TJM Knockoff snorkel fitment

[cruzerDave]

When it comes time to cut the hole, if you have a rotozip look for the circle tool ty included and you probably threw in the back of a drawer (like I did). I cut my hole in about 20 seconds to the exact diameter and even with the wood bit to boot (did not have the metal bit and figured what the heck, give it a try - butter smooth at 30k rpm)

 

[BillZ260]

I don't recall on the fitment of the A arm bracket, I may have just went with two, it's mounted pretty solidly.

Nice on the rotozip Don't have one, maybe I should pick one up.

 

[BillZ260]

I only have 2 bolts in there, however they are a different 2 than you got to line up ,. Not really surprised but it is solid with just 2.

 

[cruzerDave]

Okay, so the snorkel is on, I still need to connect it to the airbox (issues later in the thread) but here's some photos for posterity:

Starting point (goodbye perfect fender!)

remove the inner fender guard (broke every single clip - apparently I suck at removing 20-yr-old plastic), antenna (the inner plastic piece takes all of the space, not an option with this design)

template taped on:

uses a center punch, then pilot, then stepper bit

you already saw my rotozip main hole above

protect the edges from rusting with either clear fingernail polish or some clearcoat:

 

[cruzerDave]

holes done and coated, and inner plastic piece installed (you can see it sticking out)

from below, now we get into the challenge of connecting the two

to bolt the outside piece on I unbolted the fender in order to get my hands back in there. remove bolt closest to door hinge, then first 3 in the engine bay, and the screwed brace below (easy to find once you get in there). Rubber mallet kept it pulled back:

even then since it is at an angle you will need to pre-assemble the bolt, washers, and nut, then thread that into the snorkel. Not to worry, it bottoms out in the insert then the nut tightens down. STRONGLY RECOMMEND RATCHET WRENCH FOR THIS - a ratchet is too tight/won't fit.

 

[cruzerDave]

I'm heading to HD for some bits to finish the connection tube, but here's the fitment:

Basically a good fit with the exception being the front quarter panel is about 1/8" pushed out from the door seam now, small and almost not noticeable, but *I* notice it. I think the inner plastic would need to have its large diameter round tube trimmed down 1/4", I suspect it is bottoming out on the outer snorkel such that when I tighten down the bolts it is pulling the sheet metal out. When I had just the plastic in there it was not pushing the sheetmetal out - just after tightening. And confirmed my monkeying with the fender during assembly did all go back together correct and is not the issue. Big enough pain to take apart, trim, and reassemble? Not at this time!

 

[MTKID]

Yes, I did have to trim 1/4“ off of the inner larger diameter elbow to get mine to fit properly.

 

[Cargo1234]

I just received my tjm knock off snorkel and I am curious if any otgets received theirs with the screened opening cut out by beaver rather than a proper cutting device?

 

[Cargo1234]

Here is the picpict of mine

 

[cruzerDave]

I just received my tjm knock off snorkel and I am curious if any otgets received theirs with the screened opening cut out by beaver rather than a proper cutting device?

Dear lord that DOES look like a beaver cut it out! Sorry - mine is a little uneven, but not near as bad. FWIW I hardly see mine as it is in a bit of shadow:

 

[Bripars40]

Here is the picpict of mine

View attachment 1625509

That looks pretty rough. I would look into building your own screen or returning.

 

[Cargo1234]

Already sent pictures and was thinking the samething .. The actual bigger issue is that I asked before purchasing if it said POWER FUL and they said it did not say anything

 

[cruzerDave]

Already sent pictures and was thinking the samething .. The actual bigger issue is that I asked before purchasing if it said POWER FUL and they said it did not say anything

I also asked them before purchasing and I actually got an email back saying 'it has no name or brand on it', sooooo emails are worth the paper they're printed on.

I'm going to make up a TRD or xTRD type sticker that could cover the damage from grinding that stupid name off, should I make a few extra for folks?

 

[Cargo1234]

They must have the response already typed out. Lol

I was thinking about filling in the area around the letters and sanding the entire snorkel then shooting it with Plastidip

 

[crimsonaudio]

Both of those are among the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Would not even consider installing that. Goodness.

 

[Cargo1234]

I like the compact design however the longer it takes the seller to respond the less I am inclined to install, I think I can clean up the cut out and delete the logo then decide .

 

[BillZ260]

...STRONGLY RECOMMEND RATCHET WRENCH FOR THIS - a ratchet is too tight/won't fit.

I will add, that pay attention to how long the bolts are, I think there may be longer and shorter. I successfully ratchet wrenched my wrench permanently up in the fender well. Mine are not selectably reversible and when I tightened the upper left most stud, once tight, the stud was too close to the inner fender and I couldn't get my wrench out of there, DOH! I used a sawzall to carefully nip the end off that stud and free my wrench

Dave, I may be interested in your sticker, maybe an LRD option for us Lexus guys

 

[Cargo1234]

Sanddd off the POWER FUL logo and still feels like a good amount of material is there.
Cleaned up the terrible opening cutout. Repositioned the top Rivet, that was a Pain..

Will probably shoot with Plastidip

 

[cruzerDave]

Looking good there @Cargo1234 - would you say I could sand just around the logo and then cover with the sticker, or is the grinding process need to extend wider (like it appears in your photo) and the sticker would not hide all the damage?

 

[CreasyBear]

Sanddd off the POWER FUL logo and still feels like a good amount of material is there.
Cleaned up the terrible opening cutout. Repositioned the top Rivet, that was a Pain..

Will probably shoot with Plastidip

View attachment 1628279

View attachment 1628280

How messed up is the texture of the rest of the plastic? Is there a noticeable area where you sanded?