I came REALLY close to driving through a creek the other day but I didn't because I didn't know what type of preparation I needed to do to my truck.

I've read of people extending breather lines etc for the diffs and trannies but that was on a Jeep, can we do the same for out trucks? Also, what can I do to prevent water from entering the cabin?

I know there are bolts under the carpet, can I upgrade the door seals? I don't plan on doing this often but it never hurts to be prepared <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What are everyone else techniques? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

How deep are you going? I only shortened my air intake since it starts besides the radiator so it would start by the inner fender inside the engine bay. And I've never had a problem with water since then, but I plan to plumb it up to the firewall. Never had any probs with the diffs or gearbox and they can take alot of waterpressure before the doors start to leak.I do a lot of driving in water during the summer and most of it are streamy rivers.

Link to archive post.

First off, you did the first thing right, by not going in till you were prepared.

You should definitely vent your front and rear diffs. Before I vented mine, a diff oil change after a trail ride would look like a milkshake mixture <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. If you have an auto, you can find the vent on the top of the tranmission. I ran mine up to the top of the firewall, and terminated with a fuel filter. Ditto on the transfer case.

As far as the air intake, a snorkel is obviously the best idea. Airtech and Safari are two brands available.

In terms of water entering, there's not a lot you can do about it. The Monty door seals are pretty good, but if you go in far enough, you will get water across the floorboards. Have a look around your interior and get a good idea of where your electronics sit, and don't go any higher than they sit. GenI computers are behind the glovebox. Locate yours and don't get it wet. I pulled out the metal drain plugs and replaced them with rubber ones, on the offchance that I did get water in. Made it easier to get it out.

Driving style has a lot to do with how successful you are in watery situations. A steady pace to create a bow wave after slowly nosing in is usually the best approach. If you stall out halfway across, don't attempt to restart. Get towed to the other side and then take action.

I always carry a can of WD40 with me, and spray the dizzy cap before entering the water. I also hook up my tow strap beforehand, and bring it back over the hood and set it in my lap in case I need a quick extraction. Also a good idea to carry a spark plug wrench in case you need to pull the plugs after water ingestion (hydrolock bad).

When you get home, be prepared to do more maintenance. Difficult to keep water out of hubs/bearings (if you got em), and its good to check for water contamination everywhere else.

Oh, but have FUN! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
PHIL

Thanks for the link and info!

I don't plan on going very deep, I just like being prepared in case the water is deeper than it appears or I start sinking in the pebbles/sand/whatever is in the river bed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I will have to look into making breathers for the diffs...

Just to be clear, the breathers are there, you will want to extend them. Also, the t-case will have one...

How many plugs are there and where. Hopefully mine year isnt too much different as far as the plugs go.

I checked my diff breathers and they both seem to be sealed pretty good. Should I try and extend them further cause where the rear goes up, it goes into the frame where it is sealed by a tube that goes across the rear and is part of the frame.

later,
Angelo

Sorry, I meant I will look into making extensions.


Anyone happen to have a pic of what they look like? Or can you just describe them to me? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm sure when I get down there I will see them, but a little help couldn't hurt <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Remember that I am talking GenI here, so there will be some differences...

On a Gen I, the rear diff breather comes out of the diff and goes to a crossmember. I went over this, and still got water in. This is where my breather comes out of the diff...


This is where it enters the cab:


The front diff of a gen I has a stupid little one way breather cap instead of a line. That needs to be dealt with. Here's an article on how to do it:
Extending Pajero Breathers

Here's the auto tranny breather (again GenI):

and here's the t-case breather, after I plumbed a line into it (it had a silly cap too):


I ran both of them up the tunnel and up the firewall:


Easier to do with no engine in there... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

And finally, here are the rubber plugs I was talking about. Not sure how many a GenII has...


PHIL

wow, just....wow.

Thanks a bunch PHIL! Hopefully these will be similiar to where mine are located! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" />