Trailhunter Snorkel Sound / Noise 'Music' – Eliminated No More!

[kekecarioca]

Thanks for your comments!

One thing I did not include in the post is that once you install the TRD Pro intake (4A, 'foam method') you can switch between "music" (Trailhunter) and no music(TRD pro), by simply installing or removing the foam from the snorkel inlet only. No need to plug the TRD Pro air box inlet, since the "music" will be heard when both inlets are 'open'. Unless, you do not want to miss a Note!

Good Point !
I just wonder if having both airways open might set off the MAF sensor or something along those lines ( too much air for ECU to compensate). I might be overthinking it...
I'll try to have both "plugs" (if one foam won't do both) in case of dusty trails too.
I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering the parts for the mod. I'll report back if needed!
Thanks again and Good rides!!

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[kekecarioca]

Here is an update on this mod :

- A tip for anyone doing this: there is a small plastic cover that needs to be removed that gets replaced by the " basket" assembly. To do so it will require removing and replacing 2 of the snap cap things. Just push on the middle of them to release and once out "rest" them with your nails.

- the black cap is the one existing on the air box and the red one comes with the TRD elbow.

- The elbow itself seems to be "impossible" to fit without removing the airbox, but at the right angle it works its way in there and fits like a glove. Then then goes in the " basket" and snap clips.


I still plan on making a cap that I can block the "noise" from the inside of the air box when "needed". For now I am running them both open and did not notice a difference on sound or performance. Only a few days int it.

Cheers!

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Here is an update on this mod :

- A tip for anyone doing this: there is a small plastic cover that needs to be removed that gets replaced by the " basket" assembly. To do so it will require removing and replacing 2 of the snap cap things. Just push on the middle of them to release and once out "rest" them with your nails.

- the black cap is the one existing on the air box and the red one comes with the TRD elbow.

- The elbow itself seems to be "impossible" to fit without removing the airbox, but at the right angle it works its way in there and fits like a glove. Then then goes in the " basket" and snap clips.


I still plan on making a cap that I can block the "noise" from the inside of the air box when "needed". For now I am running them both open and did not notice a difference on sound or performance. Only a few days int it.

Cheers!

Having had this modification for several months now, have you had any issues? Any MAF codes or check engine lights?
Additionally, without removing / replacing the fender panel, do you have the ability to remove the physical snorkel that goes up the A Pillar?

specifically looking for feedback on the “4B method” where you use the TRD Pro intake method and plug the snorkel with a rubber piece

 

[kekecarioca]

Having had this modification for several months now, have you had any issues? Any MAF codes or check engine lights?
Additionally, without removing / replacing the fender panel, do you have the ability to remove the physical snorkel that goes up the A Pillar?

specifically looking for feedback on the “4B method” where you use the TRD Pro intake method and plug the snorkel with a rubber piece

Sorry I forgot to report back :

I ended up making a foam rectangle with a string I can put at the end of the Air intake instead of having to "block " the channel inside the air box. Removing the filter it's kind of a pain. Otherwise It's only 2 small screws holding the screen and then I leave the string hanging out of it in case the foam block gets shoved too far in there somehow. Sound is reduced very much so with foam from an old mattress.

I ran it with it blocked for a tank and obviously with the TRD mod open without any issues. I also ran it with both open and no issues nor any changed in performance or mpg.

I currently have another foam piece blocking the TRD mod to avoid extra dust in the filter. I will only switch if we go on a road trip together; me, wife, etc. We went recently to the desert and did not switch due to expected "insane " amount of chalk/ dust.

Hope all this makes sense.

 

[kekecarioca]

To summarize above statement :

-Option 1 : TRD mod blocked with foam. "Snorkel" open. Like stock form TH. : Normal use 90 % of time.

-Option 2 : TRD open. "Snorkel" blocked with foam at intake vent : @ trip destinations w/ family 10 % of time.

- Option 3: Both TRD an "Snorkel" open. No MAF codes or negligent performance change in my experience. I ran it for a few hundred miles maybe. I will not be doing this at all in the future: asking for more dust in the filter.

P.S> I hand cut foam from an old mattress. Works great. It got a wife "approval" by her not even noticing the vacuum suction sound with the window down.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

To summarize above statement :

-Option 1 : TRD mod blocked with foam. "Snorkel" open. Like stock form TH. : Normal use 90 % of time.

-Option 2 : TRD open. "Snorkel" blocked with foam at intake vent : @ trip destinations w/ family 10 % of time.

- Option 3: Both TRD an "Snorkel" open. No MAF codes or negligent performance change in my experience. I ran it for a few hundred miles maybe. I will not be doing this at all in the future: asking for more dust in the filter.

P.S> I hand cut foam from an old mattress. Works great. It got a wife "approval" by her not even noticing the vacuum suction sound with the window down.

Thank you for the update, really appreciate it!

Just to confirm - you have not had any codes / MAF issues on any of the options?
How many miles have you gone in total since you started any of these?

I’m torn between the TH and an ORP - I love everything about the TH except the snorkel is a dealbreaker for my wife and I. I’m super worried about getting a TH and doing the TRD Pro mod and then causing issues with a brand new vehicle

 

[MikeUtah]

Thank you for the update, really appreciate it!

Just to confirm - you have not had any codes / MAF issues on any of the options?
How many miles have you gone in total since you started any of these?

I’m torn between the TH and an ORP - I love everything about the TH except the snorkel is a dealbreaker for my wife and I. I’m super worried about getting a TH and doing the TRD Pro mod and then causing issues with a brand new vehicle

I made the TRD Pro mod 4 or 5 months ago. I ran both the “Snorkel” and “TRD Pro” mod open for a while with no problems. However, like you, I wanted the TH except the snorkel. So I run with the TRD Pro mod all the time now (I blocked the snorkel in the air box with foam).

 

[kekecarioca]

Thank you for the update, really appreciate it!

Just to confirm - you have not had any codes / MAF issues on any of the options?
How many miles have you gone in total since you started any of these?

I’m torn between the TH and an ORP - I love everything about the TH except the snorkel is a dealbreaker for my wife and I. I’m super worried about getting a TH and doing the TRD Pro mod and then causing issues with a brand new vehicle

Same here as as above from OP. I ran both open for a good 200 miles since I ran out of time to craft foam blocks. No codes or issues there.
Then I ran Snorkel closed for another full tank maybe before going back to stock w/ TRD closed.

GO TH all the way!
To reassure you, with my foam block, it reduced the sound significantly and note that the foam I used is quite "porous" lets say. You can probably use a harder plastic foam like a nerf ball type and good to go.

 

[Shane]

If you like the Trailhunter, but don’t like the snorkel noise, this post is for you. This post builds on many other threads on this and other forums.

Here are two options to eliminate the Snorkel noise:

Option#1: Plug the Snorkel

Steps:

1. Unclip the four clips and move the air box cover to the side. (pic #1) Helpful hint: Use a small bungy cord to hold the air box cover out of the way.
2. Remove air filter.
3. Insert an oversized oblong shaped piece of foam (4” bedding foam works great) into the snorkel inlet (pic #2).
4. Remove black cap from the lower outside of the air box (pic #3).
5. Reinsert air filter and secure air box cover.

Pros:

• Simple, requires no tools, 10-minute job.
• Can be reversed in minutes.
• No air restrictions, gain the 3HP lost due to the snorkel.
• By plugging the snorkel at the air box, you eliminate the ‘echo’ sound in the snorkel.

Cons:

• Draws air from the engine compartment.

Commentary:​

• I ran a test using two Bluetooth thermometers with one in the air box and one in front of the grill. Driving in the neighborhood and on the highway, I saw an average higher temperature of 10 - 15 degrees in the air box (engine compartment), no surprise.
• The temperature differential between the outside air and the engine compartment will vary greatly depending on the outside temperature, and if you are in stop and go traffic vs interstate driving.
• Note, as the turbo compresses the air, the air temperature will increase to 150+ degrees. The intercooler then cools the air before combustion.

Option#2: Convert Trailhunter Air Intake to TRD Pro Air Intake

Parts needed: (Note: These are not the same parts used for Tacoma Trailhunter)

You will need 3 Toyota parts to convert the Trailhunter 4Runner airbox to a TRD Pro 4Runner airbox:​

PTR03-35241-AE – Coupling Kit (includes red elbow to connect to the front intake air cleaner and a red cap to plug the inlet of the snorkel). $109.22 online cost from local Toyota dealer.​

​

17752-25040 - Inlet, Air Cleaner (includes inlet basket that hooks up to the red elbow and clips into the front radiator support) $68.90 online cost from local Toyota dealer.​

​

90467-07217 - Clips (3) (needed to clip in the inlet basket) $5.85 online cost from local Toyota dealer.​

Steps:

1. Unclip the four clips and move the air box cover to the side. (pic #1) Helpful hint: Use a small bungy cord to hold the air box cover out of the way.
2. Remove air filter.
3. Remove the air box by simply pulling the air box straight up and out of the snorkel inlet. The air box is held in place by three pins and is very simple to remove and reinstall.

At this point you have two methods (4A or 4B) to plug the snorkel:

4A. Insert an oversized oblong shaped piece of foam (4” bedding foam works great) into the snorkel inlet (pic #2). Go to step 5 below.

OR

4B. a). Using the red plug that comes with the Coupling Kit, (pic #4) plug the air box snorkel inlet.
b). To make room for the red plug when reinstalling the air box, you need to remove two bolts and the elbow going through the fender wall (pic #5).

5. Remove black cap from the lower outside of the air box (pic #3).
6.Connect red elbow that comes with the Coupling Kit to the air box, same point that you removed the black cap.
7. Reinstall the air box by lining up the pins and pushing the box down into place.
8. Reinsert air filter and secure air box cover.
9. Remove a small plastic support held in place by two clips (pic #6). Helpful hint: The clips can easily be removed by depressing the center of the clip then pulling them out. These clips will be reused.
10. Install Inlet, Air Cleaner by lining it up with the red elbow and installing a total of 5 clips. (pic #7 & #8).

Pros:

• May sound complicated but it is really very simple.
• Completely OEM air intake if using method 4B above.
• If you ever want to impress your next Wife or Husband with snorkel 'music', use method 4A above and you can restore the 'music' by simply removing the foam plug.
• Pulls air from in front of the engine compartment (‘Cold Air Intake’)
• Regains the 3 HP lost due to the snorkel
• Can be reversed

Cons:

• Cost $183.97 (without tax)

Pic #1

PIC #2

PIC#3

Thank you Mike for all the information. I ordered the parts and installed them. Can the side opening to the fender be left in and that inlet to the airbox up to the snorkel be left intact? And not throw a code?
This could allow better air into the box, from the front of the engine as well as suck from snorkel…just less from snorkel-quieter.

 

[Shane]

I made the TRD Pro mod 4 or 5 months ago. I ran both the “Snorkel” and “TRD Pro” mod open for a while with no problems. However, like you, I wanted the TH except the snorkel. So I run with the TRD Pro mod all the time now (I blocked the snorkel in the air box with foam).

When you say you ran both, two sources into the air box and no codes?

 

[Shane]

Thank you for the update, really appreciate it!

Just to confirm - you have not had any codes / MAF issues on any of the options?
How many miles have you gone in total since you started any of these?

I’m torn between the TH and an ORP - I love everything about the TH except the snorkel is a dealbreaker for my wife and I. I’m super worried about getting a TH and doing the TRD Pro mod and then causing issues with a brand new vehicle

FYI. I have been watching the evolution of insights here. I ended up doing the dual—-TRD and TH snorkel inlets open to the air filter. No issues. Less noise suction from the tube and better cold air from the front (trd inlet)… I figure if I am concerned about dusty trail, I can simply plug top——trd inlet.

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