snorkel position

[Corey]

I always run my Safari head facing forward in hard rain and snow, never had a problem.
In dusty situations when we wheel forest service roads in caravans in the summer, never noticed a huge amount of dirt getting in, so I guess one of those Donaldson Top Spin units would not benefit me to much.
They are cool looking though.

Back when ARB installed my snorkel down at their headquarters we tried fitting one of those see through bubble ones on, but it hit the pillar on the FJ Cruiser.

 

[SWITAWI]

Exactly right, Corey. I once asked ARB about the inlet diameter on their snorkel for the FJ Cruiser in order to size up a Donaldson unit. Here's the reply I received...

We tried this on the first FJ Cruiser snorkel installation and the pre-cleaner will not fit due to interference with the A pillar of the vehicle. The diameter of the top snorkel inlet is 3.5”.

Best Regards,

Nils Bull

ARB Tech

nilsb@arbusa.com

I don't doubt the FJ's upright A-pillar would get in the way of having a Donaldson TopSpin pre-cleaner atop the snorkel while the Tacoma's more laid-back profile offers no problems. Maybe it was your install that Nils was referring to.

 

[Corey]

Nils installed my snorkel :sombrero:
He asked me if I wanted to cut the big hole, and I said no, I was chicken to drill my perty fender.
Nils first FJ snorkel installation though was my rig.

David Zartman from 4WD Toyota Owner magazine was there too covering the installation for an article in the magazine.

As he was installing it, an ocean container pulled up with the huge first shipment to be distributed to various dealers.
I had my snorkel flown in about a month before the container showed up.

 

[SWITAWI]

LOL. Yeah, I have that issue. Been wanting a snorkel ever since, you lucky bastard. As noted before you must be singlehandedly responsible for the ire of many girlfriends and wives all over the country. Glad to hear you're getting back on your feet.

Dude, you are my hero. Well, you and Boris Said and Bruce Campbell... :sombrero:

 

[freeze]

I always run my Safari head facing forward in hard rain and snow, never had a problem.
In dusty situations when we wheel forest service roads in caravans in the summer, never noticed a huge amount of dirt getting in, so I guess one of those Donaldson Top Spin units would not benefit me to much.
They are cool looking though.

Back when ARB installed my snorkel down at their headquarters we tried fitting one of those see through bubble ones on, but it hit the pillar on the FJ Cruiser.

The biggest issue that I've found with the Safari Snorkel head isn't rain or snow but debris getting into the tube like bugs, branches, buds, etc. The snorkel head is designed to separate water from the air. It doesn't separate dust or larger items.

I've had a forest inside the intake many times with a good amount of pine needles, baby pine cones, etc. That's why I had purchased the pre-filter screen.

Realistically, you've gotta be off-pavement at least 10-15 days out of the month each month to really make use of something like this. Otherwise it's just easier to just off the air filter or re-place it later. (Keeping with the Genuine Toyota filter of course!)

 

[freeze]

Thanks Nathan.

You've noticed a little increased gas mileage, er, ah, kilometerage and torque? That's interesting... something to be looked into a little more.

Nice pics, too! Looking forward to the next adventure with the CT4WD crew!

haha.. I'll keep testing it out and see how much of difference it actually makes.

We're excited to have you up again!

 

[Blain]

I've ran my snorkel facing "Forward" through everything with no problems. Heavy downpours on the highway for hours at at time with a dry air filter afterwards.

In the directions for my Airflow Snorkel (Xterra) it says specifically not to turn the head in the "backward" facing position, because it will cause some kind of negative pressure and effect the engine. Not sure if it's Xterra specific, because I've seen other vehicles facing backwards with no problems.

 

[turbolab]

i had a jeep tj with lots of tire out of the wheel well and when i got into deep mud it would through the mud right into the snorkel, killed the truck once, after that i turnd the head around and had no other issues.

not sure if this info help any one but i thought i would share

Ryan

 

[Corey]

LOL. Yeah, I have that issue. Been wanting a snorkel ever since, you lucky bastard. As noted before you must be singlehandedly responsible for the ire of many girlfriends and wives all over the country. Glad to hear you're getting back on your feet.

Dude, you are my hero. Well, you and Boris Said and Bruce Campbell... :sombrero:

He he, thanks.
I do not know Boris, but Bruce rocks!
I watch every episode of Burn Notice, but mainly for Feona :sombrero:

My gear review thread seems to have the same effect on girlfriends and wives.

Thanks, my leg is getting better, but I think this camping season is totally shot for me.

The biggest issue that I've found with the Safari Snorkel head isn't rain or snow but debris getting into the tube like bugs, branches, buds, etc. The snorkel head is designed to separate water from the air. It doesn't separate dust or larger items.

I've had a forest inside the intake many times with a good amount of pine needles, baby pine cones, etc. That's why I had purchased the pre-filter screen.

Realistically, you've gotta be off-pavement at least 10-15 days out of the month each month to really make use of something like this. Otherwise it's just easier to just off the air filter or re-place it later. (Keeping with the Genuine Toyota filter of course!)

I park under old growth firs here at home, plenty of needles on my rig.
I have seen the prefilters before over at fjcruiserforums.com, I will check into something like that.

I only use genuine Toyota parts too such as filters and wiper blades.

 

[TangoBlue]

Az pavement is dustier than most green states dirt roads. A prefilter should help in all road conditions out here as long as it's providing enough air flow. Can't seem to find the cfm on the stock 3.4l v6 anywhere...

From an earlier post I used hp x 2.5 = cfm; so your 5VZ list 183 hp engine would require 457 cfm. Not that it makes 183 hp anymore... My 3RZ lists 150 hp therefore it would require at least an airflow of 375 cfm.

Let us know if you hear anything more about this new Donaldson pre-cleaner.

Break-break...

This is what influences my thinking... after my 9,000 mile trip I took the snorkel off because the water vents were clogged with insect debris and noted dried dirt caked on the inside of the snorkel piece and then cleaned out the air box that was filled with dust and a vast selection of insect carcasses reminiscent of the battlefield-scene from 'Starship Troopers.'

Rain or snow has never been an issue but it seems to this knuckle-dragger that something to pre-filter large particulate matter out might enhance the meager performance of my 3RZ. I wouldn't need to use it all the time but I could sure use it in dusty conditions and I recall many miles of extremely dusty conditions this summer.

It's all about taking the good and making it better, right?

Wonder what the TopSpin would cost? Anyone have an idea?

 

[TangoBlue]

The biggest issue that I've found with the Safari Snorkel head isn't rain or snow but debris getting into the tube like bugs, branches, buds, etc. The snorkel head is designed to separate water from the air. It doesn't separate dust or larger items.

I've had a forest inside the intake many times with a good amount of pine needles, baby pine cones, etc. That's why I had purchased the pre-filter screen.

I park under old growth firs here at home, plenty of needles on my rig.

You misunderstand Corey... freeze doesn't park under trees - he goes through trees. On the trip we emptied his air-box just to harvest dried kindling for starting camp fires. Some say his legs are hydraulic and that he roams the Canadian woods for poutine... all I know is they call him 'the freeze.' :coffeedrink:

 

[keezer37]

Az pavement is dustier than most green states dirt roads. A prefilter should help in all road conditions out here as long as it's providing enough air flow. Can't seem to find the cfm on the stock 3.4l v6 anywhere...

As I mentioned earlier and TangoBlue mentioned, just multiply your HP by 2.5. It is not that exacting a science for these applications. You're (we're) not running for time. Moreover, know that these are always conservative cfm numbers in Donaldson's catalog. That is, it probably functions just fine a little above and below their numbers. These numbers are conservative to avoid complaints from people operating at the edges. You're at 457 cfm at best at the top of your HP curve. You're more likely to hit the top of your torque curve off road. 200-450 should be just fine. Search SOAZ build (summer 2010). He used a 200-450 cfm top spin if I recollect.

 

[TangoBlue]

I might check into a top spin but Im not sure I like the idea of wearable ball bearings. How long is one of these units estimated to last? Since it eats dirt for a living, does it need lubrication?

All I know is from their brochure that "dual mounted bearings" comes up as a feature; but don't we have a few wearable ball bearing assemblies on our trucks already?

I know Donaldson provides pre-cleaners on a variety of materiel handling and construction equipment that see extremely rugged conditions.

Your questions are pretty detailed... you might give Donaldson a call at 800-374-1374 or perhaps speak to a local distributor in your area of AZ. I expect their experience with pick-up trucks will be limited and their data will be more focused to graders, scrapers, back hoes, generators and the like that serve hard service in construction sites, but they should know their record of service in the desert.

http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/support/datalibrary/000207.pdf

 

[keezer37]

Sorry was having just as much trouble finding that info. Any of the keywords I used brought up for sale ads and I couldnt find the specs in the manuals. Since there were a few specific models for specific apps being offered I figured I'd ask whats reccomended.

I might check into a top spin but Im not sure I like the idea of wearable ball bearings. How long is one of these units estimated to last? Since it eats dirt for a living, does it need lubrication?

I'm guessing the bearings are sealed and last a long time given the intended application. This type of equipment is available at your local truck parts or farm equipment store. Donaldson should have a locator on their website. Buy anywhere but Amsoil$$$

I found the info in their online catalog (caution - big lumbering pdf)

Air Flow Calc (pg.11), Top Spin (pg.100):
http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/support/datalibrary/061238.pdf

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...I do have a second Gen Tacoma with the Donaldson Top Spin. The snorkel was supplied by... you guessed it! Kurt ^^ from Cruiser Outfitters! (Hi Kurt!) The Top Spin was from Amsoil.

Thanks again

...So here's the details on which pre-filter is on there now:

Part #H002426 inlet dia. 97MM /height 238MM

Excellent, that is the one of we identified as fit for the larger snorkel openings (different Safari applications have different diameters).

... I jokingly mention it's a small shop vac. It could theoretically suck in small children if they were playing close enough. It looks quite ridiculous but it's very functional especially since the amount of dirt track the Tacoma covers it's worth the expense.

LOL

Thanks for the intel!