Safari V-Spec Snorkel SS123HF — Toyota Hilux 126 (N80) from 07/2015, 2.8 D, wide body

The factory air intake on the N80 Hilux sits low, right behind the wheel arch. One misjudged crossing, one water-filled rut or a bow wave from an oncoming vehicle is enough to put water into the filter — and from there it is a very short step to hydraulic lock and a bent connecting rod. The same intake also collects the densest dust thrown up from under the wheels.

The Safari V-Spec snorkel moves the intake point to roof height alongside the A-pillar and feeds the engine air from above — cleaner, cooler and free of the water the wheels throw around.

Key features

• Water-separating V-Spec head — the directional design drops water droplets out of the incoming stream, so the filter receives air rather than spray.
• Industrial-specification, UV-stabilised polyethylene — it will not chalk or crack after a couple of seasons in the sun, unlike cheap copies.
• Lifetime manufacturer warranty — Safari covers this part number with a lifetime warranty.
• Complete fitting kit — body, head, adaptors and hardware in one box, together with the instructions and the template.
• Designed and manufactured in Australia — tooled for this specific body, not a universal tube trimmed to fit on the day.

Fitment

Toyota Hilux 126 series (N80) from 07/2015 with the 2.8 diesel engine, wide body models only, that is with the wide wheel arches. The snorkel mounts to the front guard and runs up alongside the A-pillar.

Narrow body versions (the narrower body, including some single cabs) have their own part number, SS124HF, and this kit does not fit them. If you are not sure which body your vehicle has, send us the VIN and we will check before dispatch.

Technical data

• Part number: SS123HF (listed here as ARB-SS123HF)
• Product line: Safari V-Spec (the HF suffix marks the V-Spec version)
• Material: industrial-specification, UV-stabilised polyethylene
• Head type: directional, separating water out of the incoming air
• Vehicle: Toyota Hilux 126 series (N80), wide body, from 07/2015, 2.8 diesel
• Manufacturer warranty: lifetime
• In the box: snorkel body, head, connecting and mounting hardware, fitting guide with template

Fitting and notes

Fitting is permanent and requires cutting an opening in the front guard plus drilling in the inner guard. The kit includes instructions and a template that is laid onto the guard and used to mark the cut — that template is the critical part of the job, because it decides whether the snorkel sits square with the body line.

We rate the difficulty as moderate to high: routing the duct is straightforward, but cutting sheet metal, protecting the exposed edges against corrosion and sealing the connection to the airbox all take practice and patience. Cut edges must be treated with anti-corrosion protection.

We can also fit it for you — Szekla4x4.pl is an online shop, a bricks-and-mortar store and a workshop focused on off-road and overlanding, so you can leave the vehicle with us and collect it with the intake already fitted and sealed.

Frequently asked questions

Will the snorkel let the vehicle wade deeper?

No. A snorkel moves the intake point up to roof height and protects the engine from ingesting water, but the wading depth declared by the vehicle manufacturer does not change. You are still limited by axle and gearbox breathers, door and floor seals, wiring, control modules in the sills, and bearings and joints that water reaches regardless of the intake. A snorkel removes one risk — the most expensive one, hydraulic lock — not all of them.

Does the guard have to be cut?

Yes. The snorkel passes through the front guard, so an opening has to be cut — there is no non-invasive version. The manufacturer supplies a template that marks the outline, and the cut edges are then treated against corrosion. Removing the snorkel later will not restore the guard to factory condition.

Does it fit my year and engine?

This part number is intended for the Hilux 126 series (N80) from 07/2015 with the 2.8 diesel, in wide body versions. Earlier generations and narrow body versions have different part numbers. Send us the VIN if you want certainty before ordering.

Can a cyclonic pre-filter be added?

Yes. The V-Spec head separates water droplets out of the incoming air on its own, and for dusty work it can be swapped for a cyclonic pre-cleaner. That is the standard answer to convoy driving on gravel: dust ends up in the collector bowl instead of in the air filter element, which then lasts considerably longer. Message us and we will match a cyclone to the head diameter.

Does the snorkel change intake behaviour or engine output?

The V-Spec line (the HF suffix in the part number) is a protective snorkel — its job is to raise and shield the intake and separate water out of the air stream, not to increase flow. Increased flow is what Safari's separate ARMAX line with the HP suffix is for. If you want a snorkel that primarily protects the engine and needs no tuning changes, V-Spec is the right choice.

What warranty applies?

Safari states a lifetime warranty for this snorkel. That is a real statement about how the manufacturer rates the tooling and the material, not a marketing add-on.

Why it is worth it

• You protect the most expensive component in the vehicle against a failure that cannot be fixed in the field — ingested water stops an engine instantly.
• The air filter works in a far cleaner stream, so you replace it less often and the turbo and cylinders see less dust.
• Lifetime warranty and body-specific tooling — the snorkel reads as a factory part, not as an afterthought.

If you like, we can confirm the body version from the VIN and book a fitting slot in our workshop.