Yesterday I had to drive through high water yesterday during the rain event in southwest houston. I was in sugarland which recieved 11 inches of rain in 4 hours. This caused wide spread flooding in neighborhoods roads simply because the storm drains could not keep up. My truck is 17 F250 with 2 inch carli level and 295/65/20 tires. Most of the water was at or slightly above the hubs with a few spots up to the bumper. Truck did fine went through everything with zero issues.

My question is do recomend any post high water maintance, change diff fluids, re-grease anything? Normally I would not be concerned just driving through a little bit of water but the truck sat in water up to the hubs for a while. Unfortunatly although the water was not too high for my truck to get through. There where many cars and suvs that where stalled in the middle of the roads blocking it. So with the drivers permission I had use a tow strap drag 3 or 4 cars out of the middle of the roads so traffic could get by.

Before I get a lecture on driving through high water, plz understand that this was standing water not flowing anywhere and I could determine the water level based on where it was on the stalled cars in the road. I had to get to my wife who was stranded in a parking lot with our 3 month old in the car. I was grateful I had my truck which was able to get to her with no problem. It dragged the numerouse cars out of the way as if they where toys. I was impressed. Most the cars electronics where fried from the water and electronic modules would not let you shift them into neutral so i just had to put the straps through the rims and literaly drag them. It was effortless for the truck.

 

Oh yes learned about this during a flood I drove through in West Texas of all places!! Bottom line and others will chime in on more detail. Your vent tubes can allow water to ingress into areas it should not be! Routed my lines up higher on the last coupe of trucks need to do the Ford but have not. This is a good reminder as we are getting a lot of rain and some minor flooding to the north of you.

Have everything checked! My travel was through the flooded highway about 2 feet of water for 20 miles ---- in both axles and the transfer case. Also changed out the tranny fluid just to be safe.

 

Good points Dave, and it wouldn't hurt to have your front hubs serviced also. Just a bit of preventative maintenance.

 

Any details on how to do this? Video links maybe?

My Taco had the rear diff vent tube extended into the bed (by me) and it was a common upgrade.

 

Well I use Mikes Off Road here locally have known Mike for 38 years when he started in a small gas station and we were both kids! No video we just ran extensions along the protected areas well above the frame and exhaust following other wiring and lines, zip tie as you go and they all culminate at the fuel filler hose where they were all secured together... Easy to do when the truck is 5 feet in the air lol.

 

Check the diffs and transmission fluid for milky fluid.

I frankly dont know if the outter ujoints and driveshaft ujoints are sealed or greasable.

If the ujoints are sealed and no milky fluid you are ok.

Also its not that the drains cant keep up per se its that they restrict them so you dont screw everyone downstream. Its why the streets and easements “flood”. Thats why they tell you to stay off the streets around here.

 

Check the electrical connections and wiring harness plugs under the hitch for water intrusion (possibly all others under the truck for that matter). When dry, it would be best to pack with dielectric grease or XG-12.

 

Service front hubs.
Axleshaft u-joints are greasable...so do those
Drive around the block, then pull the fill plugs on your differentials, stick your finger (or something) in and see if the oil is milky. If it is, change them. If not, keep on trucking. (if you check the oil after the truck has sat for a while, the water will congregate at the bottom and you won't know it by doing a check)

Other than that, I can't think of anything else that would need attention.

 

I live in Houston as well and that was one of the reasons I purchased a F250 after Harvey. We used my old truck, 1/2 ton GMC, to launch my buddies boat to help evacuate others from their homes during the flooding (as many people did). I saw all the guys with lifted diesels so I joined the club. I'd take ATC Crazy's advice, check the electrical connections while you are down there, and keep on rolling.

 

check to see if the water line is above the gearbox vents

 

Where are all the vent/went tubes located on our trucks. I have a gasser 6.2

 

Thats my story as well. Traded half ton gmc for the 250. Sits taller than my gmc did with a 4” lift

front hub service and keep on rolling !