Driving Through Water

jlm6985

New member
I don't know if you've heard, but we're experiencing near record flooding here in Memphis. As such, driving through certain parts of town can be a challenge. I was wondering, without a snorkel, how deep I could drive through and be alright. Should I use the location of the air intake as my estimate?

Thanks.
 

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Well since no one has responded yet, and this is the second time I've looked at this thread, I'll have a go. Now I have nothing to base this off of other than my own thoughts/comfort levels. If it were me in my non-snorkeled 4runner (which has a 3" lift), I wouldn't go past the bottom of the doors. I think you would be pretty clear at that level. Don't try sue me if something goes wrong, but with that 4Runner, I've had the wheels completely underwater on multiple occasions and it has been fine. So that's how I got to the bottom of the doors thing, because that is lower than the top of the wheels (and mine has a mild lift compared to your stocker).

The other reason I would say don't go past the door line, is because in my other 4Runner (snorkel'd and lifted more than 3"), I've been over the hood (briefly) in water, and have had water come in and ruin some very expensive electronics. So even if the engine is good to go deeper, you gotta watch out for intrusion, especially if your gonna be submerged for more than just a few seconds. I think there are drains under the truck that will let water into the cabin too.

I know this was a lot of rambling but I hope it helps, if only a bit.
 
the intake for the airbox is inside the passengers side fender. right at the top. but like the poster above said i wouldnt push it that far. we do have double door seals so you should be ok for quick travels thru deeper water but dont sit in it abover your doors if you can help it.
another key iwht water is go at a steady slow pace. no huge splashes!
 
According to the links I provided from doing a little searching, the rough estimate is about 700mm. Personally I would keep it under the 2' mark as a cautious estimate, this is of course assuming a non lifted/modified vehicle. Another thing to point out is that your bow wave will cause the water to be displaced some, so this measurement may be accurate when the vehicle is moving through the water and not standing still.

I will be at work tomorrow and will see if I can find the factory data to post on this matter, we don't exactly keep all our old pamphlets around.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading-home-monst4rs/53246-4th-gen-wading-depth.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/13171-maximum-water-level.html
 
You will get water in the rear axle unlkess you extend the breather vent. The
Vent is located on top of the axle tube on the drivers side and water will get in and contamiate the gear oil. The front dif is already extended. I am not sure about the trans and transfer case breathers.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading-home-monst4rs/123-breather-install.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/41876-deep-mud-differential-fluid.html

Here is a simpler solution. http://www.trail-gear.com/differential-breather

By the way, I hate water it seems to get in everthing like wheel bearings, cv boots, electronics etc. On my Jeep the muffler cracked from going in and out of the water from the instant cool down.
 
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Just use the tires as a guide. Water is not going to rush into the doors unless you were to get stuck. With or without a lift, the tires will always be 3-4" (and more) below the air intake. As for the diff breather, I did the mod to mine, but wouldn't be overly concerned about water sucking through the seals unless you go from highway driving straight into deep water often. Just change your rear diff fluid once a year and you'll never have any issues. Just my thoughts. Deep standing water is ok, but stay away from the moving water! As the robot from the national weather service says "turn around don't drown" LOL
 

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