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- Joined
- Nov 15, 2007
- Messages
- 418
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 39
- Location
- Copley, Ohio.
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3L
- Transmission
- Automatic
Hey, guys. I know Kelly88 wanted to see this, and I guess I'm a little late, but I had the truck apart today to replace the air filter and decided to post this up. This is how I made my snorkel on my 1997 2.3L. All the parts I got from Lowe's for about $20. I used black PVC drainage pipe. I also used PVC glue to make all connections water-tight. The stock airbox (for atleast the 2.3L, maybe other engines) has an inlet tube that is 2"OD, so it worked well when connected to a 2" 90deg elbow.
First, I cut a 2.5" hole in the top of the airbox, where I would mount a bypass vent so that when I was on the road, I wouldn't get completely horrible gas mileage. I then notched a 3" threaded end so it would fit over the box, and drilled holes for 4 small angle brackets. I sealed it with gasket maker. Then I put a cap on it, which can be removed without tools on the trail.
Finished vent:
Next, I cut a hole in the fender with a 2.5" hole saw where I wanted the snorkel to enter. I pretty much followed the axis made by the A pillar, and found a place on that line that didn't have anything interfering behind it.
Then, I used a piece of 2" solid tube and a piece of 2" flexible PVC hose, connected with a 2" couple, to make the passage behind the fender. I put the flexible down by the air box, because it needed to make a slight bend there to allow the fender to be reinstalled.
At the end of this, I put a 90deg elbow and a female threaded coupling, angling it so it fit perfectly against the hole I drilled. Afterwards, I found that it would have been better to put a male threaded coupler there instead, which is probably what you would want to do.
Then, I made the upper portion of the snorkel. I put a male threaded coupler on a 90deg elbow, which would insert into the port on the fender.
I then measured as much tubing as I would want. At the top of the snorkel, I installed a 45deg elbow, a 2"->3" coupler, and then a round rain cap which was made for 3" pipe. I then made a bracket out of steel stock, clamping onto the tube with a 1/4" bolt. I then drilled a hole in the A-pillar, outside of the rubber seal, and screwed it down with a machine screw.
I have found this setup to be very reliable. The threaded coupler in the fender is nice because the snorkel can easily be taken off in two pieces if necessary. I have ran in water up to the head lights in this with no problems.
The only problem I encountered was the 90deg elbow behind the hole in the fender was big, and I needed to bash in the inner fender a little with a sledge hammer to get it to fit. Nothing important (I think) was in the way, so it worked fine.
Happy wheeling!
Colin.
First, I cut a 2.5" hole in the top of the airbox, where I would mount a bypass vent so that when I was on the road, I wouldn't get completely horrible gas mileage. I then notched a 3" threaded end so it would fit over the box, and drilled holes for 4 small angle brackets. I sealed it with gasket maker. Then I put a cap on it, which can be removed without tools on the trail.
Finished vent:
Next, I cut a hole in the fender with a 2.5" hole saw where I wanted the snorkel to enter. I pretty much followed the axis made by the A pillar, and found a place on that line that didn't have anything interfering behind it.
Then, I used a piece of 2" solid tube and a piece of 2" flexible PVC hose, connected with a 2" couple, to make the passage behind the fender. I put the flexible down by the air box, because it needed to make a slight bend there to allow the fender to be reinstalled.
At the end of this, I put a 90deg elbow and a female threaded coupling, angling it so it fit perfectly against the hole I drilled. Afterwards, I found that it would have been better to put a male threaded coupler there instead, which is probably what you would want to do.
Then, I made the upper portion of the snorkel. I put a male threaded coupler on a 90deg elbow, which would insert into the port on the fender.
I then measured as much tubing as I would want. At the top of the snorkel, I installed a 45deg elbow, a 2"->3" coupler, and then a round rain cap which was made for 3" pipe. I then made a bracket out of steel stock, clamping onto the tube with a 1/4" bolt. I then drilled a hole in the A-pillar, outside of the rubber seal, and screwed it down with a machine screw.
I have found this setup to be very reliable. The threaded coupler in the fender is nice because the snorkel can easily be taken off in two pieces if necessary. I have ran in water up to the head lights in this with no problems.
The only problem I encountered was the 90deg elbow behind the hole in the fender was big, and I needed to bash in the inner fender a little with a sledge hammer to get it to fit. Nothing important (I think) was in the way, so it worked fine.
Happy wheeling!
Colin.
And that PVC stuff is just so cheap... 
