Borne Off-Road Snorkel R&D Thread

[Mishimoto]

hmm, any possibility of being able to use a heavy-duty double-sided tape instead of drilling?
I'll probably be buying either way, but it'd be nicer not having to drill a hole in the outside of my truck

Totally understandable! Our goal was to make the install of this kit as minimally invasive as we could, especially when it comes to drilling or cutting into the truck, but we deemed some permanent modification was needed to make sure this snorkel is sturdy enough for the wilderness, highway speeds, and even the car wash after hitting the trail.

We have experimented with using heavy-duty adhesives and foam block for the A-pillar support, but they, unfortunately, didn't last too long on our test rig. So, we ultimately opted for a small bracket up there instead. Here's a close up look at the A-pillar bracket location:

-Nick

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[RoadBoss]

Totally understandable! Our goal was to make the install of this kit as minimally invasive as we could, especially when it comes to drilling or cutting into the truck, but we deemed some permanent modification was needed to make sure this snorkel is sturdy enough for the wilderness, highway speeds, and even the car wash after hitting the trail.

We have experimented with using heavy-duty adhesives and foam block for the A-pillar support, but they, unfortunately, didn't last too long on our test rig. So, we ultimately optded for a small racked up there instead. Here's a close up look at the A-pillar bracket location:

-Nick

That's great actually, I love that you tucked it inside the door jamb area. That feels way better than drilling straight into the front/outside of the A-pillar.

 

[Mishimoto]

That's great actually, I love that you tucked it inside the door jamb area. That feels way better than drilling straight into the front/outside of the A-pillar.

Yep! That's exactly what we were aiming for! We also made sureto double check that this location wouldn't mean accidentally drilling through some side-curtain airbags as well

-Nick

 

[OFC Ranger]

I wonder if I could rig a metal bracket in my particular case to my over the cabin rack and instead drill the two holes on the outside of the snorkel to connect it. Then again that probably may be a bad idea due to flex. I'd have to come up with some sort of bracket that is rigid, but the ability move slightly, but not crack the snorkel if there was a sudden shift in inertia for whatever reason. Like a mini shock. Maybe a gas strut like I use on my pod doors.

hmm...

(disregard wrong side, for illustrative purposes only)

 

[LB357]

I wonder if I could rig a metal bracket in my particular case to my over the cabin rack and instead drill the two holes on the outside of the snorkel to connect it. Then again that probably may be a bad idea due to flex. I'd have to come up with some sort of bracket that is rigid, but the ability move slightly, but not crack the snorkel if there was a sudden shift in inertia for whatever reason. Like a mini shock. Maybe a gas strut like I use on my pod doors.

hmm...

(disregard wrong side, for illustrative purposes only)

I like this idea, maybe something similar for those running something like a Prinsu roof rack too. Then again I believe that specific rack requires expanding existing whole anyways.. so maybe not the best example.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I like this idea, maybe something similar for those running something like a Prinsu roof rack too. Then again I believe that specific rack requires expanding existing whole anyways.. so maybe not the best example.

Perhaps I could do a double rotating/swivel bolt/ball joint. Think something like a seesaw, but instead of a middle point of balance, each end would be its own balance. I'm not worried about forward and backward intertia. I'd be more concerned with side to side and vertical flex.

The trick would be figuring out the tension where in a resting state its slightly pulling for rigid support, but the ability to shift a little more if required.

Kind of like the roof leg supports on my rack. The tension is set so it cannot physically move upwards, but with thick flexible rubber feet to "absorb" compressing movements up and down on the roof channels.

 

[importfighter01]

Hey Guys!

Just wanted to bump this thread up with another update, and finally show you this snorkel kit in the flesh! Make sure that you head over to the Engineering Blog for the full scoop

HIGHER PLANE – 2019+ FORD RANGER 2.3L SNORKEL R&D, PART 3 – PRODUCTION SAMPLE

-Nick

Hi Nik! Glad to see if the progression here. Will those MishiMinute snorkel dyno results be published at product go-live? Thanks!

 

[Wannabe_spek]

Hey Guys!

Just wanted to bump this thread up with another update, and finally show you this snorkel kit in the flesh! Make sure that you head over to the Engineering Blog for the full scoop

HIGHER PLANE – 2019+ FORD RANGER 2.3L SNORKEL R&D, PART 3 – PRODUCTION SAMPLE

-Nick

Hey Nick,

Been following this thread and the engineers blog forever on this snorkel. Super excited to get mine in the presale but I noticed no one has mentioned anything about capping the original airbox inlet? how is that blocked off?

Thanks man,

Jason
2019 ford Ranger XLt
Mishimoto cooled and sponsored

 

[Mishimoto]

I wonder if I could rig a metal bracket in my particular case to my over the cabin rack and instead drill the two holes on the outside of the snorkel to connect it. Then again that probably may be a bad idea due to flex. I'd have to come up with some sort of bracket that is rigid, but the ability move slightly, but not crack the snorkel if there was a sudden shift in inertia for whatever reason. Like a mini shock. Maybe a gas strut like I use on my pod doors.

hmm...

(disregard wrong side, for illustrative purposes only)

I love where your head's at! We'd definitely like to see what you come up with!

Hey Nick,

Been following this thread and the engineers blog forever on this snorkel. Super excited to get mine in the presale but I noticed no one has mentioned anything about capping the original airbox inlet? how is that blocked off?

Thanks man,

Jason
2019 ford Ranger XLt
Mishimoto cooled and sponsored

That is a GREAT question and apologies on not including that on the latest blog update. I'm going to make some revisions and I'll also post up some photos of our design for that aspect as well!

-Nick

 

[OFC Ranger]

I love where your head's at! We'd definitely like to see what you come up with!



That is a GREAT question and apologies on not including that on the latest blog update. I'm going to make some revisions and I'll also post up some photos of our design for that aspect as well!

-Nick

Really it could be as simple as a spring joint. The ultimate question no matter any idea that comes up is how thick of a polymer style mold is the snorkel or rather how thick is it sidewall? Could it ideally withstand micro-movements up to some millimeters without eventually stress fracturing the mold which would then ultimately lead to a catastrophic failure.

Which begs the next question can replacement parts be purchased IE just the top snorkel portion? LoL

 

[Nopalito]

I’m super stoked for this. How deep do you have to drill into the a pillar for the rivnuts?

 

[Travis9935]

Not to be a Debby downer, but most people that hit water with the 2.3 ranger fry out their alternator. It's pretty well known. So why have a snorkel if you can't even get the Alternator wet? ?

 

[Colo_Ranger]

Not to be a Debby downer, but most people that hit water with the 2.3 ranger fry out their alternator. It's pretty well known. So why have a snorkel if you can't even get the Alternator wet? ?

Snorkels aren't only for water. They also help keep dust out of the intake, especially in a convoy type drive. Colorado is wicked dry and dusty, so it would still be useful here.

 

[Travis9935]

Snorkels aren't only for water. They also help keep dust out of the intake, especially in a convoy type drive. Colorado is wicked dry and dusty, so it would still be useful here.

Yeah I had one on my 16' Frontier. But they show pics of it on the Ranger hitting water holes! Lol. Winter time sucks with them though. I bought a cyclonic head for mine. But still wound up putting a cover over it when it sat. Because snow always got into everywhere. ?

 

[RoadBoss]

Not to be a Debby downer, but most people that hit water with the 2.3 ranger fry out their alternator. It's pretty well known. So why have a snorkel if you can't even get the Alternator wet? ?

The alternator on these trucks really isn't as low as a lot of people act like on here, plus, it can handle some splashes, just not constant submersion in like 32"+ deep mud.

Also, besides the dust/fresh air thing explained above, a snorkel can save your engine from a quick submersion or a misjudged water crossing.
I've splashed water over the hood of my ranger just from entering a moderately deep crossing a bit too quickly, and I immediately thought about the air intake sitting right in the grill opening....

Having a snorkel doesn't mean you have to regularly do deep water fordings, it's good just as extra protection when you do get a bit deeper than intended.

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