Nikson's XJ Snorkel Build

[Black Dog]

Is that the same way the ARB snorkels work then? Because what would be really cool would be to have the filter inline inside the snorkel tube, freeing up the space where the stock air box use to be. Then you could do a second battery in that space, freeing up cargo area in your interior. What you could almost do is take the air box out of a smaller car or something, then you'd have a place to hold a rectangular flat filter.

 

[DrMoab]

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.

I wanted to go Safari on mine but a member here offered me an Airflow for $100 bucks. Money talks.

If it blows off or becomes "detached" in some other way I think I will be paying you another visit though.

 

[DrMoab]

Is that the same way the ARB snorkels work then? Because what would be really cool would be to have the filter inline inside the snorkel tube, freeing up the space where the stock air box use to be. Then you could do a second battery in that space, freeing up cargo area in your interior. What you could almost do is take the air box out of a smaller car or something, then you'd have a place to hold a rectangular flat filter.

The difference between a Safari and an Airflow is that the Safari runs a hose through the inner fender, up to the front of the stock airbox and replaces or covers the stock inlet hole.

With an Airflow they run directly through the fender and a short hose runs down into the back of the factory airbox.

It's pretty much the same except the Safari uses a much longer hose with more bends and kinks in it.

This was one of the reasons I was having such a huge issue deciding which one I wanted.

The Safari is a much better looking snorkel, better craftsmanship, and it hugs the body a lot better. However its more money, uses a longer hose that IMO would restrict airflow a little and if you have a 97 or newer you have to remove the factory washer bottle as the hose goes right where the bottle is.

It was a hard decision for me...if I would have been paying full price.

 

[Nikson]

The difference between a Safari and an Airflow is that the Safari runs a hose through the inner fender, up to the front of the stock airbox and replaces or covers the stock inlet hole.

With an Airflow they run directly through the fender and a short hose runs down into the back of the factory airbox.

It's pretty much the same except the Safari uses a much longer hose with more bends and kinks in it.

This was one of the reasons I was having such a huge issue deciding which one I wanted.

The Safari is a much better looking snorkel, better craftsmanship, and it hugs the body a lot better. However its more money, uses a longer hose that IMO would restrict airflow a little and if you have a 97 or newer you have to remove the factory washer bottle as the hose goes right where the bottle is.

It was a hard decision for me...if I would have been paying full price.

So, which one did you get???

Honestly, i am sort of lost now with my thoughts... LOL

People are suggesting various options, home made & aftermarket...

I am going to sleep on this and then see what I'll come up with...

 

[Nikson]

I wanted to go Safari on mine but a member here offered me an Airflow for $100 bucks. Money talks.

If it blows off or becomes "detached" in some other way I think I will be paying you another visit though.

Ignore the previous post then... I guess you got AIRFLOW...

 

[Nikson]

It was a hard decision for me...if I would have been paying full price.

Anyone seen these in our market. These are from Russian rigs...

I am just loving the design... I guess its time I take a class in molding plastics & fiberglass work... :ylsmoke:

 

[Root Moose]

I really like those but wonder about how restrictive it would be.

 

[Nikson]

I really like those but wonder about how restrictive it would be.

I dont really see how its possible for these (or any) to be to restrictive.., but then again I am not an engineer of some type or sort...

If you take into consideration on what stock XJ has in its air box... this would be no more restrictive then stock... and these are very "slick" in its design where they are really cover/go along with the body lines, where they are not so sticking out...

 

[Black Dog]

I decided tonight that I'm going to build a snorkel. I was kind of bored so I went for a drive out on a road I've never been on and I got to a creek crossing. There was a bridge, but it had a chain over it and a sign that said PRIVATE BRIDGE KEEP OFF. Next to the bridge were those left-right concrete things that boat ramps are made of. I looked at the water crossing kind of from above and it didn't look that deep, but in hindsight I had looked at the gauging station on that creek a few minutes before and it was at close to 400 cfm flow because of a couple days straight of rain and snow melt up high. So anyway, I put it in 4x4 and started heading in and then woosh! I got a fair amount of water about half way over the front of my hood, and the first thing I thought was "Make a wave!" I learned that right here on ExPo, in a water crossing go in fast enough to make a wave then stay in the trough behind it, what ever you do don't slow down or stop. I made it through alright and when I got on dry land on the other side I hopped out and my jeep was wet about half way up the doors, so the water was about belly button deep (3 feet or so). I got to the end of the road and turned around and went back through the crossing just fine, but I still think a snorkel will be a good idea for a "just in case" scenario. Before I had been thinking that I've never needed one and I didn't think I ever would, but it wouldn't hurt to have. Plus it adds to the coolness factor of an XJ.

 

[Nikson]

Plus it adds to the coolness factor of an XJ.

Almost makes me say that for like 90% of the snorkeled rigs, since lots of them probably never see water that high...

As far as crossings go... that being a good point., you just never know when you come across one.

I am still thinking of building mine...

 

[Nikson]

People's Choice Award.....

Figured I would share...

I've been posting / keeping blog for some time now on one of the Russian auto sites...

My Cherokee has taken 1st Place once again...

People's Choice of the Day Award

:wings::wings::wings::wings::wings:

anyone looking around, might find something interesting on the site...

www.drive2.ru

I figured I would toast to that... (bottoms up)

 

[gasman]

well just read the thread ,, i built my own several yrs ago,, i m cheap it cost me 20 bucks,, i did thru the firewall into the cowl .. i run some very tight trails and a snorkel would last one trip if it went up the side.. ive been thru some deep stuff plenty o times with no problems .. as long as i can see my wiper blades im ok.. but i dont go thru it if i dont have to any more.. its too much work to clean it later

and where i went thru the fire wall ,, you guys dont need to see the rest im sure..

 

[ElkyRacer]

well just read the thread ,, i built my own several yrs ago,, i m cheap it cost me 20 bucks,, i did thru the firewall into the cowl .. i run some very tight trails and a snorkel would last one trip if it went up the side.. ive been thru some deep stuff plenty o times with no problems .. as long as i can see my wiper blades im ok.. but i dont go thru it if i dont have to any more.. its too much work to clean it later

and where i went thru the fire wall ,, you guys dont need to see the rest im sure..

Id like to see some pix of this in the engine bay. Im guessing you sealed off the stock opening in the front of the box. How deep have you had this setup?

 

[gasman]

Id like to see some pix of this in the engine bay. Im guessing you sealed off the stock opening in the front of the box. How deep have you had this setup?

i will have to find some pics for you , there was a good write up on it on madxj. and go jeep i think..
i cant find the pic i want but you should get the idea here the corrogated hose clamps over the elbow and is sealed with silicone, the hose snakes under the manifold then up to the firewall . i drilled the firewall with a hole saw and used a abs flanged coupling inside the firewall i used a 22 1/2 degree elbow pointed downwards.. if any water happens to come in the grills it just falls right past the intake pipe,

this last pic kinda shows it . i had just rebuilt the motor and done an intake swap and headers the hose dose not touch the manifold now

the abs fitting i used were bout at an rv center, they are for trailer sewage they have a slightly different dia. than regular abs,, this is because the pipe i used was an exhuast hose from a gas water heater . temprature rated, it was free,,
yes the front of the air box has been sealed off,

how deep ? bout 1'' from the bottom of the windows is the deepest, no pics of that one.. got stuck in hole once, the water was pouring in the door seals,, by the time i got out i was almost knee deep inside the jeep , but it was still running fine .

 

[gasman]

got a couple more water pics for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO6jQHyvrlY

what you dont see in this vid is my old cherokee pullin out all the yjs /tjs
the cherokee with the snorkle on the outside i owned briefly is pretty capable, stroked , mine is the olive drab one i got tired of scratchin it so i painted it with rattle cans..