Borne Off-Road Snorkel R&D Thread

[Mishimoto]

A suggestion: While you’re thinking about fording, you’re certain to explore the gaping hole that allows fresh outside air to enter the HVAC system. From several reports, mice and rats have no difficulty entering the system from the outside, and even if you’re not trying to make it water-tight, there is certainly a market for easy-to-install metal screening to keep the critters out. Where I live, we have similar problems with wasps, so screening with small enough holes to block wasp entrance, and also strong enough to prevent rodents from chewing through it, would be very beneficial. I would buy a well-engineered part/kit to fix this problem.

That's definitely something that we can take a look at for sure! I know some of the eco-friendly wire shielding used by some manufacturers can actually attract mice and other critters, so not ideal whether you're off-roading or commuting.

-Nick

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[HoosierT]

It’s my understanding that fairly clear water won’t have any adverse affects on a modern alternator. I’ve been in water that was 3” above my lower door sills with zero issues.

 

[Frenchy]

Unfortunately yes the alternator's........ My bad Generators(ask Ford and that is what they call it lol) are low on the engine. If they had it higher then it wouldnt be as much of an issue

 

[Mishimoto]

Provided that the front fenders and some other body components are the same, you should be able to fit this snorkel to your bi-turbo! We'll have more coming soon on how it mounts, so that should give you a better indication if it'll fit.

-Nick

 

[TommyAtomic]

Unfortunately yes the alternator's........ My bad Generators(ask Ford and that is what they call it lol) are low on the engine. If they had it higher then it wouldnt be as much of an issue

My automotive history going WAAAYYY back tells me that an automotive GENERATOR produces DC and was highly inefficient with significant parasitic drag and were prone to EMI. Comparable Automotive ALTERNATORS produce AC with far less parasitic drag and are bridged to a 12 or 24v rectifier that converts AC from the alternator to something the trucks electronics can use. Why the crap would someone at Ford confuse a generator for an alternator?

Also I seem to remember a thread where someone decided to hoon around their ranger in some mucky water and the ALTERNATOR got killed but IIRC it wasn't the water immersion that did it in. It got fouled full of MUD.

 

[port43]

It is a red herring. “Adding a snorkel to your Ranger is about much more than appearing adventurous.” I’ll believe it when I see it.

I don't know enough to go so far as to call it a "red herring" but around here, the majority of vehicles I see with a snorkel are some of the shiniest never-been-off-pavement vehicles around and they are actually a running joke. I'll grant that there may be something to their cutting down on dust that's kicked up in front of you but, for me, it's rare that I'm ever in a dirt parade.

 

[Frenchy]

My automotive history going WAAAYYY back tells me that an automotive GENERATOR produces DC and was highly inefficient with significant parasitic drag and were prone to EMI. Comparable Automotive ALTERNATORS produce AC with far less parasitic drag and are bridged to a 12 or 24v rectifier that converts AC from the alternator to something the trucks electronics can use. Why the crap would someone at Ford confuse a generator for an alternator?

Also I seem to remember a thread where someone decided to hoon around their ranger in some mucky water and the ALTERNATOR got killed but IIRC it wasn't the water immersion that did it in. It got fouled full of MUD.

You are not wrong sir but in the electrical diagrams ford still refers to them as generators for some odd reason that i can not explain.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

You are not wrong sir but in the electrical diagrams ford still refers to them as generators for some odd reason that i can not explain.

HI Chis,

Can't explain this either, but somethngs die hard at Ford. It is still a Cigar Lighter in addition to a power point. Most folks call it a cigarette lighter...Nope...Still Cigar Lighter....

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[103]

I drove through water last weekend. Some of it was dirty from rain, but no real mud. Killed my alternator. And Ford says they are on “indefinite back order.” So my Ranger is at a Ford dealer in Arkansas until they can get a new alternator.

Intake wise, it pulled in no water. Ranger performed amazingly except for the alternator. I wish I could relocate it.

 

[Frenchy]

I drove through water last weekend. Some of it was dirty from rain, but no real mud. Killed my alternator. And Ford says they are on “indefinite back order.” So my Ranger is at a Ford dealer in Arkansas until they can get a new alternator.

Intake wise, it pulled in no water. Ranger performed amazingly except for the alternator. I wish I could relocate it.

It would be nice if we could get a replacement alternator that can be submerged. Just a thought if anything.

 

[Trigganometry]

Have a feeling over time the placement of our alternators is going to prove to be a very bad design choice. First time I saw it was shaking my head saying to myself, whatever committee approved this also owns stock in the company that manufactures them! Not to mention it’s going to be a major PITA to swap one out!

The off-road skid plate looks to be a better investment every day!

 

[OFC Ranger]

If you guys... uh... want a customer truck to R&D with some mileage prior to commercial release I think we could uh... come to an agreement.

I too build crazy wacky things out of plastic and metal.

*wink wink nudge nudge points to signature link*

 

[103]

It would be nice if we could get a replacement alternator that can be submerged. Just a thought if anything.

I don’t want to sidetrack this thread, but is there a plate out there designed to protect the alternator from water/mud.

I managed to find a new alternator and am having it shipped to the shop that has my Ranger. Going to see about having the dead one rebuilt as a spare.

 

[Frenchy]

I don’t want to sidetrack this thread, but is there a plate out there designed to protect the alternator from water/mud.

I managed to find a new alternator and am having it shipped to the shop that has my Ranger. Going to see about having the dead one rebuilt as a spare.

I honestly have no idea. I do know that ARB has release a nice skid plate set for the Ranger for presale and im sure that can help to an extent but I dont think it will ve enough.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Folks,

Okay....here is the story....When Ford installs a new motor in an existing chassis, there are going to be package issues. So the Package Engineers get together in a solemn ceremony, where they wear their Red Ford golf shirts and assemble all the front end components. Selection of these components is dictated by the Vehicle Engineering engineers based on features and necessary components. The components then draw straws...the component with the longest straw gets to choose its location on the engine. And so it goes. In Ranger 2.3L ecoboost, the alternator got the short straw.

All kidding aside, we have had low mounted alternators on other vehicles....Granada/Monarch comes to mind. The low mount alternator was plagued with failure due to water/ Salt water splash etc....not a very good place and we learned to keep the alternator up high on the motor. However, it appears the folks in charge were not around or do not remember the headaches this low mount alternator caused. Indefinite back order! Get real. The Vehicle Engineering Manager should have to face the ire of the customer for this decision. They may have had no choise and then I give them a pass, but likley it was driven by not having to redesign the motor. A splash shield is not a fix for those that will be fording rivers.... Sort of makes the snorkel useless, eh?

Anyway...Sad to see folks using their vehicle as intended and damaging their alternator with no parts available.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

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