Adventures Magazine 2 | Page 88

A D VI C E P R E -T R IP IN S P E C T IO N S THINGS YOUR AVERAGE MECHANIC WON’T CHECK The Aussie outback places its own demands on your 4WD, so unless your mechanic is experienced in dealing with vehicles in the bush, some of the early signs of damage caused out on the tracks can be missed. SEALED AIR FILTER BOX TOP TO BOTTOM: Relocating the breather lines is an easy mod; a snorkel's air intake will be affected if the air filter box isn't completely sealed; a full service is advisable before any big trip. 88 ADVENTURES Fitting a snorkel would have to be one of the best modifications you can make to your 4WD. The idea is it raises the air intake point as high as possible to prevent water being sucked up into the engine during water crossings, as well as accessing fresher, cleaner air while you’re on the road. But let’s face it, a snorkel isn’t going to help much if the rest of your air intake, like the air filter box and intake pipe, has holes in it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to check the air box is completely sealed, paying particular attention to loose mounting clips and missing breather tubes. The lower drainage compartments at the bottom of some models are