4WD Supplies Snorkel Install Guide MN

[Bogor]

I recently bought the Triton Snorkel from 4WD Supplies and fitted it today.
I thought I would write a quick guide on how to install it into an MN, the ML should be very similar.
It is a fairly easy install and anyone who knows their way around tools will be able to do this with ease.
All up it took me about 5 hours to complete with the help of a mate. I would not suggest doing this on your own as an extra pair of hand and eyes are needed.

Tools:
Hole Saws 92mm and 102mm (I think these are the right sizes, correct me if I am wrong) I used the ones that are in the Hole Saw Rental Thread viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6748
Rachet Spanner 13mm
Open ended Spanner 13mm
Philips number 2 Screwdriver
Flat Head screwdriver
Step Drill
Electric drill or powerfull Battery Drill
Socket Set
Small half round File or deburing tool
Drill bits 2.5mm, 5mm, 10mm
SikaFlex-227
Tap set for making a thread on the adapter plate

Here is the car before I started


Remove the Flare and wheel arch covers. I bought some spare christmas tree plugs from Super Cheap as I knew some may break.
Mask up the guard and Pillar, this will stop the paint chipping away when you drill the holes



Attach the template.
NOTE!! I only used the template to locate where to dril lthe 92mm hole. The template is almost worthless, as you will see later on.
Do not go and drill all the holes at once.



Remove the Airbox and Over flow bottle.
Also remove the indicator bulb and the plug for the headlight and tape out of the way. You will also need to move the wiring loom up out of the way.


Here is the first big hole. This was the scary part for me as once this is done there is no turning back



Then drill the 102mm Hole on the inside of the engine bay. Use the forward bolt hole for the overflow bottle as the locator for the hole.
Beware of the bonnet release cable on the other side.

I then lined up the snorkel with only one of the threads inserted and marked it's location once I was happy.
I used the 5mm drill to make the hole, then opened it up with the 10mm bit.
I repeated this step for all the threads until I had all the holes drilled. Take your time, double check, then check again.
Make sure you paint the holes with rust guard!!!





The airbox adapter does not fit out of the box and does need modifying.
All I did was get a rats tail file and file away the inside of the adapter until it fit over the airbox intake. Takes a bit of time, however does make it look nice.



I then drilled the holes in the adapter and the airbox.
Using a tap I made a thread so I could bolt it on from within the airbox.
Sikaflex sealed it up very nicely.



Here is the Snorkel attached.
Doing up the nuts on the inside of the guard is fairly straight forward. It's a fairly tight fit and a bit fiddly. Needs some paitence, and maybe a beer or two
Snorkel attached


Airbox installed.
Remember to put the indicator bulb and wiring loom back in place before putting the air pipe on.


For the bracket on the pillar. I drill 3 2.5mm holes and used Stainless steel screws 8G x 15mm.
You do need to cut the screws a bit shorter as they are just slightly too long. If you can find 10mm screws that should be fine.
I used sikaflex to seal and glue it as well.



And here is the finished job.
I was happy with the result




For the overflow bottle, I forgot to take a pic, however I have just cable tied it between the battery and the firewall untill I source myself a Safari or Ironman one.

I hope this has helped. I enjoyed doing it myself and saved enough cash doing it myself to buy some more bolt on's for my beloved Truck / Ute / Car

Bogor

[mad992]

nice one mate good job

[noob4x4]

nice write up makes me want to do my own snorkel but there is just something about taking a drill to the car i cant bring myself to do it just incase i screw it up

[melba]

How'd u'd get to the top bolts near the pillar, we had make an extra long spanner, as our hands didn't fit?
Any pics of the bottle or what'd u use?

[ductor]

Hello,
I'm yet to fit my el cheapo snorkel because I'm not happy with the over flow bottle situation. Has any one tried one of those flexible air hoses that they sell in the high performance sect of the Auto Accessories places that are made for Turbos. I was thinking if I could use one of these I could Hole Saw the inner guard just below and in front of the overeflow bottle then just bring it up to couple with the snorkel. That would eliminate the need to redirect or replace the over flow bottle.I haven't pulled off the inner guard yet to see if any thing is in the way.
A fellow in a 4by store said that the bottles supplied to replace the stock bottle by the big guys don't work because they end up overflowing coolant down over the fan and in turn all over the engine.Any advise would be most appreciated.
Ductor

[dan.batto]

A fellow in a 4by store said that the bottles supplied to replace the stock bottle by the big guys don't work because they end up overflowing coolant down over the fan and in turn all over the engine.Any advise would be most appreciated.
Ductor

My safari bottle does this, it an easy fix, as simple as going to bunnings and buying a rubber washer to fit the cap. I haven't done this yet, (too lazy) but will get around to it at some stage. It's in another thread here somewhere....

[biggibbo]

Use the existing bottle,in the existing location, it's easy as. I will post up instructions and pics shortly. Might start a new thread so it's easy to find.

Link below
viewtopic.php?f=85&t=12066

[Bogor]

How'd u'd get to the top bolts near the pillar, we had make an extra long spanner, as our hands didn't fit?
Any pics of the bottle or what'd u use?

Small hands and fingers combined with an open ended spanner. They were a pain!
No pics of the bottle. I just cable tied it to between the battery and firewall. I will be modifying it when I get some time just like gibbo did it should fit there fairly well. Other people have bought the safari bottle.

[boycee]

Cheers for doing the write up mate, makes it easier for all my customers

[Red Baron]

Yeah, I did what biggibbo did pretty much; leaving the oem bottle where it is. I also found that the plastic responds very well to a small blowtorch or butane soldering iron torch to smooth off the rough bits after hacksawing. I found it a nice tight fit up against the snorkel duct and was able to simply relocate the overflow tube routing and it all still fitted....Cheers Chris.

[Froggy]

Looking at the holes you've drilled, your template looks to be out in exactly the same areas as mine!
Just wondering if anyone else has found that they have to bend the snorkel quite a bit to get it to line up with the A pillar?
I think i will bold the guard in, and then leave it in the sun to see if it will bend easier with some heat. I'm a bit worried that it'll buckle the guard if i just force it.

[NowForThe5th]

The trick is to drill your holes a little bigger than the bolts/studs. That way you have a little movement to align with the A pillar. Holes are 10mm but bolts/studs are only M6, from memory.

[Froggy]

I was meaning that with the guard bolted up, the Snorkel was sitting 2 inches outside the a pillar. Once everything was fully tightened it pulled in a lot closer and is not a problem now.
Still need to find a way to mount a reservoir...

[Cowboy Dave]

I was meaning that with the guard bolted up, the Snorkel was sitting 2 inches outside the a pillar. Once everything was fully tightened it pulled in a lot closer and is not a problem now.
Still need to find a way to mount a reservoir...

Use the existing bottle,in the existing location, it's easy as. I will post up instructions and pics shortly. Might start a new thread so it's easy to find.

Link below
viewtopic.php?f=85&t=12066

[andyj]

plenty of information good write up..........

[ratzy]

great write up mate! i am gonna install mine next monday... fingers crossed it comes out as nice asd yours

[Bogor]

Good Luck.
It's not as hard as you think.
Just remember to take your time, no need to rush these things.
Measure twice, then measure twice more.
Then once you have measured another two times, go for the big hole
Should take less than 5 hours with two people.

Once it's done, stand back, admire it, and be proud that you can now say, you did it yourself

[DoubleD]

I think its about time I took it on & began cutting holes in
my pride & joy!!

[MadMick]

Hi Guys,

Where are you buying your snorkels and how much are they?. Do you reckon its worth the money on a petrol engine?. Should theoretically give it a little better fuel economy yes?

Edit: disregard the where and how much, found them

[myself62]

MadMick I fitted one to my petrol ML.
Definitely worth it. Petrol or diesel, both take in dust easily at factory level and if you cross water bonnet height both might take water into the intake.
If you don't go off road much you might be ok without it.
Peace of mind for me.

[Cowboy Dave]

Theoretically maybe, but practically I doubt it will be enough for you to notice. Not all that many petrol blokes with snorkels (i'd guess 5 regulars) but you might get lucky with a comment from one of them.

[MadMick]

Theoretically maybe, but practically I doubt it will be enough for you to notice. Not all that many petrol blokes with snorkels (i'd guess 5 regulars) but you might get lucky with a comment from one of them.

Hey Dave,

Appreciate the input mate. Guess I can buy a lot of fuel with the money I would have spent on the snorkel

[myself62]

MadMick I have noticed it revs smoother when putting the foot down up a hill, to sure if I can say that relates to more power but I do find that I tend to rev it a little higher now due to better response. If that makes any sense.

[useless offroader]

Just drilled out the holes and just about ready for dormant tomorrow morning... Now I see what you meant with the template!!!!! I thought, how wrong can the template be........so out came my 12mm drill bit to widen the bastards a bit. So far so good. Helpful write up. Cheers

[useless offroader]

Dormant=fitment