Why no snorkels on US Jeeps?!

[Madrax573]

I've seen a load of vids on FB and other social thingies of jeeps in the US going through water and mud, sometimes up over the bonnet, and not many of them actually have snorkels.

I'm starting to question whether I need to get one for my XJ or not now!! Now I'm in Coffs I'll have much more opportunity to get it wet that previous so a snorkel was on my list......but now.....

[Tyvokka]

I've seen a load of vids on FB and other social thingies of jeeps in the US going through water and mud, sometimes up over the bonnet, and not many of them actually have snorkels..

Some are idiots. Jeeps and parts are cheap there and some junk their Jeeps as older used Jeeps are only a couple hundred bucks, most Jeepers fix their own. Mech, labour and parts are cheap comparatively.

Their remote areas is nothing compared to ours. They have support in terms of gas, repairs, parts, cell coverage, uhf,vhf, ham radio, satellitle calls, sat music radios, all within a stone's throw, so to speak. So if something goes wrong, no worries. They have people everywhere.. Our desert and remote areas are fricken woop woop. Max gas endurance 800kms?

Even if you don't do water crossings, there's bulldust to think of when crossing the desert. So a snorkle is great to have. Breathers must be up to spec and what about your radiator fan? Ability to turn it off would be great when in water..

If your tyres and lift are tall enough, you don't really need a snorkle for creek crossings, but it is nice to have. If the creek or river is too deep to cross without a snorkle, then it is too deep anyway. The water can carry you, your family and the Jeep downstream and straight to the first page of Daily Tele...

I have an AEV snorkle on the JK but took the WJ one off as it doesn't need it and looked like a slug on the WJ, IMHO.

I personally avoid deep water and mud coz they're shit. Too many repairs and cleanup afterwards. Both Jeep have stinking black mud coming out of every nook and cranny after years....The winch corroded and so did the rock sliders. Electric sway bar went wonky, ESC light came on..... blah... Blah. Blah....

Rock crawling is more technical, fun and challenging and less damaging.

[travy.b]

I'm not alone in saying this, but snorkles are over rated.

They've only become trendy the past decade or so, before that people used tarps if anything. A vast majority of people with snorkles will never need them and when you do chances are you could float of have all your electrics trashed in the process.

Check out the following vid - water over the bonnet to windscreen - Rangy keeps running fine. I've done the same thing in both my Jeep and also believe it or not a Honda Prelude. Never had any problems.

https://youtu.be/IcW5DQdXHo0?t=20

Edit to add: Sorry madrax I just realised you've already seen a lot doing just this. Will leave it up for those who haven't (you'd be surprised how many people think they need a snorkle for anything more than bumper deep)

[Tookles]

From my own personal experience snorkels are cheap insurance. Pay around $90-$100 for an ebay snorkel and it could save you from a whole engine replacement. (as i had to do due to my own stupidity)

Don't quote me on this but it seems over there they have very a very different type of 4x4ing. Seems a lot more rock crawling and less water.

Also like others have said parts are A LOT more avaliable over there. Especially for the xj.

[Madrax573]

Yeah there are a few difference in the styles of off roading from here and there.
The availability and price of parts is one of the things I hate about having a jeep and has made me think about getting something with better supply but....

Most of the time from my experience I wouldn't be wanting to put the Jeep through too much water anyway and it would probably short the engine out before it got to a depth to cause any issues.

As for the insurance aspect....I get it I just don't think some cheapy ebay snorkel would be that good of an insurance policy if you get my drift.

I'll probably end up getting one at some point but I've had the jeep for 6+ years and never 'needed' it yet so....

[Tookles]

Ahh I didn't mean it would affect your insurance policy what I meant is that I would rather spend around $100 on a snorkel "just in case that hole is deeper than expected haha".

Sorry I worded it poorly.

End of the day if you avoid water and deep mud holes you shouldn't ever need one. But i enjoy mud way too much
Also as travy.b said you can go deep in water without one but just not for long. When i blew my engine up it took about 5-6 holes all over the bonnet before it died!

[Madrax573]

No worries. I got what you meant but I didn't explain myself properly.

I meant that I've heard of a few 'cheap' snorkels not actually stopping water from getting into the engine so it was in effect one of those policies that isn't worth the paper they are written on.

I suppose if time and care is taken to ensure that they are sealed correctly then it would be good.

The other aspect is what snorkel to get given I have the petrol XJ without ABS and don't want to relocate the washer bottle.

[Tookles]

ah sorry miscommunication haha.

Yeah i just use heaps of silicon on all the joints. I have only just put it on though so don' t have a full opinion on it yet.

Yeah I was in the same boat. I just took mine out completely and grabbed a smaller square one from the wrecking yard. But again havn't fitted it yet haha.