ebay Snorkel Install... Didn't go how I had hoped. WWYD? (2 Viewers)

[DIFF LOCK]

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.

Good to know the magnets aren't a practical alternative.

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.

Fair point, but so many other users who opted for the ebay or AMZN knockoffs reported great fitment and no real difference between these and the $500 ARB Safari snorkels. The snorkel is otherwise great other than the template being off and me not doing a better job to measure and fully confirm where my holes should actually go.

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.

I did think about this, but then remembered that the antenna mast is just going to move with the fender and my problem remains.

 

[ChiefKeef]

Looks good to me!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Just curious why you installed a snorkel on your 100. Dust or water (or both).

 

[DIFF LOCK]

Just curious why you installed a snorkel on your 100. Dust or water (or both).

90% looks + 10% dust.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

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

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

I gotta read this to my wife!

 

[iwashmycar]

I also think it looks fine. You could (at the risk of having to just buy another snorkel), heat the area where the antenna is and use a large round object to enlarge the antenna space towards the front.

 

[brando1]

Im a little OCD with my truck, but I'd leave it

 

[saucebox]

Good to know the magnets aren't a practical alternative.

If it helps...mine is on with magnets as well, and there's been no trouble at all. No flopping around on the freeway, no issues even with tight, limb-filled trails.

IDK why two little rivet holes in the a-piller would be a problem when there's a HUGE GAPING HOLE in the fender, but still I won't rivet the bracket on.

 

[Live to Ski]

Perfection is the enemy of done.

 

[Eighteen11R]

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.

You might consider a Dremel to even out the space around the antenna...

 

[MechE30]

I think everyone here needs some perspective. The snorkel is fine, the antenna is way off though.

 

[FlammableFishie]

The only reason I would adjust the holes would be if you cannot fit the studs and intake hole on the fender at the same time. When I installed mine I had the stud holes off by *just* enough that I had to shave a little extra off to get the snorkel to fit at all. Leave it and forget it, looks good.

 

[WreckDiver1321]

Honestly, I'm going to buck the trend here.

If it was me, I'd take the time to slightly elongate the holes. I know that it's not a big deal and it's a practical thing, but I'm persnickety about things like this too, and that would bug me. Using a Dremel, you can elongate the main opening, then just move up a size or two for the bolt holes. Trust me, there's about a 3/4" margin on every bolt hole, so you'll never risk seeing it if you're careful since the snorkel will cover it up. It's three bolts and some hose clamps. Not that big a deal.

I'd also say that you should use the rivets on the A-pillar. I've installed three snorkels now, and the one on my Nissan lasted for like 5 years without a single issue before I sold the truck. No rust, nothing. And it was outside a lot during the winters here in Montana, plus went through several automatic car washes. I painted the holes that got drilled, then used a silicone sealant around the rivets to ensure it was sealed. I'll likely do the same with my 100. Then you never have to worry about it. Like many others said, you already drilled a lot of fender holes, so the A-pillar ones shouldn't make a difference. Just carefully treat it to guard against corrosion and it will never be a problem.

 

[e9999]

...
Having drilled a gigantic gaping hole in the fender, it is kinda silly to sweat the two tiny holes, imo.

well, one difference is that the water going through the fender is not going to do much hidden damage probably. Water trickling down inside the A pillar which is located above a bunch of electronics and can possibly rust the inner windshield frame is a different story. Then again, sealing properly holes is not rocket science either.

 

[RedesKat]

Your thinking brain will say it's fine it's not that far out and hardly noticeable but your feeling brain will say it's out of alignment and draw your attention to it always. Good luck

 

[bridgeburner]

Regarding the antenna positioning I’d simply say that I’ve got a snorkel on my truck. I’m 6’2” and have never noticed my antenna unless I’m removing the covers off my light bar.

 

[jerryb]

well- if you just ditch the motor mount on the antenna ad go fixed then the antenna hole will travel with you as you move the fender. You make the lower mount any direction and any length you want.

 

[VagabondJesse]

I'm with you. Looks pretty awful. Probably best to cut your losses and sell the truck.

 

[ramangain]

me not doing a better job to measure and fully confirm where my holes should actually go.

/thread. Live and learn.

 

[LostAfrican]

The antenna has quite a lot of play in its hole too. Consider re-centering the antenna. It has a nice wide rubber grommet too that allows an easy shift. Who’s to say that the antenna hasn’t shifted a little!?