I installed the AEV on my last JK.. Great snorkel!! Installation was relatively easy and straight foward.. Never had any wind noise or whistling.. Functioned perfectly.. No hydrolocking thank God!! Can't speak about the ARB though because I've never used one.

 

How did they fail? Trail damage? Just started taking in air where they shouldn't (and thus possibly water)? I haven't seen anyone ever complain about snorkels failing, but that may not mean anything--can't read every post on every forum, LOL.

Anyway, at least with the AEV snorkel, the instructions now (didn't use to) say to leave the holes on the bottom of the air box open. That certainly makes aligning the air box during reinstall a bit easier than if your fill those holes. But, the instructions say to fill the holes if you actually plan to ford deep water. Seems a silly way for them to put that, but that's what I've been told the instructions now read (didn't when I put mine in--just said to cover the holes with RTV). Regardless, someone might have a snorkel, and maybe they didn't fill those holes in. Then they got into a deep crossing and they sucked water up through them, along with air through the snorkel itself. So, it wasn't so much a problem with the snorkel as it was their decision to not fully seal it. This is just pure speculation on my part.

As for me, I've had great results with my snorkel, and have plenty of confidence that it will perform when I ask it to. I can see where a quick check of its integrity whenever changing the air filter would be a good idea. But "testing the snorkel often"? Seems a bit much.

 

I read a couple threads about people having the Rugged Ridge snorkel fail.. Don't think it was on this forum though.. Evidently you have to seal the hoses and they were saying not enough sealant was provided.. Another guy said the sealant deteriorated.. I was looking into buying one since I don't want to cut this hood.. Whatever the case, they made pretty strong arguments that it was poor design.

 

Yeah I actually was going to get the RR one originally but Northridge (canada) talked me out of it stating he had a whole bunch returned for issues and didn't even want to sell me one. Gave me a few numbers for local folks to get it from at the same price instead. Another reason I ended up getting the AEV one. Pretty sure he doesn't carry any RR products anymore.

 

I have had my AEV snorkle for over 5 years and had no issues with it. When it enters the airbox, it is already pretty snug so the work your sealant has to do is minimal. But, if you have a situation where you get more flex at a connection point, I can see how the seal can crack or seperate.

 

I just installed my AEV Snorkel yesterday, four hours from start to finish. I used lots of plastic and 3 coats of paint since I'm in the Northeast so it stretched out my prep time.

I'm very happy with the ease of the install plus no need for the trim ring if you take your time. I only used mine since it came with it.

I picked the AEV since it keeps the airflow above the waterline. I don't think dropping your intake into the wheel well is a good idea with the rocks up here as well.

 

Paint? what do you need to paint, did you paint the snorkel itself?

 

I painted the edge along where I cut the hood on my install. Not three coats, though. LOL.

 

I went with AEV. Only one connection to the airbox

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

my god, you sure draped it off perfectly...

I am going to show your photo to my wife, she's a doc and that is pretty close to how they drape the patients before surgery!

i am still on the fence about needing a snorkel...

do you wheel in really deep water areas?

i wish someone besides Rugged Ridge made one that just stopped in fent of the A pillar

matthew