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How would you folks set up your rigs for frequent water crossings? How deep can I safely bring my truck on a regular basis with 33" tires. I'm wondering about my axles, transfer case, engine and exhaust.
Well, that question will take some pondering. Do you have a fan clutch or a direct drive? That fan striking the water may cause problems. If the elecrical system is sealed, you had a snorkle for the intake, and a Fan disconnect you could "submarine". The military calls it a "Fording" kit. Sorry for the pun.
If you do alot of water crossing I would decrease the maintenance intervel frequency for U-joint lubes, differential lube, etc.
just go slow through the water. dont drive fast through it it will throw up alot more mess than you want. i went through a flooded road at a high speed trying to get away from the city guy in his chevy who was trying to get my plates. well my truck was cutting out real bad, my fan belt was fixing to fall off but it all worked fine after it dried. for modifications a snorkel would be ideal as well as some kind of protection for your distributor, coil, etc. the best thing is just to go slow IMO. :-X12
water proofing everything is a must. as is a snorkel kit so you dont injust water into the engine. another thing you might want to do it lenghten your breather hoses for your axles, tranny, and transfer case. just get some long rubber hoses and run them up higher. i am going to lenghten mine so the come into the bed of the truck under my tool box seems i rarely get into water deep enuff to get beside the tool box unless i get stupid and totaly submerge the truck.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
35x15.5x15 super swamper TSL/SX
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock
After any deep water crossing that takes the waterline above your axles you should change the diff fluid when you get home. Get anything above (or close to) the engine, do an oil change also. Lengthen all your breather lines and put a one way valve on the ends. Snorkle for the intake that runs into the cab, or above the roof (like some land rovers have). Check ALL your electrical connectors. Any you think look too chincy, replace em with some water tight ones with little rubber gaskets and dielectric grease. Get an electric fan with a in cab cut off. If you have a dizzy then seal that up, but make sure it has a breather. Put some holes with rubber plugs in your floor boards too, like Jeeps have.