Fording depth and what to look out for?

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

G'day all,

Have been reading some posts and looking on the net about fording depths. For 150 series it’s 700mm, so I assume it’s the same for the 120 series...
Is this because the vehicle isn’t fitted with a snorkel?
If this is the case then how deep can you go with a snorkel?

Obvious things I worry about are (I have a 2009 model GXL & 6 speed manual):
• Water entering the cab via the door seals,
• Possibly through the top of the gearbox where the gear shift is,
• In the front and rear diff breathers,
• In the transfer case & gearbox breathers,
• In via the firewall.
• Electrical problems – alternator, starter motor etc.

Along with water, after reading some posts, there is also a problem with mud getting into the bell housing and causing premature clutch failure. Maybe it was dust and water has turned it into mud. Similar to the hand brake shoes on the rear axle.
I there anything that the backyard mechanic can do as far as preventative maintenance goes. For example, take off the rear brake drum and clean the handbrake shoes and fit extended breathers to items mentioned above.

[bitdist Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bitdist]

Re: Forwarding depth and what to look out for?

G'day all,

Have been reading some posts and looking on the net about forwarding depths. For 150 series it’s 700mm, so I assume it’s the same for the 120 series...
Is this because the vehicle isn’t fitted with a snorkel?
If this is the case then how deep can you go with a snorkel?

Obvious things I worry about are (I have a 2009 model GXL & 6 speed manual):
• Water entering the cab via the door seals,
• Possibly through the top of the gearbox where the gear shift is,
• In the front and rear diff breathers,
• In the transfer case & gearbox breathers,
• In via the firewall.
• Electrical problems – alternator, starter motor etc.

Along with water, after reading some posts, there is also a problem with mud getting into the bell housing and causing premature clutch failure. Maybe it was dust and water has turned it into mud. Similar to the hand brake shoes on the rear axle.
I there anything that the backyard mechanic can do as far as preventative maintenance goes. For example, take off the rear brake drum and clean the handbrake shoes and fit extended breathers to items mentioned above.

You need to worry about

The gearbox and transfer breather (speaking from experience ) Extend them before you go near water
If the water is deep enough and long enough it will fill the doors up through the drain holes in the bottom of the doors and then come flooding in through the trim, over the trim, through the handles etc (speaking from experience )
It wont do the idler pulley bearings for the main belt much good either (they will start squeeking after a few goes through water that is deep
If it is not too far across the water then I would be happy enough going deeper if I tarped the front of tthe prado (but just get a snorkel, it is cheap insurance)

cheers

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Forwarding depth and what to look out for?

Most vehicles, including army Landrovers have an "un-prepared" fording depth that is approximately level with the centre of the axles.

As previously advised, preparing your vehicle by adding longer/higher diff and gearbox breathers helps, as does fitting a blind across the radiator. Getting water into places such as alternators and associated pulleys can sometimes do damage. The clutch-fan might be stopped by the ingress of water but shouldn't be a problem for short amounts of time. The fitment of a snorkel is a must. We recently lost an engine in a work Colorado that went into water barely up to the bottom of the bull bar when water went into the under-guard air intake. They drove faster than advised and bang!

I remember reading a test on the current Hilux where they warned not to go into water that reached up to the bottom of the floorpan because water would flood in to the area under the rear seat.

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Re: Forwarding depth and what to look out for?

I was looking at the door seals. They have two seals and I thought water would get in via the drain holes.

As far as breather extenders, what I the best product and or material to use that will last and is cost effective. I was looking at the following:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Diff-Gearbox-...item4839f8bc35

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BREATHER-DIFF...item19bc69a44e

I have seen people buy fittings and get fuel line... I think the first link would be a better option.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Forwarding depth and what to look out for?

It's a brilliant kit, relatively easy to fit and pretty good value.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Forwarding depth and what to look out for?

I also read on here somewhere that a few members lost their front number plates when crossing water. So, best to remove them before crossing.

Here it is
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8137&p=111977#p111977

[bitdist Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bitdist]

Re: Forwarding depth and what to look out for?

I was looking at the door seals. They have two seals and I thought water would get in via the drain holes.

As far as breather extenders, what I the best product and or material to use that will last and is cost effective. I was looking at the following:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Diff-Gearbox-...item4839f8bc35

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BREATHER-DIFF...item19bc69a44e

I have seen people buy fittings and get fuel line... I think the first link would be a better option.

You can get all that stuff at your local industrial suppliers for probably about $40. Thats where I went whe I did mine

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Re: Fording depth and what to look out for?

I will email Toyota today to get the wording on water crossings and mud in relation to the clutch.

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Fording depth and what to look out for?

I will email Toyota today to get the wording on water crossings and mud in relation to the clutch.

With a manual, it's best to pick the right gear before entering the water and don't change gears whilst in the water. All other responses cover just about everything else.

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Re: Fording depth and what to look out for?

Whilst looking on Toyota website I found this "Max wading depth (mm)700". Also found this:

"Except as provided by law, the Toyota Website is provided “as is” and without any warranty or condition, express or implied. Toyota does not warrant that the information contained in or accessible through the Toyota Website is accurate, suitable for your purposes or without errors, omissions or viruses nor does Toyota guarantee continuous, uninterrupted or secure access to the Toyota Website. You acknowledge that access and use of the Toyota Website (including the software operating in connection with the Toyota Website) may be interfered with by numerous factors outside of Toyota’s control. Toyota does not warrant the accuracy of any advice, opinion, statement, representation or other information displayed on or accessible through the Toyota Website. Subject to the provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974, Toyota makes no representations or warranties in respect of the information and materials available on the Toyota Website or the means of accessing that information and material (including the software operating in connection with the Toyota Website). Toyota makes no warranty or representation and accepts no responsibility for any websites operated or controlled by entities other than Toyota which are or may become linked or framed to or from the Toyota Website. Toyota Financial Services information contained on this website is provided by Toyota Finance Australia Limited. Toyota Industrial Equipment information contained on this website is provided by Toyota Industries Corporation Australia Pty Limited".

Also this:
"What are the costs not covered by the Toyota Warranty?
The costs of regular maintenance servicing are not part of the Warranty. Labour, parts and lubricants used in a Scheduled Service, and replacement of worn parts such as spark plugs, filter, brake and clutch linings, or any other item that has been the subject of normal wear and tear is not covered."

That will be another question I will ask Toyota "Normal wear and tear".

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Re: Fording depth and what to look out for?

700mm is 60mm below the top of the tire. A 2inch lift would help.

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Re: Fording depth and what to look out for?

When I adjusted my handbrake today, I inspected around the gear stick and Toyota has sealed it very well. When I looked underneath, the cables for the handbrake are sealed...nice. That just leaves the firewall and door for possible water entry to the cable, unless someone can speak from firsthand experience and observed where the water came in..God forbid.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Forwarding depth and what to look out for?

I also read on here somewhere that a few members lost their front number plates when crossing water. So, best to remove them before crossing.

Get out the drill and four self tappers and fix the bloody plate to the front of the bullbar. I also still have the perspex covers on mine but they won't get ripped off easily.

[chester Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester]

Re: Fording depth and what to look out for?

If you dont have a bull bar you often loose the number plate as it is held in by to top screws and the water somehow gets in behind and bends it up

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

Re: Fording depth and what to look out for?

i recently crossed a smallish river with water up to knees high (not sure but roughly 700mm). I have had the breathers done so no other dramas (hopefully...it's been 3000km since) but some water did get splash around in the engine bay so perhaps fitting another plate that sits between the toyota one and the bullbar wouldn't be a bad idea??

that said i do not plan on crossing anything higher than my knees. I should think about getting a snorkel done too