snorkles
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 0
From: Metro Detroit, MI
I joined Ludski in the wonderful land of eBay too. Bought the Chinese knockoff for $158 shipped. 2 weeks and it was at my door. I decided to do this after I called AEV directly and asked about their snorkel with install and got a quote back for $750. I was like... What?? I would have installed their $360 snorkel myself anyway but was curious what their install would cost. I was majorly turned off by they were charging; that much for a relatively simple job?? (took me just 2 hours). That swayed me away from AEV and to their cheaper twin.
All major parts made it intact but a bunch of fasteners got lost
and yes the darn pop rivets were the wrong size. A quick trip to Lowes and I was in business.
The install was scary as heck. My tiny 2 gallon compressor and crappy harbor freight pneumatics failed me during the install after I already started hacking into the hood. Was forced to go to sheet metal shears and die grinder to finish the job. The trim out piece that came with it covered up my expert whack job very nicely, thankfully!
Overall I really like the snorkel! The throttle response and louder growl from the engine were apparent right off the bat. It's watertight and looks every bit the AEV version it's based on. I would recommend it to anyone that's pinched for cash.
All major parts made it intact but a bunch of fasteners got lost
and yes the darn pop rivets were the wrong size. A quick trip to Lowes and I was in business. The install was scary as heck. My tiny 2 gallon compressor and crappy harbor freight pneumatics failed me during the install after I already started hacking into the hood. Was forced to go to sheet metal shears and die grinder to finish the job. The trim out piece that came with it covered up my expert whack job very nicely, thankfully!
Overall I really like the snorkel! The throttle response and louder growl from the engine were apparent right off the bat. It's watertight and looks every bit the AEV version it's based on. I would recommend it to anyone that's pinched for cash.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Ventura, CA
A quick piece of info here- the "river raider design" was jacked from a forum member here who made his own snorkel and the released "their design" a month later.
I can't support a vendor that does that kind of business, but to each their own.
I would like the aev or even chinese one but it isn't in the build plan just yet.
I can't support a vendor that does that kind of business, but to each their own.
I would like the aev or even chinese one but it isn't in the build plan just yet.
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
From: Miami, Fl
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Grover, pa
I just put an ebay one on my jeep last weekend. Finished it late saturday night and had water to the windshield sunday afternoon. Not a drop anywhere in the intake tract!! Found the template location to be 3/8" to far forward for my liking. I remarked everything with the snorkel already mounted to the body and started drilling. Will post a pic when I get a chance.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton, FL
I also went with AEV.. install was pretty easy(although I did almost drill through the damn thing when I was drilling the holes for rivets), and I plan on getting an AEV hood so it was a no brainer. I can't say I noticed any drop in power, but it's hard to tell for sure because I put in a K&N filter at the same time. I can say with the combination of the two, plus exhaust and tuner the Jeep breathes a whole lot better and I can zip through traffic easier (6 spd with 35's and 4.10 gears).
But anyways I stand by the AEV as a quality product.
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), and I plan on getting an AEV hood so it was a no brainer. I can't say I noticed any drop in power, but it's hard to tell for sure because I put in a K&N filter at the same time. I can say with the combination of the two, plus exhaust and tuner the Jeep breathes a whole lot better and I can zip through traffic easier (6 spd with 35's and 4.10 gears).But anyways I stand by the AEV as a quality product.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
My thoughts exactly..... hood can easily be replaced.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 0
From: Metro Detroit, MI
Originally Posted by Navyvetnorwich91
I have the AEV hood. If I were persuaded to go with a snorkel, I am assuming that the obvious choice would be AEV since I think the hood dovetails perfectly with the snorkel. Just a bolt on?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton, FL
Yup. With the AEV hood, you'll just gave to remove the grill at the intake on the pass side, attach the snorkel to your airbox, silicone it and bolt everything into place. It'll take you less than an hour. The cutting of the stock hood is the biggest PITA part of the whole install.