Added the Snorkel
Thread Starter
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Three Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas
Added the Snorkel
Well after being on the fence for about a month i went with a Safari Snorkel,
Sierra Expeditions ended up having a very competitive price when you added in shipping and from everything i have read are a first class outfit to work with. I place my order on Sunday night and it shipped first thing on Monday so they lived up to their reputation.
The install itself is pretty straight forward and i needed no special tools or tricks of the trade to get it done in just under 2 hours.
First you tape the template to the fender (wing for the other Brits reading this), I used masking tape as its easy to get on and off and pretty much designed for the job.
Next you do the metric to standard conversion and find a the drill bits and hole saw you'll need. Then you start drilling. I used a $5 step drill from Harbor Freight to open the holes out to the magic 14mm, or about 9/16th. Note the 2 smaller holes are left as is, this is where you are going to take your 70mm hole saw to. i used a 2 and 3/4 inch hole saw as that was a close as i could get.
This was after the hole saw got its wicked way with the rover, and in case you had not realized it, you just passed the point of no return.
You then draw a line from the top and bottoms of the holes and cut along the line and you end up with a oval shape. I use a dermmel with a cut off disk for this and once done is its pretty much it for the cutting.
Next you drill one small hole from the engin compartment into the inner wing to hold on part of the interior of the snorkel, pop rivit that into place, use lots of silicone sealant and tighten up the 6 bolts holding it to the wing. (you need to remove the fender liner in the wheel arch to access these 6 bolts) reattached the fender liner then stand up, re-attach where your stock air box attaches to the fender and your almost done.
The upper mount bolts onto the snorkel upright and then pop rivets onto the windshield upright,
add you snazzy ram air intake and your all done.
Its about a 2 to 2-1/2 beers on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being changing a tire and 10 being a motor swap. The hardest part was reaching up between the inner and outer fender to add and tighten up the nuts that hold the snorkel on. Its not hard just fiddly and a little tight so if your on a first name basis with a gynecologist you way want to call in a favor and get them to do that part, but i managed with my ham fists so its really not that hard.
Dave
Sierra Expeditions can be contracted at
Toll Free: 866.507.4254 and on the web at
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com
They have a great site and lots of cool stuff too!
Sierra Expeditions ended up having a very competitive price when you added in shipping and from everything i have read are a first class outfit to work with. I place my order on Sunday night and it shipped first thing on Monday so they lived up to their reputation.
The install itself is pretty straight forward and i needed no special tools or tricks of the trade to get it done in just under 2 hours.
First you tape the template to the fender (wing for the other Brits reading this), I used masking tape as its easy to get on and off and pretty much designed for the job.
Next you do the metric to standard conversion and find a the drill bits and hole saw you'll need. Then you start drilling. I used a $5 step drill from Harbor Freight to open the holes out to the magic 14mm, or about 9/16th. Note the 2 smaller holes are left as is, this is where you are going to take your 70mm hole saw to. i used a 2 and 3/4 inch hole saw as that was a close as i could get.
This was after the hole saw got its wicked way with the rover, and in case you had not realized it, you just passed the point of no return.
You then draw a line from the top and bottoms of the holes and cut along the line and you end up with a oval shape. I use a dermmel with a cut off disk for this and once done is its pretty much it for the cutting.
Next you drill one small hole from the engin compartment into the inner wing to hold on part of the interior of the snorkel, pop rivit that into place, use lots of silicone sealant and tighten up the 6 bolts holding it to the wing. (you need to remove the fender liner in the wheel arch to access these 6 bolts) reattached the fender liner then stand up, re-attach where your stock air box attaches to the fender and your almost done.
The upper mount bolts onto the snorkel upright and then pop rivets onto the windshield upright,
add you snazzy ram air intake and your all done.
Its about a 2 to 2-1/2 beers on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being changing a tire and 10 being a motor swap. The hardest part was reaching up between the inner and outer fender to add and tighten up the nuts that hold the snorkel on. Its not hard just fiddly and a little tight so if your on a first name basis with a gynecologist you way want to call in a favor and get them to do that part, but i managed with my ham fists so its really not that hard.
Dave
Sierra Expeditions can be contracted at
Toll Free: 866.507.4254 and on the web at
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com
They have a great site and lots of cool stuff too!
Last edited by range_time; Oct 7, 2010 at 01:47 PM.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 30
From: Denver, CO
Have you driven on the Highway and noticed any wind noise from the snorkel?
What did is set you back? I have always liked the Mantec raised air intake myself, but at $450 I have held out from buying it. It looks way more slick than the ARB or Safari IMO.
What did is set you back? I have always liked the Mantec raised air intake myself, but at $450 I have held out from buying it. It looks way more slick than the ARB or Safari IMO.
Last edited by bosshogt; Oct 6, 2010 at 10:08 PM.
Thread Starter
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Three Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas
I looked at the Mantec but really had doubts about how well would it work with the 4L gas motor. I have nothing to base it on but i think that was optimized for the diesels.
It really just comes down to personal opinion and preference, for me what tipped the balance was a write up on Discoweb with the photos how how closely this one hugged the body (which was a concern) and then the great price Sierra had on them. Lastly there is a pre-filter option for the Safari that i also got from Sierra, ( http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/ind...t_detail&p=406 )some of the dust we kick up here in the desert is just out of this world.
I think having a snorkel of any brand is better than not having one when it comes down to it.
I did not want to say anything in my original post as i had nothing to base it on but after driving it tonight it has reduced my air intake temps by over 20 degrees. I have a Scan Gauge 2 and last weekend it was 92 outside air temp but the air intake in stop an go traffic was 122 degrees. Today there was only a 8 degree difference between air temp and air intake temp on the same run. When i got above 20mph the outside air temp and intake temp was just 4 degrees apart. It may well be the ultimate cold air intake really.
Based on this i think i am going to get one for my F350 Power Stroke, In the summer out here in Vegas i have seen air intake temps over 170 degrees on the ScanGauge when i traffic when pulling a trailer.
Dave
It really just comes down to personal opinion and preference, for me what tipped the balance was a write up on Discoweb with the photos how how closely this one hugged the body (which was a concern) and then the great price Sierra had on them. Lastly there is a pre-filter option for the Safari that i also got from Sierra, ( http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/ind...t_detail&p=406 )some of the dust we kick up here in the desert is just out of this world.
I think having a snorkel of any brand is better than not having one when it comes down to it.
I did not want to say anything in my original post as i had nothing to base it on but after driving it tonight it has reduced my air intake temps by over 20 degrees. I have a Scan Gauge 2 and last weekend it was 92 outside air temp but the air intake in stop an go traffic was 122 degrees. Today there was only a 8 degree difference between air temp and air intake temp on the same run. When i got above 20mph the outside air temp and intake temp was just 4 degrees apart. It may well be the ultimate cold air intake really.
Based on this i think i am going to get one for my F350 Power Stroke, In the summer out here in Vegas i have seen air intake temps over 170 degrees on the ScanGauge when i traffic when pulling a trailer.
Dave
Last edited by range_time; Oct 7, 2010 at 01:51 PM.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 30
From: Denver, CO
Ah the pre-cleaner is way cool! Sounds like the Dyson vacuum claim for your snorkel. About center-fugal air collection. I would like to put that on the Mantec when I can scratch together enough scratch.
I hear you on the out side air temp. I have a cold air intake on my Discovery and removed the hood rubber seals along the sides. Even sucking air from behind the headlight. Some days there is a 100 degree difference in air temp on my ScanGuageII.
That old air box and paper filter are a great way to make you engine breath through a straw!
I hear you on the out side air temp. I have a cold air intake on my Discovery and removed the hood rubber seals along the sides. Even sucking air from behind the headlight. Some days there is a 100 degree difference in air temp on my ScanGuageII.
That old air box and paper filter are a great way to make you engine breath through a straw!
Mudding
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 214
Likes: 19
From: Arizona
Jealous, Jealous, Jealous! Nice looking rig! I need one but I have been kicking it around for years and just seem to not be able to pull the trigger. Can you give me the exact speech you gave yourself before pushing the purchase button so I can maybe talk myself into it?
TReK
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 5
From: Woodway, WA
HAHA! I also want the transcript from right before touching the hole saw bit to the fender....
Thread Starter
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Three Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas
"Can you give me the exact speech you gave yourself before pushing the purchase button so I can maybe talk myself into it?"
We'll it was pretty much a 3 way tie for me.
1st, The dust us just madness out here on the trails, if you’re the 2nd rig in line you almost have to have your wipers on to clear the fine particles that fill the air. So the higher the air intake the better. I ran a trail last weekend and when i got back must have had a 1/16 of dust sitting on the bottom of the air box. Swapping an air filter out after a couple of runs is getting to be old.
2nd thing was the crazy air temp you get under the hood. It gets so hot in Vegas that if you are working on a rig and a tool is in the sun, even a chrome wrench, inside 15 min it will be too hot to pick up. The air temp may only be 105 or 110 but in the direct sunlight I'll be it closer to 140-150. That sun just bakes the ground and the heat just pours off it heating the air closest to the ground. So again the higher i can get my air intake above the ground the cooler the air will be. Also dont forget with the sun shining on that drivers side fender it heats up like a champ, pre-heating all the air inside it that the motor is pulling in.
3rd it has to be the looks. I think it’s a great looking accessory and it’s a little less common than light guards or a roof rack. For me the Discovery was all about having a cool looking, highly capable expedition vehicle. Being from the UK as a kid I watched the nature shows of the old Series Landys going across the deserts and mountains in far off parts of the world with a film crew on some exciting expedition. Now I know the discos are not as hard core as the old Series Rovers or Defenders but a practical accessory like a snorkel separates me out of the discos that only get wet in a car wash and a fully loaded, long run would be back from the mall, not the Sea of Cortez as I plan to do (as soon as they stop killing each other in Baja)
As for cutting the hole in the fender for me it really was not that hard, this is because anyone who saw what my Disco looked like when I got it will know that it was a total basket case. I beat out the rear quarter panel with a 3 foot long 2x4 and cleaned the interior with gallons of boiling water and a paint scraper.. yes that was the interior! The electrics and been in a fight with Edward Scissor Hands and lost, the only reason every warning light on the dash was not visible was the person I got it from had taken the dash apart and put in black cardboard under the glass so you could not see the lights! That said I really can understand for anyone who got (or has) their disco in much nicer condition it would be much harder to start that first hole.
The thing to remember for this job is when you tape that template on the fender, spend an extra few moments making sure the top edge lines up and your snug against the front door jam and from there on really you would be hard pushed to go wrong. Even the holes on the template are the different sizes need for the mounting hardware and ones you start for the hole saw. There is even an inner template for one pop rivet you put in, really Safari have thought this install though and put together a very solid set of instructions, truly aimed at the “average” person. That coupled with the fact there really are only 6 steps consisting of template, small holes, big holes, inter snorkel part, bolt snorkel onto wing, then rivet to upright makes it simple enough for almost anyone who can change their own oil to do. All that said I’ll admit I like the way it looks too. Three times today I have gone for a walk around the building just to admire it. Really, the job is not hard so I encourage anyone thinking about a snorkel to consider this one.
One last thing, I said no special tools were used and that I guess depends on what you consider a special tool. I did use a Dremmel rotary tool with some fiber cutting discs that I got from e-bay for about $7 to makes the cuts between the two big holes, again harbor freight does a rotary tool for about $20 or you could use an grinder with a cut off disc as the finish is hidden behind the snorkel body. I also used a 13mm “ratchet wrench” to tighten up the bolts between the inner and outer fender. You could do this with a regular wrench but it would take a lot longer as there is a limited amount of room in there. Again I am sure you can get a set for $25 bucks and I use mine nearly on every job, so more of an investment.
Dave
We'll it was pretty much a 3 way tie for me.
1st, The dust us just madness out here on the trails, if you’re the 2nd rig in line you almost have to have your wipers on to clear the fine particles that fill the air. So the higher the air intake the better. I ran a trail last weekend and when i got back must have had a 1/16 of dust sitting on the bottom of the air box. Swapping an air filter out after a couple of runs is getting to be old.
2nd thing was the crazy air temp you get under the hood. It gets so hot in Vegas that if you are working on a rig and a tool is in the sun, even a chrome wrench, inside 15 min it will be too hot to pick up. The air temp may only be 105 or 110 but in the direct sunlight I'll be it closer to 140-150. That sun just bakes the ground and the heat just pours off it heating the air closest to the ground. So again the higher i can get my air intake above the ground the cooler the air will be. Also dont forget with the sun shining on that drivers side fender it heats up like a champ, pre-heating all the air inside it that the motor is pulling in.
3rd it has to be the looks. I think it’s a great looking accessory and it’s a little less common than light guards or a roof rack. For me the Discovery was all about having a cool looking, highly capable expedition vehicle. Being from the UK as a kid I watched the nature shows of the old Series Landys going across the deserts and mountains in far off parts of the world with a film crew on some exciting expedition. Now I know the discos are not as hard core as the old Series Rovers or Defenders but a practical accessory like a snorkel separates me out of the discos that only get wet in a car wash and a fully loaded, long run would be back from the mall, not the Sea of Cortez as I plan to do (as soon as they stop killing each other in Baja)
As for cutting the hole in the fender for me it really was not that hard, this is because anyone who saw what my Disco looked like when I got it will know that it was a total basket case. I beat out the rear quarter panel with a 3 foot long 2x4 and cleaned the interior with gallons of boiling water and a paint scraper.. yes that was the interior! The electrics and been in a fight with Edward Scissor Hands and lost, the only reason every warning light on the dash was not visible was the person I got it from had taken the dash apart and put in black cardboard under the glass so you could not see the lights! That said I really can understand for anyone who got (or has) their disco in much nicer condition it would be much harder to start that first hole.
The thing to remember for this job is when you tape that template on the fender, spend an extra few moments making sure the top edge lines up and your snug against the front door jam and from there on really you would be hard pushed to go wrong. Even the holes on the template are the different sizes need for the mounting hardware and ones you start for the hole saw. There is even an inner template for one pop rivet you put in, really Safari have thought this install though and put together a very solid set of instructions, truly aimed at the “average” person. That coupled with the fact there really are only 6 steps consisting of template, small holes, big holes, inter snorkel part, bolt snorkel onto wing, then rivet to upright makes it simple enough for almost anyone who can change their own oil to do. All that said I’ll admit I like the way it looks too. Three times today I have gone for a walk around the building just to admire it. Really, the job is not hard so I encourage anyone thinking about a snorkel to consider this one.
One last thing, I said no special tools were used and that I guess depends on what you consider a special tool. I did use a Dremmel rotary tool with some fiber cutting discs that I got from e-bay for about $7 to makes the cuts between the two big holes, again harbor freight does a rotary tool for about $20 or you could use an grinder with a cut off disc as the finish is hidden behind the snorkel body. I also used a 13mm “ratchet wrench” to tighten up the bolts between the inner and outer fender. You could do this with a regular wrench but it would take a lot longer as there is a limited amount of room in there. Again I am sure you can get a set for $25 bucks and I use mine nearly on every job, so more of an investment.
Dave
Last edited by range_time; Oct 7, 2010 at 06:17 PM.
4wd Low
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
looks great. i'm wanting a snorkel but don't wanna fork out a couple hundred for one. has anybody done a tasteful DIY snorkel on their disco? i was thinking of something more along the lines of the mantec with much of the tubing running inside the fender instead of outside