cruiseroutfit
Well-known member
I'm not saying there are not other options that might prevail in some case for some users... just that in my experience with the Safari's they hold up pretty dang well to trail damage.
Nikson's XJ Snorkel Build
- Thread starter Nikson
- Start date
I'm not saying there are not other options that might prevail in some case for some users... just that in my experience with the Safari's they hold up pretty dang well to trail damage.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
neither am I...airflow's got a good product, and I've seen some pretty groovy custom jobs lately, but for me its a clear decision
smog legal
very tough
UV stable
Good looks
works with ABS equipped cherokee's(Airflow does not)
why haven't I ordered one yet? haha...
Nikson
Explorer
So why havent you ordered one? For me it is same as buying BUSHWACKER flares...
Yes they look good, but I can buy 25lbs of patented metal (gears) for that much money ($500)...
Snorkels are the same... For $500 I believe I could make my own mold and have fun with it...
(just my .02c)
Nikson
Explorer
They are a lot more resilient than you are giving them credit for
(flexed right back into shape afterwords and is still holding shape nearly 10 years later too)
I've gone through a handful of ram grills on my snorkels but grills are cheap and take a few minutes to swap. We popped the snorkel head off of a OEM Nissan Patrol setup no fewer than a dozen times on a tight trail on Aussie's Fraser Island, though we didn't have the tools to tighten it down properly and it was a rental afterall
Great picture...
Honestly, to me it a hard one...
When I had my fenders bent, and mirrors ripped off... that just makes me feel like that snorkel is just going to go on one of those runs, and I will say...
Gee, that was a waste of $500...
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
So why havent you ordered one? For me it is same as buying BUSHWACKER flares...
Yes they look good, but I can buy 25lbs of patented metal (gears) for that much money ($500)...
Snorkels are the same... For $500 I believe I could make my own mold and have fun with it...
(just my .02c)
honestly I've only had my jeep a year.
I spent about $1000 getting it up to snuff maintenence-wise, and decided the first mod would be a winch bumper that holds a winch, provides recovery points and protects the new radiator I put in.
The second mod was on-board air, so I can refill tires and air up pnuematic things like my handtruck, like I did last night, or airbeds/etc...
not sure what mod #3 will be, but a snorkel is high on that list, as is a winch, new suspension, a cage and roof storage...:sombrero:
For my year the snorkel only runs $350, and honestly the one for your year is only different in one way. It comes with a new washer bottle to replace the one that needs to come out of the fender to fit the snorkel hose.
Pretty sure you can buy the early XJ kit and find a washer bottle (if you even need one. I don't) at a junkyard/online for very little money.
I'll let others confirm or deny this...
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
Nik,
Have you looked at some of the home brew snorkel threads here on the site? I think in the general mod section there is a relatively recent one that had some ideas.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I more or less have resolved to buy the airflow eventually but if you come up with something better...
Have you looked at some of the home brew snorkel threads here on the site? I think in the general mod section there is a relatively recent one that had some ideas.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I more or less have resolved to buy the airflow eventually but if you come up with something better...
Nikson
Explorer
Well, I don't judge/nor mind people using aftermarket stuff where you just drill & set and you are done...
I am just more "on hand" person, like to challenge myself with such projects, and honestly don't mind hearing people's opposing opinions on some of my projects...
after all, isn't that what we are here for, on this forum...
I've to admit that I've learned A LOT from forums and seeing what some other guys have done. All that time input from other people, there is no price tag for it.
Its a same as putting a price tag on learning a lesson on someone else's fault. You know what it cost them, but what it would cost you to prevent making the mistake???
I hope I didnt loose the stream of thought...
Nikson
Explorer
Nik,
Have you looked at some of the home brew snorkel threads here on the site? I think in the general mod section there is a relatively recent one that had some ideas.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I more or less have resolved to buy the airflow eventually but if you come up with something better...
I've been literally going "sleepless" for past few weeks while browsing web and searching various information on different types of builds.
Have to weigh out time vs cost...
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
Have to weigh out time vs cost...
Ain't that the truth. I'm at the stage of life where my time is worth more than money.
BIGdaddy
Expedition Leader
same here. 3 kids, volunteer technical director, full time job, etc.
= I love parts that bolt on.
thethinginthewoods
Adventurer
Check out some of these pics:
http://www.brian894x4.com/Mytrucksmodifications.html
Obviously not an XJ or even a jeep for that matter, but he has a similar setup on his Toyota of what you are looking at doing. My personal preference would be to leave the snorkel the way it is or make something to go around it and protect it. There are a bunch of guys that just run an intake tube from the airbox to the cavity where the wiper motor & related ar mounted. This way you still have a raised intake but don't have a huge snorkel head right in the way of the driver's view. Unfortunately, water can still get in the cavity if you hit a big enough body of water and create a wave that splashes over the hood.
http://www.brian894x4.com/Mytrucksmodifications.html
Obviously not an XJ or even a jeep for that matter, but he has a similar setup on his Toyota of what you are looking at doing. My personal preference would be to leave the snorkel the way it is or make something to go around it and protect it. There are a bunch of guys that just run an intake tube from the airbox to the cavity where the wiper motor & related ar mounted. This way you still have a raised intake but don't have a huge snorkel head right in the way of the driver's view. Unfortunately, water can still get in the cavity if you hit a big enough body of water and create a wave that splashes over the hood.
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Nikson
Explorer
Nikson
Explorer
Check out some of these pics:
http://www.brian894x4.com/Mytrucksmodifications.html
Obviously not an XJ or even a jeep for that matter, but he has a similar setup on his Toyota of what you are looking at doing. My personal preference would be to leave the snorkel the way it is or make something to go around it and protect it. There are a bunch of guys that just run an intake tube from the airbox to the cavity where the wiper motor & related ar mounted. This way you still have a raised intake but don't have a huge snorkel head right in the way of the driver's view. Unfortunately, water can still get in the cavity if you hit a big enough body of water and create a wave that splashes over the hood.
That is the idea like he has on his TOYO, but I am going to see if I can make something else of it... Have "some" spare time to play with this... while wait for everything else to fall into its place...
photoman
Explorer
I just had an Airflow snorkel installed on my XJ. The airfilter is still in the airbox just like stock - only the airbox was modified to move the intake hose from front to the back of the airbox.