The Toyota 79 Series LandCruiser VDJ is one of the most worked and toured four wheel drives in Australia, and owners who push these vehicles hard know that intake protection is not optional. Dust, river crossings, and heat all affect how the engine breathes and how long the filter lasts between services. A snorkel addresses all of it by elevating the intake above the roofline, drawing in cleaner, cooler air from outside the engine bay environment.
What separates the Radius Fabrications 5 Inch Stainless Snorkel for the Toyota 79 Series VDJ from the standard 4 inch option is the bore diameter. This snorkel runs a true 5 inch inlet and outlet throughout, which delivers noticeably more airflow potential than a 4 inch alternative. It's available in two positions: the standard rear-facing drivers side configuration, and a passenger side mirrored version for owners who need the snorkel on the opposite side of the vehicle.
Why 5 Inches Makes a Difference
The difference between a 4 inch and a 5 inch snorkel is not trivial on a VDJ V8 engine. The VDJ is a large displacement diesel engine with significant airflow demands, particularly when loaded for touring, running aftermarket performance modifications, or working in low gear for extended periods. A 4 inch bore restricts the flow path to a smaller cross-sectional area, which can create a mild intake restriction that limits how freely the engine breathes.
A 5 inch bore increases the available flow area substantially. This means the engine is drawing air through a less restricted path from the intake head above the roofline all the way down to the airbox. Owners consistently report improved throttle response and smoother engine efficiency after fitting the 5 inch system, which aligns with what a less restricted, properly elevated intake delivers on a heavy-duty diesel platform like the VDJ.
If your 79 Series is used in demanding conditions with heavy loads, long touring runs, or aftermarket engine work, the 5 inch snorkel is worth specifying over the standard diameter alternative.
Drivers Side Rear Facing and Passenger Side Mirrored Versions
The 79 Series 5 inch snorkel is available in two positional configurations. The standard version is rear-facing on the drivers side, which is the conventional snorkel position for the 79 Series and places the intake head above the roofline with the opening deflecting away from the vehicle's direction of travel. The rear-facing orientation handles water and debris ingress more conservatively in rain and water crossings than a forward-facing alternative.
The passenger side mirrored version places the snorkel on the opposite side of the vehicle. This suits builds where the drivers side is occupied by other equipment, where a dual snorkel setup is being considered, or where the owner simply prefers the passenger side position for their specific build direction. The mirrored version maintains the same 5 inch bore and fabrication standard as the drivers side unit.
Both configurations are available through the product page with the full range of finish options.
High Grade Stainless Steel Construction
The snorkel is fabricated from high grade stainless steel throughout, precision TIG welded in-house at our Capalaba, Queensland workshop. Stainless was chosen for this product for the same reason it's used across our entire snorkel range: inherent corrosion resistance that doesn't depend on a coating remaining intact over years of outdoor exposure. A component mounted permanently on the exterior of a touring vehicle faces constant sun, moisture, dust, and vibration. Stainless handles all of it without the rust risk that comes with coated mild steel alternatives once the coating is compromised.
Every unit is designed and fabricated in Australia, which means quality control sits with our team from the initial cut through to the finished snorkel.
Finish Options
Four finish options are available: polished stainless, powder coated black, seamless polished, and seamless powder coated black. Polished stainless highlights the quality of the material and suits builds where the snorkel is intended to be a prominent visual element. Powder coated black offers a lower-profile matte result that integrates more quietly into darker coloured builds or anywhere an understated finish is preferred.
The seamless options remove the small but visible TIG weld join that appears at each bend on the standard finishes, which is a normal fabrication characteristic rather than a defect. If a fully smooth external surface is required for your build, the seamless variants are available in both polished and powder coated finishes.
Airbox Compatibility
The snorkel is compatible with the standard factory airbox, the Radius Fabrications airbox, and other aftermarket configurations. When ordering, select your airbox type so the correct silicone joiners are supplied in the kit. If you're running something other than a standard or Radius airbox, specify your setup in the order notes and we can confirm compatibility before production begins.
For owners looking to build out a complete 5 inch intake system on their 79 Series, pairing this snorkel with the Radius Fabrications 79 Series Panel Filter Airbox gives you components designed around the same platform and airflow objectives, which makes the installation cleaner and the overall system more cohesive.
Important Fitment Notes
This snorkel suits the VDJ V8 79 Series, including the 76, 77, 78, and 79 models in dual cab, wagon, and single cab configurations. It does not suit the HDJ V6 Series, and we do not fabricate snorkels or airboxes for petrol variants of the 79 Series.
It is also important to confirm your model year before ordering. This snorkel does not suit 2024 and newer 79 Series models due to changes Toyota made to the guard design with that update. Some owners of the newer generation have adapted the snorkel with modifications, but the 2024 model is not a supported fitment. Check your build year carefully before placing your order.
Some early model airboxes may also require minor modifications for optimal fitment, which is normal across the production range.
The snorkel is not directly compatible with the Armax Safari snorkel due to differences in outlet and inlet sizing. It is possible to integrate the two with the correct reducer or plumbing setup, but any additional components required for that configuration are not included in the standard kit. Contact us before ordering if you're planning that kind of setup so we can walk through what's involved.
What's in the Kit
Every kit includes the 5 inch stainless steel snorkel in the chosen style and finish, a cutting template, silicone joiners matched to your airbox selection, hose clamps, and all brackets and fittings needed for installation. The kit is designed to be DIY-friendly for owners comfortable with this type of modification. Installation time for both snorkel and airbox together is typically three to five hours.
No engine tune is required after installation. The factory ECU adapts to the improved airflow, though performance tuning can offer additional gains for owners who want to take full advantage of the upgrade.
Fabricated to Order in Capalaba
Every snorkel we produce is built to order at our Capalaba, Queensland workshop. Lead times apply and are updated on our website. We operate under a no change of mind policy given the custom made nature of our products, so confirming your style, finish, model year, and airbox selection before ordering is the most important step to get right upfront. Replacement shipping for incorrect selections is at the customer's cost.
If your 79 Series VDJ is ready for a proper 5 inch intake upgrade, head to the product page to select your position, finish, and airbox configuration, or contact us if you have fitment questions before placing your order.
This product is not endorsed by or affiliated with Toyota. All vehicle model references are used for compatibility and identification purposes only.