Another Snorkel Experiment

I was driving around in the rain yesterday and was wondering, how much water gets in through the snorkel? And how much can get in before there's a problem...

AEV says the ram scoop has a special way of getting rid of water. While I have no idea how this works, or if it works, I figured I'd be the devil's advocate and go with "it doesn't work".

So I decided to chuck 500ml of water into my airbox and see what happens. I reckon if 500ml of water gets through the snorkel, then you're driving in some sort of monsoon. So in it goes, and I set the timer to see how long it takes to drain out.

To my joy, it all drained out in no time. There is no way that you'll be able to get more water than that through the snorkel. If you're getting more water than 500ml/min into your airbox, I strongly suggest you stop what you're doing. You're probably underwater or something like that.

So yes, driving in rain, even heavy rain at that, with a snorkel is perfectly safe with no risk of getting water into the engine.

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Some Snorkel Thoughts

That time has come again, and I have cut a hole in my JK's hood. Why? Well, to fit an AEV snorkel of course. Here's a link on a write up I did for my first AEV snorkel http://jk-overland.blogspot.com/2010/10/aev-jk-snorkel.html.

Anyway, why fit a snorkel? If are your reasons are anything like this...
Then don't even bother.

So if they're not for deep water, then why?
Well let's take a look at what AEV say about their snorkel.

"Providing your engine with a clean supply of air is critical to your vehicle’s performance and longevity. AEV’s JK Snorkel air intake system is the essential engine protection accessory for overland adventurers whose exploration includes deep water crossings and dusty dirt roads."


Clean air supply? I both vouch for this, and disagree with it. If you use the optional pre-filter, then absolutely yes. That thing just sucks up everything that tries to get past it. In my previous JK I put in a new filter with the pre-filter. Couple of thousand miles later with the pre-filter and the airbox filter was still spotless. That was really cool.

Ok, next up, deep water crossings..Well, how deep do you want to go? If you in water deeper than your hood, you're in pretty deep water. Sure a snorkel raises your intake, but this doesn't make your car a submarine. So even with a snorkel, be careful. Diff breathers, electronics etc are still as venerable as before. 

But here's an interesting thought...
I figured, it must be logical that cool air from outside, will be colder than air under the hood getting heated up by a 100'C engine.
Cooler, dryer air is better for engine performance. The cooler and dryer air is, the greater the air density. This simply means there's more air molecules per volume.

So I set out to primitively collect some data to prove this.First, I put a digital thermometer in my airbox without a snorkel. The air in the airbox, with fan blowing, while idling was 60'C! That's pretty hot air. Add that to high altitude like Johannesburg and air starts getting rather thin.Next up, I went for a drive around the block.That afternoon the snorkel went in. And the next day I set out to repeat the experiment.


Cleaner air with the air ram? Hmmm, I'll have to say before I can comment real. From what I've heard they do an ok job. But I've also heard of them sucking all sorts of leaves and small bugs into the airbox. I know people say dust settles closer to the surface and the snorkel sucks in cleaner air from higher up. However, from my experience in driving in convoys, there's dust all over the place. I can't see how an open scoop can draw in less dust than a filter under the hood. People say they do, but I'd like to see for myself.

And more air molecules per volume, means more air molecules for the engine to mix with fuel and turn into awesome noise. 

Temperature while driving (24'C outside ) at very moderate town driving, the temperature in the airbox settled at 48'C. Slightly better with air flow.

Same time of day, 24'C outside with snorkel now.

Idling temperature? 47'C! 
Driving temperature? 27'C!

That's about a 20'C difference all round! That's gotta count for something?

After some calculator fiddling using the two days temperatures, humidity and altitude, I worked out that with the snorkel, the air going into the engine is 8% denser.
What this does for a 3.8L V6? I don't know. I'll have to find performance charts to see what increase in HP that is.

I also chucked in one of these. Synthetic gauze filter from Rugged Ridge.

So, in combination of this high air flow filter and cooler air from the snorkel, is there a noticeable difference in the performance? Naaah...

BUT! There definitely is a difference in the drivability of the JK. Cruising around town feels a lot easier on the engine. You can cruise around town comfortably and keep the RPM in the little green eco range.
Which is cool. I've already seen a 0.2L/100KM drop in fuel consumption. I'm sure it'll get better. I just haven't been driving enough for it to have much of an effect.

So is a snorkel worth it to me? Yeah for sure. It's a simple mod that could have many benefits and potentially save your *#$# off road in water. So why not?

Front Runner Jeep JK Roof Rack

In the past, the front runner roof rack simply bolted straight into the JK hard top. Not the best idea ever...
But they have seen the error of their ways (and the ways of the Mopar Overland JK's roof rack) and have taken a whole new approach to the roof rack. It now mounts to the body and roll cage. Better idea...

And it works pretty damn well!

Have a look for yourself...

Front Runner JK Roof Rack Video

Front Runner JK Roof Rack

Front Runner JK Roof Rack

Front Runner JK Roof Rack

4xForum Trans-World Land Cruiser

Our friends at 4xForum built an amazing Trans-World Land Cruiser.
Check it out at http://www.autograph4x4.com/autograph4x4.com/Land_Cruiser_78.html

Jeep JK Steering Stabiliser Location

I recently had the misfortune of totalling my steering stabiliser on rocks while out wheeling.
But is it really a misfortune or just an accident waiting to happen?

Thing is, it wasn't a particularly rough trail. Sure it was rocky, but nothing extreme. This is typical terrain that I'd imagine a 'trail rated' Rubicon is made for.
So what I'm getting at is... Who on the Jeep design team got the idea to put the JK steering stabiliser where it is?
It couldn't possibly be in a more vulnerable place. It's right in the way of just about anything you could encounter off-road.
That said, it is quite a simple mod to relocate it. There's numerous manufacturers that have relocation brackets. Some aftermarket steering stabilisers even come with relocation brackets. So surely they're all onto something.
Now it's great that there are options to relocate it. But it seems rather silly that you should have to do this. If you look at other solid axle vehicles like Land Rover Defenders and Toyota Land Cruisers, their steering stabilisers (or dampeners as their owners would say) are way out of reach. You'd have to plough through the draglink, tie rod and trackbar (or panhard rod, again, as their owners would say) to get to them.

Anyway, so I did total my stock stabiliser and got it replaced with an EFS unit. Feels like stock, and takes knocks very well. (More info at http://www.efs4wd.com.au/). Nothing spectacular about it. It drives very nice and doesn't steer in a direction like the Bilstein 5100s do.

Well that concludes my rant about the JK steering stabiliser location. I think it's very silly to put a vulnerable part there. So get yours tucked up and away so it won't hassle you down the line.

It's Been A While

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Been rather busy with a lot of things.
However, good news is there's a lot that's been happening in the 4x4 scene and a lot of things I have been involved with.

So... I'll giving JK-Overland its due attention again from now on. Lot of product reviews to do, trips are coming and I'll share some of the trips I've done in the last few months.

Anyway, that's it for now.
As always, check out the JK Overland Facebook Page and sign up for my 4x4 discussion forum at www.4xforum.com/forum.

LA Sport 4x4 Show

Headed out to check out the LA Sport 4x4 Show. Some cool things on display.
Here's some pictures from the event.

Good Looking FJ Cruiser

LA Sort Lexus

Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota FJ Cruiser

LA Sport Land Rover Defender. First One I've Seen On 35's.

Land Rover Display