If you’re running a Toyota 79 Series ute or troop carrier for serious regional work, knowing the right upgrade order can mean the difference between a reliable machine and costly downtime. Among the most common and game-changing upgrades, a snorkel and towing mirrors top the list. But should you fit the snorkel first or the mirrors? Let’s dive in, keeping in mind dust management, water ingress protection, towing safety, and the all-important fitment accuracy according to your 79 Series’ year and engine.
Why Prioritise a Snorkel First Upgrade?
Ask any seasoned 79 Series owner who’s battled dust bowls, creek crossings, or dusty roads whether snorkels are worth it, and you’ll get a resounding “yes”. But the reasons go far beyond the obvious.
Dust Management and Engine Breathing
In regional NSW and beyond, you’ll encounter dust and dirt everywhere. The standard air intake on a 79 often sits too low, sucking in dust and debris at the tyre spray point or on exposed roads. This means your air filter gets clogged faster, and your engine struggles to breathe.
Enter the snorkel. A product like the Safari snorkel kits, well-known in the Toyota ute scene, repositions the air intake from the front mud to the clean, elevated air above the bonnet line. Go here This significantly improves the air quality getting to your engine, reducing filter costs and increasing engine lifespan.
Snorkel prices start from around $526 for genuine Safari kits. You get what you pay for here — proper fitment, quality materials, and engineering specific to your 79 Series model. Avoid the temptation of cheap, generic snorkels that are often a “shed-on-a-Saturday” job and introduce leaks or fitment issues.
Water Ingress Prevention and Risk Reduction
The snorkel is far more than a dust net. It’s your first line of defence when river crossings or deep creek fords are on the agenda. Without a snorkel, water can flood the engine intake in deep crossings, leading to catastrophic damage like hydrolock.
Safari’s snorkels, particularly the ARMAX range designed for Toyota 79 Series vehicles, are built with precision to ensure water gets routed away and air intake stays clean and dry. They also help protect electronic sensors in the airbox vicinity through better sealing and fitment.
Fitment Accuracy by Year and Engine
One of my pet hates is sloppy wiring or cut looms around 79s, especially during aftermarket installs. And snorkel fitment is no exception—Toyota changed up the 70 Series overseas-driven pre-2023 models versus the locally produced 2023 and later. This means the snorkel hood templates, mounting points, and even the airbox location can vary.
Make sure you specify your 79 Series’ year and engine when ordering a snorkel. For example:
- Pre-2023 79 Series with 4.5L V8 diesel 2023+ model with 3.3L turbo-diesel inline four
Each requires different Safari or ARMAX snorkel kits tuned for perfect fitment — no cutting or modifications needed if you get the right part. Fitment accuracy means you maintain factory wiring integrity, your bonnet closes correctly, and the snorkel vents are perfectly aligned with airflow.
Why Towing Mirrors Come Second in Your Upgrade Plan
Towing Safety and Blind Spot Reduction
Once your 79 Series is prepped for the environment — dust, dirt, and water — it’s time to consider towing safety. Most 79 Series owners tow trailers, stock crates, big canopy boxes, or boats. The stock mirrors on Toyota 79s are decent but often don’t offer sufficient blind spot coverage for big rigs or wider loads.
Upgrading to aftermarket towing mirrors is a smart second step. Companies like ARMAX design mirrors that don’t just extend your field of view but also integrate easily without complex wiring hacks or unsightly mountings.
Fitment Matters — Year and Engine Again
You might think a towing mirror is straightforward, but here’s the rub: The mirror mounting brackets, door window seals, and mirror wiring plugs changed slightly during the 2023 update on the 79 Series. This means a towing mirror designed for a 2019 4.5L V8 might not fit or connect properly on a 2024 3.3L diesel without modification.
Don’t make the mistake of buying by looks. Always confirm your 79’s year and engine, then pick mirrors explicitly designed for your build. This avoids “shed-on-a-Saturday” jobs where the wiring is cut, or brackets are jury-rigged.
The Best Upgrade Path: Prioritise Dust, Water, Then Towing
So, to sum up the logical, practical upgrade order for your 79 Series tote work ute or troop carrier:
Snorkel First: Manage dust and ensure clean breathing air for the engine, minimise downtime due to clogged filters, and dramatically reduce engine water ingress risks during creek crossings. Towing Mirrors Second: Improve your towing safety and confidence by reducing blind spots and streamlining mirror integration with correct fitment specific to your 79 Series build.Getting this order right saves you headache, accidental damage, and extra expense from fitment mistakes. It also matches the real-life demands of dust-laden work sites, unpredictable creek beds, and towing heavy loads safely.
Example Price and Part Selection
Upgrade Product Example Price (AUD) Fitment Note Snorkel Safari Snorkel Kit for Toyota 79 Series From $526 Specify year & engine; pre-2023 & 2023+ ARMAX ranges available Towing Mirrors ARMAX Folding Towing Mirrors for 79 Series From $350 - $600 (depends on model) Match to your 79 Series’ year and engine; OEM look and wiringFinal Tips from a 79 Series Work Ute Veteran
- Always communicate your 79 Series’ exact year and engine when ordering parts. No generic buys that ignore 2023 update differences. Don’t cut wiring looms or modify factory harnesses. Proper fitment means plug-and-play or minimal intervention. Stick to reputable brands like Toyota OEM parts, Safari snorkel kits, and ARMAX mirror kits built for your truck. Prioritise upgrades that protect your engine first (snorkel), then add safety gear (mirrors). Towing gear before dust gear is planning for failure. Check regional reviews and installation guides — bush-tested installs are worth their weight in gold.
Your 79 Series is a workhorse — treat it with respect by investing in the right parts, applied in the right order. The snorkel first upgrade, towing mirrors as the second, keeps you protected from dust, water, and blind spots on the long haul.
Looking for fitment details or parts advice? Just shout out your year and engine — I’ve worked and owned enough 79 builds to sort you a fit-for-purpose, no-overhyped upgrade path every time.
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