Raised Air Intake

[winglen]

Heading off in a couple of months on a long dusty trip and was considering getting a raised air intake to reduce dust ingestion and filter cleaning. Hate the Safari snorkel as motherless ugly, and the OEM RAI seems a good compromise. Kit is part number VPLAP0018, with additional elbow LR020024 for the 3.0 diesel. A few enquiries with local dealer and online suggests that the RAI is discontinued. Looks like a Malaysian knockoff is available on eBay but sounds dodgy. UK supplier sample also showed discontinued.

Anyone bought/installed one recently, or can suggest where I can get one?

[rocket rod]

Can't advise on availability but I'm hoping you're aware that the RAI is not water tight like the Safari is.

[winglen]

Thanks and yes. If I’m up to the side grill in water I figure I have bigger problems that a snorkel won’t fix. The only problem I want to reduce is dust.

[Tombie]

On your own or following a heap of vehicles?

I went 5 years and countless kilometers without an RAI without any problems.

It doesn’t get much dust up there unless you’re right up the back of another vehicle.

[Eevo]

Can't advise on availability but I'm hoping you're aware that the RAI is not water tight like the Safari is.

i believe you can make it waterproof tho

[winglen]

On your own or following a heap of vehicles?

I went 5 years and countless kilometers without an RAI without any problems.

It doesn’t get much dust up there unless you’re right up the back of another vehicle.

Fair point. My experience by myself around Arkaroola, Oodnadatta, Dalhousie, Mareenie etc where I tried to keep a km behind the dust lifter in front was that I had to clean out the air filter every second day.

This trip around all the NPs of the Pilbara, Kimberley and Top End, I figure will likely be worse as more traffic, despite early enough to avoid the July school holidays.

[kelvo]

Black Series Off Road (UK company) are in the process of having made a Land Rover style RAI, but it will be water tight like the Safari Snorkel and not require any holes drilling/metalwork cutting. There is also a built in cable to allow you to get power from the engine bay up to roof level is required.

Black Series Raised Air Intake & Snorkel (https://blackseriesoffroad.co.uk/Discovery-RAI-Snorkel)

Contact them direct to find out the expected availability.

[DiscoJeffster]

Black Series Off Road (UK company) are in the process of having made a Land Rover style RAI, but it will be water tight like the Safari Snorkel and not require any holes drilling/metalwork cutting. There is also a built in cable to allow you to get power from the engine bay up to roof level is required.

Black Series Raised Air Intake & Snorkel (https://blackseriesoffroad.co.uk/Discovery-RAI-Snorkel)

Contact them direct to find out the expected availability.

Better late than never but sadly too late for me!

[Jay1809]

Another I've just seen.

JGS4x4 | Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4 Raised Air Intake RAI Snorkel TERRAFIRMA - TF1040 (https://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/discovery-3-4-raised-air-intake-rai-snorkel-terrafirma/)

[Eevo]

Another I've just seen.

JGS4x4 | Land Rover Discovery 3 & 4 Raised Air Intake RAI Snorkel TERRAFIRMA - TF1040 (https://www.jgs4x4.co.uk/discovery-3-4-raised-air-intake-rai-snorkel-terrafirma/)


ugly!

looks like a jerry can

[DiscoJeffster]

ugly!

looks like a jerry can

It’s practically a mirror image of the factory unit. I guess if you don’t like that then this is akin

[Eevo]

It’s practically a mirror image of the factory unit. I guess if you don’t like that then this is akin

factory one looks great!

[DiscoJeffster]

factory one looks great!

Um. So confused.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200130/50f45e0702d9da90f2dd28f0ea580321.jpg

Angle of photos aside, barely any different.

[Eevo]

oh, my bad. the one im thinking of i thought was factory.

157632

[Ralph1Malph]

I bought and fitted an 'Airflow' brand snorkel. Looks quite good IMO, but it is made for a D4, but quite a bit of faffing around on a D3 due to different intake screw holes and inner guard ribs.
Unless they've changed the components, its a bit finicky to install. Price compensates for it though.
Not advertising, no affiliation, not my car, web pic for comparison only!

Cheers
Ralph
https://www.the4wdshed.com/assets/full/S019.jpg?1561772813

[LRD414]

My experience by myself around Arkaroola, Oodnadatta, Dalhousie, Mareenie etc where I tried to keep a km behind the dust lifter in front was that I had to clean out the air filter every second day. .
This surprises me. Travelled solo or in convoy of 3 all those places and more and not touched the air filter until home again after 3 or 4 weeks, depending on which trip. Did change filter at Cape York as a precaution before heading south. It was fairly dusty and could have cleaned it but new ones are cheap.

How bad was it when cleaned out? Good paper filters can handle a reasonable particle load and there’s solid evidence that they perform better when partially loaded as compared to clean.

Regards,
Scott

[winglen]

oh, my bad. the one im thinking of i thought was factory.

157632

Eevo, that’s the best looking one yet. No jerry can at the bottom and no Mack truck intake at the top. Who supplies it?

[101RRS]

Eevo, that’s the best looking one yet. No jerry can at the bottom and no Mack truck intake at the top. Who supplies it?

That is a genuine Landrover RRS L320 RAI - is different to a Disco RAI.

[winglen]

How bad was it when cleaned out? Good paper filters can handle a reasonable particle load and there’s solid evidence that they perform better when partially loaded as compared to clean.



Surprised me too and was glad I opened up to check it. Solid covering of dust that started falling off in sheets. Worse than a vacuum cleaner filter. But it was very still and dry that trip, and the dust just hung over the track despite my lagging at a distance behind the traffic. Worse on the Oodnadatta, less so around the MacDonnells. Hence a bit paranoid for the upcoming trip and RAI interest.

[Eevo]

Eevo, that’s the best looking one yet. No jerry can at the bottom and no Mack truck intake at the top. Who supplies it?

ebay.
but like 101 said, its for the RRS

[loanrangie]

Better late than never but sadly too late for me!

Production hasn't gone ahead anyway due to moulding issues.

[Barraman]

"Hate the Safari snorkel as motherless ugly,"

When it comes to stuff like that, give me functional over beautiful any day! [bigsmile1]

157813

[Aussie Jeepster]

I recently received a big box with my RAI in it - just need to open it, and see what to do to fit it.
If anyone is after one of these, for a D3 (or whatever else they fit!), I am told that the Land Rover system shows there are still stocks at JT Fossey in Tamworth.
They might like to deal to get rid of old stock.
The list price I got from Solitaire in Adelaide was $1227 if they had any!
Alan

[Dagilmo]

[bigsmile1]

[/I]157813

Function and beauty don't have to be mutually exclusive....

[winglen]

Thanks all for the advice. Have decided to go without a RAI and will just do routine air filter checks on the trip.

Whilst I’m normally a function over form type of guy, I can’t get over the line to put a truck’s intake (Safari) on my Disco, particularly when doing without is a only small inconvenience. Now if the RRS model fitted, that would be another matter...

[Tombie]

Your call. [emoji41]

Just keep in mind if you intend tuning your engine the RAI doesn’t have the flow and will reduce the tunes effectiveness. In this case the Safari beats it hands down.

[Lukeis]

Can we get one like the new defender one??

[Tombie]

Can we get one like the new defender one??

Only if you don’t want to ever be able to lift the bonnet [emoji6]

[Oohsam]

Why Don't people get the stainless custom snorkels done that most patrols/cruisers/etc get?
You can get them powdercoatedblack,and I think they look great.

158130

[Lukeis]

I might be alone on those thoughts, but i find them terrible and lacking any style whatsoever

[Tombie]

How to scream feral:

1 - Purchase a Patrol/Cruiser/Hilux/Ranger
2 - fit the biggest possible lift
3 - attach largest offset wheels possible
4 - fit super aggressive muddies
5 - add obligatory stickers (+15kw)
6 - fit comp style bar
7 - fit cheapest, nastiest driving lights possible
8 - Equip vehicle with Kings products
9 - install 3-4” house gutter style down pipe [emoji41]

[Eevo]

Why Don't people get the stainless custom snorkels done that most patrols/cruisers/etc get?
You can get them powdercoatedblack,and I think they look great.

158130

*vomit

[DiscoJeffster]

Why Don't people get the stainless custom snorkels done that most patrols/cruisers/etc get?
You can get them powdercoatedblack,and I think they look great.

158130

Nothing says I’m a bogan more than those (IMO)[emoji1]

[LRD414]

I might be alone on those thoughts, but i find them terrible and lacking any style whatsoever
You are not alone with those thoughts Luke, I agree 100%

Regards,
Scott

[Tombie]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200220/9523dde85d5c63ec4e22eb0014f78b11.jpg

[shack]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200220/9523dde85d5c63ec4e22eb0014f78b11.jpgNow that's practical AND attractive, Ssangyong will steal it if they catch sight of it..

[DiscoJeffster]

Now that's practical AND attractive, Ssangyong will steal it if they catch sight of it..

Respect you can even Sspell it

[DieselLSE]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200220/9523dde85d5c63ec4e22eb0014f78b11.jpg
Damn! Why did I pay for a genuine one? A coupla metres of sewer pipe would have looked just as good.

[shack]

Respect you can even Sspell itNo, I've just got a Sstutter, actually that pic makes my eyes Ssore.... Now I've got myself thinking about the Sstavic.....Ddamn it

[Melbourne Park]

OK - if I forded rivers etc the right snorkel would make sense. But IMO the electronics of the Disco are vulnerable to deep wading, so I'd have to also waterproof all of those. And get other deep wading gear. Not for me.

Is a snorkel good for dust? I've taken photos of traffic flow, and where the dust goes. IMO there is as much dust up as there is down. I don't think a snorkel keeps the dust out. One might wonder, how long does it take for bull dust to settle? If its more than a minute, how far is the lead vehicle up the road?

If I was to put snorkel in, I'd think a cyclonic snorkel would be a benefit for removing dust. But with our bull dust which is so fine, perhaps you'd need Mr Dyson to design one that might capture by gravity (which is how a cyclonic filter works) tiny tiny specs of bull dust. So ... I doubt a cyclonic snorkel would make a difference.

So ... get a blower to blow the dust out of the air cleaner. Carry a spare one (air filter that is). Vacuum it if you can too.

If you like the look, then buy one ... but IMO it won't make a difference to your air filter.

[DieselLSE]

Is a snorkel good for dust?
Well, I think the Landrover Raised Air Intake is quite cleverly designed. It is not a snorkel as there is a gap between the raised plastic extension and the original air intake tube in the rear of the panel. This is for any heavy objects and, I suspect, water from tropical downpours to escape before being sucked into the filter. I would expect it to be most efficient in the conditions you describe.
When I get some time, I'm going to see if there is a way to readily convert the gap into a sealed unit, so that it would act as a snorkel on the rare occasions when you'd need one. I'm thinking of a connecting box with a sliding floor that can be closed for snorkel or opened for normal use.

[Tombie]

So ... get a blower to blow the dust out of the air cleaner. Carry a spare one (air filter that is). Vacuum it if you can too.

If you like the look, then buy one ... but IMO it won't make a difference to your air filter.

Don’t blow out the filter - it damages the membrane and makes things worse.

Just tap it out.

[DiscoMick]

Suck, not blow. [emoji16]

[dirvine]

On my D4 I have the Airflow snorkel. Looks like a Safari but a lot cheaper to buy. The head has slits it where it goes over the pipe on the"A" pillar. This is designed to let water escape that gets forced in when driving along. Also Airflow sell a fine filter sock that you can purchase to put over the head. This acts as a pre filter. I have only used it when I go on club trips where I am not the leader. At the end of the day it is quite dirty, so it does work.

[ATH]

"Suck, not blow" Not sure I'd agree with you there as when I worked on plenty of mine sites if we didn't change the filter every shift we used to blow some equipment's filters from the inside out if they weren't operating in very heavy dust areas.
Those machines working where the dust was like talcum powder got filters changed at least twice a day. Changed many filters every day and over a week there would be hundreds got sent to Perth for "washing" which I was told got done by a machine which gently blew them and sucked them out.

Told one operator to stop using the service trucks air to blow his aircon filter out on one rough road job I worked on but he continued to ham-fistedly do it until he wrecked it and got very upset when the mob I worked for wouldn't replace it. Not so much OHS around in those days.

Plus I sacked a mobile "mechanic" who used to service my Prado when I caught him blowing it from all directions...inside out and out side in! I also caught him using 5 different types of oil in my engine but that's another story.

When we're on the road I always take a spare air filter and change when necessary and clean or replace when home with a new one.
Alanh.

[haydent]

Is a snorkel good for dust? I've taken photos of traffic flow, and where the dust goes. IMO there is as much dust up as there is down. I don't think a snorkel keeps the dust out.

Even with no other cars you will still get dust drawn in from the stock fender intake

[Tombie]

Even with no other cars you will still get dust drawn in from the stock fender intake

On a D4 I would beg to differ.

I’ve done thousands of dusty kilometres on my D4 without a snorkel and the intakes location on the DS is essentially dust free.

Unlike the earlier units where it drew from internally in the guard, the D4 doesn’t have a cloud hanging around its intake.

I since fitted a snorkel and there is no change in filter impact.

[haydent]

On a D4 I would beg to differ.


Yeah the more i look into it and my RRSMY10 (as its meant to be closer to d4 than d3), they have two parts ? lr013711 and phd000714 which pipe the air, though phd000714 has holes, i plan to fill them.

Very interested to hear your account of lack of difference in dust levels b4/after.

How did D3 connect airbox to fender grill ?

[loanrangie]

Yeah the more i look into it and my RRSMY10 (as its meant to be closer to d4 than d3), they have two parts ? lr013711 and phd000714 which pipe the air, though phd000714 has holes, i plan to fill them.

Very interested to hear your account of lack of difference in dust levels b4/after.

How did D3 connect airbox to fender grill ?

D3 intake tube is plastic with a textile like membrane , not water tight but wouldn't suck in dust.

[haydent]

D3 intake tube is plastic with a textile like membrane , not water tight but wouldn't suck in dust.

I think the d4 one is soft fabric membrane like too, as thats what it says the part is for (d4) and whats on my rrs

[Macadamia]

175079
this just arrived from the UK along with a discreet winch mount (project for another day). My plan is it install it and look at water sealing it later. But does anyone in Melbourne have a rivet nut tool I can borrow for a weekend? Can’t bring myself to buying one for just three nuts!

[DieselLSE]

175079
this just arrived from the UK along with a discreet winch mount (project for another day). My plan is it install it and look at water sealing it later. But does anyone in Melbourne have a rivet nut tool I can borrow for a weekend? Can’t bring myself to buying one for just three nuts!
Yep. PM your address.

[101RRS]

175079
this just arrived from the UK along with a discreet winch mount (project for another day). My plan is it install it and look at water sealing it later. But does anyone in Melbourne have a rivet nut tool I can borrow for a weekend? Can’t bring myself to buying one for just three nuts!

If a D3/D4 why did you not just get a quality aftermarket snorkle like safari? The kit has everything you need to ensure it works as it should.

[Macadamia]

I did seriously consider the safari but I prefer the look of the RAI and was happy to put in the effort to seal it. and picked it up new and delivered for pretty much the same price if not cheaper than a safari so…

[DieselLSE]

If a D3/D4 why did you not just get a quality aftermarket snorkle like safari? The kit has everything you need to ensure it works as it should.
Landrover one looks decidedly better.

[Tombie]

Landrover one looks decidedly better.

Unfortunately flows significantly less though, so if you’re tuned you don’t get the full benefit.

[haydent]

Unfortunately flows significantly less though, so if you’re tuned you don’t get the full benefit.

where stats ?

RRS safari not available, this will be my tools to waterproof/seal,

Flexible Cold Air Intake Duct Feed Induction Ducting Silicone Pipe Hose 76mm 3" | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/113222004176)
with
AU Air Duct Grille Racing Front Bumper Vent Inlet for Cold Air Intake (Silver) | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/185116052982) (without the grill as flange for connecting)

[Tombie]

where stats ?

RRS safari not available, this will be my tools to waterproof/seal,

Flexible Cold Air Intake Duct Feed Induction Ducting Silicone Pipe Hose 76mm 3" | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/113222004176)
with
AU Air Duct Grille Racing Front Bumper Vent Inlet for Cold Air Intake (Silver) | eBay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/185116052982) (without the grill as flange for connecting)

Kit is available from one of the Vic Indy’s to seal a factory RAI.

[DieselLSE]

Kit is available from one of the Vic Indy’s to seal a factory RAI.
I think this is Ritters. And when I enquired a couple of years ago I was told it's not a kit, but they can do the job. I can't recall the price, but it was not insignificant.

[haydent]

was going to ask where to buy too, but seems maybe not available ?

[Tombie]

I think this is Ritters. And when I enquired a couple of years ago I was told it's not a kit, but they can do the job. I can't recall the price, but it was not insignificant.

Ahhh. They did sell it some time ago.

[goldey]

Haydent

I too have an RAI on our Disco 4 (freebie) that I'd love to seal off as well. Very interested to see how you do it. Keep us posted if you can.

Cheers

Goldey

[Tombie]

Haydent

I too have an RAI on our Disco 4 (freebie) that I'd love to seal off as well. Very interested to see how you do it. Keep us posted if you can.

Cheers

Goldey

Vulcanise wrap the piping (or replace),
Seal the holes in the elbow to the air box,
Foam seal elbow to airbox,
Seal piping to elbow at both ends,
Seal RAI to intake (foam)

[Eric SDV6SE]

Vulcanise wrap the piping (or replace),
Seal the holes in the elbow to the air box,
Foam seal elbow to airbox,
Seal piping to elbow at both ends,
Seal RAI to intake (foam)

Or replace the whole shebang with a safari snorkel, seeing as you'd be taking the whole thing apart to seal it....

[Melbourne Park]

While I've been sceptical about the benefit of snorkels from preventing dust intake in my D4, they do look the goods from an off perspective, and obviously from deep water crossing benefits.

However I don't want to do deep water crossings in my 2014 D4, because I fear electronic water ingress issues.

The thing I most dislike about the snorkel though, is that fact that it on the right hand side, and hence, obstructs vision.

[Tombie]

Not really noticeable after 10 minutes.

And at all but parking speeds is totally negligible in its impacts.

[DiscoJeffster]

I cannot see mine from my driving position in the vehicle. Mine is completely obscured by the pillar and has never been a factor driving the vehicle. I have the Safari kit

[Eric SDV6SE]

Snortel? What snorkel? Oh, there it is, hidden behind the A pillar….had to open the window and listen to the nice intake and turbo whistle to know my safari unit was still bolted to the side of the car…

[Fabs]

Hey everyone. Looking at finding out if it would be possible to change a safari raised air intake / snorkel over to the standard Land Rover one that’s being discussed?

Would the cut out on the body be a different shape? Would it be possible?

Cheers,

[haydent]

why ? isnt safari one better ?

[Fabs]

I heard that it is also but I prefer the look of the offical Land Rover one.

[Tombie]

Hey everyone. Looking at finding out if it would be possible to change a safari raised air intake / snorkel over to the standard Land Rover one that’s being discussed?

Would the cut out on the body be a different shape? Would it be possible?

Cheers,

Nope. There’s a few nice aftermarket holes in the front guard to hold the Safari.

If you take it off they’ll be very visible!

Also, factory unit is RAI and isn’t sealed.