RAI - making it water proof

[Dorko]

Hi,

I did a search but I can't find the thread that talks about making the RAI water proof. Can anyone forward me the link or tell me what's required.

Also does anyone know where i can get the pipe and elbow over the weekend? They forgot to put it in the order and i'm hoping to get it fitted this weekend.

Otherwise i'm going to try my luck and get the part on Monday and then sell my part when it arrives.

Thanks in advance!

Dorko

[chuck]

Dorko

I believe Ritters in Melbourne have a kit to waterproof RAI.

Regards

Chuck

[Dorko]

Does the safari sell their pipe separate? would it work with the LR one?

Dorko

[bbyer]

Hi, I did a search but I can't find the thread that talks about making the RAI water proof. Can anyone forward me the link or tell me what's required. Also does anyone know where i can get the pipe and elbow over the weekend? They forgot to put it in the order and I'm hoping to get it fitted this weekend. Otherwise I'm going to try my luck and get the part on Monday and then sell my part when it arrives. Thanks in advance! Dorko This is the best info thread, (7 pages on disco3), I think there is for the D3 with regards to resolving the water issue.

It was implemented awhile back by caverD3. He is to be complemented as he shows where the problems are and how to solve them using the existing bits or stuff one can purchase relatively easily.

He then made his own removable vertical raised extension but if one wished to install a purchased kit for aesthetic reasons, the water resisting solution that he developed for the horizontal pieces makes even the OEM work properly to resist water.
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Removable Snorkel (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic14190.html)

[CaverD3]

Thanks
If I can find a cheap OEM I will turn it into a removable OEM Snorkel (not RAI)
No holes in guard either.:D

[bbyer]

If you could develop a kit to make perhaps the LR RAI a snorkel and removable, I think that would have its advantages.

Full time installed, none of them out there on the market are exactly beauty marks. If there are alot of other mods installed, rack, bumper, lights, tyre carrier, then the RAI is not so obvious; but installed just by itself, it does not help the styling a lot.

Regardless, I think your mod as designed, certainly provides a good alternative in the meantime. At least one can get across so to speak and then forget about water crossings until the next big rain.

[Dorko]

Well I had my friend install it for me (He's Ex LR mech), and my impression of the RAI design is interesting to say the least.

Between the RAI itself, it only presses up to the body of the car with a rubber seal. Then there's a gap between the body/ inside the wheel arch guard and the pipe to the air intake. So if the wheel arch guard getts a hole, bingo water will go in the air intake pipe.

Worst still the replacement pipe i had to purchase separate for the RAI looks the bloody same, but even less water proof than the current. Oh and the replacement elbow has the holes in it, where the original doesn't. So i left the original on.

My friend said the design is very adhoc, but the elbows are design to let some of the water drain, then again if the engine bay is flooded the air intake would fill up. So basically its a catch twenty two!

The difference with the Safari one, is the RAI is directly connect to the pipe all the way to the air intake. So this makes the design water proof as there's no gaps.

In regards to the noise, there isn't any at all. I guess its because the air vents is at the back of the RAI unlike the Safari one. With this benefit on the LR one, it would be better for following and driving in dust as the air is not going in directly in the front.

Dorko

[CSBrisie]

"no noise at all"....except that huge induction roar on take off (window down)!!! :D

[Dorko]

Hahahaha but thats the same regardless of RAI or not ;)

Dorko

[bbyer]

"no noise at all"....except that huge induction roar on take off (window down)!!! :D I was looking at the Oz vehicles and I see the problem re the RAI induction noise - driver sitting on the wrong side.:D

[Redback]

This may seem like a dumb question, but, WHY would you want a removable snorkle:confused::eek:

Baz.

[CaverD3]

If you read the thread on disco3 you will find out. ;)

Basically other fixing methods rquire holes in the guard and I only need it more a couple of trips a year. Oh and itwas cheaper.:angel:

[Graeme]

Hahahaha but thats the same regardless of RAI or not ;)
Now that's something I hadn't considered! I will have to test it so that the reported noise isn't an impediment to fitting one.

[101RRS]

Does anyone know if D3 snorkels will fit a RRS or is the slope of the windscreens are different?

[Mike_S]

Well I had my friend install it for me (He's Ex LR mech), and my impression of the RAI design is interesting to say the least.

Between the RAI itself, it only presses up to the body of the car with a rubber seal. Then there's a gap between the body/ inside the wheel arch guard and the pipe to the air intake. So if the wheel arch guard getts a hole, bingo water will go in the air intake pipe.

Worst still the replacement pipe i had to purchase separate for the RAI looks the bloody same, but even less water proof than the current. Oh and the replacement elbow has the holes in it, where the original doesn't. So i left the original on.

My friend said the design is very adhoc, but the elbows are design to let some of the water drain, then again if the engine bay is flooded the air intake would fill up. So basically its a catch twenty two!

The difference with the Safari one, is the RAI is directly connect to the pipe all the way to the air intake. So this makes the design water proof as there's no gaps.

In regards to the noise, there isn't any at all. I guess its because the air vents is at the back of the RAI unlike the Safari one. With this benefit on the LR one, it would be better for following and driving in dust as the air is not going in directly in the front.

Dorko

The noise from mine is great :cool:

With regards the seal to the wing, I've no idea if mine is installed differently to yours (done by LR as part of the event preparation) but when I had the windscreen replaced it meant removing the bolts holding the RAI to the wing with the intention of removing it to make replacing the screen easier. It was at this point we found out the rubber seal is stuck to the wing and the RAI with rubber sealant and can't be removed without damaging the wing itself, it's been effectively waterproofed to exterior of the wing. I'm guessing here (having not looked at it behind the wing yet) that LR made them more watertight for the G4 vehicles.

[Dorko]

It might be water tight out of the factory, but with a few bumps and rocks thrown at it, i have no doubt it will leak. :(

Dorko

[Redback]

Does anyone know if D3 snorkels will fit a RRS or is the slope of the windscreens are different?

Yes they will, it's basically the same snorkle, originally the D3 snorkle was first fitted to a RRS;)

I know this because I know the guy who had it fitted to his RRS, first one in Australia, Ben is his name, has a Pajero now.

http://forum.australia4wd.com/uploads/1149419685/gallery_658_486_34562.jpg

http://forum.australia4wd.com/uploads/1149419685/gallery_658_486_79697.jpg

Baz.

[Dorko]

RRS to a Pajero?

So what stage did LR change the snorkel head?

Meaning this photo shows the opening from the front, where the one i installed only sucks air from the back.

Sucking air from the back makes sense especially in dusty areas.

Dorko

[doddsy]

Bit off topic, but I purchased and fitted a snorkel off eBay for my d3. It's as good as the factory Nissan one I fitted to my last vehicle, requires a bit of metal nibbling on the inner wing exit point, but it's fully watertight into the airbox. Took about an hour to fit. Drilling the windscreen pillar is the hardest part as it's hardened steel. No excessive noise with the window up. Cost was $177.00 !! For the whole kit. Cheap price to protect my tdv6 on those creek crossings.

[Tote]

There was a change in the RAI part number as I ordered one to be fitted in a service and when I got the bill it was $300 dearer. The explanation was that I was quoted on the old part numbers which were no longer available.
FWIW with regard to waterproofing the design is such that the RAI will shed water well enough to protect the engine if you are moving. If you are stationary in water over the bonnet you are screwed anyway as the electronics will be wet. There are some videos on youtube of people doing scary crossings with an unmodified RAI with no ill effects.

Regards,
Tote

[101RRS]

Yes they will, it's basically the same snorkle, originally the D3 snorkle was first fitted to a RRS;)

I know this because I know the guy who had it fitted to his RRS, first one in Australia, Ben is his name, has a Pajero now.

Baz.

Thanks Baz - yes the RAI which is fitted to that car has a dedicated RRS version but as supplied (and as discussed on this thread) is not a snorkel as such - as mentioned the RAI requires a lot of modification to turn it into a snorkel. Ideally I would like to get a D3 Safari Snorkel and fit to my RRS but am not prepared to buy in case it will not fit.

Cheers

Garry

[discowhite]

whats a lot of modification?
all i did on mine was replace the hose between the airbox and the guard, with some rubber hose and make a foam seal between the rai and the inner guard.
i had all the bit in the shed, whole thing only took me 1hr to do.

cheers phil

[Dorko]

Couldn't agree more Tote.

You stop game over! :angel:

As Discowhite mentioned, if you could be bother the extra modification for the serious creek crossers... if wouldnt be that hard. its just a pipe to connect from the RAI directly through to the air intake pipe.

Dorko

[gghaggis]

The air intake is only one of your worries if you're stopped in more than 700mm of water.

Forget "waterproofing" the RAI - at that point if you're stopped, you're probably going to fry all those electronics you forgot to waterproof. Just switch the damn thing off and recover it!

Cheers,

Gordon

[101RRS]

Comments on the RAI noted thanks. But as an alternative does anyone know if the D3 Safari Snorkel fits?

The RAI certainly looks a lot better.

Cheers

Garry

[101RRS]

The air intake is only one of your worries if you're stopped in more than 700mm of water.

Forget "waterproofing" the RAI - at that point if you're stopped, you're probably going to fry all those electronics you forgot to waterproof. Just switch the damn thing off and recover it!

Cheers,

Gordon

If this happens at 700mm or more depth, the car will be a statutory write off anyway from early next year when all states will make immersion in both salt and fresh water a statutory write off. This already applies in NSW I understand.

Garry

[Tote]

If this happens at 700mm or more depth, the car will be a statutory write off anyway from early next year when all states will make immersion in both salt and fresh water a statutory write off. This already applies in NSW I understand.

Garry

It will be interesting to see how the insurance industry reacts. Parking your unwanted overinsured 4x4 in a metre of water somewhere and saying it stalled would be a much easier way to commit insurance fraud than setting it on fire.....

Regards,
Tote

[101RRS]

Isn't the interior of a D3 supposed to remain water free for something like 30mins up to 700mm depth. Mine will not as the velvet door rubbers have already split.

I guess D3 owners need to practice emergency exists out through the windows.

garry

[CaverD3]

Does this count as stopping? :angel:

http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10134/The%20crossing.wmv

[Dorko]

Bloody Lucky!

[Mike_S]

Yep, that's one of the river crossings on Strata Florida, not far from where I live. I've only ever crossed it in a company truck (Ford Ranger) whilst scouting out a pipeline route and we had that floating with 4 of us in it. Luckily my project manager was driving, and he couldn't have cared less about losing it !

I keep meaning to head out that way with my car, it's only an hour away...