Interchangeable ‘low-profile’ snorkel

[dylanrose]

New bronco owner here

I just picked up a 22 Everglades which will serve as both our adventure rig and daily driver. I love the extra gear (snorkel, winch, etc) but want our setup to be more modular as there are very few river crossings on our daily commutes. I've seen the concept of 'low profile' snorkels on jeeps in the past and want to try something similar as an easy bolt-on alternative to the full snorkel setup.

Here's where I'm at so far. Getting the shape/fit right on the body panels took a few iterations and I'm currently 3d printing a prototype (will post actual test fit pics tomorrow). I've got a very basic Bambu Lab FDM printer (A1 mini) that can't handle high-performance materials so once I get the fit right i'll be sending off to a manufacturer to get it printed in ASA or something similar/more robust. Here's a quick render of where the design is currently at. The body will be 3d-printed plastic with a laser-cut aluminum grill. Feel free to school me on how this will impact my air intake

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[TruckCamper]

Air intake is the least of your concerns if dunking the Bronco. And the stock setup is plenty high and has drains should water get into the air box

 

[HeliPilot]

I think you have a pretty good idea going on here. I’d be inclined to color match the final product like the raptor fender vents. Having not ever looked at the ford snorkel in person, how does it attach around the window frame? Are there exposed bolt holes where it attaches?

 

[dylanrose]

@HeliPilot The intake has two threaded mounting points that protrude through the fender - that part’s easy. The mounting bracket for the pillar is stuck on with adhesive. I’m going to try to make a clip/bolt-on version but haven't started on that yet.

 

[BroncoBoy22]

This is awesome!

 

[abdiel.villalobos]

New bronco owner here

I just picked up a 22 Everglades which will serve as both our adventure rig and daily driver. I love the extra gear (snorkel, winch, etc) but want our setup to be more modular as there are very few river crossings on our daily commutes. I've seen the concept of 'low profile' snorkels on jeeps in the past and want to try something similar as an easy bolt-on alternative to the full snorkel setup.

Here's where I'm at so far. Getting the shape/fit right on the body panels took a few iterations and I'm currently 3d printing a prototype (will post actual test fit pics tomorrow). I've got a very basic Bambu Lab FDM printer (A1 mini) that can't handle high-performance materials so once I get the fit right i'll be sending off to a manufacturer to get it printed in ASA or something similar/more robust. Here's a quick render of where the design is currently at. The body will be 3d-printed plastic with a laser-cut aluminum grill. Feel free to school me on how this will impact my air intake

My friend, if you get this up and running, I want one for my Bronco!

 

[Ninjak]

Interesting...........

I'll be following this project. I love engineering feats!

 

[Koss_co]

Ok this is pretty cool. Interested

 

[Bruno]

I've seen the concept of 'low profile' snorkels on jeeps in the past and want to try something similar as an easy bolt-on alternative to the full snorkel setup.

Whats the purpose of this?
Its giving...

 

[killaz05]

Air intake is the least of your concerns if dunking the Bronco. And the stock setup is plenty high and has drains should water get into the air box

I found the limitations of this quite easily in Florida splashing around. Everything gets into the stock inlet clogging the filter.

 

[UNBROKN]

Are you leaving the snorkel off forever, or are you designing something that you can quick-connect the snorkel back on when/if needed? I like that you are allowing for the intake to be further back. Whenever I see videos of people doing deep water crossings, the front dunks under but typically comes back above water once the whole vehicle is in the water. Also, as long as the forward momentum is not too fast, the "wave" over the hood is not too bad and this set up would suffice. Maybe a shorty snorkel for those rare occasions that can be attached.

 

[dylanrose]

Whats the purpose of this?
Its giving...

hell yea brother

 

[dylanrose]

Are you leaving the snorkel off forever, or are you designing something that you can quick-connect the snorkel back on when/if needed?

Ya it’s already super easy to take off so the idea is this would just be my ‘off-duty’ setup and can swap them out when i need it.

 

[CitrusBronco]

I was thinking of this when I got mine, I came to the conclusion it was a solution looking for a problem.
I salute your follow through on this project and hope you’re able to market this to a few people.
It looks great. Well done.

 

[Steve_In_29]

I'm thinking this would allow more water into the air intake than the stock (non-snorkle) setup. Even sucking in water during a desert monsoon rain.

Not my cup of tea

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