DIFFICULTY RATING:



Rear SCUBA Mod - FJNewb's design


Neither the author of this article nor NCFJ Cruisers administration are responsible for any injury or damage you incur. This is a how to do thread and persons assume all liabilities upon doing this work. Please proceed with caution!

I purchased the parts for this SCUBA Mod from FJNewb in the blue room. I paid $95 shipped and most likely wasted some of this money because I will not use all the parts. The kit comes with all the parts to do the SCUBA mod for the front in the rear. I doubt I will ever do the front.

I stepped away from his instructions some. Here is a synopsis of what I did.

These are the breathers that are being replaced.




This is where the tubing runs from the underside of the FJ into the rear jack compartment.



I used an awl to punch holes into the grommet in the jack compartment to allow the tubing to pass through. There is enough room next to the wiring on the underside grommet to run the tubing without modifying it.







I routed the tubing to the old breather locations using exiting wiring routes. In a few places I used plastic cinch straps. I bought a small bag at Lowes with wire loops to allow for some flex.







Once I had all the tubing ran, I installed the connections.




Part of my veering from FJNewb's instructions involved running a separate line for the e-locker. Doing this I did not have use for the second connection to the T-connector. I took an extra hose fitting and melted it down and then connected this into the second connection of the T-connector. FJNewb has since sent me a 90 degree bend which I have now swapped out the T-connector with. See end of post.





Connected the tubing in the jack compartment to the polyethylene breather and cinch strap the breather to the wire bundle.



For added protection, (but mainly because I just wanted to try this stuff) I sprayed a few coats of Plasti-dip around all of the connections and grommets.





All in all, this was a very easy mod. While watching my 1 yrd old I did this in about an hour.

************************************ EDITED IN****************************************

FJNewb sent me a 90 degree bend to replace the T-connector. Swapped it out and sprayed it again with plasti-dip.

Nice job, thanks for the pics & write up.

Now you need one of my NCFJ Scuba Driver stickers...I pased out several at the OBX dinner last night...I'll send you one if you send me your address along with a check for $75...just kidding....just your address.

Will do.

Brian - great writeup and nice pictures. Well done and very clear! I just happened upon your thread when I was checking to see if some google searches worked right.

I apologize on the front. It didn't cross my mind that some folks might not be interested in raising the transmission and transfercase breathers. They are higher up tho as you pointed out - slightly higher than the elocker breather on the early model and perhaps even a bit higher than that on the 10-12 models. Usually folks ask if I can provide parts to raise all the breathers (even the ones that are higher than the tranny & TC (dif breather and engine breather on the driverside fender well).

You think many would be interested in just a rear kit? If I had known I would have sent you parts to just do the rear - fitting in the manifold also can go in the rear dif so you wouldn't have to do that T - melted plastic fitting mod. If you want to swap those out I'm happy to send you a single fitting that will make it a bit cleaner (what I provide the folks that don't have a elocker) and refund any money if you've got extra parts from the front you want to send back (Y, barbs, etc.)

Anyways, just wanted to say excellent write-up. If there's anything I can do to help you out or you'd like parts to make it a bit cleaner let me know.

Nicely done FJNewb and nice to see you on here! Thanks for posting this Brian... GREAT resource!

Great write up! I need to hit up FJNewb for some parts soon...

Is there concern about breaking the plastic fitting or is it high enough out of the way not to worry about it?

Its on the top side of the diff, so I can't see much of an opportunity to hit it. Perhaps a branch that was kicked up at just the right angle, but that could really mess up any type of connection/fitting. I was unsure about the plastic fitting at first. However once I looked at it in person and looked online at the manufactures details I was no longer concerned. The connection with the tube itself is VERY strong. It can withstand a good amount of force without loosening. Much more than a vacuum hose and metal band would.

Okay sweet, we use some fittings just like that (if not the same ones) at work and they can take a beating. I haven't really got under the rear to look at the breather yet, so I wasn't sure if it was in a danger zone.

Brian - your replacement piece is in the mail and you should have it early this week. Sorry for the delay, showed up earlier this month when I was out of town for work. Let me know if you have any issues with it.

Thanks and will do!

FJNewb, Received it in the mail today. I might be able to put it on this weekend. Thank again.