Hi All

Has anyone crosses small rivers or streams with a snorkel?

I’ve owned my 2016 TDR Pro for about 5 month and been going through my manual. One area I came across says not to wash the inside of the engine bay with water. That got me to thinking, does that mean you can’t cross small rivers or streams as deep as hood high with a snorkel? I thought one of the purpose of having a off road vehicle is to have that capability.

Now I’ve talked to the local Toyota dealer about washing the engine bay (didn’t think about asking the fording question at the time) and he said it’s fine to wash the engine bay but don’t get the alternator wet. So does this mean if I submerge the alternator I’ll have problems? If that’s true then that’s pretty weak on Toyota’s part.

I’ve been to the Sierra’s where I’ve crossed as deep as the top wheel well in a Trooper and that would definitely submerge the alternator on a 4Runner.

So has anyone have any real world experience with water crossing?

Thanks

Alternator is a problem. Not sure about latest models, earlier Toyota alternators would shut down when it detected a short, thenwould work fine once dried out. Many if not most alternators on other cars will simply fry the regulator if you dunk it and you need to carry a spare.

But uh, fording a river to hood height is NOT a "small river" and worse than anything in the engine bay is you will flood the interior and likely short out the computer! You shouldn't ford anything that is above the bottom of the doors unless you are driving a real don;t care junker and or have done a TON of actual water proofing.

I have forded rivers near the door line, but not near the top of the wheel wheel, way too likely to get inside. ()And of course no snorkle on mine )

(I do agree that the alternator at the bottom is lame, thinking about moving it on my truggy)

There are plenty who cross "small rivers", and you can find plenty of water crossing videos online (both successful and unsuccessful), but the only mechanical failure I've seen documented on the 5g 4R is the rear differential (and adding a rear differential breather should solve this).

I regularly washed my engine of my 1992 Toyota pickup longbed 22R engine manual tranny. Sold it with 410 k. Never had any engine problems other than 1 fuel injector at 300,000+ for $100 DIY. Not sure about more modern trucks with more computers and electronics but I have washed my engine on my 2017 4Runner no problems.

Yes I’ve watched a fair number of videos but I haven’t found one of a 5th Gen doing a deep crossing. I’m not planning on doing it either. But there is one camping spot where we cross where the water can get over the tires but it’s a short distance.

Anyway, I’ll be adding breathers. I have them on my Humvee but never had them on the Trooper. That was one tough SUV.

Just keep moving don't idle your exhaust in water. And yeah stock air hole is about the same height of the air box pretty much where your fender level is. Pop the hood and take a look. If u are daring then seal up your fuse box with some silicone caulk or any exposed audio amp power wires. Check your airbox after a crossing if you are concerned. Don't go Tacoma stupid and hydro lock the motor. It can happen seen too many flooded trucks in Houston that thought they can cut through water going over the hood. Very poor decision. Might as well get a snorkel and mentioned Diff breathers or do the cheap diff mod up the taillights fenders but it might smell.

It’s an SUV for bringing your kids to soccer practice and going camping on the weekends, not an LAV. I wouldn’t say it’s a hit on Toyota for not designing it to be an amphibious vehicle.

When the water reaches the door sill I stop. Cleaning up the carpet mess just isn't worth it. I don't worry about anything in the engine bay except the intake.

Door seal mod is also another semi submersible option.
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/271995-my-$45-door-seal-mod.html