The Toyota 79 Series LandCruiser is built for work, and owners who push them hard know that the factory intake is one of the first things that needs addressing. Dust ingestion on outback tracks, water ingestion on river crossings, and the general heat and grime of serious off-road use all take a toll on an intake system that was never designed with those conditions as its primary concern. Elevating the intake above the roofline is one of the most effective modifications you can make to protect your VDJ engine and improve how it breathes day to day.
The Radius Fabrications 4" Rear Facing Stainless Steel Snorkel for the Toyota 79 Series VDJ LandCruiser is fabricated in-house at our Capalaba, Queensland workshop and designed for the driver side in a rear-facing configuration. It suits the full range of dual cab, wagon, and single cab 79 Series variants running the VDJ V8 engine, and it's available in two finishes to suit different build directions.
What a Rear Facing Snorkel Does Differently
The rear-facing inlet position is a deliberate design choice. A rear-facing head reduces the amount of direct water spray and debris that can enter the intake when you're moving through rain, scrub, or shallow water. It also reduces the ram-air pressure that builds at the intake opening at highway speed, which can affect how consistently the engine breathes at higher cruise speeds. For touring builds that spend time on both the highway and the track, the rear-facing configuration is a practical choice that suits both environments well.
Combined with the driver side positioning, this snorkel places the intake above the roofline in the factory snorkel location for the 79 Series, keeping the install clean and the fitment aligned with how the vehicle was designed to accept a snorkel.
304-Grade Stainless Steel Construction
The 79 Series snorkel is fabricated from high-grade stainless steel with a true 4" inlet and outlet throughout. The 4" diameter is important here. Some aftermarket snorkels advertise a 4" body but reduce down at the joins, which creates a restriction that partially defeats the purpose of fitting a snorkel in the first place. This snorkel maintains a genuine 4" flow path from the inlet to the outlet, which is what delivers the airflow improvement that owners report after installation.
Stainless steel was chosen for the same reason we use it across our snorkel range: corrosion resistance that lives in the material rather than a coating that can fail. A vehicle that spends time in salt air, river water, mud, and UV exposure puts exterior components under sustained stress. Stainless handles all of that without the rust risk that comes with coated mild steel alternatives.
Finish Options
The snorkel is available in two finishes. Polished stainless gives a clean, high-contrast look that suits builds where the snorkel is meant to be a feature. Satin black powder coat brings a lower-profile, matte finish that integrates more quietly into the overall look of the vehicle, which works well on darker coloured 79 Series builds or anywhere a more understated result is preferred.
Both finishes are available through the product page, and the construction quality is identical between them.
What Comes in the Kit
Every kit includes the driver side rear-facing stainless snorkel with 4" inlet and outlet, a cutting template, silicone joiners, hose clamps, and all brackets and fittings required for the installation. The cutting template is included to guide the guard cut, which makes the process significantly more straightforward for owners doing the install themselves.
Note that some early model airboxes may require minor modifications for optimal fitment. This is not unusual across the 79 Series production range, where tolerances can vary between build years. If you're unsure about your specific model year, get in touch with us before ordering.
Fitment Notes and Compatibility
This snorkel suits VDJ V8 79 Series LandCruisers, including the 76, 77, 78, and 79 models in dual cab, wagon, and single cab configurations. It does not suit the 2024 and newer model 79 Series due to changes in the guard design that Toyota introduced with that update. Some owners of the newer models have adapted the snorkel with modifications, but we do not list the 2024 model as a supported fitment.
The snorkel is also not suitable for HDJ V6 Series LandCruisers, and we do not currently fabricate snorkels for petrol variants of the 79 Series.
For owners running an Armax Safari snorkel and looking to integrate Radius components, our snorkels are not directly compatible due to differences in outlet and inlet sizing. It is possible to make them work together with the correct reducer or plumbing setup, but any additional components required for that configuration are not included in the standard kit. If you're planning that kind of setup, reach out before purchasing and we can walk through what's involved.
Water Crossing and Dust Performance
The primary reason most 79 Series owners fit a snorkel is water crossing capability and dust protection, and this snorkel delivers on both. Raising the intake above the roofline keeps water well clear of the engine during crossings, and the sealed installation using the supplied silicone joiners and clamps ensures the system is properly closed off. As with any snorkel, proper sealing during installation is essential for the best results in water.
In dusty conditions, the elevated intake position pulls air from above the dust layer that builds up around the vehicle at lower heights, which means the filter is seeing cleaner air and lasting longer between services.
Many owners also report improved throttle response and engine efficiency after installation, which is consistent with what a properly sized 4" intake delivers to a VDJ V8. Tuning after installation is not strictly necessary as the factory ECU typically adapts to the improved airflow, though performance tuning can offer additional gains for owners who want to take full advantage of the upgrade.
Fabricated in Queensland
Every snorkel we produce is built at our Queensland workshop. The fabrication process, including cutting, shaping, and TIG welding, happens in-house from start to finish. This keeps quality control within our team and means every unit that leaves the workshop meets the same standard.
If you're building out a serious 79 Series intake system, pairing this snorkel with the Radius Fabrications 79 Series Panel Filter Airbox is worth considering. The two components are designed to work together, and purchasing the airbox and snorkel as a combo includes the piping between them as part of the kit.
Head to the product page to select your finish and check current availability, or contact us if you have fitment questions about your specific build.
This product is not endorsed by or affiliated with Toyota. All vehicle model references are used for compatibility and identification purposes only.