waterproofing

[digglesworth]

So in light of derian06s recent mishap, I wanna see what everyone's thoughts are on how vulnerable our trucks are in water crossings. We have the ability to mount a snorkel but what good is it if other systems are at risk. What precautions can we take to help safeguard against deep water? What breathers do we have that may be extended (both diffs, t-case, transmission)? The pcm sits kinda high on the firewall... Can we pack some dielectric grease in the terminals? How about the rubbery tool handle dip? Could we use a small brush to seal up where the wires go into the connectors? Or even use some silicone to waterproof stuff.... The reason I ask is that I've been watching a lot of overlanding stuff and it seems like water crossings are inevitable. What is the "safest" depth we can cross without too much worry?

 

[derian06]

3ft?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CaseyS]

Should be absolutely safe up to your door sills.

 

[poweraidon]

Lol you should see how easily jeeps hydrolock... It's kinda ridiculous


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peep]

what bout heat transfer is we rubber coat electronics?

 

[Best4x4]

I 'd say all good until the BCM. Also with a snorkel unless u get stuck the water shouldn't come inside your H3. Water crossings and newer rigs with electronic everything is always going to be a gamble. I prefer to avoid it unless absolutely a life or death situation comes up. Even then I think I'd turn my engine off cover my intake, and just winch across the deep water vs drive.

I can get wet and quickly dry off vs my rig.

The 3.8L & 3.6L intake in a Jeep is a joke! Once any water splashes up on the hood it's only a matter of time! I knew of one Jeep that hydrolocked from a car wash!!!

 

[digglesworth]

NooB question but what is the bcm and where is it located?

 

[derian06]

The mechanic i talked to said i shouldnt of turned off my engine because water will run through the exhaust? I mean id rather have that then it sucking water up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[poweraidon]

The 3.8L & 3.6L intake in a Jeep is a joke! Once any water splashes up on the hood it's only a matter of time! I knew of one Jeep that hydrolocked from a car wash!!!

Haha exactly go to YouTube and watch videos of jeeps hydrolocking in like 1 feet of water [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[06 H3]

The JK airbox is comical. The H3 setup is far better and previous H3 owners who know have JKs complain about it. I've heard it before. The PCM is waterproof. I would say the only concern I have is the BCM. It's in the footwell by the front passenger seat. That isn't waterproof and I thought about using that "neverwet" waterproofing thing to make it waterproof.

As for diff breathers I would say the higher the better. diffs, trans and t case all should be high up.

I'm not too concerned about water mainly because I have talked with 4speedfunk and he has had water up to his door handles with no issues.

I think when **** hits the fan though turn it off and keep it off for a week till it's all good to go and dried out

 

[cgalpha08]

You can go pretty deep so long as you keep moving and dont get stuck, meaning you have a good bow wave with a steady pace. Once you stop your most likely done for

 

[digglesworth]

The JK airbox is comical. The H3 setup is far better and previous H3 owners who know have JKs complain about it. I've heard it before. The PCM is waterproof. I would say the only concern I have is the BCM. It's in the footwell by the front passenger seat. That isn't waterproof and I thought about using that "neverwet" waterproofing thing to make it waterproof.

As for diff breathers I would say the higher the better. diffs, trans and t case all should be high up.

I'm not too concerned about water mainly because I have talked with 4speedfunk and he has had water up to his door handles with no issues.

I think when **** hits the fan though turn it off and keep it off for a week till it's all good to go and dried out

I read through a few other threads and those few electrical waterproofing products look like they might give it afighting chance... I guess you haven't tried it yet though, Chris? I mean hell, why couldn't you spray that in the fuse box and on anything else you wanted?

 

[SedonaBound]

If it's your paid-for weekend warrior, sealing it up is part of preps for serious wheeling. If its the family grocery getter or your transportation to work, or you're still making payments, go around unknown water holes.

 

[digglesworth]

If it's your paid-for weekend warrior, sealing it up is part of preps for serious wheeling. If its the family grocery getter or your transportation to work, or you're still making payments, go around unknown water holes.

I totally agree with you there. This is more or less a "just in case" conversation. I'm all for making my vehicle as ready as it could possibly be for those unforseen incidents.

 

[alrock]

Other than Nugget's adventures down under, I haven't seen any "unforeseen incidents". Each sunken Hummer was a direct effort at a water obstacle that didn't need to be crossed. I did one near-miss a few years back and when I got away with that one it taught me to not take unnecessary risks. That one only cost me a couple hundred dollars - trans flush, t-case oil, diffs.

Since then when I've seen risky water crossings we simply don't do them. Also around here are a lot of watering holes for cattle and you never know how deep or soft those holes are but you do see tire tracks going in and out of them.

So, rather than seeking pre-emptive control or a morning after pill, I'm going with abstinence when it comes to deep water crossings.

 

[Woodtick]

" the morning after pill" that right there is funny ****. If someone could invent a morning after pill for wheeling? While you are at it, a morning after pill for drinking. Nothing fancy,just make the stupid things you said and did,go away,with one simple pill.

 

[digglesworth]

Lol. I'm with you Alrock. I personally don't see the appeal in driving through stuff like that. I was simply curious if there was anything preventative (except making sure our head is screwed on straight in the morning) that we could do in case we do have an "oh crap, oh crap, oh crap" moment... I know some people start out into water crossings and the lose a front corner in some soft stuff or slide of a rock into a deeper section making the pucker factor just a little tighter. This is a reason why I wear chacos while out. Not the best footwear of choice by wheelers but I get around just fine in them and I'm not scared to "test the waters".... I carry real shoes to for whatever I need my feet covered... just don't follow CJ through water. He gives you a false sense of depth with his monster, eh Connor?

 

[digglesworth]

" the morning after pill" that right there is funny ****. If someone could invent a morning after pill for wheeling? While you are at it, a morning after pill for drinking. Nothing fancy,just make the stupid things you said and did,go away,with one simple pill.

They do make an app for that Paul. You can't dial or text certain people while you're drunk. As for what you say and do in the presence of people..... Well.... You're on your own there. Lol

 

[kilroy]

Purple cranium makes some really cool breather filters and related products that allow you to relocate the trans/case and diff breather tubes higher but thier billet products come with a price of course. As far as di-electric grease and silicon goes it would help but staying away from that kind of depth is obviously best.....unless of course you're in an H1 with a deep water kit. In that case put on your scuba gear and go for it.:HA:

 

[Best4x4]

Speaking of the 3.6L in a Jeep, my Ram C/V died on 7-18-14 to 6-8inches of water!!! Was behind a truck on a flooded access road going slow no biggie, guy in front stops, once again no biggie, redneck behind me in the jacked up F250 decides to pass us, makes a good 3ft wave, and drowns me out completely!!!!!!! Then of coarse the water went from 6-8inches to 2 1/2ft not counting the tidal waves from the 18 wheelers. Not a single person offered to help. They just all had their phones out taking pictures of the water... Finally one guy offered to yank me out, no water was inside except for me putting it in N, but the water was pushed up the exhaust, and whatever else went into the intake. On 2014 Ram C/V's the actual intake is like 10inches off the ground. It also didn't help that jiffy lube didn't secure the airbox lid properly! Was going to pull the plugs myself, but on the 3.6L the intake had to come off first.

ARB just released a breather as well where u connect multiple things to it to vent.

 

[Bigunit]

Screw the morning after pill...I'd rather have the "night before pill" and enjoy every minute if it! ...what were we talking about?

 

[08H3]

I have crossed 36" a couple times, but honestly that's higher than I am comfortable with. Both times I drained the fluids as insurance, but I can tell you in both cases, there was no evidence of water problems in any of the fluids. So I guess at least 36" if you have the balls.

 

[Happy Hummer]

You can go pretty deep so long as you keep moving and dont get stuck, meaning you have a good bow wave with a steady pace. Once you stop your most likely done for

Yep thats what she said!
Chris

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Other than Nugget's adventures down under, I haven't seen any "unforeseen incidents". Each sunken Hummer was a direct effort at a water obstacle that didn't need to be crossed. I did one near-miss a few years back and when I got away with that one it taught me to not take unnecessary risks. That one only cost me a couple hundred dollars - trans flush, t-case oil, diffs.

Since then when I've seen risky water crossings we simply don't do them. Also around here are a lot of watering holes for cattle and you never know how deep or soft those holes are but you do see tire tracks going in and out of them.

So, rather than seeking pre-emptive control or a morning after pill, I'm going with abstinence when it comes to deep water crossings.

You know, I used to wheel with a guy that would say those very words. As I mentioned elsewhere, I had a 74 Blazer on 44" tires. One of my tricks I'd pull on him is drive into a hole like that, put it in 2wd, dig until the rear was on the ground, put it back in 4wd then drive out....

Have I ever mentioned I'm kind of a bastard? :horns:

 

[Can007]

I have crossed 36" a couple times, but honestly that's higher than I am comfortable with. Both times I drained the fluids as insurance, but I can tell you in both cases, there was no evidence of water problems in any of the fluids. So I guess at least 36" if you have the balls.

Please tell us you have pics???:corn: