Looks awesome and great write up :cheers:

Get ready for strange people with questions :lol:

 

Thanks, and thanks. I'm ready, provided it doesn't require an electron microscope to compare the subtleties of snorkel plastics. :rofl:

 

I was reffering to random people on the street coming up or walking out of a store to find people gathered around pointing at it asking "What is that thing?"



:lol:

 

Oh yeah for sure! I've already had a few "Say, what is that thing?" I guess I'd better get used to it.

 

Thanks for the write-up!

I will definitely have to reference this thread when I finally bit the bullet.

 

Good job on the write up Boston. Wish you'd have been around when I swapped the clutch and installed the PDM TSK a week ago! If for no other reason, documentation!

Yes, when I installed mine, I had no idea how much of a conversation starter it would be... from the strangest people.

 

I appreciate the feedback. This was my first write-up, so it's encouraging to hear this is useful. I've spent a lot of time doing instructions, product reviews and how-to's in my day job.

I should have done one for the Exp1 bumper, but I was just too excited to get it on and didn't take enough detailed photos. Shame too, their instructions were a bit vague. Hell, I'd like to see a clutch swap just to learn how to do it!

 

Do you have a link to where you purchased the snorkel from. I have a Safari and my buddy is looking for a different brand due to the price.

Great write-up, rigs is looking great. The snorkel really improves the look and feel. People will turn their head due to the look and increased sound. I look and see them looking and ignore them to avoid eye contact since questions will follow.

Off topic, does the Finch Fuel Cat. work for you, great pic of your girl painting your grille badge. I'll put mine to work maybe going with yellow...

 

I agree, I've heard a difference with the TRD exhaust. It's throaty and you can pick up some of the whooshing in the ram as well.

For your buddy, tell him to go here: Home Page. I just emailed Nathan at PRG direct. He was most helpful and when out of his way to get it shipped promptly at a great price.

The Fitch bought me about 1.5 mpg after 2 weeks installed. Negligible on the economy (I drive a 6MT), but I do enjoy the Octane boost perks. 87 feels sufficient.

Amanda has a steady hand; she's great for touch up work and helped quite a bit with the snorkel as well. Honestly I'm just happy that she support my habit. :lol:

 

Well documented write up.

I vote for a move to the "How to" Tech subforum.

 

Second that vote

 

I will x3 ^. Good write up.

I also went with the PRG snorkel. Love it, hands down.

For the rubber bridge from snorkel to intake, I found it was hella easier- after the whole rage scenario- to secure it to the snorkel on install and then wiggle the intake into the rubber hose. Still a PITA but got it after two tries.

Can't go wrong for the cash either. Picked mine up for 160 on sale through PRG FJ Cruiser Snorkel Intake PRG-411-S

 

Used a similar technique to get the snorkel in place last week... Worked great and very easy.

 

Thanks for the sponsorship. I'll cross my fingers and hope to be accepted into the annals of time. :bigthumb:

 

1 more vote for How To!

 

Boston,

Great write-up, thank you for taking the time to do so.

FWIW, my most recent batch of snorkels will include the 120mm hose clamp required for the newer FJs. I am also working on a revision of the intake hose in an effort to reduce the overall abundance of world wide rage.

This new batch will be in near the end of OCT., along with a few other items that I hope will be well received.

The pop rivets from my older stock snorkels look clean installed, however all the new one will have the inserts. You did great job on the install and write-up. I will continue to improve on our products based on input like this.

 

The pop rivets from my older stock snorkels look clean installed, however all the new one will have the inserts. You did great job on the install and write-up. I will continue to improve on our products based on input like this.

The install and write-up was all my pleasure. I'm encouraged to see the input be put to design tweaks that improve the overall experience. It's been a great product so far. :cheers:

 

Mines going strong too... it's even acted as a "push bar" of sorts with brush at Hidden Falls resulting in only pinstripes. Glad to see the improved hose, not so sure how I feel about the loss of the rivets being I came from aircraft manufacturing. Solid product regardless.

 

Did you find the snorkel needed a bit of molding to the curve of the fender which could be achieved by torqueing down the 8 bolts, before marking for the A pillar bracket?

 

It seems to me that this is a little too far to stretch the plastic to make fit. No?

 

I agree, that is a big gap to cover. When we installed UlySi's PRG snorkel last Saturday, we have to push it hard too but the gap is not like yours.

You might be able to make it but i think the 3 white plastic inserts will not hold or will eventually pops out.

 

When I hold the template to the snorkel, it doesn't seem like the holes are lining up correctly. Is this because the fender has a slight curve to it, and the template corrects for that?

 

Not necessarily. Hold the template up to the snorkel itself and make sure it's flexing to the contour of the snorkel. The holes should line up then. Also, I'd start small with the step-bit and work your way up. You may not need all of the clearance recommended in the written instructions. :bigthumb:

 

No, i started to tighten bolts from the front to back of the snorkel, and used heat gun to bend back rear side of the snorkel that sticked out out too much. And then i i tighten to the full strength. worked like a charm!

 

Just notice a few people wondering about the gap on the snorkel. This is not a mistake, there need to be a certain amount of tension on the snorkel. If it just sat right on there it would get dirt between the fender and snorkel and after time start to squeak. We have installed 3 snorkels now, 2 PRG and 1 Safari snorkels and we have an Iron Man snorkel sale pending. I can tell you with certainty all 3 had the same gap and had to be tightened a little at a time. This is not something I knew prior to selling snorkels.

Also note, snorkels are injection molded. They are not stamped, the molds do not misshape or wear. Tim T can attest to this since he owns the biggest injection mold company in TX.

On a side note, you gotta be brave to start drilling holes in your FJ. The first one I did for John made me sick to my stomache until we were done. The next one was no better, and you guys that are cutting your pocket flares for the install......you got em made of brass.

We have two snorkels for the 4th gen 4 runner. We have had them for a year and I have been too scared to drill and cut the flare to test them.

We are going to run a special on the Snorkels for summit. They will be $155 with free shipping on our site only. Pathfinder Outdoors
This is limited to the first 15 sold between now and summit.

We will have several items in the raffle at the summit, winch, snorkel, winch line, streamlight so if you are not in a position to spend 155 bucks, be sure to buy a raffle ticket ir two.

See you at the summit. We will be staying in the Ouray KOA for the last 3 days and at the Telluride mountain village the 12-17. Feel free to stop by and chat.

 

Good info. Ya would have been good to know before the install.

 

Mine's still going strong and still doubling as a "pusher" at times LOL...

My buddy with his garage queen Raptor cringes every time I show him new "pin stripes". First time I told him I'd gotten some "new stripes" he was all excited thinking I'd had something painted on vs "engraved". :lol: Figure if the snorkel is stout enough to push by occasional brush/small trees, it should last a long time. Colors also holding in the Texas sun.

 

okay, 155, time to order...

 

DONE!! Now to start the deep breathing exercises leading up to when I will have to cut the big hole and drill all those little holes ...

Any word on how well these will mate up with a CAI? Any preferences to which one to get? I'm leaning towards the TRD version .. I have an early 2007 version FJ.

 

Have 07 with earlier TRD CAI. I had to do a little work to make the tube fit, but believe Nathan ships them with different tubes now.

 

Thanks Zeus -- now off to purchase the CAI. I've poked around and TRDParts4U seems to have the best price. Does anyone have a different/better/less expensive option? I'd prefer my money to go to a forum supporter if possible, but finances are certainly a concern. :boohoo:

TIA for any help provided ...

 

Does anyone know the sizes of the screws that are used for the bracket that goes into the a-pillar and also the snorkel? mine are already showing rust after only a couple months of being installed..

 

the screws are item number 5 on the inventory page. The Screws are plated and should not rust, perhaps there is an issue with the plating on your screws. Please email me if you have any further questions.