Petey003
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Adrian
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2018
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- 21
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- 121
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- Location
- Southern Vermont
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 RAM TRX, 2018 JLUR, 1996 H1 Wagon
- Occupation
- Director of Commercial Operations (TWF)
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- #1
Hey All,
Today I installed the Hauk Off-Road River RaiderSnorkel. I also installed their “Smilin Bobs” breather extension kit and ran it all into the air box.
I’d say the install took me around 3 hours. It’s super straight forward, the only hiccups I encountered were putting in the piece under the cowl in. You’ve got to raise the top plastic next to the cowl almost to the point you’re going to break it.
- The instructions come in color, are really solid.
- It’s a super tight fit, I’m not worried about any of the connections leaking.
- The smiling bob’s inlet to the air box is a little iffy so I put a clear silicone on both sides of the foam seal for peace of mind.
(PS - I cleaned up all of the wires for all lights etc in the very end)
Thanks for looking everyone!
First thing was to remove the stock air box. It was only a bolt on the left side (when facing the grill). Remove that one long bolt and the whole air box will pull straight up.
Next was installing the bracket for the River Raider air box. I don't have very thin arms/forearms so this was a little tricky. You might want to prepare yourself to drop the nuts a couple times here LOL. It's pretty simple once you get them started.
Since I decided to go ahead with their (Hauk Off-Road) "Smilin Bob's" breather extension kit I did that next. I put the attachment on the air box and PLACED SOME CLEAR SEALANT BETWEEN THE RUBBER WASHER AND AIR BOX. That's probably the only place I see sealant really being needed.
This is a better angle of where the fitting comes out of the side of the air box. It's really close to the battery. I was able to run the main hose (5/8") between that little reservoir and the battery. Fit like a glove.
Next was cutting. You pull the foam piece off that's right by it. It just pulls right off, seems to just be for noise? Here you can see where I had just cut the cowl piece. I used my dremel
Just making super clear where I cut.
Next you cut the little plastic piece. I used my dremel.
Once it's cut off.
Last view here. Just a further back shot of what it will look like when you've cut both out.
Again...
The work station. I had my ipad in front of me most of the day double checking my steps etc.
Time for the windshield wipers to come off!
Then you gently pry up the plastic piece that rests under the wipers. Once you get one corner up they start to pop loose pretty quick. Just go slow.
Next was cutting again. 3' Hole Saw and the provided template. I won't lie, I used tape under the paper, all over the edges of the paper of that template. I wanted to make sure that at no point did it move until I was done with a perfect hole.
Here's the close up of the corner piece placed in with the plastic trim in. Looking back I should have got a picture of me trying to finagle this thing into place. COMPLETELY UNBOLT YOUR COWL and take off. The instructions stay to lift up but it all feels like it is going to snap off. Particularly the area right behind the hood hinge. Be really careful with that part.
This is after you get the corner fitting piece into place. Here I also put on the 3" rubber sleeve for the tube to go.
Ew baby! Not gonna lie... This looked every bit as good as I'd hoped it would! It looks menacing!
The finished look after adding the elbow and tightening all hardware.
Finished look from the side.
Showing off the finished product with my KC cyclone under hood lights!
Their website stock photo of parts didn't match what I received. Notice the turned metal piece, mine is all one piece (pic on bottom)
This is a cleaned up view of the finished wiring and Smilin Bob's breather extensions.
Cleaned up wires. They were pretty half ass before. A lot of these installs I've done outdoors in 35 degree or less weather.
Another view with all the wires and install completed.
These are the actual parts that came with the kit. VS the pics. They now weld the snorkel attachment piece. I wrote them and they said that I have the new version. I like it better as far as no water getting in but shoving everything through the cowl area was a pain.
@Petey003 on instagram if you want to see more of Mac N ME.
Today I installed the Hauk Off-Road River RaiderSnorkel. I also installed their “Smilin Bobs” breather extension kit and ran it all into the air box.
I’d say the install took me around 3 hours. It’s super straight forward, the only hiccups I encountered were putting in the piece under the cowl in. You’ve got to raise the top plastic next to the cowl almost to the point you’re going to break it.
- The instructions come in color, are really solid.
- It’s a super tight fit, I’m not worried about any of the connections leaking.
- The smiling bob’s inlet to the air box is a little iffy so I put a clear silicone on both sides of the foam seal for peace of mind.
(PS - I cleaned up all of the wires for all lights etc in the very end)
Thanks for looking everyone!
First thing was to remove the stock air box. It was only a bolt on the left side (when facing the grill). Remove that one long bolt and the whole air box will pull straight up.
Next was installing the bracket for the River Raider air box. I don't have very thin arms/forearms so this was a little tricky. You might want to prepare yourself to drop the nuts a couple times here LOL. It's pretty simple once you get them started.
Since I decided to go ahead with their (Hauk Off-Road) "Smilin Bob's" breather extension kit I did that next. I put the attachment on the air box and PLACED SOME CLEAR SEALANT BETWEEN THE RUBBER WASHER AND AIR BOX. That's probably the only place I see sealant really being needed.
This is a better angle of where the fitting comes out of the side of the air box. It's really close to the battery. I was able to run the main hose (5/8") between that little reservoir and the battery. Fit like a glove.
Next was cutting. You pull the foam piece off that's right by it. It just pulls right off, seems to just be for noise? Here you can see where I had just cut the cowl piece. I used my dremel
Just making super clear where I cut.
Next you cut the little plastic piece. I used my dremel.
Once it's cut off.
Last view here. Just a further back shot of what it will look like when you've cut both out.
Again...
The work station. I had my ipad in front of me most of the day double checking my steps etc.
Time for the windshield wipers to come off!
Then you gently pry up the plastic piece that rests under the wipers. Once you get one corner up they start to pop loose pretty quick. Just go slow.
Next was cutting again. 3' Hole Saw and the provided template. I won't lie, I used tape under the paper, all over the edges of the paper of that template. I wanted to make sure that at no point did it move until I was done with a perfect hole.
Here's the close up of the corner piece placed in with the plastic trim in. Looking back I should have got a picture of me trying to finagle this thing into place. COMPLETELY UNBOLT YOUR COWL and take off. The instructions stay to lift up but it all feels like it is going to snap off. Particularly the area right behind the hood hinge. Be really careful with that part.
This is after you get the corner fitting piece into place. Here I also put on the 3" rubber sleeve for the tube to go.
Ew baby! Not gonna lie... This looked every bit as good as I'd hoped it would! It looks menacing!
The finished look after adding the elbow and tightening all hardware.
Finished look from the side.
Showing off the finished product with my KC cyclone under hood lights!
Their website stock photo of parts didn't match what I received. Notice the turned metal piece, mine is all one piece (pic on bottom)
This is a cleaned up view of the finished wiring and Smilin Bob's breather extensions.
Cleaned up wires. They were pretty half ass before. A lot of these installs I've done outdoors in 35 degree or less weather.
Another view with all the wires and install completed.
These are the actual parts that came with the kit. VS the pics. They now weld the snorkel attachment piece. I wrote them and they said that I have the new version. I like it better as far as no water getting in but shoving everything through the cowl area was a pain.
@Petey003 on instagram if you want to see more of Mac N ME.
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