Higher Plane - 2019+ Ford Ranger 2.3L Snorkel R&D, Part 3 - Production Sample

Higher Plane - 2019+ Ford Ranger 2.3L Snorkel R&D, Part 3 - Production Sample

Even spontaneity requires a bit of planning. These impromptu adventures that the 2019+ Ford Ranger is designed for need at least an ounce of pre-thought before taking the hard turn to a dirt path. The addition of a snorkel to your truck negates some of the preparation needed for your treks, but the snorkel still needs careful preparation.

In our last post, we covered our design plans and preparation, and now, well, let's just say we love it when a plan comes together. Our snorkel has arrived, and it's ready to raise the elevation of your 2.3L's air induction.

Before we take a look at the snorkel on the truck, though, let's look at the kit itself and what makes it tough enough to wear the Bourne Off-Road badge, starting with the construction material.

No matter how rugged or paved the trail is, damaged components or losing them all together is less than ideal. However, there still is a delicate balance between strength and weight. Designing a kit that's too heavy might mean damaging those precious body panels we worked so hard to preserve. So, we opted for using super tough cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) for that lightweight brawn in the snorkel and connection tube. We also sprinkled in some strong steel and silicone for secure connection throughout the system. 

Speaking of connecting the system, how does this kit look installed on the truck? What's involved with the installation? I'm glad you asked. Of course, we'll provide a complete set of installation instructions, but we still wanted to give you a preview of how all of these components work together and what to expect.

One of the most vital components to this kit that you only see once is this fender plate. It's, quite literally, the glue that holds this kit together. Secured inside of the Ranger's fender, this plate serves as the main junction between the snorkel and the connection tube. With this plate installed, Dave can carry on with installing the rest of the kit.

We made sure to give this connection tube a unique shape so that it would tuck up under the fender liner, out of harm's way. 

While we are avoiding permanent modifications to the Ranger's exterior body panels, we still need to clear some sheet metal in the path of the snorkel to allow access to the airbox. Sure, some cutting is required, but this opening hides behind the fender liner and the airbox, so it's much less glaring than a hole in the hood.

With this hole cut in the engine bay, with a matching opening made in the airbox, we can now connect to the engine's air source with the included section of aluminum piping. The seal is completed with one of our patented airbox gaskets seals to ensure that all of that fresh air stays within the system.

Now the moment you've all been waiting for, the full install. With the addition of a pair of rivnuts on the A-pillar for a final support bracket, we can now fix the star of the show to the fender. Using a set of application-specific bolts, the snorkel fixes to the ever-important mounting plate. The multi-point mounting ensures that your snorkel stays attached to your Ranger in both the thick overgrowth and while you're scrubbing it at the carwash. We've also coated the mounting point with high-density foam to prevent scratches to your fender and deny entry to dust and muck to your intake system.

Whether your venture into the wilderness is planned or off the cuff, it's still vital to ensure that you're ready to tackle any obstacle that crossed your trail. Raising the bar on your Ranger's induction is just one step in that preparation. Make sure that you stick around for more info on getting your Ranger 2.3L EcoBoost Snorkel coming soon!

Thanks for Reading!

-Nick