Deep water crossing preparation

[brucetheshark1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brucetheshark1]

Hi,
I am going to be doing some deep water crossings. I have a snorkel, car bra (blind), extended diff breathers and I intend to plug the valve at the base of the air filter box.
Does anyone know of any other prep I should do or places where water might get into the cabin?
Also out of related interest where is the computer located and how vulnerable is it?
Any other advice?
Thanks for your info/opinions.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

The computer is above the passengers feet, if you stop in water the Prado will fill up very quickly with water coming through the door drain holes, if it gets to the computer level then kiss it goodbye. In fact if the computer goes under it is likely to be a complete write off, has happened to a couple of new 150's up the cape last year.

Make sure you walk the crossingif at all possible, and if any doubt exists either give it a miss or pre prepare for a quick recovery.

Cheers Andrew

[derek11 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close derek11]

Yep, everything Andrew just said, and quick recovery means real quick

Cheers Derek

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

Andrew's spot on.

If someone could come up with a pressurised seal system and a kit to temporally plug all the holes they would make a fortune.

They already do this on camper trailers I believe so must be some way to adapt to a Prado.

Cryovac the ECU lol

Hazza

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Extend the transmission / transfer case breathers. Especially important on autos.

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

Where about's will you be doing these water crossings

[brucetheshark1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brucetheshark1]

Thanks for all this super fast response. I had heard of Prados leaking through somewhere in the door area. Can you tell me exactly where the door drain holes are located and how to access them? Is it possible to silastic them up?
I'm doing a bit of sand and water driving training prior to a big trip to WA later in the year. Water near Araluen on the Deau River and sand on the Shoalhaven River banks near Braidwood.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

It's not just Prados, almost any car will fill up when stationary or going slow through water.

Look at the very bottom of the doors for the drain holes. I wouldn't silastic them, they need to be able to drain water.

As long as you keep moving at a steady rate you will stay dry. I have done a 70m wide crossing with water over the bonnet at the deepest point and not a drop of water came in. If you stop in deep water your feet will be wet in 30 seconds.

Cheers Andrew

[Pearl150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pearl150]

July last year SR5 gone to deep crossing. Now own Prado. Trust me camper trailer built by some nuffies in Melbourne did not get water in it but Toyota can't seal up ECU, fuel pump control, Variable Turbo Control Unit, BRM, Key Reader, Air Bag Module, list goes on. Good luck. By the way engine did not get water in it (snorkel and blind etc) but manual gear box after a while was useless as water got between clutch and drive plate, flywheel. No gears not drive, no way.
If you want to use it as a submarine than be prepared for it to sink. The pressure of 300mm of water against the door seals was just to much and when your Mrs handbag floats around the foot well then your in for trouble. forget about the car you have bigger issues. Cheers.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

You can silicone up the door seals temporarily, but I wouldn't, if u need to its too deep, why wreck your car/holiday/trip?

If you are going that deep u better get 2 tonne of lead in the back floor first, or some floatys and an outbound motor set up on the spare wheel lol....... If your not going to float away, you should get thru.

If its too deep to stop in, walk it and be confident, if not confident get hooked up first ready to be pulled out, QUICK I think they said.
Sounds like fun.......

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

You could use electrical tape to temporarily block the door drain holes. But remove it when it rains or you will end up with a rusty door.

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

Most places can be waded, except for the far north of the country. Salties do move up the rivers and creeks, up to 200 kms from the ocean at times.

[drop bear Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close drop bear]

Use duct tape rather than electrical tape. Has much better adhesion in the wet and is more wider than elec tape. Look at the rubber bungs all over the floor pan, especially if you have a towbar wiring harness fitted. There are so many things to look for and seal. Pick a point that looks suspect and have a beer.

[Kitbags Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kitbags]

Your Toyota owners manual states a maximum safe water depth for your Prado. Put a mark say a safety pin in your pants at this height then wade into a swimming pool to that depth. Get your wife and all the family in to this depth to share the experience. Then while there all together explain to them that most creeks have running water so on one side of the Prado the water will be deeper than this static water height as it pushes up against the Prado. Stir the spirit of adventure - tell them you are game to risk your Prado and family in creek crossings this deep or deeper than this.
Mate it can get very lonely out in the bush if you are not used to travelling on your own all the time! Good luck.

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

Unfortunately, some people think that their 4wd's are submarines ........ their not! They can leak like a sieve and sink like a stone. Older vehicles have a better survival rate than modern vehicles because they have much less vital electronics. My method on deep water crossings is this ..... if there is another way, take it, even if it a bit more out of the way. It's not worth the risk to life or vehicle because usually that is the result if it goes pear shaped.

Bazza