Sherman's Snorkel Phase I

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shermantank55

shermantank55

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Sherman's Snorkel Complete!

I started a snorkel project this weekend. After looking at all the threads and searching the Internet for components, I decided to try my hand at plastic welding. I picked 3" ABS pipe and a rubber elbow to come out of the engine compartment.

I bought a plastic welder for $30 at Harbor Freight. After some scrap pieces, I forged ahead. Not too bad. I used a small file to help shape the joints as they cooled.

More to follow for inside the engine compartment and vent replacement.
snorkel 4.webp
snorkel 5.webp
snorkel 1.webp
 
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Sherman's Snorkel continued

I determined the windshield angle to be 55 degrees and so I mitered the pipe at 27.5 degrees. The top is then 35 degrees so I mitered the pipe at 17.5 degrees.

The fit is good next to the fender. I will build some tabs and use hose clamps to secure to the tabs on the windshield frame.

Not sure what to use on top.

More next weekend.
snorkel 2.webp
snorkel 3.webp
 
sweet dude! looks good. never done plastic welding..... but cant u weld some mounting tabs onto the snorkel so as to do away with messy hose clamps??
 
OinkOinker said:
sweet dude! looks good. never done plastic welding..... but cant u weld some mounting tabs onto the snorkel so as to do away with messy hose clamps??
Click to expand...

Thanks. You got me thinking-I don't like the hose clamp idea either. If I can find some ABS I might be able to weld tabs on the pipe. I also decided to order some of the QuickFist clamps to try them. See link: SUPER QUICK FIST. I could mount one just behind the elbow and one or two on the windshield frame (may have to trim the mounting base).
:cheers:
 
EXCELLENT! I'm trying to figure out the best way to make a nice looking but inexpensive snorkel also! Yours is the best and easiest I've seen so far!

As far as what to put on the top do you want to try and run a Safari snorkel top? You might get lucky by going to a couple auto parts stores and seeing what they have that would fit.

ETA: can you take some pics of the engine bay - where the rubber elbow attaches somehow to the air filter housing?
 
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eventhough said:
EXCELLENT! I'm trying to figure out the best way to make a nice looking but inexpensive snorkel also! Yours is the best and easiest I've seen so far!

As far as what to put on the top do you want to try and run a Safari snorkel top? You might get lucky by going to a couple auto parts stores and seeing what they have that would fit.

ETA: can you take some pics of the engine bay - where the rubber elbow attaches somehow to the air filter housing?
Click to expand...

Still debating on the top. The safari top is really overpriced. I've also looked at the pre-cleaners, but don't really need one. I may try to make my own safari type first and see how it goes.

As to the engine bay, I have a plan but haven't built it. I have a k&n filter I can fit into a 8" dia by 6" deep cylinder. I am looking for a container or will build a plastic box for the air box. I picked up an ABS flange (for a toilet!) that should be great for an interface to the air box. Here is what my current air filter looks like. I plan to rotate it across the engine and put the box between the engine and where the washer reservoir is in the photo. I'll post pics as soon as I get the box built.
air assy.webp
engine final.webp
 
looks like you could eat out of that engine bay!! clean as...

what about cutting a (say approx 25mm or 1" wide) 90deg section of metal pipe(possible stainless) the with the ID of the OD of your snorkel and welding a metal tab onto that bit of pipe, then screwing that into the snorkel? might disrupt the flow of the air into the intake, but not so sure that would really be an issue with our application, maybe in a silly little rice burner.. but not our big trucks :P

hope that makes sense...... maybe i san try draw a diagram??
 
oh and why can you jut have an elbo facing backward at the top?? you say there is no need for a pre-filter???
 
OinkOinker,
I am thinking along the same lines with the elbow for a top. Maybe with a small screen over the opening.

The rings are an interesting idea for mounting. I may try your original idea and weld ABS to the pipe. I think a bit of rubber between the snorkel and body would help with vibration and noise issues too. We'll see how the quickfist clamps do also.

Cheers
 
Whats your plan for sealing the opening into the engine bay. Will you weld up a plastic cover like the Safari Sorkel? BTW very sweet build.
Here's a great install guide and parts list for the FJCruiser, if you haven't seen it , might give you a few more idea's for mounting up the windshield piller.

http://www.safarisnorkel.com/guides/TOYOTA/ss410hf/ss410hf.htm


Lou
 
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Luke111 said:
Whats your plan for sealing the opening into the engine bay. Will you weld up a plastic cover like the Safari Sorkel? BTW very sweet build.
Here's a great install guide and parts list for the FJCruiser, if you haven't seen it , might give you a few more idea's for mounting up the windshield piller.

Safari - Snorkels


Lou
Click to expand...

Thanks Lou, that does give me some ideas, including inside the engine compartment. I hope to use the "quick fist" rubber clamps I received yesterday. SUPER QUICK FIST .
While not exactly what I had in mind, we'll see how they work-hopefully tomorrow. As to the engine compartment, I plan to use 3/16 or so black plastic shaped like the original vent cover, and cut out for the rubber elbow. I should be able to use the original mounting holes for the vent.
 
since your in the home improvement section, look for the outdoor drain stuff. they have some plastic boxes with grate lids of various size, maybe you'll find one you like. there is also a dryer vent out there that looks ALOT like an arb snorkel intake, with screen.
 
Snorkel Progress

Spent another $15 on snorkel supplies: Krylon Fusion plastic paint and a 90 degree 3" elbow.

Went to a plastic store and bought some ABS scraps and a 2 gal bucket with sealing lid.

Worked on the snorkel itself and got the clamps installed and the top built. We used a 3" elbow and heated it with a heat gun and reshaped it. We made a shape with lumber and used a prybar to move the hot plastic around. Thanks Don.

Then we cut some wire mesh and embedded it in the new square shaped elbow. Looks rough in the pics, but I just painted the assembly and I will take more after the paint dries.

Still working on the interface with the air cleaner. Shouldn't be a problem. Here are photos of progress today. The clamps still need to be trimmed a bit (extra rubber strap will come off). Decided to move a clamp so I didn't need a hose clamp on the elbow (explains the two extra holes in the body) All in all not too bad and very solid.
quickfist clamps.webp
snorkel clamped.webp
shape snorkel 1.webp
 
Some more photos of shaping the snorkel top and then embedding the wire mesh. We used the plastic welder to heat the plastic and then stuck the wire tip in. Then we used compressed air to cool the area down.
shape snorkel 2.webp
snorkel top 1.webp
weld wire.webp
 
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