Jeeze, dealer plates and water to the headlights... Good luck...
Water crossings do damage.. but it is mostly long term stuff like wheel bearings, alternator, u-joints... nothing immediate.
Playing in water is the first sign of someone who does not understand the consequences. If you have to... Is one thing. Screwing around in it is a hard lesson to learn.
The rear diff is of special concern when the vehicles is stock. When you drop into water after things are hot.. The pressure can droo vacuum(the breather is a one way valve) and water is sucked in via the various seals. How bad this is depends on your diff temps and the water temp.