They have a purpose, or you can get one just for the "bling" factor. I get stuff that works, not for pretty.

It depends if you want to go scuba diving or not. Do you intend to ford deep water crossings?

 

I bought a Navara D22 snorkel, although it's not made for the Xterra it mounts just fine(there is a thread on here somewhere).
I have and will continue to make water crossings, but to me the snorkel is more of a dust and splash protection. Any serious water crossings i come to, will most likely be walked before attempted, and if i know it's going to be over the air box, i will definitely consider other routes.

A snorkel also involves.
Absolutely no vacuum leaks.
Ensuring all electrical connections are water tight.
Distributer being water tight.
The two piece air box is troubling. I bought a k&N air filter with it's thicker rubber seal, then sprayed around it with carburetor cleaner and the RPM's never changed, so fingers crossed it's tight.

Then the ECU and TCU, water will make it into the cab eventually, it may not for just a minute or two but eventually it will, so if you get stuck while crossing you don't want these getting wet. I'm considering using silicone to run around the cover of the ECU and screws then die electric greasing the connector, but i'm going to need a second opinion on that.

The transmission, transfer case, and front differentials also need there breather hoses extended.

 

They have a purpose, or you can get one just for the "bling" factor. I get stuff that works, not for pretty. It depends if you want to go scuba diving or not. Do you intend to ford deep water crossings?

I plan to do more water crossings in the future but for now i just live at the beach and wanna be able to protect my car from extra rust getting in so snorkel might help. idk

 

Since the OEM intake gets air from the wheel well I think it's worth the install if you're planning any type of water crossing deeper than the hubs.

I don't see how one would protect a truck from rust.

Back in the day, on two different occasions, I wheeled with and watched two different non-snorkeled guys hydro-lock their 1st gens on the stupidest most ill-advised water crossings I've seen to date. One wasn't that deep, both obstacles had a bypass!

I admit I've done many stupid things in my truck. including one water crossing with no bypass at night where water swept over the hood. I wasn't the first one through and was told by the trustworthy, more experienced "...lockers on, create and maintain a wake in front of the truck, don't stop. You will be more likely to make it but if you get stuck shut the engine and we'll pull you out". I attached a long strap to the front of the truck so we wouldn't have to hook one up under water, I could throw it towards my buddy on the other side if I had to shut down and went.

Holy F! I believe I would not have made it without the Snorkel, scared the crap out of me yo.

I realize we all take a chance when off-road however diving into uncharted waters? Sorry, the risk is just not worth the reward. Even if you make it folks will think it was dumb.

Anyways, I have one of the old ARB snorkels that was made for the "Patrol" (Y61) that I ran through a Volant Cool Air Intake. Sorry, no links. I don't know if the snorkel is different than the one they sell now. It certainly did not cost no $400+ back when I bought it. I believe the Volant kit is no longer in production for our trucks.

Since it wasn't made for my truck the install required some innovation, caulking and some random, discarded air intake plumbing that was lying around a friends shop. Sorry no pics, I installed this crap so long ago that any pictures I might have taken are lost in photofucket oblivion and most likely not helpful anyways.

As far as the "bling factor" mentioned above, with all the crap I've done to my truck, lift, bumpers, SAS, etc. the snorkel is what everyone outside our game sees first. When I'm driving around in Brooklyn, I get more looks because of it than anything else.

I have a line on ARB Snorkel with the plumbing off a Frontier I can broker for you if you're interested.

 

I did an Airtech one a few years back and it's not the easiest but it works. Ditto on ensuring zero vacuum leaks and using dielectric grease on electrical connections. If you have rust concerns use cosmoline or fluid film if you like the sheep smell on areas you are worried about, the bottom of the doors have some small voids that hold some water for example.

 

Mine is mostly to help reduce dust intrusion, plus help with the occasionail rain issue (snorkel head to the rear). I'm using a snorkel for Navarra diesel truck. Relocated the IAT, closed off the unused opening, silicone 90* elbow from Flea-bay, section of 3" exhaust tubing (painted to keep rust at bay for a bit longer) and then connected it all together.
That, and to give the 'Runner crowd whiplash, as they wave because of the snorkel, and then realize "wait a minute! That wasn't a 'Runner!!!". Beats the weak "*eep wave"...