How to keep water/mud out besides the obvious?

[cj80cruiser]

I don't believe I've seen a thread showing how high or where the breathers for our Tcase, Trasmission, or front diff are located. So besides the obvious (stay out of water/mud) how deep can you go assuming the rear diff has been extended?

What are you guys doing to guard against water/mud seepage in these specific areas?

 

[Singtoe]

You can go as deep as the air intake. About level with the headlights. Your breather for the front diff is located right around where the vsv valves are. About half way up the inner fender on the drivers side.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Once the breathers are extended, it really doesn't matter. There will be other factors limiting your depth. I have completed crossings with water over the hood. Since the breathers are extended I'm not worried about water ingress into my drivetrain components, rather the cab.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Thanks SingToe, with all the rain we've been getting I may be testing these limits tomorrow.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Once the breathers are extended, it really doesn't matter. There will be other factors limiting your depth. I have completed crossings with water over the hood. Since the breathers are extended I'm not worried about water ingress into my drivetrain components, rather the cab.

Breathers?

so you extended more than just the rear?

As long as I can go to about door level then I should be good.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Breathers?

so you extended more than just the rear?

As long as I can go to about door level then I should be good.

My front, rear, transmission dipstick, as well as my intake for my air compressor are all plumbed into my snorkel, but thats really overkill. You just have to make sure that the breathers are not sucking while they are in the water/mud. they can submerge, no problem.

Doors will leak slowly if submerged for extended periods of time. This can be partially combatted by ensuring that the weather striping is clean and free of debris. When I am moving, there is no ingress through the doors, but when I stop, it starts to seep.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Don't forget the transfer case breather. It is attached directly on top of the TC. I just found mine recently, so I need to extend it as well.

 

[cj80cruiser]

You just have to make sure that the breathers are not sucking while they are in the water/mud. they can submerge, no problem.

So my next question would be is how do you ensure that they aren't sucking and how deep can you go before they are not submerged therefore eliminating that risk?

 

[Dara]

iv gone into water jus over my back bumper an have never had my tcase take in water i still have to extend the breather on the tcase an Gbox
iv my front and back diff extended tho.

 

[BrianSD_42]

You can go as deep as the air intake. About level with the headlights. Your breather for the front diff is located right around where the vsv valves are.

Many people who do go "near that deep" get water in their engine due to splashing ect. I have seen several youtube videos where it didn't look like the intake was under water but the truck started spewing white smoke as it came out of the water.

My conclusion don't drive a nice rig in water higher than 18"

 

[Mr. Leary]

So my next question would be is how do you ensure that they aren't sucking and how deep can you go before they are not submerged therefore eliminating that risk?

Tops of the tires is a pretty good general rule unless the truck is highly modified.

Temperature causes the pressure differential. Thats why the breathers suck. Once the temperature has stabilized, the sucking will stop. If you move the breather up at least 6 inches from the axle, the temperature should be stabilized by the time the water reaches that height. If you plan on doing deep crossings regularly, you should plumb them into an area protected from water and mud, such as your snorkel.

 

[99runnerwa]

Mr. Leary, have you sealed any of your electrical components? I have been told by a lot of people that a snorkel and extended breathers wasnt enough for deep water crossing, you need to water proof all of your electrical connections and components. Have you had any issues if you havnt sealed them, and if you have what is the best way to do it?
Also, how did you tie your transmission dip stick into the snorkel?