SCUBA Driver Transmission, Transfer Case, Rear Differential & E-Locker Breather MOD

[fingas74]

DEWFPO previously said:

It sure has, plenty. But did any with manufacturers fording depths as deep at 27+ inches have the problem? I don't know. I'd like to think the Toyota engineers re-designed the axle seals if they are using the fording depth as a selling point. But I obviously can be wrong.

DEWFPO

fording depth refers to a constant motion not stuck and rapidly cooling while the seals are under water. Toyota probably refers to fording as crossig a 27" deep creek and immediately exiting. Not having real fun and spending extended amounts of time in the water.

[ruebarb]

fingas74 previously said:

I think the issue is that with the caps when a vacuum is pulled they actually shut off like a check valve to keep things from getting sucked in. They are not perfect so they will allow the pressure to equalize over time but while there is the vacuum there is the potential to suck water in through the seals. Seals don't generally work equally well in both directions, depending on seal type and the ones on the FJ are more for keeping relatively thick oil in not thin water out.



All I know is the water entering the differentials is not a new phenomenon. It has been noted as a problem on plenty of well built 4X4s through the years.

Well I put all of the breather in my mouth to test them before I used them, the plastic breather is 2 way, does not seal. Of the two 1/8th diff breathers, (not sure which from locker or transfer case) one was a 2 way, did not seal, they other way a one way, it would seal under negative pressure (seal when the diff cooled)

This may explain why some are worried about pulling water from the seal, using the one way valve is going to create a very strong vacuum, the pressure will need to be released somehow, so then you'd have a case where there isn't a path of least resistance, the seal could leak/ be compromised very easily.

[fingas74]

ruebarb previously said:

Well I put all of the breather in my mouth to test them before I used them, the plastic breather is 2 way, does not seal. Of the two 1/8th diff breathers, (not sure which from locker or transfer case) one was a 2 way, did not seal, they other way a one way, it would seal under negative pressure (seal when the diff cooled)

This may explain why some are worried about pulling water from the seal, using the one way valve is going to create a very strong vacuum, the pressure will need to be released somehow, so then you'd have a case where there isn't a path of least resistance, the seal could leak/ be compromised very easily.

Both of my diffs and the elocker were one way the transfer case appeared to be two way. I say appeared because when i first tried the elocker and front diff i sucked on them just horizontally in my mouth then i was laying under the FJ when i tried the rear diff and it sealed and that got me to thinking so i tried the other two with the top pointing up as they would be on the fj and they both sealed when i sucked on them.

[ruebarb]

fingas74 previously said:

Both of my diffs and the elocker were one way the transfer case appeared to be two way. I say appeared because when i first tried the elocker and front diff i sucked on them just horizontally in my mouth then i was laying under the FJ when i tried the rear diff and it sealed and that got me to thinking so i tried the other two with the top pointing up as they would be on the fj and they both sealed when i sucked on them.

Weird, well this really does confuse things

[fj6high]

Shadow-Warrior previously said:

I didn't see cruiserLarrys post ..I do agree, maybe a "sticky" at the top of the thread. This way everone can go right to what they want to do. Thanks for the input

Hello Shadow Warrior! I'm from the South East Divison, Tampa Bay Area Fl. And I here after we do the complete Breather Mod we are eligible for the Scuba Driver Decal? We just had a Build Day Here In Fl this past weekend as posted and several Buddies Teamed up to get the scuba mod as you have inspired us to do so!!! I would Like to proudly show my rig as to having this Mod. I hear your in charge of this request? I have proof of this mod can I get a Badge/decal?

[underactive]

Just got done with my scuba mod. Everything in this thread has been useful, so props to Shadow-Warrior and everyone else with their contributions.

[cross-posted from my build thread]

Big thanks to ToledoFJ for donating almost the parts to me, so this was literally the cheapest mod to date since all I had to purchase was the union.

I decided to run separate lines for each breather. For the rear diff, I don't like loose hangy parts (lol), so I zip-tied the line to the factory wire looming were the small locker breather line also runs, which already has some slack for articulation.


For the locker breather, instead of attaching the barb connector to where the factory breather cap attached, I removed the entire flexible hose and attached the barb connector to the more solid hose (this will make more sense once you see it and how everything's connected), using short length of 1/8" vacuum tube to couple the factory line with the 1/8" barbed coupler. (Top line in the pic) If for some reason there wasn't enough slack for the diff hose, I inserted a 1/4" coupler in-line. Over-engineered maybe, but it will give me some peace of mind that if there wasn't enough slack, it will give way and fail there instead of yanking everything else it's attached to. You can barely see it but it's the small metal looking gap on the bottom hose in this pic.


From there, I ran the hoses along the top of the frame, zip tying it in a few places, going into the outermost rubber cap in the rear.


I drilled a pair of 1/2" holes in the plastic cap in the jack storage area and ran the hoses thru there. For now the breather filters are just hangin out but plan on slapping together some type of bracket so they're a little more secure.

[ruebarb]

I had ordered some corolla breathers, they were 2 way, the only problem was the stem was too big, even if I shaved it I couldn't get it in the fuel line, so I'm scuba in the front with the open mesh filters.

I figured this location would shield them from most water and mud.

[awilson529]

I just received my sticker. Thanks a lot!

[Arctan]

So SCUBA drive, anybody?

Thank you everybody for providing your input in this forum. I learned a lot and this was my first mod--rerouted my diff breather and e-locker breather into the car jack compartment. Test-drive pics below. I have All-Pro suspension and 285 BFG KM2's sitting in my garage--installing it with my buddies tomorrow. So I'll take pictures of my breather mod tomorrow also...

Any stickers left?

[Arctan]

here's some pics of my breather mod... sorry for the low quality.