Thread: Install of Safari Snorkel in D4

15-A Pillar cover cutout with Dremel.jpg
Clamp the A Pillar plastic cover and use the Dremmel plastic cutter wheel to cut out the sleeve for the metal arm that will support the snorkel firmly alongside the windscreen.

16-A Pillar mount in place.jpg
Again, paint the bare metal holes and be generous with the sikaflex under the plate, the rivet heads and in the rivet holes to make a good water seal.

17-A Pillar re-attached.jpg
Reattach the A Pillar plastic cover.

18-Lock-tight box bolt threads.jpg
Prepare the snorkel body for mounting by inserting the threaded metal grub screw inserts. Apply some lock thread to keep them tight.
19-Remove wheel and guard for access.jpg
Prepare the access into the side cavity.

20-Bolted tight.jpg
It is a squeezy tight fit to get to the bolts.

21-Fiddly bits need extra help.jpg
... and for the last hardest to reach bolt in the tight section you will need someone with skinny arms and small hands... so I subbied this out to SHMBO!

22-Final Result.jpg
Happy with the final result at the end of a long day...
BTW, when you reinstall the airbox, you will probably find that the new rubber grommet seal has pushed the box further into the engine bay so that the small conical drain funnel at the bottom right hand side of the box will no longer settle down into the rubber lined hole in the engine bay floor. not a problem as you will probably want to seal off that hole to prevent water entry anyway. I decided to leave the one way valve in the floor of the main air box so that it can let water out, and prevent water from entering. Not sure if that is a good idea or not... but seems to make sense to me, although I know this is a bit of a vexxed topic.

23-Error display.jpg
... but it didn't end there. Because I had to start the engine when the air box was off so that I could use the power steering to reposition the front wheel... I now had an air intake error on the dash display to deal with.

24-GAP IID Error Message.jpg
A chance to put the GAP IID Tool to good use. It quickly presented the error logs and allowed me to select the culprit, and clear.

25-Error Cleared.jpg
... no more errors... happy days.

Overall... if you have the time to take on a snorkel install, I would recommend the quality of the Safari kit, directions and templates. It all went together very well. Plus, you have the ability to oversee the quality of the install and all the sikaflexing, painting, sealing that you are sure will keep the D4 intake water free.

Naps.

I have the Safari unit on my D4, previously had one on both of my D2's. They make a great product that has stood the test of time.
For those who don't know, the LR unit has a porous section in it which WILL allow water ingress. That's why they call it an elevated air intake rather than a snorkel apparently.
Fortunately I had mine installed by AMV in Ringwood. They did tell me that the drilling is a real bitch LOL

The A pillar is 2 layers of high tensile steel, a real drill bit killer.

When I decided to fit a snorkel to my D4, I read all the issues withe Safari unit. When I investigated the Airflow unit I found no issues about drill bits needed. It fits the same way but the pillar mount is not into the metal. I have used Airflow snorkels on previous cars and they are made in Dromana Victoria. I have been to the factory and on my last car they used my vehicle as the guinea pig. They are/were cheaper than Safari, and far easier to fit with no drilling to the point you need any more than one drill bit for the pillar mount. Both products (Safari and Airflow) are good quality, with UV plastics. As such the bean counter in me decided the cheaper alternative was the far more cost effective. Just my thoughts and also to give others considering a snorkel there are Safari alternatives, they are Aussie made and they are available.

Originally Posted by dirvine

When I decided to fit a snorkel to my D4, I read all the issues withe Safari unit. When I investigated the Airflow unit I found no issues about drill bits needed. It fits the same way but the pillar mount is not into the metal. I have used Airflow snorkels on previous cars and they are made in Dromana Victoria. I have been to the factory and on my last car they used my vehicle as the guinea pig. They are/were cheaper than Safari, and far easier to fit with no drilling to the point you need any more than one drill bit for the pillar mount. Both products (Safari and Airflow) are good quality, with UV plastics. As such the bean counter in me decided the cheaper alternative was the far more cost effective. Just my thoughts and also to give others considering a snorkel there are Safari alternatives, they are Aussie made and they are available.

The only let down with the airflow was the destructions weren't very clear, hence my call to you David and i drilled into the pillar as i wouldn't trust the trim clips to hold it. I gave up after 1 hole so 1 in the pillar and 1 in the trim.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

The only let down with the airflow was the destructions weren't very clear, hence my call to you David and i drilled into the pillar as i wouldn't trust the trim clips to hold it. I gave up after 1 hole so 1 in the pillar and 1 in the trim.

Should have trusted the clips. Mine worked even when the buggers replaced my windscreen and did not use new clips on the plastic trim. I have been on some very rough and corrugated roads with no issues with it coming loose. Appears just like the Safari one bolt is a nigh on impossible to get a nut on unless you has very small hands!!