'17 TRDOR-Water Depth?

[zzdocxx]

Hi everyone,

There has been lot of rain down this way the last couple of months, and I am thinking of taking a little trip to where there are washes and seasonal streams.

I'm wondering, with my '17 TRD Off Road, how deep of water can I go in without screwing up my vehicle? Do I need any special venting for intakes or differential or whatever?

Am I even asking the right questions?

Well thanks, this forum rocks !

:hatsoff:

 

[TRDTommy]

Hi everyone,

There has been lot of rain down this way the last couple of months, and I am thinking of taking a little trip to where there are washes and seasonal streams.

I'm wondering, with my '17 TRD Off Road, how deep of water can I go in without screwing up my vehicle? Do I need any special venting for intakes or differential or whatever?

Am I even asking the right questions?

Well thanks, this forum rocks !

:hatsoff:

FWIW. The first mod I did besides getting tires was a rerouting the rear diff breather and locker to a higher position. I personally got the ARB differential breather kit. But there are other solutions out there. Just do a search and you'll find a lot of ideas others have done to reroute. I havn't done any deep water crossings but its just peace of mind that I already have the diff and locker rerouted.

 

[mrblah]

you know you want a snorkel.....

 

[4runr4eva]

Hi everyone,

There has been lot of rain down this way the last couple of months, and I am thinking of taking a little trip to where there are washes and seasonal streams.

I'm wondering, with my '17 TRD Off Road, how deep of water can I go in without screwing up my vehicle? Do I need any special venting for intakes or differential or whatever?

Am I even asking the right questions?

Well thanks, this forum rocks !

:hatsoff:

Not sure, but if you misjudge, read this thread... Good luck OP.

Water crossing went wrong. Need opinion.

 

[zzdocxx]

Thanks guys, I continued doing more research and yes a rear diff breather kit is exactly what I was thinking of. I even found two or three videos on it.

So funny, a guy at work yesterday was showing me video on his phone about his trip last weekend out to some place in the desert, they were driving straight up along this wash where the water looked about knee high, amazing!

Some interesting stuff on snorkels t. One guy on this site raised the level of his air intake within the fender, no snorkel but 4-6" additional height:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-...ention-without-snorkel.html?highlight=snorkel


A thread about needing a breather for the rear locker too:
E-Locker and Differential Breather install, Trail Edition - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Yes about that thread with the water damage -- I definitely am going to be careful. First thing I asked was if anyone had walked it before the lead vehicle went through.

I really just want enough to get across/through the streams to where I want to go, for the sake of getting there, not trying for any extreme challenge bragging rights ! And there may be more water out there than I have bargained for . . .

:bathbaby:

Eh, so do I need a breather for the locker also ?

:shrug:

 

[zzdocxx]

I guess the ARB breather kit is going to be it then . . .

:girl:

 

[kso818]

ARB diff breather kit was one of my first mods I did. Not doing too many deep water crossings but there as a just in case. I do want to get a snorkel. Mainly for the dusty fire roads we do in the summer but would also be useful for deep water crossings (that I don't do often if ever)

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Usually half the wheel is the recommended depth. You'll have more issues before you run into the need for a snorkel.

 

[Cymon]

When I took an Off-Road 101 class they explained the fording limits in terms of the air-intake on the in front passenger side fender (you can see the slits in the fender liner). This is approximately 2/3 up the height of the stock wheel, meaning you should be able to ford between 24-30 inches of water safely if done correctly with no wake. If you drive too fast and flood over the engine you could essentially hydrolock yourself in 6-12 inches of water. Here is my explanation from the driving course I took with some pics. There is some more info on the course itself on the previous page of my thread.

Cymon's Weekend Warrior and MFD Thread

As for the breathers [MENTION=3442]Boyds4Runner[/MENTION] explains the locations here.

Rear Diff Breather Mod - Complete!

And there are many options on how to extend them...Here is how I did mine.

Rear Differential Breather Mod For Dummies - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum
__________________

 

[zzdocxx]

Thanks everyone.

Cymon, too bad for me that the course you took is over on the other side of the country in Florida, it looks really awesome. Maybe I can find something out here in Southern Calif.

I called a couple of off road places today, I had to call each of them twice because they never called back as promised. The first place definitely was familiar with the ARB kit but didn't seem sure when they could get one in and I basically got no answer from them. The second place, I had to explain it a couple of times, then they also didn't get back to me. Finally when I called again they said I'd have to bring it in to see if it was possible to fit on my vehicle (2017 4runner trd offroad) and I didn't bother to argue or direct them to the multiple youtube vids showing install on 5th gen 4runners, oh well, I suppose that is our lot in life. But I would like to get it done so I can go next weekend ! ! !

I haven't figured out yet where is the location of the elocker, can anyone enlighten me?

:usa2:

 

[flyrv9]

If you encounter water and don't know how deep it is, then the smart thing to do is to stay out of it regardless of the equipment , mods , etc. you have added to your truck.

You also don't know what the road (or whatever you're driving on) is still intact and not washed out making things deeper than expected. If the water is running then other factors come into play.

 

[mrblah]

Thanks everyone.

Cymon, too bad for me that the course you took is over on the other side of the country in Florida, it looks really awesome. Maybe I can find something out here in Southern Calif.

I called a couple of off road places today, I had to call each of them twice because they never called back as promised. The first place definitely was familiar with the ARB kit but didn't seem sure when they could get one in and I basically got no answer from them. The second place, I had to explain it a couple of times, then they also didn't get back to me. Finally when I called again they said I'd have to bring it in to see if it was possible to fit on my vehicle (2017 4runner trd offroad) and I didn't bother to argue or direct them to the multiple youtube vids showing install on 5th gen 4runners, oh well, I suppose that is our lot in life. But I would like to get it done so I can go next weekend ! ! !

I haven't figured out yet where is the location of the elocker, can anyone enlighten me?

:usa2:

you can buy the arb breather kit on amazon, and it installs in literally minutes.

 

[Cymon]

Thanks everyone.

Cymon, too bad for me that the course you took is over on the other side of the country in Florida, it looks really awesome. Maybe I can find something out here in Southern Calif.

I called a couple of off road places today, I had to call each of them twice because they never called back as promised. The first place definitely was familiar with the ARB kit but didn't seem sure when they could get one in and I basically got no answer from them. The second place, I had to explain it a couple of times, then they also didn't get back to me. Finally when I called again they said I'd have to bring it in to see if it was possible to fit on my vehicle (2017 4runner trd offroad) and I didn't bother to argue or direct them to the multiple youtube vids showing install on 5th gen 4runners, oh well, I suppose that is our lot in life. But I would like to get it done so I can go next weekend ! ! !

I haven't figured out yet where is the location of the elocker, can anyone enlighten me?

:usa2:

As at [MENTION=151737]mrblah[/MENTION] mentioned you can just order it on amazon...that’s what I did. The install is easy and straight forward. I did it in less than an hour, and as my rear differential breather for dummies write up that I linked says. If I can do it you can...all you need is a set of wrenches and some zip ties. The e-locker is next to the rear differential breather...on the rear diff. It is already slightly extended with a rubber hose and has a one way silver valve attached. If you can find the one way valve for the rear diff then you should be able to locate the one for the e-locker. Dropping the spare and removing makes it really easy to find both.

In my write-up I link other helpful threads on this forum. A couple also go over how to extend the e-locker breather. My advice is to try to do it yourself, you’ll learn a lot about your vehicle while your under there and it’sabout as straight forward a mod as you can do. If you’re like me it will give you a sense of accomplishment and confidence to do more on your truck then you thought possible.

:cheers:

 

[Jetboy]

A good rule of thumb is stop at the door sills. The actual fording depth is about 27.5 inches as per the fj cruiser materials. The door sill is lower than that. But that's where the cleanup becomes a real PITA if mud flows in the body vents under the carpet.

 

[zzdocxx]

A good rule of thumb is stop at the door sills. The actual fording depth is about 27.5 inches as per the fj cruiser materials. The door sill is lower than that. But that's where the cleanup becomes a real PITA if mud flows in the body vents under the carpet.

Sounds like dang good advice.

Hey Cymon, yeah I think you are right, and I should have just ordered it yesterday. By the time I make a trip cross town just to see if they are able to do it, then they want me to leave it there all day, for heavens sake I’ll have burned a whole day plus.

I had looked at those pics and so the elocker breather is the one with the hose attached? I will go and study that again. Did one of the guys extend that hose by attaching some of the ARB tubing to it?

Haha sheesh I could have had it done by now !!! If I can figure out a place to put it up on a lift or ramps or safety jacks it will make it easier, right?

I guess this will be fun, just a matter of doing it around my work schedule. But is actually going to save me a lot of time.

You guys are truly awesome, think of it, a place where people will help out a complete stranger.

:surfer:

 

[zzdocxx]

If you encounter water and don't know how deep it is, then the smart thing to do is to stay out of it regardless of the equipment , mods , etc. you have added to your truck.

You also don't know what the road (or whatever you're driving on) is still intact and not washed out making things deeper than expected. If the water is running then other factors come into play.

Good point.

:rain:

 

[Boyds4Runner]

Sounds like dang good advice.


Did one of the guys extend that hose by attaching some of the ARB tubing to it?

Haha sheesh I could have had it done by now !!! If I can figure out a place to put it up on a lift or ramps or safety jacks it will make it easier, right?


You guys are truly awesome, think of it, a place where people will help out a complete stranger.

:surfer:

[MENTION=152923]zzdocxx[/MENTION]
In reference to the tubing used I noticed that what was included in the ARB kit seemed like it would get brittle after a few freezing and thawing seasonal changes. That's why I ran the long runs with the fuel line recommended at the beginning of this thread.

Rear Diff Breather Mod - Complete! - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

I purchased about 8' of the 5/16th Fuel line since I was going to run mine all the way to the top side of the front driver side wheel well in the engine bay.

I also joined the E-locker breather and the rear axle breather tube together at the rear so it was just one line going to the front. With so much volume just in the distance of tube itself I was sure there wasn't going to be an issue with the e-locker or rear-diff gasping for air (so to speak).

I did mine in my garage. Borrowing friend or family garage space could probably work for a meal-out or drinks I'm sure!

At the time I didn't have the suspension lift. So I jacked up the car a little bit (tires still touching the ground) and put jack stands everywhere. This gave me a couple of extra inches to slide around underneath on my back (helps to sweep the garage floor clean first lol). Removing the spare tire from underneath was a huge help in having easy access to the rear axle area.
[MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION] took the course at a place in PA called Rausch Creek. I took the 101 and 102 course at the same place and it was pricey, but the best thing I could have done being new to off-roading. I'm sure out in CA there has to be some kind of intro class somewhere. They mention lots of things folks don't consider when they go off-road. After all it's just driving on dirt right? Turns out there is much more to it than that if one wants to safeguard their expensive vehicle and more expensive life.

Also like [MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION] mentioned, spend some time underneath the truck while running the breather lines. Check everything out, get familiar with what's down there. It comes in handy when you hear bumps and grinds while driving off-road and that way you have an idea if you just crushed or ripped a vital part or simply put some new "character" into your ride.

Good luck and enjoy safely!

 

[zzdocxx]

Thanks for all the good suggestions Boyd. I’ve been reading everything I can find and ordered the part from amazon, should get it today or tomorrow.

I’m thinking about buying some ramps. The most popular cheap plastic ones have reports of failure, that is scary.

Question—If the last bit of tubing was ran in an inverted “U”, then with another upright “U” below that would that discourage water from getting down to the diff? A hypothetical question of course, since I realize it will be way high enough for me to not worry about it. What made me think of it was the stock routing of the elocker tubing.

Weird I thought I’d posted a reply yesterday, must of got lost in the ether.

:thanks:

 

[zzdocxx]

Hey everyone, I did the rear diff breather mod yesterday with a friend helping me in his garage. I put the rear wheels up on some of those heavy duty RhinoRamps, which lift it up about 7.5", which gave us a much more comfortable workspace.

Figuring out the routing of the tubing was the hardest part but eventually worked it out.

Here's the only part I don't get. The "e-diff locker" was way harder to get to and so I didn't do anything with it. Here are some pics I took. Some have a quarter in the pic to show the size. It is also hard to reach because it is protected with sort of a shroud. And the tube is smaller than I realized and I couldn't see a valve thing like the one I took out of the rear diff. The pics:
Hey the file sizes must be too big, I'll try to shrink them then post.

 

[zzdocxx]

Here is the first view of diff locker: