Not quite a snorkel but merely an intake reroute

[808toy]

We have a few muddy trails here in Hawaii. Ok, I would say that majority of the trails on Oahu are muddy and in some cases, you can't help but dip into the mud from time to time. Well, on my 95 3.0 V6 pickup, the intake is right behind the driver headlight and I have on occasion, dipped that headlight into mud.

I decided that I needed to reroute the intake to somewhere that would be safer from mud exposure. I contemplated the snorkel method however, I do not like the appearance of the snorkel, nor would it work when I applied my exo. I decided that one safe place would be gutter below the windshield. I know that water does come through this area through the vents on the cowel however, I can not fathom a river of water gushing down this track.

I began by cutting the main hole by the air box.



One of the problems of getting to the cavity below the windshield is the factory framing that is on the sides of the gutter. I thought about completely removing the frame/boxing and cutting a similar size hole (3 1/2") to access the gutter. Instead I decided I would punch 2 more 1 5/8" hole on the inner wall, adding to the existing holes and testing to see if this would be adequate breathing for the motor. I did cut a portion of the frame as shown in the picture.



I cut a vacuum hose laterally, slipped that on the edge of the main hole, an used an aluminum tape to hold the tube on. I got a little bezerk with the tape. There should have been less but, hey when you find something neat, you don't wanna use just a little, you just well, use it till its gone or broken.



The tube I purchased was some sort of irrigation/gutter tube from Home Depot that costed a little more than 5$. I duct taped one end of the tube to the intake hole on the box which, ended up being a perfect fit. (Again, anther taping fiasco; I will not show the duct tape, hose, intake contraption for fear of duct tape conservationists). I used a heat gun to mold the bends, cut the tube to fit, and crammed the other end of the tube into the hole I created 2 steps ago.



Now, there are holes that needed to be sealed and so I used a rather expensive waterproof foam, as shown below. (I can't seem to get away from the thinking that expensive is better. No, the 5 dollar can won't do but, the 14 dollar can of foam will. Shit, what a dumbass. ) Anyways, I have yet to cut the excess foam off and spray an undercoating or truck bedliner over the foam and tubes.



I also need to address the gaps by the main hole.



But, you get the gist of it. I was planning on making some sort of sheet metal plate to cover the tube assembly that would be accessible by Dzus fasteners but, we'll see if I actually get around to that.

[OOP'S]

Hmmmmm!!!!

[ErikB]

OOP's runs a snorkle like that. Maybe he'll pipe in an tell ya all about how he hydro locked his engine in his driveway.

Edit- he already beat me to it!

[808toy]

Nice... I need to rethink the sealing of all the gaps by the openings. Roofing tar just might be the thing. Thanks Oops. So you copied me huh?

[TNToy]

I've known people to try using expanding foam in muddy terrain on trucks. It doesn't hold up too terriby well.