When is a water crossing a water crossing

[NY2LA]

When I got my 200 this past summer, I saw some of the water crossings people here were doing and said to myself, "I'll never drive through water." Then I did some test drives on a trail in southern New Jersey and there were nothing but water crossings. Not rivers or streams, mind you, just small muddy pools. The deepest one I went through was between a foot and 18 inches deep, and I was through it in seconds.

So when does a water crossing in the 200 become a water crossing?

How deep do you need to go, and for how long at that depth do you need to be driving, before special preparations, modifications, or post-crossing maintenance are required?

 

[sdnative]

I don't think there is a sharp line as to when "crossing water" (puddle, etc) becomes a "water crossing" I would say when the water is deeper than the rubber of the tire you want to pay attention and be mindful of what the water is coming in contact (brakes, electrical connection, air intake, etc) with and how it may be affected.

Of course I am strictly referring to slow driving conditions. Obviously hitting a patch of water of any depth at higher speeds could be harmful.

 

[kcjaz]

When I got my 200 this past summer, I saw some of the water crossings people here were doing and said to myself, "I'll never drive through water." Then I did some test drives on a trail in southern New Jersey and there were nothing but water crossings. Not rivers or streams, mind you, just small muddy pools. The deepest one I went through was between a foot and 18 inches deep, and I was through it in seconds.

So when does a water crossing in the 200 become a water crossing?

How deep do you need to go, and for how long at that depth do you need to be driving, before special preparations, modifications, or post-crossing maintenance are required?

Given location of alternator and other things like diff breathers, I’d say bottom of frame rails is max. At least for me that is the limit and I don’t really ever want to be there.

 

[ga12r1]

When I got my 200 this past summer, I saw some of the water crossings people here were doing and said to myself, "I'll never drive through water." Then I did some test drives on a trail in southern New Jersey and there were nothing but water crossings. Not rivers or streams, mind you, just small muddy pools. The deepest one I went through was between a foot and 18 inches deep, and I was through it in seconds.

So when does a water crossing in the 200 become a water crossing?

How deep do you need to go, and for how long at that depth do you need to be driving, before special preparations, modifications, or post-crossing maintenance are required?

You never really know....

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I’ve driven through about 20” of water in the Tacoma. It was a lot of fun.

I won’t be doing anything of the sort in the LX. While fun, the potential for incredibly expensive damage is too damn high. It’s not worth it.

 

[NY2LA]

You never really know....

Oh, man. That wasn't much different than what I drove through!

 

[1world1love]

Yeah, I have been through some stream crossings with AHC in high and 4-lo for a little extra height where the water has been pretty close to submerging the sliders, but I don’t think I would do that again. It’s probably fine in perfect conditions but all it takes is one tire to sink down a little to get you in trouble.

 

[ga12r1]

Oh, man. That wasn't much different than what I drove through!

That’s why I have this now:

 

[RET2]

Speed was not your friend

 

[TeCKis300]

You never really know....

Ooof, sorry to hear about that. Looks like you have it taken care of now with the snorkel.

Would be interesting to see how the splash guards are arranged around the aftermarket bull bar and wheel well. I'd bet with as much cut-out and some speed, it may have actually funneled water into the fender right where the air intake is located. A stock setup may actually help with a better bow wave in this regard.

 

[ATwoZ]

It's a 470, and he's kinda dumb, but leaving this here...

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

When I got my 200 this past summer, I saw some of the water crossings people here were doing and said to myself, "I'll never drive through water." Then I did some test drives on a trail in southern New Jersey and there were nothing but water crossings. Not rivers or streams, mind you, just small muddy pools. The deepest one I went through was between a foot and 18 inches deep, and I was through it in seconds.

So when does a water crossing in the 200 become a water crossing?

How deep do you need to go, and for how long at that depth do you need to be driving, before special preparations, modifications, or post-crossing maintenance are required?

Like some others have said, I don’t think there will ever be hard, fast line in the sand on water depth to necessary modifications. Just do what makes you feel more comfortable. Same with traction devices, lighting, really any of it. Whatever feels right to you.

I’m personally dreading the day that I put a snorkel on my 200 as I really don’t like them. Mostly because of how much pain they have caused me during winters. But... my 200 is eventually going to places that will be easy to put water over the hood.

So for me, with no snorkel, just right now. I don’t even blink with water to the top of my rim. And kinda don’t care, but start to pay attention when water goes over my tire (34s). As I’ve still got almost another foot till I hit the box. Just don’t hit water crossings too fast, mind your air-box side, and don’t out do your skill level.

Rob rule #4: Speed is that thing you use when you run out of talent.

 

[bloc]

Our rigs are designed for surprising off-road conditions. This even comes down to the diff breathers, which seem like they’d just be little snorkels you wouldn’t want to submerge. But when you take one apart you see a spring and rubber disk in there that toyota put in for some reason. Possibly to block water getting in if the whole thing gets submerged, for a while anyway.

Obviously submerging the airbox inlet would be bad given the volume of air that it is pulling. But even that is designed as a system, with the fender liner and such preventing a lot of incidental water ingress.

I completely agree that it isn’t a hard line. Manufacturers might publish a “fording depth” like our landcruiser’s 27.5” but it is very easy to imagine speed and resultant bow wave having a huge impact on what the water height is at the airbox. Or whether it is moving water and the right or left side of the vehicle is upstream, this can really impact height at the airbox. What if you have a lift? Not that anyone walks out into a stream with a tape measure.. 27.5 go, 28” no go? Unreasonable, right?

I’m with taco. If it’s not going to be above the tires I don’t even think twice, and this is well above the bottom of the frame rails. I have no snorkel, or extended diff breathers, or anything. I’ve crossed the animas in SW CO a few times with it well over the tires, with zero issues, and yes I did check the diffs when I got home. But that is clear water less likely to nuke an alternator instantly. Not that I’d want to sit in the middle like that for long..

No hard line.

Clear as mud, right?

Rob rule #4: Speed is that thing you use when you run out of talent.

Good stuff.

 

[NoClue]

I’m personally dreading the day that I put a snorkel on my 200 as I really don’t like them. Mostly because of how much pain they have caused me during winters. But... my 200 is eventually going

What issues are you having during wintertime? Snow getting into the scoop? I've not had any issues with my syklone prefilter in heavy snow / sleet on my safari snorkel !

 

[TeCKis300]

Tempting fate

 

[RET2]

Tempting fate

No way Jose'

 

[sdnative]

2 snorkels on the hilux? More better.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Yeah... that's a dumb game to play.

 

[tincan45]

I've heard - If you can walk it, you can drive it.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

I've heard - If you can walk it, you can drive it.

That’s always been my rule, primarily because it takes into consideration depth and flow rate. I rarely encounter water where the depth alone is my primary consideration. I’m more concerned about the combination of depth, flow rate and bottom composition. All major factors in the ‘could I walk it’ calculation.