts or a couple of rivets.
Having drilled a gigantic gaping hole in the fender, it is kinda silly to sweat the two tiny holes, imo.

 

[ScubaJon]

So you purchased the cheapest version of a snorkel and are disappointed with fit and finish with a paper template that can easily be off 1/2",

the install looks fine.

 

[jLB]

I’m not sure that I buy “full blown OCD” from someone that would buy a $80 Chinese knockoff of a $450 product.

Don’t I remember some people using a heat gun and a pipe or socket to reform the old Safari snorkels around the power antenna?

I’d argue that few people will probably notice, and you may be better off leaving it as is.

 

[Battleship]

Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.

That's Shakespeare right there. I tell myself that a lot.

 

[jerryb]

don't be silly, a new fender is only 850$ from the dealer, go try again.
by the way, you can loosen the fender's bolts and somewhat manipulate the fit.
probably not a 1/4" but there is a measurable margin around it.