Ready to head off on your next off-road adventure? With your vehicle fitted with a bumper, suspension, larger tires, and Air Lockers you may believe you’re ready to go. But there are two other essential components that may have been overlooked, snorkel and differential breathers. In an afternoon, these simple investments can be installed and will prevent the hassle of an engine and/or differential rebuild, neither of which are budget friendly.
SNORKELS
When snorkeling, a snorkel acts as a breathing tube which allows you to remain underwater for an extended period. In the off-road world, it’s the same idea; a snorkel raises your vehicle’s intake which allows you to drive through deep water crossings with peace of mind. You may think to yourself, “I don’t ever plan on going through water” or “I will take the bypass”. However, a snorkel’s primary function is to protect your engine from dust and dirt. Driving off-road, especially in a caravan, calls up heavy dust layers that can be harmful to your engine. Pulling air from above the dust cloud allows your engine to breath cleaner and cooler air. Raising the intake lowers the risk of your engine inhaling dust and debris. The water drainage holes in the factory airbox can also be plugged if you intended to encounter serious water crossings.
SOLUTION: SAFARI SNORKELS
We have partnered with Safari 4×4 and have become their sole distributor to the North and South American market. In the 1980’s, Safari invented the concept of a snorkel for off-road use. Today, they offer snorkels for hundreds of different vehicle platforms. Safari snorkels are engineered and manufactured in Australia from locally sourced materials.
WHAT IF IT RAINS OR SNOWS?
Safari’s unique Air Ram is a pivotal component of the system. The Air Ram is designed to simultaneously remove the maximum volume of water from the incoming air stream, while delivering maximum airflow to your vehicle’s engine.
BREATHERS
PROTECT YOUR DRIVETRAIN
Driving, especially off-road, generates heat throughout your drivetrain due to the constant movement of gears. This hot air expands and creates pressure inside the housing. Usually, vehicles come with a breather that is attached directly to the housing. However, factory breathers tend to become clogged by dirt or mud which always leads to a damaged axle seal.
Factory breathers are typically mounted low and close to the ground, an easy access point for water when off-road. Water will containment gear oil and ultimately lead to a catastrophic failure to the components inside the housing.
SOLUTION: ARB BREATHER KIT
Like a snorkel, ARB’s breather kit utilizes a tube and raises the location of the breather. Imagine a snorkel for your drivetrain, the ARB Breather kit protects critical components such as your differentials, transfer case, and transmission. The ARB Breather kit acts as a central hub for each of them. Simply attach the new provided manifold and filter to a high point in your vehicle that is protected from dust and water (either under the hood or in the cab); you’ll immediately have peace of mind knowing your critical components are protected from the elements.
OUT OF THE BOX
ARB’s Breather Kit features four ports with a central filter that houses a sintered (multi-layered, metal filter) element. The four ports can be utilized to ventilate all four key components of your drivetrain: front and rear differentials, transfer case, and transmission. Each kit comes with enough tubing and fittings for two drivetrain systems, usually used for both differentials. An additional fitting kit can be purchased to accommodate both the transfer case and transmission.
When off-road protection is mentioned, the first components that usually come to mind are bumpers, sliders, and skid plates. But the protection of your vehicles critical components such as its engine and drivetrain, are generally overlooked. A Safari Snorkel and ARB Breather kit will ensure your vehicle gets you to the trail, through the trail, and home safely.
Up Next: