I am looking into moving my air intake to a different location. I dont like the looks of a snorkel on a basically stock JK and I dont have the money to spend on a CAI. My motor has hydrolocked before and this is a big concern for me. So heres what Im thinking and I would like a second opinion on this.. feel free to tell me that this is stupid. But I am going to keep the stock air box but I am thinking of running tubing from a slightly modified stock air box up to the vent in front of the windshield. I will trim the vent to allow the tubing to extend about 1" above the body. To protect the opening from water and debris I am thinking about putting a scoop facing back towards the windshield. Also, for added protection I am contemplating putting stops with drain holes in the tubing. If you could please let me know if this is possible, or let me know any changes you would make to the set up. Thanks!

 

if you can pull it off, it's not such a crazy idea. i have seen things like this done or even more drastic like routing the intake to the inside of the cab before. it's all a matter of how you do it i guess. i for one would be interested to see what you come up with

 

for one... good idea..

but no.


if water splashes.. what comes up must come down... your window has a angle.. that is going to make it run down the window into your "snorkle"
and you got a rollercoaster for water

so.

if you want 100% hydrolock free... get a snorkle...

 

but, what if you could provide a catch basin and drain for the water and have the air tube situated a bit higher - i think you might be able to pull it off.

 

The problem with the cowl location is that its essentially the same height as the stock location, just further back.

As mentioned, the windshield itself will typically be splashed if the water is high enough, and that puts the water draining at the cowl vent areas.

 

So, what if I were to somehow attach a J channel underneath the windshield for the catch basin like WOL suggested. As for the tubing Will cut/trim the vent to allow it to extend up past the body and I would set it so it sat as high as it could under the scoop. Im also thinking that a second J channel in the opening of the scoop so it would direct the water int he body off to the sides. Thanks for the comments!

 

honestly that sounds like way to much work..

i got a AEM intake and ive been through hell and back of water.

havent had a single drop of water on it..

yet my stock air box had a puddle in it thar 15 gold fish would have no problem livin large..

the stock air box was a peice of garbage... it wasnt sealed at all and water went through crack of hood and right into it.

kinda like a funnel

the way the aem is...the gaurd protects it from the water splashing off the belt.

and also i get some cutt able foam filter from my work wrap it around it with a zip tie for triple protection

 

yes, the intake would essentially be in the same location in terms of height and yes, water on the windshield could spill into the intake vent. however, you are more likely to hydrolock from water thrown up into your engine from your tires splashing it up and off the hood and right into your stock airbox. trust me, i have seen this happen in person.

if you were to route your air tube in a way that could account for water coming in and draining it off, you might be able to pull this off. certainly, it wouldn't be a snorkle or anything as effective as one but, it would be something and maybe even better than what you've got stock. i applaud you for your innovative thinking and willingness to try new things.

 

Yes I realize that it would be much easier to just buy and AEM intake or a snorkel but thats another $250 plus. Im not looking for a snorkel either, my JK doesnt see deep water and I dont plan on taking it swimming. I dont need another engine and tranny. As you have said the stock set up is poorly designed. My Jeep was taken out by a puddle in front of walmart on the main road. Im not afraid to put a bit of work into this. And I am loving all of the ideas and criticism its what is going to make this work. Im in need of tires soon and I need to save money for this, so if I can pull this off (without it looking like a hack job) im going to try every option I can.. that and it would be something I came up with and did myself, not something I bought off of a shelf and put on. That to me is worth all of the work I put into this! But please keep the comments coming!

 

If you plan on submerging your hood, you need a snorkel. That said, moving your intake to the rear hood line raises it 7" which is substantial. You could do a Hummer-type of intake at the rear of the hood which, if routed through the hood and up about 3", would give you over 10" of increased intake height.