Can my LC drive through this? (5 Viewers)

[blatant]

I wouldn't do it. Review the situation, and if you can sort it out by using an alternate route, than you should do that.

Why put yourself in that position, the need to change all lower fluids and whatever else comes along with it ( can you do it or dealer, either way a pain)

If you can drive around this one off, random "flood," ( or any for that matter ) simply do it, you'll be happy you chose so...

Clearly you can circumvent this, so why jam up your truck?

 

[rhllc]

What is your plan when you stall? What will the situation be (water level) at the worst case time someone is able to pull you out after you stall and can't restart? How much vehicle damage are you willing to risk.

If you don't have positive answers to those questions, the answer is NO.

If you play in deep water eventually you will stall. Once you stall the least of your concerns is the height of the diff breathers. Pull your axles, re-grease everything, replace the gear fluid and you'll be fine if water in the diff is your only problem. But stall, and try to restart, and you will likely be replacing your cats. Without exhaust pressure water will find its way up your exhaust. It is a good show when you restart and hot muffler and cat pieces come flying out. If the water is over your alternator and it is dirty you will likely need to rebuild it. Obviously hydrolock'ing is a concern. But there are numerous other systems in the car that aren't going to be happy after a bath in oily, grimy, debris filled water. Eventually water will find its way into the interior of a 200 Series. When the water drains from your frame it leaves debris behind that will collect moisture and rust it out for years in the future.

The problem with urban flooding, more than say a crossing a river at a known ford point, or playing in the local mud pit, is answering the 2nd question is difficult at best. If the water can still rise before you can get pulled out you risk turning a fun run through a puddle into life threatening or vehicle threatening situation. Really deep flowing water is something to be avoided as too much life threatening s*** can happen once your truck starts floating. Urban flooding situations are unpredictable.

All my experience 4x4ing in deep water is with a group of vehicles with appropriate recovery gear or even heavy equipment in the background to get unstuck with quickly. In hindsight, with the exception of the occasional river ford, through clean water, on an interesting trail, playing in deep water was never worth it.

 

[dukmon]

Turn Around
Don't Drown