Snorkel & Waterproofing for 73-87 K30

[matthew21lutz]

So I'm looking into building an "All Around" truck, to be honest, a bug out or get out of dodge vehicle. I Know some of you may be saying "there's no such thing as an all around truck" but, Idc what you think

So my question is, is anyone running a snorkel on their truck? I've seen three different ones and they're the only ones I can really find. The first two I've seen have used an ARB Snorkel Intended for a 80 Series Landcruiser and a Air Cleaner from Ram Air Box. The other versions I've seen consist of PVC pipe.

I was thinking of either making a wire frame and the fiberglass my own or use 3.5" steel exhaust pipe and also make my own. I will most likely use the Ram Air Box or I'll heavily modify a stock air cleaner. What are your opinions and thoughts? I've put some pics below of what I've found around the web.

[andrewmp6]

To have it fully work you will need to rvt the carb to the intake and carb to the air box and the lid of the air box.And you will have to make the breathers longer on the axles the trans and t case almost.And waterproof every electrical connection also.

[matthew21lutz]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

To have it fully work you will need to rvt the carb to the intake and carb to the air box and the lid of the air box.And you will have to make the breathers longer on the axles the trans and t case almost.And waterproof every electrical connection also.

I know I'll have to create some seals between the carb/intake, carb/air cleaner and the lid of of the air cleaner. I'm not sure what you mean for the trans? Also, what about the alternator? Is there a certain kind I need or should I cover that somehow? I have never done anything for fording, so any assistance would greatly appreciated.

I'd like to be able to drive in water about the level of my hood, now I plan on having about 3-5 inches of lift over stock and going to be running either 35's or 37's not quite sure yet.

[ranger danger]

Crossing deep water is not just about keeping water out of the carb! You will need to seal (and I mean SEAL!!) the engine at the valve cover vent, oil filler cap, oil dip stick tube, trans dip stick tube (if automatic), Distributor, spark plug wires at the distributor cap, coil and all vacuum lines. There are vent tubes on the front and rear diffs, transfer case and transmission that will need to be extended to higher than the expected water level. Much of your electrical system will need to be packed with dielectric grease to protect from shorts. Make sure you have electric fans with a shut off switch. If not a mechanical fan will hit the water and EAT your radiator! After you have done all this and you go for it for the first time, I GUARANTEE you will find something you missed at the worst possible time so, have a buddy with a tow strap and a bunch of money set aside to fix what ya broke! GOOD LUCK!!!

[andrewmp6]

Ranger danger hit the nail on the head,Your alternator and starter both don't like water and really nothing you can do about sealing them.When they go bad you rebuild it or replace.And another thing mud will eat up your brake pads pretty fast and if you have rear drums they get caked full of mud and stop working when it drys.

[bilfman]

I totally agree with the above two posters. Planning to go in water that deep will wreck stuff no matter how you go about it. If the problems don't happen in the drink they will shortly after. I understand you are after support for your quest but experience is just that... Experience, no good comes from deep water ventures. Put a canoe in the back and save an extreme headache of taking a truck where a boat should go.

[special-K]

Buy flood insurance

[matthew21lutz]

Originally Posted by special-K

Buy flood insurance

Lmao I'll take that into consideration

[SilverMiner]

matthew21lutz - in a stroke of lucky timing, I just read an article yesterday on how the Army Signal Corps waterproofed WWII jeeps to travel in water up to 3.5' deep. Even better, the govt. produced a highly detailed film to train their guys on how to do it and it's even on YouTube. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZqlrmxlO4

[matthew21lutz]

Originally Posted by SilverMiner

matthew21lutz - in a stroke of lucky timing, I just read an article yesterday on how the Army Signal Corps waterproofed WWII jeeps to travel in water up to 3.5' deep. Even better, the govt. produced a highly detailed film to train their guys on how to do it and it's even on YouTube. Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZqlrmxlO4

Pretty awesome, minus the asbestos. Kind of looks like plumbers putty?

[special-K]

I know they used grease to seal distributors. But don't let any get inside! Been there done that. It's a foul situation

[dieseldawg142]

personally i dont like the idea of choppin' a 3-4" hole in my fender....
as mentioned, no such thing as "waterproof" if you plan on taking your truck swimming.
there are a few trucks in my town with snorkels, i think they put them on to make it look like their truck could do the dakar, never seen them in action or any hi water marks on their flanks though....did see a cherokee lose it's snorkel on the trail once to a good size branch....
if you want to turn your truck into a sub, best way to keep it dry, lift it! get as much as the truck out of the water as you can, go as high as your pocket book & wife will allow, way less "after" maintenance you'll never go back to just a stock truck....

[jeffahart]

Fording does not need waterproofing, else it's not much of a ford anyway. In the Army, I hated the swimming exercises for the tracked vehicles. The pre-swim and post swim maintenance was a hassle. Plus way controlled environments, no fun at all. The Army will go to great lengths to NOT deep ford. Most track vehicles can swim, but it's gotta be for in a pinch. Call the engineers... for a pontoon bridge! Anything not fordable, and deep, using a vehicle that cannot swim becomes a submarine... or an anchor! Look for a good ford and you won't need a snorkel.

[special-K]

Crazy

[cleszkie]

Originally Posted by special-K

Crazy
Attachment 1548857

What good is the ability to submerge your vehicle if you drown in the process?

[matthew21lutz]

After thinking about and thinking about some more, screw this lol I'll still make everything waterproof under the hood and on the lower parts of the vehicle but considering that with 4" lift and 35"-38" tall tires (depending upon what will fit) the hood will be a considerable distance off the ground, going that deep does sound dumb

I like the idea of a snorkle but, not really. So maybe make an air intake from the top of the cowl? I think that's what I mean but I have discovered the bussman fuse blocks, 100% waterproof, so later on when I'm adding relays and fuses for the headlights(I'll be going to h4's), offroad led's bars, electric fans and everything else. So there's one thing solved. Also thought about getting rid of any connectors that I can and change over to the weather pack connectors.

So if you have any more suggestions just not for driving underwater anymore

[bilfman]

Please post the video of your truck being pulled out of the water 😄 All kidding aside it is possible to do what you want to do but as posted prior , it will always come with consequences no matter how much you prepare.

[special-K]

I thought snorkles were a cool functional off road thing that screams "Yeah, I got off road" when I first saw them. Then I realized, "Not for around here", and they look so poser to me now. I don't live in the dusty outback. We have forest anywhere it isn't farm land. We have beach driving, mud, snow, trails, and general "Let's find a place to tear up". I'm not into tearing up water ways. I think it's pretty dumb. Part f why I love 4wds is because I always loved nature. I like them for getting out there, but I can get off my ass and hike the rest of the way and I like to see undisturbed nature wherever possible. There's a time and place for everything and that's where I'm at. I guess more responsible than I once was. But that was back when there were only a few of us and nothing had been blocked off yet

[matthew21lutz]

Originally Posted by special-K

I thought snorkles were a cool functional off road thing that screams "Yeah, I got off road" when I first saw them. Then I realized, "Not for around here", and they look so poser to me now. I don't live in the dusty outback. We have forest anywhere it isn't farm land. We have beach driving, mud, snow, trails, and general "Let's find a place to tear up". I'm not into tearing up water ways. I think it's pretty dumb. Part f why I love 4wds is because I always loved nature. I like them for getting out there, but I can get off my ass and hike the rest of the way and I like to see undisturbed nature wherever possible. There's a time and place for everything and that's where I'm at. I guess more responsible than I once was. But that was back when there were only a few of us and nothing had been blocked off yet

Agreed, after thinking about it for a while, I'm never going to get my truck that deep in water and even if I did, I'm already screwed.

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by special-K

Part of why I love 4wds is because I always loved nature. I like them for getting out there, but I can get off my ass and hike the rest of the way and I like to see undisturbed nature wherever possible. There's a time and place for everything and that's where I'm at.

x2
nothing more need be said!!

[special-K]

Here is an alternative I just stumbled upon, made me think of this thread

[special-K]

Right? That was a video I googled up. I got the heebie geebies watching it. The guy was under a long tme before coming up. Longer than I'd ever want to be. Well, I don't want to be at all. You don't need a snorkel to commit suicide. i don't know how he could know it would only be about as long as he could possibly hold his breath. Probably just stupid, or had a scuba tank next to him and tossed the mask one he saw the top of the windshield surface.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=..._iRq2acMZ_sLQw

[RootBreaker]

Interesting replies and thoughts. Some of us use a snorkel for other things... not to go fording.... but to go through trails and deep mud/water and incase the front drops really deep.... clutch in and evaluate...

20ft to go... romp it
200ft to go... hell no reverse

Worked fine here...



Ramcharger took in water in motor but stayed running. Me... stayed running and no water issues...

Fullsize
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/5...l/dsc01130.jpg

[special-K]

HAH! You remind me of the time out 4 wheelin' in "the Savanas" along the Indian River above Jensen Beach, FL. Water lays there as it is sandy, it is mostly open with mounds and tall pines. I was following the trail through some water when my front end dropped and a wave of water came over the windshield. It felt like I drove into a lake. My first thought was, "I'm screwed out here/Truck trashed". I looked at my friend as I gave a nervous chuckle, then stomped the gas peddle, and it crawled right back up out of that hole. Must have been 5' or deeper. Water never got a chance to fill the cavity under the hood. I try to stay out of water. I had it over my floor boards this one night, but I knew it was consistent depth. It was a moat around a big stock pile of dirt at a quarry. Truck sounded like a motor boat

[RootBreaker]

hah... and fyi that is my truck in the first few pics... LOL...

if i could do it all over again... I would still put the same snorkel on.

it is a Just In Case deal..