RRS Snorkel - Options

I have an unmodified RAI on my Disco 3 and after considering the Safari unit came to the conclusion that the RAI was just as effective without being modified based on the following points.

If the vehicle is moving the system is unlikely to ingest water through an unsealed RAI as the holes are there to ensure that any water in the system drains out.
If the vehicle is stationary in deep water for any long period of time where the airbox might fill up with water you are most likely going to be stopped by water in the electrics anyway.

The design of the stock intake is such that the bow wave drops away under it and the only time that you may have a problem is if you are in a fast running deep stream where the water "piles up " against the drivers guard. the RAI does a good job of preventing this scenario.

I'd be interested to hear from someone who had access to the design work on the RAI as I reckon it's designed to do its job and maybe the people who advocate sealing it up are in some ways defeating the design objectives.

There are some pretty good videos on youtube of vehicles windscreen deep fording with no issues with RAIs.

Regards,
Tote

I have the LR RAI fitted to my D3 and think it really looks the part. I got it from the UK at a much cheaper price than over here. LR in Brisbane wanted $1100 AUD supply only!! I think I got mine delivered for about $700 AUD and paid $80 AUD to have it fitted (couldn't be a$sed myself :p).

Ivan

Garry, mine hasn't ever let water in and it's just the LR RAI. I know it's sealed to the wing with a gasket and sealant (as that causes a few squeaky bums with windscreen fitters) but other than that I'm not sure, I doubt LR made any modifications to it however. If you're starting with a new kit though I'd expect it to be pretty easy to make watertight, whereas I've got the strip the lot off.We've had water up over the bonnet a few times and well over the rubbing strips on the doors so I'd be fairly confident about its capabilities, I'd just take a bit of care once it got to more than headlight height.

This is mine at Eastnor in one of the water troughs, later in the day it was over the rubbing strips on the doors. The suspension was at offroad height in this photo.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...12/01/1263.jpg

Thanks Mike - seems to be a common point. When fording the water level in the engine bay is lower than outside (until you stop) and I expect that only a small amount of water gets in around the mudguard fittings and the drain systems in the inlet pipes can cope with this.

I have a tutorial somewhere on what has to be done to convert the RAI to a snorkel and mainly involved sealing the guard intake and other areas under the bonnet with a good sealant.

I just wish the RAI was a bit cheaper well over $1000 in Aust and just under $1000 delivered from the UK.

Cheers

Garry

Gary

I'll check who I got mine from. I am sure it wasn't $1000 delivered.
Just checked and this is where I got mine from.


Ivan

Thanks but I searched that site and they do not seem to list an RAI for the RRS.

The last time I found one online it was listed as 700 pounds.

Though there is an G4 version with no instructions item listed on Ebay UK for 275 pounds.

Cheers

Garry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by garrycol

Thanks but I searched that site and they do not seem to list an RAI for the RRS.

The last time I found one online it was listed as 700 pounds.

Though there is an G4 version with no instructions item listed on Ebay UK for 275 pounds.

Cheers

Garry

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My car leaves the UK on the 19th January, you're welcome to a space inside it for the RAI if you're in no hurry. Should be here in mid March. Should also be fairly simple to work out how it's attached, I can tell you it requires 2 holes to be drilled in the wing either side of the inlet grille and 2 or 3 on the exterior of the a-pillar underneath the windscreen trim. I'm also assuming the wheel arch guard will need pulling out as the pipe work is invisible into the airbox.

We happened to stop in the water trough at one point, but everything drained out. The underside of the bonnet & engine bay were a mess though from the fan, so I'd suggest a radiator guard for crossing water, it's certainly on my list of things to acquire either here or in the UK.

Gary

I have heard whispers of Ritters developing a waterproofing kit for the Landrover RAI.

I beleive the RAI's for the D4's are different to the D3's being a solid hose rather than perforated hose - this may hold true for the RRS.

Worth following up.

Regards

Chuck

Garry to fit the LR RAI is **** easy, as Mike has said, there ate 2 holes just above the air intake that are drilled then fitted with nutserts, then 1 atop the "A" pillar again fitted with a nutsert.
You don't need to remove the inner guard as if you do need to remove the perforated hose it can be done by sliding it in the chanel it sits in, you may need to remove the air intake box, but this again is simple.

Cheers.

Is the 3.0 RAI fitting kit really needed as well as the RAI? I have the impression that the fitting kit is a connecting pipe with more drain holes than normally and is often discarded, leaving the original in place. The fitting kit is an expensive item especially if its not really required.