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Haven't posted anything for a while so time for another Effii mod.
We are looking at doing a trip up the Cape in August, so I wanted to have a snorkel fitted before we did.
I'd been investigating different ideas since the rebuild since no one makes a snorkel for an 1986 F truck.
Talking with someone at TJM or ARB in Mackay, can't remember which as I talked to so many people about this, they advised that the windscreen to bonnet angle is the same as a GQ Patrol or Ford Maverick.
So I measured up the angle and it's close, within a couple of degrees.
The next thing was which snorkel. There's a number of different snorkels for the GQ depending on engine.
As we have a Ford Maverick with a TD42, I compared the snorkel dimensions on it with where I wanted the snorkel to go Effii.
It turns out that the snorkel for the TD42 fits nicely to a point above the side indicator.
So off to ebay and find a Chinese knock off of a safari snorkel for $65 on special including freight, can't really go wrong with that (famous last words).
When the snorkel arrives a trial fit (my partner holding it in place while I look at it) before drilling holes in the guard shows that it should line up nicely.
So on to drilling holes.
The template that comes with the snorkel is no use as it's designed to go on the GQ or Maverick guard and nothing matches up.
So I taped up the whole of the guard above the hip line and up the A pillar with masking tape so I'd have something to draw on and not damage the paintwork.
Then I taped the snorkel in place with some packing to work out where the attachment to the A pillar would be.
Once this was done I put a rivnut in the A pillar for the center hole on the bracket that attaches the snorkel to the A pillar. The remainder of the rivnuts I put in once all else was done.
I then marked where the large hole would have to be drilled for the snorkel to go through the guard. This also gave me a reference point for the template which let me workout where the other mounting holes on the guard go.
First I drilled a pilot hole where the through hole goes and then out with the hole saw. If your doing this get really good quality hole saw and use lots of lubricant.
The hole saw I had was a pos it was blunt before I completed the hole and had to finish the cut with a jigsaw.
The hole through the inner part of the guard I made by enlarging the existing rectangular hole with a reciprocating saw.
Once this was completed I could mount the snorkel and make sure the other mounting holes were in the correct place.
I only used three of the six mounting points as some were in places where there is no metal on the F100 guard as the Maverick guard has a bulge there.
The rear most hole I drilled through the inner guard as well as there is no access inside the guard at that point. I then used a 8x65mm bolt to retain the snorkel at the point.
From this point I had the snorkel attached but I also needed to find some way to connect from the snorkel to the air cleaner housing.
I also put some edpm foam tape between the snorkel and the guard where the snorkel bends up the A pillar. This point is normally open, even on the Maverick, and always collects leaves and dirt, it's a pain to try and get them out. So closing the gap will stop this. Also on the front curve of the snorkel.
The outlet from the snorkel to the engine bay is 83mm outside diameter.
Easy I thought just get a silicone 83mm 45 degree elbow, some 83mm diameter aluminium and then an 83mm - 102mm silicone expander.
Right, the elbow and expander are not a problem as Aeroflow make these.
83mm aluminium tubing, no such thing I'm told by the local engineering company where I source all my aluminium. Closest is 80mm x 3mm wall, so get a sample of this and may be able to tig a ring around it to hold it in place.
Check on ebay, short lengths only so somebody must make it. Closest i've found is I can get from the UK but it's only 600mm long and I need about 900mm.
So order the elbow and expander anyway and I'll work something out.
The 83mm elbow and expander will not squash far enough to hold a reliable seal on the 80mm tube. This has to be water tight, otherwise there's no point.
Anyway I'm in Bunnings looking for something else and come across 80mm UPVC pipe. Measure the outside diameter and it's 83mm. It's also available as a 1m length. Wall thickness is about 4mm.
So now I have my connection between the snorkel and the air cleaner. Hose clamps where added after this photo was taken.
After cutting the UPVC to size I painted it to protect it and make it look like it's designed to go there.
It's now all connected up and in use.
The joins on the aircleaner inlet are not completely sealed so need to seal these with silastic.
I also put a fine bead of silastic on all joints to ensure water tightness. Will make it hard to undo if I ever need to but I'm hoping not.
Since it's been on I've noticed a significant reduction in induction noise. There's no longer a chuffing noise under load.
Only issue I have with it is that there is a bend in the snorkel. It's supposed to be straight along the edge that goes joins the guard, checked this on the Maverick, the cheap one is not. If I wanted to pay the $400 dollars for a genuine Safari snorkel then it probably would be straight. Even with the mounting bolts tightened up it will not come all the way against the guard.
Just keep an eye on the plastic outside, I've seen a few of the Chinese jobs go brittle from the UV. At least the hard work is done if you do go to a genuine job.
Just keep an eye on the plastic outside, I've seen a few of the Chinese jobs go brittle from the UV. At least the hard work is done if you do go to a genuine job.
That was my thought also.
If this one starts to break down then I'll buy a Safari.
Nice work,
Would it be better to put a bit of flexible hose between the air filter and guard. Just to give it a bit of play on the rough cape roads
Cheers,
Patchy
There should be enough flex in the silicone elbow and reducer.
If I find it's a problem I'll get a silicone hump hose and put it in.
and don't forget the photo's.
