Andy Shane
Do you know what a snorkel is used for? It elevates the air intake so it doesn’t get in mud, water, or snow when you’re driving through a river or a snowdrift. People that live in a dry/dusty area still like to off-road should also use this accessory, as it will keep dirt and dust away. The best snorkel for Jeep JK and TJ should be easy to install, durable, and affordable.
Choose Your Option!
That’s what we had in mind when we made the following list. It includes four outstanding offers from Rugged Ridge, K&N, Volant, and Red Rock. These companies have proved over time that their products can be trusted. So, let’s take a closer look at each and see which one offers the greatest value. And don’t forget to check out the short, yet helpful Buyer’s Guide if you don’t want to go shopping blindly.
Buyer’s Guide
Snorkels come in all sizes and shapes. Some are more expensive, while others are available for a lower price-tag. What are the most important factors to consider when purchasing a snorkel? Which key aspects should you always check before committing? Read the following Buyer’s Guide, and you’ll find out! We made sure to keep it short, yet informative for the regular drivers.
Ease of Installation
No matter how “user-friendly” a snorkel might be, most of them require the driver to make at least some DIY modifications. We’re talking about drilling, cutting, and bending the Jeep hood and the air intake system. So, yes, there’s always the chance of you messing everything up unless you’ve got the right set of tools, some experience, and luck. Now, unless you do everything right with the bolts, nuts, and whatnots, the snorkel will not be very effective.
That means it will allow some amount of water to fill the engine compartment and damage it. Therefore, if you’re not 100% sure that you can pull this off, let a professional handle it. Mechanics usually don’t charge that much, but they do make sure everything works exactly how it’s supposed to.
Clear, Step-By-Step Instructions
Still, believe that you’ve got what it takes to install a brand-new snorkel kit? Then it would be best if you buy a set that includes a clear, user-friendly guide. Look for instructions with illustrations – they make it easier to make sense of everything. A template for your Jeep’s model would be a nice bonus. It will show you exactly where you need to cut holes in the hood to make room for the snorkel.
Be careful: if you don’t seal everything properly, water will find its way into the hood, and you’ll have corrosion on your hands. Moisture is known to have a huge negative effect on the engine and the Jeep’s bodywork.
Flexibility and Versatility
Unfortunately, a lot of snorkels tend to block the factory windshield: they prevent it from folding down. In other cases, a snorkel kit can also block the light-bar transmission, which makes it harder to do off-roading at night. So, what should you do in a situation like that? The best solution would be to go for a flexible and customizable snorkel. The Rugged Ridge gear on our list is exactly like that.
In the low-profile mode, it won’t interfere with the windshield. The high-profile/high-mount mode is also quite useful and will save you a lot of headaches. There aren’t many versatile options on the market, however – you’ll need to keep your eyes open and check the features carefully before committing.
Protection against Contamination
Even though the snorkel lifts the air intake system above the hood, that still doesn’t mean it won’t get dirt, water, and mud in it. That’s why protection against contamination and debris is so important: you can’t always know exactly how deep a river can be, for example. And even a tiny amount of water can ruin the engine and cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs. With that said, try to avoid deep water and mud whenever possible. To enhance the effectiveness of your snorkel, consider incorporating additional safeguards like a pre-filter or a water separator, which can help minimize the risks associated with off-roading through unpredictable terrain.
Best Snorkel for Jeep JK (Updated April, 2024)
| Product | Product Information | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
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1) Rugged Ridge 17756.21 XHD Jeep JK Snorkel Kit |
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2) K&N Jeep JK Snorkel Kit |
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3) Volant 37738 Snorkel Kit for Jeep JK |
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Best Snorkel for Jeep TJ (Updated April, 2024)
| Product | Product Information | View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
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1) RED ROCK Redrock 4×4 Snorkel |
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Conclusion
With a high-quality snorkel, you won’t have to clear or change the air filter nearly as often as you used to. The idea behind this gear/accessory is pretty simple, but it still does a very important job. So, if you’re tired of purchasing new filters regularly, we highly recommend checking out the snorkels from our list. As always, we did our best to pick the ones that offer the perfect balance of quality and price.
Rugged Ridge has three different configurations to choose from, while K&N includes a generous warranty. Volant and Red Rock are also worth your while, as they have their own standout features. Which snorkel do you think will be the right choice for a regular Jeep driver, and why? And which ones are not that good? Share your experience and knowledge in the comments
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