The Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series is an icon of the Australian outback. Renowned for its indestructibility and torque-heavy powertrains, the 70 Series is the go-to workhorse for farmers, miners, and serious tourers. However, even the mighty 70 Series has an Achilles’ heel: its factory air intake location.
If you own a **Pre-Face Lift 70 Series** (typically models produced between 2007 and 2016), you know that the standard air intake draws air from behind the front guard or inside the engine bay. This is fine for city driving, but the moment you hit the dusty tracks or tackle a deep water crossing, your engine is at risk.
At SunVisorAU, we believe in protecting your investment while unlocking performance. Our **5″ Snorkel** for the Pre-Face Lift 70 Series is not just an aesthetic upgrade; it is a critical performance and safety modification designed to handle the harshest Australian conditions.
## Why Upgrade to a Massive 5″ Snorkel?
When browsing for snorkels, you will see the standard 3″ options and the more aggressive 4″ options. So, why go all out with a **5-inch intake**? The answer lies in airflow dynamics and engine efficiency.
The 1VD-FTV V8 diesel and the 1HZ engines found in these vehicles love to breathe. By increasing the diameter of the snorkel to 5 inches (127mm), we significantly reduce the restriction on the air intake.
1. **Maximized Airflow:** The larger cross-sectional area allows a higher volume of air to enter the engine with less resistance. This reduces intake vacuum, allowing the turbo to spool more efficiently.
2. ** Cooler Air Intake:** The factory intake position sucks in hot air from the engine bay. Hot air is less dense, containing less oxygen per cubic meter than cold air. By relocating the intake to the roofline with a 5″ snorkel, you are feeding your engine cooler, denser air. Cooler air means better combustion, more power, and improved fuel economy.
3. **The “Trophy Truck” Look:** Let’s be honest, aesthetics matter. A 5″ snorkel gives your 70 Series a commanding, aggressive presence that signals you are serious about off-roading.
## Precision Engineering for Pre-Face Lift Models (2007–2016)
One of the biggest frustrations with buying aftermarket 4WD accessories is fitment. A snorkel that doesn’t align with your A-pillar or requires excessive cutting looks terrible and can leak.
Our 5″ Snorkel is **molded specifically for the Pre-Face Lift body shape**. This includes the 76 Series Wagon, 78 Series Troop Carrier, and 79 Series Pickup from the 2007 to 2016 era.
* **Contoured Fit:** The snorkel body follows the natural curve of the 70 Series A-pillar perfectly, ensuring a seamless gapless fit against the guard.
* **Minimal Modification:** While some cutting of the inner guard (fender) is required for all snorkel installations, our template ensures this is precise and minimal, preserving the structural integrity of your vehicle.
* **UV-Stable Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE):** We manufacture our snorkels using high-quality LLDPE. This material is chosen for its incredible resilience. It is UV-stable, meaning it won’t fade or chalk in the harsh Australian sun, and it has high impact strength to resist branches and rocks on the track.
## Conquer the Elements: Dust and Water Protection
The primary function of any snorkel is to separate your engine from the elements. In Australia, those elements are dust and water.
### Superior Dust Separation
Driving in a convoy or on dry outback roads creates a massive dust cloud. This dust is sucked in by the vacuum of your engine. If that dust reaches your air filter, the filter clogs faster, starving the engine of air. If the dust bypasses the filter, it acts like sandpaper inside your cylinders.
Our 5″ Snorkel features a highly efficient **Ram Air Head**. The design acts as a cyclonic separator. As air enters the scoop, the heavier dust particles and rain droplets are flung outward by centrifugal force and drained out of special vents in the snorkel head. Only clean, cool air continues down the intake tube.
### Confidence in Water Crossings
A 5″ snorkel raises your air intake point to roughly the roofline of the vehicle. This is the single most effective modification for increasing your vehicle’s wading depth.
* **River Crossings:** The 70 Series has a high factory wading depth, but the air intake is the limiting factor. With this snorkel installed, you can confidently tackle water crossings that reach windscreen height (provided you have adequate waterproofing on electrics and diffs).
* **Engine Safety:** Water does not compress. If your engine ingests water (hydrolock), it can bend connecting rods and destroy the block in seconds. By raising the intake, our snorkel ensures that the only thing going into your engine is air.
## The Importance of the “Pre-Face Lift” Distinction
Toyota released the “Face Lift” update to the 70 Series in late 2016/2017. This update changed the headlights, bonnet, guards, and A-pillar geometry. A snorkel designed for a 2023 model will *not* fit a 2010 model.
By selecting this **Pre-Face Lift 5″ Snorkel**, you are guaranteed a product that matches the specific mounting points and body contours of your classic-era 70 Series. Whether you drive a single-cab 79, a double-cab, or a 76 wagon, this unit has been tailored to your specific chassis code.
## Installation and Hardware
We know that 4WD owners love to DIY, but we also know that quality hardware makes the job easier. This kit comes complete with everything you need to get the job done right the first time.
* **Stainless Steel Clamps:** We use A2-grade stainless steel clamps that won’t rust or seize, even years after exposure to salt air and mud.
* **Precision Template:** The included paper template makes marking the holes on your guard error-proof.
* **Rubber Seals:** Heavy-duty rubber seals are provided for the connection between the snorkel body and the air intake duct, ensuring an airtight seal to prevent unfiltered air from entering the engine.
* **Snorkel Head:** The kit includes the directional ram head. For those driving in extreme cyclonic dust conditions, the head can be rotated to face away from the dust trail (known as “reverse ram”) to prevent sucking in the cloud.
## Technical Specifications
* **Compatibility:** Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series (Pre-Face Lift) – 76, 78, 79 Models (2007–2016).
* **Material:** UV-Stable Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE).
* **Intake Diameter:** 5 Inches (127mm) – High Flow.
* **Finish:** Matte Black (can be painted to match vehicle color).
* **Inclusions:** Snorkel body, Ram head, stainless steel clamps, template, fitting kit, and instructions.
* **Warranty:** [Insert Warranty Length, e.g., 3 Years / 100,000kms].
## Ideal Applications
Who is this 5″ Snorkel for?
* **The Tourer:** If you are towing a van around Australia, you need your engine running as cool and efficiently as possible. The 5″ airflow reduces heat soak and keeps the turbo happy.
* **The Miner/Farmer:** Working in dust bowls all day destroys air filters. The elevated intake and cyclonic head design significantly extend the life of your air filter elements, saving you money on maintenance.
* **The Hardcore Off-Roader:** For those tackling the Cape, the Simpson, or the High Country, the increased wading depth and durability are non-negotiable.
## Why Buy from SunVisorAU?
At SunVisorAU, we aren’t just selling parts; we are part of the 4WD community. We understand that your 70 Series is more than just a car—it’s a tool and a lifestyle. We test the products we sell to ensure they meet the rigorous demands of the Australian terrain.
When you purchase this **5″ Snorkel for Pre-Face Lift 70 Series**, you are getting premium quality, expert support, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your engine is breathing clean, cool air, no matter where the trail takes you.
**Protect your engine. Boost your performance. Elevate your 70 Series.**
*Order your 5″ Snorkel today and get ready to explore the unbeaten path.*
