Stock diff breather loose on top?

[Stingray]

Went through some crazy puddles today about 2 feet deep. Some I went fast to where water went over my hood but the rest I went slow. Should I be concerned about anything? The diff breather on the rear is loose on top not sure if that’s normal. Or if I should do a diff fluid change or tran fluid change. And preventive maintenance I should do now? Thanks
Also to note my ac was cold than while driving more it was blowing warm, guessing that is just normal because the temperature outside was cold.

 

[Rednexus]

I wouldn't worry about 2' deep puddles, the GX fording depth is closer to 2.5'. I routinely ford streams that deep in mine. I also would not worry about it going up on your hood, that means the GX is plowing into the water and creating a bit of a wake (that actually helps keep water from getting sucked into stuff). The breathers for the front diff, transfer case, and transmission are all plumbed to the firewall and are 3+ feet off the ground to reduce the chance of water ingress.

Regarding the differentials, if you are regularly doing stream crossings/puddles, or if you have not changed the fluid in quite some time, I would recommend a transfer case, front differential, and rear differential fluid change. The rear differential is the most susceptible to water due to having the low-hanging breather. It is cheap and easy to extend the breather into the fuel filler door area with some 3/8" rubber hose and a $5 Toyota diff breather, which is what I have done. That being said, I still get some water in my differentials (but not a lot), as the hot diff hitting cold water can cause it to suck some water in past the seals. I have never seen any sign of water in my transmission fluid, although most GX's would benefit from transmission fluid changes every few years.

The moral of the story it to extend your rear differential breather but still change your TC and differential fluid often, if you are driving through water routinely. My GX gets yearly gear oil changes.

 

[Stingray]

I wouldn't worry about 2' deep puddles, the GX fording depth is closer to 2.5'. I routinely ford streams that deep in mine. I also would not worry about it going up on your hood, that means the GX is plowing into the water and creating a bit of a wake (that actually helps keep water from getting sucked into stuff). The breathers for the front diff, transfer case, and transmission are all plumbed to the firewall and are 3+ feet off the ground to reduce the chance of water ingress.

Regarding the differentials, if you are regularly doing stream crossings/puddles, or if you have not changed the fluid in quite some time, I would recommend a transfer case, front differential, and rear differential fluid change. The rear differential is the most susceptible to water due to having the low-hanging breather. It is cheap and easy to extend the breather into the fuel filler door area with some 3/8" rubber hose and a $5 Toyota diff breather, which is what I have done. That being said, I still get some water in my differentials (but not a lot), as the hot diff hitting cold water can cause it to suck some water in past the seals. I have never seen any sign of water in my transmission fluid, although most GX's would benefit from transmission fluid changes every few years.

The moral of the story it to extend your rear differential breather but still change your TC and differential fluid often, if you are driving through water routinely. My GX gets yearly gear oil changes.

Thank you man I appreciate it. Your awesome very knowledgeable and understanding to questions like the one I asked. I’ll do the rear diff fluid asap and order or buy some extensions for the diff breather so it’s not so close to the ground like you were saying. Was kinda worried about it because honestly I’ve never been through water as deep as I was in today. Lots of rains and almost half of my neighborhood was a good foot deep in water up to the middle of the front yard /porch. The roads I took home from work where pretty deep I’d say about 2 fr or up to the rear bumper of the Ford Explorer in front of me ,the road had waves like a beach.I appreciate taking the time to send that.

 

[Rednexus]

No problem! The GX's handle water pretty well - Toyota did a good job designing the Prado platform to go off-road. Have had mine up to near the top of the tires (~30" or so, going slow) and it's been great. The door seals also do a good job of keeping water out during stream crossings.

One last suggestion - if in doubt, get out and wade it on foot to see. Around here our streams are clear; what looks like 1-2' deep can easily be 3-4' deep. And once you start going in, go very slow so you can back up and get out if you get up close to the fording depth (after which you'll suck water into the intake, hydrolock the motor, and probably need a new engine).

 

[Stingray]

No problem! The GX's handle water pretty well - Toyota did a good job designing the Prado platform to go off-road. Have had mine up to near the top of the tires (~30" or so, going slow) and it's been great. The door seals also do a good job of keeping water out during stream crossings.

One last suggestion - if in doubt, get out and wade it on foot to see. Around here our streams are clear; what looks like 1-2' deep can easily be 3-4' deep. And once you start going in, go very slow so you can back up and get out if you get up close to the fording depth (after which you'll suck water into the intake, hydrolock the motor, and probably need a new engine).

That’s great to hear. One of the reasons I got a gx is because of Toyota’s long receipt of reliability in different environments all over the world. Love my gx. I looked for a Landcruiser or gx470/Prado for about 2 years before I found the right one with a clean record and proper maintenance done before I had it. I definitely will! I was worried because I have no mods done other than a 2” ome lift because of my airbags, got the gx for intent for off-road and camping but haven’t done much for that reason(would like to get snorkel, diff breathers and plates/winch. Definitely going to put some more money into it and PM soon. Now I know not to go through a big ass puddle in the middle of the road at 45, first one was 45mph ,second was a lot slower 30, than I didn’t see one and the rest of the ride home I slowed down tremendously for them. Sketched me out for a bit thanks again for clearing my mind.