Snorkel for off-roading?

I'm building a 2007 Toyota Tundra for overlanding/ off-roading.. you never really know what you're going to get into you when you're exploring backcountry.. I'm not a big fan of how the snorkel looks but I'm a fan of the concept and the purpose...,
Has anyone used a snorkel and what are some personal opinions of the snorkel.. I guess I'm just curious how beneficial they truly are.

 

Waste of money. Get a good filter. If the snorkel comes into play from a water crossing perspective, you have a lot of other issues at that point.

 

I guess you mean you're way too deep in water?? that makes total sense. I'm not sure I want the inside of my truck full of water anyway

 

I had a snorkel on a truck for over 10 years and not on a mall crawler.

First, snorkels do really well for dust, especially on dry fireroads at high speed. You will notice a significantly less dust in the airbox. Pre-snorkel I would need to clean the filter every two hours from fine dust on certain roads/trip while in a convoy. Post snorkel it's once a day as it gets more clean air high up. Really useful mostly for convoy travel. As a single truck it's not significant.

For water, a snorkel is basically one part to a multi-part system. Bow wake and constant speed is more valuable than the snorkel, but it's good insurance for when a bow wake goes on top of the hood. But from my experience the electrical system goes out prior to truly needing a snorkel for a gas engine, however I felt much more comfortable on long crossings with a snorkel.

So basically if you honestly need a snorkel it's an easy choice. If you're not sure and you're not doing a lot of convoy dusty travel it's probably not worth it.

 

I’ll add one to my truck at some point but for dust, not for water.

 

Thanks for the good advice guys.. The whole dust issue makes sense..

 

Gotta watch them in the snow though. There are some that specifically state that you have to turn then backwards when driving in heavy snowfall, or else you suck it down and it melts. Pretty ironic if you get a snorkel to keep water out, and it's what winds up putting it in your engine. Just something to research.

 

Yes, heavy wet snow can clog a snorkel. It’s the only time I ever turned the head backwards. But it has to really be coming down heavy.

 

Snow is really a non-issue, they look cool if you want one get one who cares what anyone else thinks.

https://youtu.be/GAJ1KRz8l2M

 

Generally, I agree for 90% of snowfalls. However, I have had an engine nearly stall due to wet heavy snow clogging a forward facing snorkel head. It was an exceptional big, wet fluffy Canadian snowstorm close to the continental divide and my entire airbox was otherwise sealed (I know people say that you should still keep a drain hole but I didn't).

And great video from a reliable source, although I personally don't agree with "common sense prevailing" with snorkel head direction. It should be engineering of the head first - which is why Safari Snorkel brand recommends facing forward for water dispersion and ram-air effect while and other brands, like Toyota OEM, have recommendations on when it should be turned backwards.

 

had them for 10 years or so on my 80 series. bought one with it, but would've added it after a friend and i ran side by side as the second line of rigs coming past gooney bird rock in moab. he had a snorkle on a stock 70 series, i didnt have one on my lifted 40 series. when we got to the highway, his filter was clean and mine had a huge pile of red silt where the air intake hit it. never had any issues in colorado winters, but really don't get snowfalls like we used to. if you run in dust they are well worth running. as for snow, if the snorkle manufacturer says you have to reverse the head, then it's probably a poorly designed chinese one. higher quality will be made to channel that away

 

Snorkel for dust and water. The most important thing is to relocate your diff breathers higher. If you are crossing creek/river higher than top of your hood, you will risk all sorts of issues later. My 07 is 3" lift and I've been without issues. Yes, I upped my breathers.

 

You ain't in Africa man....

 

derp

 

They work amazingly for helping you get clean air from dust instead of sucking dirty air from your wheel well.

 

If you're worried about dust and don't like the idea of a snorkel a prefilter works.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/fl-ok-who-was-this.85412/

 

Hmmmm tell me more. You have a link to a specific one in mind?

 

Personally I would opt for the ferry or the bridge.

 

I relocated both the suction line for the factory airbox and the air pumps out of the fender to under the hood.

If I go in deep enough to suck water from there the truck is fawked anyway.

 

Unrelated- but thanks for the picture of the exposed fender. I need to replace my antenna assembly base and this is the best pic I’ve ever seen of it so I know what to look for. Thanks you!,

My .02 about snorkels. I’ve had a snorkel on my Land Cruiser for over ten years. I’ve driven over 100,000 kms on dirt roads/ active logging roads in the Yukon and all over BC. They’re gold in dusty conditions. Originally developed in Australia for the dusty long haul outback roads there and they work. Yes, if you have a water proof enough engine you can get into some deep water - my deepest is just over 4’ but my 12HT diesel engine is mechanical. Worst blockage I’ve ever had occurred last summer in Yukon in 10-12’ high willows. Damned snorkel inlet sucked in enough leaves and sticks to damned near stall the engine. That’s when I spun the inlet head around. I’ve not driven in enough really heavy wet snow but I can see that being a possibility however slight. I’ve driven for several hours in heavy snow but no issues for me.
I don’t care what people say - they’re cool! LOL!

 

Avatar is appropriate. I like It!!!