58Bisc's 2006 H3

[H3slate]

:corn:

Really interested in how this turns out!

 

[58Bisc]

I spent all weekend over engineering the project, only to put together a very under engineered solution. I tore out all of the PVC pluming I had made. I then went to cheap 3 inch flex hose to mock everything up and it works. The key for me was removing the small lip section of the fender brace. Roughly 3/4 x 4 inchs long. Nothing structural and no bracing of any type. This opened up a 45 degree angled opening from the inter fender to the hole in the top of the brace directly under the air intake cover. I've been looking and thinking of ways to clean up the simple version, without going crazy on the engineering side. I've been reviewing any of the weak points of the simple install. I think I have most of them worked out. I need some time to take what I have today out and tweak it a bit. I'm a little worried that sharing too early could either cause someone to make a mistake or to give any nay sayers the chance to grab the issues to make their point. Here is what I think I have too improve.


1.) Currently using thin wire reenforced flex hose. PVC was great, but just too much work to heat and shape. Round is not an option. Flat is the only way to use it. Second problem was the need to cut and piece together all of the PVC without removing the entire fender. I believe using a reinforced hose like a rad hose that has a pre molded 45 degree angle in it would be a happy medium of a solution. Not sure if I will be able to find a 3 inch diameter reinforced hose. 2 1/2 would work, but 3 is key to making sure there is correct flow.


2.) Grinding and smoothing all of the edges on the small amount of metal that I cut. Then, putting door edge guards on the exposed edges to be safe.


3.) I mounted the snorkel to the air intake cover based off of the location of the hose attachment. This put the snorkel about three inches further forward then I would have liked it. I think I will find another cover and move the snorkel back, closer to the windshield pillar. I could easily create a small duct channel under the cover to get the visual effect I am looking for out of the snorkel on the top of the cover. The current location creates a bit of a blind spot.


4.) Create a water tight seal for the junction of the bottom of the air intake cover to the hose and still make the cover removable. I have a couple of ideas on this one, but I'm worried about over engineering again. My goal is to make this so that any one with hand tools can make what is needed. If this is not possible, I want to be sure they can buy something cheap that is already made and be able to use it.


Observations learned:


1.) The ARB snorkel runs out of the fender and along side the pillar for a reason, cleaner lines of sight and less of a blind spot.


2.) Making the factory air intake cover function as a water tight snorkel is actually very easy to do. Cutting a small piece of metal out provides a 45 degree path to the underside of the cover. It also provides the cleanest lines of sight while raising the water line ten inches and moves the water entry point away from the nose. The nose of course is the lowerst point of entry and wash over when entering the water. The factory air cover is also rain proof.


3.) There is just not enough room to create any type of snorkel on an H3 without some type of cutting. Whether it be the fender for the ARB, the entire bracing like what is needed for the H1 cap or a strip of metal for the air intake cover with the snorkel attachment. Truth is removing the fender to install ducting and or to cut is really the correct way to do this. I am progressing as if removing the fender is not an option.


4.) The stabilizing brace for the pillar to snorkel that comes with the Jeep snorkel is not usable. A new brace or braces will need to be made out of strap steel.


I did not get a chance to power up the laptop, download the pictures, post them to a hosting site and download the links in the forum. Truely sorry about that. I worked all day and then went out to play with this setup. If I get a chance to post them today while I'm at work, I will. It is supposed to rain all day and night here. More delays...

 

[58Bisc]

Heres what it looks like with the cover removed:

Another shot from a different angle:

Piece cut out:

You can now see the semi stright path to the opening, (note that you can see the tire) a 45 degee bend puts a hose beneith the factory opening:

Hose to air filter box:

Temporary flexable hose behind the fender and up to the air intake opening:

Flex hose pulled through the factory opening. At this point, if you put the factory air intake cover back on it will act as a snorkel:

$62. snorkel with my spare cover (which is now no good because I miss cut it...):

First attempt, which is mounted roughtly 3 inches too far forward (bracket is the one that came with the unit):

As I noted in an earlier post, this is my proto type set up. Flex is weak and the rigid flattened PVC was pretty cool, but inpractial. I'll show some pictures of that later. I'm currently looking for a rad type hose with a pre bent 45 degree angle to replace the flex hose. I need to buy another cover to cut a hole in, then make a stablizing bracket.

 

[TAPDH3T]

I hate to say this but we had the exact same idea!! Lol I got mine today and will be building mine within a few days.. Sry that u had to redo the cover but helps me now lol... If u have any notes I might need to know I would appreciate it!!!
( great minds think alike)

 

[58Bisc]

One thought is if you are going to use flex hose, the Apollo K&N set up might work. The filter and hose are one sealed unit. I had to flatten the hose a bit to get it to go through the hole. Not sure if the Apollo K&N is bendable or not. I really believe the rubber hose is the best way to go. It would be a semi rigid system that is air/water tight and more durable. Truthfully, just making the stock air intake cover work is pretty cool and appears to be quite functional. I just order a new air intake cover and I will be moving the snorkel back. Then I will need to come up with brackets to attach it to the windshield pillar. I'm thinking simple strap steel for them.

 

[TAPDH3T]

Yeah!!! I'm goin to use a heat gun and slowly heat and flex the molding to sit flush and then just us the two backing screws to mount straight to the panel so it follows the seam N flow of the truck!!!

 

[58Bisc]

I just ordered 3 inch silicone intake hoses. They are pressures hose that has some rigidity and pre molded bends that won't collapse when compressed. If this works, it will be a clean, repeatable solution. I should be able to silicone seal the hose to the factory opening under the air intake cover for a water tight seal.

Let me know if the snorkel bends with a heat gun. I was thinking of trimming the bottom a little to tilt it back. If heat works, it would be easier and less intrusive.

 

[58Bisc]

Sy-Klone pre cleaner came today, new air intake cover comes tomorrow and intake hoses will be here next week. I'll be replacing the entire proto type set up and installing a new cleaned up version. Tried to post a couple more pictures and my laptop died. I have not figured out how to post pictures from my iPad yet. No issues of any type with the proto type set up. Replacement is going to use a 3 inch round 24 inch stright pipe out of the 90 degree reducer from the air box to a 90 degree connected to a 45 degree that I will pull through the factory hole. I will then cut it off level with the factory hole and seal it tight. I will then move the snorkel 3 inches back on the new air intake cover. Attach the snorkel to the pillar molding and create a channel to line the snorkel hole to the hose. I'll top it all off with the 9000R Sy-Klone pre cleaner.

 

[Ron46]

did you finish the setup with the snorkel attached to the truck?:corn: and thanks for the write up too! I am going to do this soon

 

[58Bisc]

Na, tried last week, but my daughter bought a 2001 Jeep XJ and I started playing with that. My future son in law and I just finished his 1997 XJ and I thought it was time to get back to my H3, then she surprised me with her project. The H3 mods are piling up. I have rock sliders, shock sliders, front and rear drilled and slotted rotors with ceramic pads, SS braded lines and the snorkel to install. The 3 inch molded bend inlet hoses came, so I 'm going to try to get at least that part done this weekend if I can. I did do a little work on the snorkel placement on the new inlet cover, but did not finish it. I will take pictures and do an install thread when I'm done.

 

[58Bisc]

Well I ripped out the proto type for the functioning air intake cover and installed the final set up. Took a ton of pictures till I dropped my camera and broke it... Then I went and got my Daughter's camera and made it through a couple more, till the battery died... I think I ended up with enough pictures that it should clearly tell the story. I did the first install on the truck from above and below. Then I removed the whole set up to see if it could be assemble outside the truck and then installed from below. It can, but once you trim the top hose to size it gets much harder, as there is nothing to pull on. You can trust me on this one as I trimmed it perfect and the pulled it all back out and tried again. No where near as easy that time. I think the first time install from below won't be bad for anyone else following along.


Took me about two hour total for the assemble outside and up from below install. That includes taking out and putting back the inner wheel well. I worked hard at using parts and tools that most people should have access to. Final parts cost looks lower then I thought also. I did not need everything I ordered. I think I figured out the air intake cover snorkel also. I'll do the air intake cover install thread first and add the snorkel build and install later. Now if I can just get my laptop working to upload the pictures we will be in business.

 

[TAPDH3T]

Can't wait to read!!! I was suppose to have mine done this weekend but got rained out.. I'm getting agitated cause I'm ready to have mine on!!!

 

[SolidusJ]

Well I ripped out the proto type for the functioning air intake cover and installed the final set up. Took a ton of pictures till I dropped my camera and broke it... Then I went and got my Daughter's camera and made it through a couple more, till the battery died... I think I ended up with enough pictures that it should clearly tell the story. I did the first install on the truck from above and below. Then I removed the whole set up to see if it could be assemble outside the truck and then installed from below. It can, but once you trim the top hose to size it gets much harder, as there is nothing to pull on. You can trust me on this one as I trimmed it perfect and the pulled it all back out and tried again. No where near as easy that time. I think the first time install from below won't be bad for anyone else following along.


Took me about two hour total for the assemble outside and up from below install. That includes taking out and putting back the inner wheel well. I worked hard at using parts and tools that most people should have access to. Final parts cost looks lower then I thought also. I did not need everything I ordered. I think I figured out the air intake cover snorkel also. I'll do the air intake cover install thread first and add the snorkel build and install later. Now if I can just get my laptop working to upload the pictures we will be in business.

Just waiting on you so I can knock out mine!!!!:shifty:

 

[SolidusJ]

Can't wait to read!!! I was suppose to have mine done this weekend but got rained out.. I'm getting agitated cause I'm ready to have mine on!!!

Hey are going to make this trip? http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/for...en-Falls-Adventure-Park-Marble-Falls-TX-10-20

I need to get my hands on your T.

 

[TAPDH3T]

Hey are going to make this trip? http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/for...en-Falls-Adventure-Park-Marble-Falls-TX-10-20

I need to get my hands on your T.

Man I wish!! That's mine and my wife's anniversary.. We will be at mud stock in Jefferson Texas 18th-21st
(we do need to get together though)

 

[58Bisc]

Blurry picture of the proto type snorkel on my H3. The snorkel sat too far away from the windshield pillar. I mounted it in this spot to line the opening with the duct work that runs to the air filter box. On the final set up, I will mount the snorkel in the best cosmetic position and create an air channel beneath the cover to line up the openings:

A shot of the duct work assembled outside of the truck. The pipes were not as flat as the final product and the clamps on the flat pieces are installed wrong in this picture:

Here's a shot of the almost completed install.

 

[58Bisc]

I got a chance to work on the brakes. I did front and rear drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads. I did not get the chance to do the SS braded lines yet, that will be another days work.

 

[Ron46]

Looks good! do you have some more shots of the snorkel?

 

[58Bisc]

Looks good! do you have some more shots of the snorkel?

I dropped and broke my camera that day. I got a couple of blurry picture before it died totally. I have a couple more that show the flaws in where I mounted it the first time, but they are blurry also. I took the proto type snorkel extension back off and I am working on the finish unit. I have created a channel system out of three layers of polystyrene that allows me to put the snorkel extension where it looks best. It still makes an air and water tight seal with the air duct system I built to make the factory air intake cove work. I borrowed my Daughter's camera to take the brake pictures. I'm sure she won't mind me taking it again. I'm still debating if I should bed line the air intake cover to better match the snorkel extensions texture. I'll be trim coating the windshield pillar covers. In the close up shot that is what I painted the air intake cover. I also have the Sy-Klone pre cleaner install on the snorkel extension now in place of the open scoop. I just need to find the time to finish up. Wrapping up the two Jeep XJ projects trucks, so that should help. Of course now the cold is starting to settle in...

 

[58Bisc]

I added a set of GM rock sliders and four assist steps today. There is a large gap between the body and slider. This is why I had Schwartty's make me a custom set. My Schwartty's sliders still don't fit right. They won't mount up to the frame. Maybe in the spring I'll rework them. The GM units will work for now...

 

[58Bisc]

It's been a while since I updated my build. The snorkel looks like it is ready to go on, but needs paint (trim coat) which means it will have to wait till the spring. The GM sliders are working great with the removable steps. If I every get the custom Schwartty's sliders to fit, I think I will modify them to except the GM steps. Camera is still broke so pictures are a problem. If I could ever figure out how to up load them from my iPhone, we would be back in business.


Mechanically she is starting to show her age... Both belt tensioners have gone bad and yesterday the water pump went. No time to work on it, since I am swamped at work. Since it is past due for the state inspection, I'll be dropping it off at the stealership tonight to have the work done. The thought of them working on it is killing me, but I need to keep it running. Top all of this off with the fact I took it off road on some fire breaks while out shooting and I kissed a tree. It was one of thoughs bounced out of a rut and into a small tree. Nothing broken, just out of place and missing paint. Repairs of that will have to wait till spring, but my nice red grill and fender don't look so good right now.


Sorry no pictures, just no time to play with anything at this point.

 

[cgalpha08]

Sorry to hear about the body damage. For uploading pics, you can use a photobucket or flikr mobile app and upload pics to it, then copy the image code over to here.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[06 H3]

hang in there man...I know its starting to age, Mines an 06 and I have noticed things go wrong all at once then you fix it all and its all well for a good amount of time till the next round of replacements.

 

[58Bisc]

Here's the gap on the stock GM sliders:

 

[Pappibri]

Did you put the 1 inch bodylift on it? Was wondering how come there is such a big gap there? Sorry too hear about your recent misfortunes. Have always liked your rig. Good luck....