"Snorkel" on Trailhunter = raised air intake for dust prevention, not deep water wading

[Old Spice]

Saw this topic being discussed in the Trailhunter snorkel/engine video thread and thought some clarification on the Trailhunter snorkel would be helpful.

The Trailhunter snorkel's main purpose isn't to increase water crossing wading depth but to prevent dust from reaching the engine's air filter. The snorkel does this by raising the air intake inlet position. The 4Runner's standard air intake inlet location is in the wheel well, which is a good place because the fender liner does a good job of keeping the wheel well area's air free of water/dirt (which prevents them from reaching the air intake inlet), but dust can reach everywhere, including wheel wells and then the air inlet.

Dust is a particular big issue when offroading, which is what the Trailhunter is built for. And that's why it has a snorkel with a higher air inlet - to help the engine access cleaner, dust-free air.

This is why some call the Trailhunter's snorkel a "Desert Air Intake Snorkel"

A true snorkel system for deep water wading depth would have a sealed engine airbox, which the Trailhunter doesn't.

 

[kzrman]

Saw this topic being discussed in the Trailhunter snorkel/engine video thread and thought some clarification on the Trailhunter snorkel would be helpful.

The Trailhunter snorkel's main purpose isn't to increase water crossing wading depth but to prevent dust from reaching the engine's air filter. The snorkel does this by raising the air intake inlet position. The 4Runner's standard air intake inlet location is in the wheel well, which is a good place because the fender liner does a good job of keeping the wheel well area's air free of water/dirt (which prevents them from reaching the air intake inlet), but dust can reach everywhere, including wheel wells and then the air inlet.

Dust is a particular big issue when offroading, which is what the Trailhunter is built for. And that's why it has a snorkel with a higher air inlet - to help the engine access cleaner, dust-free air.

This is why some call the Trailhunter's snorkel a "Desert Air Intake Snorkel"

A true snorkel system for deep water wading depth would have a sealed engine airbox, which the Trailhunter doesn't.

Even if you could seal the airbox I'm pretty sure that the EV part of the system wouldn't like fording depths.

 

[mars001]

Even if you could seal the airbox I'm pretty sure that the EV part of the system wouldn't like fording depths.

True. But even without EV, the amount of electronics in the engine compartment and everywhere else aren't all waterproof. Having just a sealed snorkel doesn't instantly make a truck fording up to snorkel depth

 

[andim]

Just want to add the one of the limiting factors of wading depth is the rear axle vent opening. There are usually aftermarket solutions to raise that. But even then some other part becomes the limiting factor. I doubt you can easily increase the wading depth on a modern car.

 

[kh6dk]

Nice update O.S.

Interesting decision to include the snorkel in the stock Trailhunter... but the air intake in other 2024 Tacoma trims is still in the wheel well. The engineers might have had misgivings about that.

The snorkel appearance and especially sound were not selling points to me when I bought the Trailhunter, but I wonder, has anyone bought a different truck because they don't like the stock snorkel?

The amount of dust offroad can be outrageous - if it helps longevity and to keep the air filter cleaner - can't hurt. In mild conditions, the dust is usually a cloud behind the truck ... until you slow down or stop and it catches up with you. If in compound low gear, the dust can be really bad, with or without a snorkel. Haven't followed anybody in the dust yet with this truck, but the time will come and I will be glad to have it.

As for the sound, ... yeah, we just roll the window up but more often don't hear it or just ignore it.