Crossing Rivers and Streams

[moongoa]

ive been stuck deep for an hour before 2 inches water/mud did creep its way in ..........that was a crazy day

[1983FJ60]

the magnetguy previously said:

Just wondering how water tight the doors are on the FJ for any of you who have submerged it up past the doors when fording rivers and streams?? Any leaks at all?

The general rule is that anything 'water tight' will start to leak pretty damn quick, regardless of what anyone says.

I'd go with the pros on this one and get some high waders, wander across the stream/river and see if there are any obstacles, holes, sharks, mines, etc. You don't want to high center a rock in the middle of a stream...

Honestly with an unmodified FJC with no breather tube extensions... I wouldn't get it too deep, despite Toyota's claims, or you'll be going for a swim.

Hell, I'm scared to submerge anything with electronic lockers--despite what Toyota says.

[ldivinag]

Thai previously said:

I cannot say enough about Toyota's "questionable" claim of 27" of water fording capability. I would stick to 20" and below to be safe. Get the breather tube extension mod ASAP if you plan on doing a lot of crossings.

i believe the 27" is due to how high the air intake it...

after all, if you suck in water into the engine, you are dead... well.. in the water.

if you suck in water into the diff... well some damage but you can still drive off...

[Tony5150RN]

Thai previously said:

I cannot say enough about Toyota's "questionable" claim of 27" of water fording capability. I would stick to 20" and below to be safe. Get the breather tube extension mod ASAP if you plan on doing a lot of crossings.

Where would one find this mod? Do you have a link?? Because this is what I'm trying to set my FJ up for:

[Thai]

Tony...check this link:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...=&threadid=123

BTW, i am not sure if the breather mod will keep you safe in THAT kind of flooding.

[Valkyrie]

Don't forget the front diff, it's just as important. If you get serious about it, instead of using fuel line & unions, use the plastic tubing that is used for running water line to the refrigerator icemaker (readily available and inexpensive at Home Depot) and swap in Parker Prestlocks instead of the Toyota unions. Another one I have seen is using the same fittings, but using ARB (blue) air hose... that way if you blow an ARB line you already have a spare running to the diff's and you can easily swap it.

Mine are routed to the airbox (I have a snorkel), the airbox ends came from HD as well and are cheapo plastic Prestlocks like this:



Again, if you are serious, also do the transmission (1 for ATM or MTM) and transfer case (2 outlets teed into 1 line) breathers.

I have been more submerged than this (those are 35's) in rivers and had no water intrusion into the diffs or gearboxes through the breathers... although mud will quickly destroy seals and cause intrusion.



Also, if anyone is serious about water crossing, there is more to waterproof than just breathers. Pack any low/exposed connectors full of dielectric grease. Silicone sealer is not recommended for connectors because condensation can form in the connector & accelerate corrosion.

Mark Whatley has a good series of articles on water crossing techniques:
Part I
Part II
Part III

[Tony5150RN]

Wow, I didn't consider all that. Sounds like a project that should be left to a pro and not a Novice like myself. I mean, I know a little about cars and can do some minor things but this is more involved than I thought and I'm new to 4WD's. Plus, my speciality is human mechanics and not cars.

[Valkyrie]

Bah... if you can unscrew something and screw something else in it's place you can do this.

[fjal]

Valkyrie previously said:

Bah... if you can unscrew something and screw something else in it's place you can do this.

I'm pretty good at screwing things up! You should have seen me try and figure that &$(%^(% skid plate on the ARB Bumper! Now everything works even the fog lights!

[tacocat]

You can get your John Gues fittings here also:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/cat...e=26484&Page=1

You can also get different colored tubing too.