Well, Ernie, I rarely cross water, and when I do, it's usually not very deep.
Yet, a snorkel is an asset where I offroad a lot, and where water is hard to find -- in a desert.
Thick dust, my friend, is a very good reason for having a snorkel.

 

The AEV has under the hood connection, exactly like all snorkels, connections which you don't see from outside.
A small leak is not something you could not see even if the whole snorkel was external.
The answer to that is proper installation and the use of sealing material. When done right, there are no leaks on any snorkel, the RR included.

Branches and snorkels aren't on good terms with each other, so they should better be separated...
The RR is well protected, and the exposed part is tucked in more than the AEV.

Northridge offer nothing from Rugged Ridge. That a commercial decision.
So, what derogatory words do they have about each and every RR product, besides the snorkel? ...
Researches have shown that badmouthing the competition is the opposite of good advertising strategy...

 

The only under the hood connection is where it connects to the airbox which is one connection and once sealed, is the only one that would need to be inspected when changing out the air filter.

The RR one has the same, plus another connection under the battery area which good luck inspecting with ease, and a drain nipple in the fender.

My AEV has taken quite a few hits and the thing is rock solid.

 

Until the one hit too many.
I tend to believe that prevention is a better way than frequent inspection.
Haven't heard complaints form people who correctly installed and used a sealing material.
Failing to do that isn't good for any snorkel, even the mighty AEV.

 

That is true, any item will break at one point or another. I find the AEV more secure for the bushy trails we have up here as it doesn't have a joint at its base and only one nut holding it to the a-pillar. Severe pin striping and dents are unavoidable once you get into the mountains here and I feel pretty confident about how secure it is.

 

Whatever excuse you need to sport the look with your Sport.
Same reason you see all BAJA trucks run snorkels......wait they don't.
Goodluck with your choice.


Shit I forgot, camels are kind of built in snorkels, so yes its a good idea for desert.


Ernie

 

I also think my AEV will hold up well to just about anything I intend the throw at it. I could probably stand on it, but since it's new, that'll have to wait. I agree with Vlad on that the AEV would be easier to inspect since there's only one connection if you don't count the ram air at the top. It's already taken some good tree branch abuse and has the scratches to prove it

 

Personal attacks on another poster, instead of addressing the issue, usually come from posters who don't have a clue, and instead of asking and learning, they try to mock... which looks silly.

So, you don't know that some of the Jeeps drive through dense sand dust, and you don't know that snorkels prevent plugging the air filter with fine sand?
Google for it...
Or join me for a few days, in the right season, in the desert...

BTW, where do you see a snorkel on that JKU Sport? ...

 

I went on a hunting safari in South Africa 2 years ago. ALL of their safari vehicles, mostly Toyota Land Cruisers, had AEV style snorkels. They were 100% for the dusty environment. The winter is their operating season, and it is dry and VERY dusty. They told me that none of their vehicles had ever seen a deep water crossing, and that the snorkels were strictly for reducing dust ingestion. They run those vehicles for hundreds of thousands of miles in the dustiest of conditions. The snorkels extend the lives of their engines (and air filters) significantly.

Baja trucks are not meant to be long lived. They wouldn't benefit them enough for their engines' short lives.

 

It's not an attack. An attack would mean that I was trying to hurt you. I'm not. It's me experience. I drive a 13JKUR it has 38000 miles on it. I work in the oilfield in Western Oklahoma. The Dust Bowl. My intake is a Banks with K&N filter, 50% of my driving is down dusty dirt roads at 40mph. Before my 13JKUR I owned a 2008 Dodge Mega 4X4 on 37"s with 6" lift with a factory filter. It never once needed a snorkel for dust. Before that, I drove my wife's 2008 Dodge Durango for 40,000 miles on those same dusty roads with a factory air filter. Before that I worked for Halliburton that issued us Ford Crown Victoria's that drove 90% in dusty dirty roads, following 20 pieces of frac equipment pulled by 20 Kenworth Tractor Trailers that did not have Snorkels. On a side note, I drove my Subaru STI to drilling rigs on a regular basis, just to Rally. And it never needed a Snorkel. I believe I have experienced the dusty, silty stuff you write about. I have never felt the need to run a snorkel. Nor do the other Oilfield Consultants that I employ for drilling and fracing wells. In my opinion snorkels to combat dust is a weak excuse. It's not any cleaner 3 ft higher when we drive through 15ft dust clouds.

I have not been Safari Hunting, but I know a guy that does is for a living and they have some insane rains storms. He actually buried a Range Rover, it did not have a snorkel.
It probably could have used one.

Like I said, whatever excuse you need to sport your snorkled Sport.

Good luck with you purchase. I'll try to find pics of all my rides......all snork less. Except for the STI is had a scoop for intercooler. I digress.

Thanks for the invite, I'll pass on the desert. It's kind of chalking and dry, reminds me of work. I prefer Cabo San Lucas beaches and Baja trucks.



Ernie