Toyota HiLux snorkel guide

The standard air-intake on your HiLux is under the bonnet, meaning it’s susceptible to water and dust ingress.

Water into your air-intake can mean a quick and expensive death to your motor, and excess dust can mean clogged air filters. Take the ute through rivers in the Victorian High Country or outback tracks in the Red Centre and a snorkel quickly becomes cheap insurance against these issues.

Here are four products we recommend. They’re intended as a starting point, to give you an idea of what’s available.

• What it is: A raised and water-sealed air intake.
• Why you need it: Dunking the front end of your HiLux into a river crossing is a recipe for disaster without a snorkel. The higher air intake also means less dust is ingested, and for some snorkels you can fit a pre-cleaner. The HiLux wading depth is 700mm, which is pretty good, but the first time you drive a 700mm-deep river or mud hole you will quickly discover that 700mm in a controlled environment is very very different to 700mm in the wild. Add a bow wave or a fast-flowing river and depths far below that stated wading depth start to become very risky.
• Buying tips: The key to a snorkel functioning as it should is a good seal and a design that doesn’t restrict air flow. Avoid two-piece snorkels (often referred to as raised-air intakes) and snorkels that constrict to narrower diameter than the factory intake. Also consider that the snorkel head design will be the key to fitment of dust pre-cleaners.

JUMP AHEAD

• Safari V-Spec
• TJM Airtec
• Fabulous Fabrications snorkel
• PHAT Bars snorkel

Safari V-Spec snorkel

The Australian designed, moulded and manufactured V-Spec from Safari has been specifically designed and tested to increase airflow over the factory air intake. The UV-resistant material and thick wall design should mean the snorkel will last well and truly the lifetime of your HiLux.

Specifications

• Materials: Polyethylene, UV-resistant
• Air intake: Air ram
• Sealed: Yes

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TJM Airtec snorkel

The sleek design of the TJM Airtec snorkel extends down the pillar and enters the quarter panel at the rear of the bonnet rather than running along the quarter panel. Australian-made and engineered to ensure supply of the correct volume of air to engine, the Airtec includes options for both narrow and widebody HiLux variants.

Specifications

• Materials: Polyethylene, UV-resistant
• Air intake: Air ram
• Sealed: Yes

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Fabulous Fabrications snorkel

Four inches of snorkel goodness! Each snorkel is handcrafted in-house, made from 316 stainless steel and purge-welded to guarantee longevity and a superior quality finish. Each snorkel comes with a 3mm laser-cut endcap, all required fixtures and fittings, and a comprehensive fitting guide to ensure a trouble-free installation.

Specifications

• Materials: Polyethylene, UV-resistant
• Air intake: Laser-cut grille (rear-facing)
• Sealed: Yes

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PHAT Bars snorkel

New design includes a water diverter in the top with two 8mm holes to capture the rain water and funnel out the holes. This snorkel screams style and the stainless-steel construction should mean a one-time purchase.

Specifications

• Materials: Polyethylene, UV-resistant
• Air intake: Mesh grille (rear-facing)
• Sealed: Yes

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How we review products

4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles and aftermarket products for more than 40 years.

When looking for the best accessories for your make and model of 4WD, there are some things essential to making sure you have the best off-roading experience.

When we compare products, here are some of the things we consider:

• Warranty
• Build quality
• Value for money
• Time and ease to set-up/install
• Weight
• Fit and finish
• How well it gets the job done
• What materials they’re made from
• Corrosion/UV resistance
• Coatings
• Compatibility with other accessories
• Compliance with ADRs and vehicle safety systems
• Country of manufacture
• Load ratings, to determine what's the best product across each price point.

We also consider user reviews and our own experience with these products to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.

Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products that we do not earn a commission from.

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