Max fording depth/wading depth?

[AAOO]

Does anyone know the max depth of water we can plow through without damaging anything? 4x4 Platinum all stock.

 

[dj2big]

Usually if the water touched the computer insurance consider it totaled


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[shane_th_ee]

Owners manual says wheel hubs due to transmission wiring. I know at least one member who has exceeded that without any apparent electrical problems. Keep in mind the axle/differential vents are not ported, so if you get water up to/above the differentials you'll want to replace the fluids.

 

[Deadman]

Just remember once you get water in everything and it sits in some place it shouldn't, it creates rust and CV joints, and stuff hate rust......

 

[aggiegrad05]

Owners manual says wheel hubs due to transmission wiring. I know at least one member who has exceeded that without any apparent electrical problems. Keep in mind the axle/differential vents are not ported, so if you get water up to/above the differentials you'll want to replace the fluids.

I think I may be that other member...I have gone through water up to about 3/4 way up the wheel. That was 15k miles ago and all is still well.

(Results may vary...haha)

 

[AAOO]

So about 10"-12"? I wonder where the front and rear diff vent tubes terminate. I would assume the trans vent would be the lowest on top of the trans case.

 

[shane_th_ee]

So about 10"-12"? I wonder where the front and rear diff vent tubes terminate.

There are no vent tubes!

 

[Artie]

There are no vent tubes!

This can’t be... for real?

 

[AAOO]

There are no vent tubes!

I should have read your first post better. Wow, thought it would have tubes like the F-150. This could cause some issues at a few shallow grade boat ramps I've used in the past.

 

[shane_th_ee]

I haven't looked to verify, but that's strongly implied by the owners manual which states: "When driving through water, determine the depth and avoid water higher than the bottom of the hubs." and "Before driving through standing water, check the depth. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the wheel hubs"

And "The rear axle is filled with synthetic rear axle lubricant, and it is considered lubricated
for life. Do not check or change the lubricant unless you suspect a leak or submerge the
axle in water." Which is another way of saying "we didn't port the vents, so you'll get water in your differentials if you submerge them).

That said, parts.ford.com does list a rear axle vent assembly and front axle vent assembly. So now I'm going to have to crawl under mine when I get the chance...

 

[AAOO]

I haven't looked to verify, but that's strongly implied by the owners manual which states: "When driving through water, determine the depth and avoid water higher than the bottom of the hubs." and "Before driving through standing water, check the depth. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the wheel hubs"

And "The rear axle is filled with synthetic rear axle lubricant, and it is considered lubricated
for life. Do not check or change the lubricant unless you suspect a leak or submerge the
axle in water." Which is another way of saying "we didn't port the vents, so you'll get water in your differentials if you submerge them).

That said, parts.ford.com does list a rear axle vent assembly and front axle vent assembly. So now I'm going to have to crawl under mine when I get the chance...

Pretty sure the F-150 manual has the same language but could be wrong. I know the newer ones have vent tubes. Rear is above the spare tire in back and front is by the brake fluid reservoir under the hood. Trans is on top of the transmission case.

Give it a look Shane and let us know.

 

[Artie]

I really want to know as well as there are several forest service roads we drive on that cross streams and creeks. I wonder how long before you notice that you’ve gone in too deep... days, months?

 

[aggiegrad05]

I really want to know as well as there are several forest service roads we drive on that cross streams and creeks. I wonder how long before you notice that you’ve gone in too deep... days, months?

At least 15k miles/13 months.

 

[scottdm]

I took a quick look and the rear diff has a stubby 6" hose that goes straight vertical and stops an inch from the sheet metal underside of the cargo area. I would estimate the top of the hose is 3/4 of the way up the tires. It's higher than the top of the spare tire if that helps with a visual. I didn't remove all my skid plates to confirm, but I'm pretty sure the dead-end hose with the white plastic end (maybe a check valve) that is attached to the brake booster on the drivers side of the engine compartment is the breather for the front diff. If so, the rear diff hose is the limiting factor as stock.

 

[AAOO]

Thanks for taking one for the team Scott. It sounds like it shouldn't be too hard to reroute the rear one to the engine bay, if needed, but then there's the transmission vent that would need to be extended and raised as well. Living around Houston, one might need to push through 12"-24" at the drop of a hat from an afternoon thunder storm, lol.

 

[Black]

I know the rear vent tube on my 16 goes all the way up into the body and the front goes way up into the engine bay.
If you are super concerned you can buy this

ARB 170112 Differential Breather Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QBQYNF0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SW.GDb3406JMN

I have had mine through a good 24” on multiple occasions.

After I go off-road I use an undercarriage sprayer hooked to my pressure washer then the pressure washer wand to get everything off as best as possible and I spray everything down with Ballistol.
It keeps all the boots and bushings from drying out and also pushes moisture out.

Ballistol Multi-Purpose Can Lubricant Cleaner Protectant 16 oz, 2 Pack with 1 Sprayer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A470FN6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_97.GDbXBDGFQJ

 

[Artie]

At least 15k miles/13 months.

The specificity of your answer leads me to believe you have some personal experience with this.

 

[aggiegrad05]

The specificity of your answer leads me to believe you have some personal experience with this.

Haha, yes. I crossed a stream in the Texas Hill Country last June and the water was well above the hubs. I haven’t taken any remedial action since and all is well.

 

[AAOO]

See post #5 in this thread Artie. What Aggie is saying is he’s still going strong with no problems after his little adventure.

 

[scottdm]

The specificity of your answer leads me to believe you have some personal experience with this.

He's just saying he drove through deep water 15000 miles ago and hasn't had issues yet.