Snorkel Recommendation

[newbieranger8]

I am planning to get a snorkel installed on my ranger 2021 3.2l

Preferring a steel snorkel for the looks and also because of the fading of plastic snorkels but want a reliable installer dont think ARB does steel snorkels can someone help me with a reliable installer for steel snorkels? I am based in Melbourne.

Also what would be the approximate cost of snorkel with installation?



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[Trublu]

Cannot help you with steel snorkel however never seen any plastic snorkels fade unless it was some ridiculously cheap chinese brand, I have an Iron Man brand that still looks good after being installed ten years ago.

[PLWildtrak]

Likewise RE durability of plastic ones. You may find that on cheap ebay copies, but none of the reputable brands will have those issues.

One thing I'd recommend before you start spending money on a metal snorkel and cutting guards is find someone who has one and have a drive of their car, both with the drivers window closed and open. You will get a lot more induction noise from a rear facing snorkel (either rear facing plastic or just open ended metal pipe type). The induction noise doesn't bother some people, and some seem to like it, but personally it drives me insane and for that reason alone I'd never have a metal snorkel.

For my money you can't go past the Ford snorkels. They are as slimline as you're going to get and look far better than the typical Safari/TJM type with the big black slug running down the guard. Also you don't need to trim the guard to fit them (they go through an existing hole that is covered by a plastic trim) which has 2 benefits:
- Firstly that you don't need to trim the guard and not having to cut holes in your car is always a good thing
- Secondly, cutting holes in sheet metal can sometimes result in resonance vibrations in the metal from the vibration of the engine etc. This usually shows itself as really annoying vibration noise at a certain RPM range. I had it on my old Jeep due to cutting the guard to fit the snorkel and it drove me nuts. I spend years chasing different ways to stop the vibrations but never found a way. Doesn't happen with every vehicle but when it happens it's bloody annoying.

Couldn't help you with costs as mine came fitted from the factory.

[BergDonk]

I wonder about the efficiency of rear facing inlets. Passing air would create some suction and compromise air flow into the snorkel, at least my brain says that it would. I do know that some years ago on my long gone 2.5TD Courier I fitted a Donaldson precleaner instead of the ram head and performance and fuel economy were both compromised at road speeds. Might be OK putting along, but not on the highway.

[UTH]

Likewise RE durability of plastic ones. You may find that on cheap ebay copies, but none of the reputable brands will have those issues.

One thing I'd recommend before you start spending money on a metal snorkel and cutting guards is find someone who has one and have a drive of their car, both with the drivers window closed and open. You will get a lot more induction noise from a rear facing snorkel (either rear facing plastic or just open ended metal pipe type). The induction noise doesn't bother some people, and some seem to like it, but personally it drives me insane and for that reason alone I'd never have a metal snorkel.

For my money you can't go past the Ford snorkels. They are as slimline as you're going to get and look far better than the typical Safari/TJM type with the big black slug running down the guard. Also you don't need to trim the guard to fit them (they go through an existing hole that is covered by a plastic trim) which has 2 benefits:
- Firstly that you don't need to trim the guard and not having to cut holes in your car is always a good thing
- Secondly, cutting holes in sheet metal can sometimes result in resonance vibrations in the metal from the vibration of the engine etc. This usually shows itself as really annoying vibration noise at a certain RPM range. I had it on my old Jeep due to cutting the guard to fit the snorkel and it drove me nuts. I spend years chasing different ways to stop the vibrations but never found a way. Doesn't happen with every vehicle but when it happens it's bloody annoying.

Couldn't help you with costs as mine came fitted from the factory.

The TJM wedgetail snorkel I installed over four years ago, hasn't faded at all. Can't say the same for Ford's own black plastic window trims but! Plenty cheap Chinese snorkel clones being touted by "100% Aussie-owned" companies on eBay so best to pay more for whatever genuine article satisfies your aesthetic. I admit that the Ford's offering may be a less technical installation but the old maxim of "measure twice, cut once" worked well.

When I fitted mine, I used rubber "bushings" (half-inch tap washers) around the bolt holes to fill any small gaps due to any nonconformities between TJM's molded plastic hardware and Ford's pressed steel. This would help dampen any resonance vibrations but since the fender is a mess of curves and irregular edges, there's not much flat and straight steel to resonate, no? Maybe that was the issue with the old Jeep? More flatness in the panels?

In the meantime, here's hoping some steel-ducted members can provide the OP with the information he seeks.

[Grant L1]

Have had a TJM poly snorkel for over 10 years on mine and there is no fading or brittleness,

[rustfree]

Cannot help you with steel snorkel however never seen any plastic snorkels fade unless it was some ridiculously cheap chinese brand, I have an Iron Man brand that still looks good after being installed ten years ago.

I had maybe just good luck but used twice "ridiculously cheap chinese brand" from ebay.
First one was for more than 10 years on car and was still looking good when I sold it.
The second one is 5 years on my current BT50 and also no sign of fading but I polish the clamp holding the head to remove surface corrosion after being in the snowfields

[corndog]

Cheap ebay plastic snorkel on my Landcruiser 80 for 15 years or more and it's still looking good today.

[SRD0060]

I fitted a $140 one off evilbay on my PX3 and looks the same as a Ford one and hasn’t faded, expensive and steel doesn’t mean its good. My son fitted a steel one and when he cut the odd shape hole off the template the guards are like paper.