Water fording depth

[akraven]

I am new to Rovers (Disco 1) and am curious about water fording dpeths people have experienced and problems encountered. I have a fair bit of experience in my Landcruiser and understand bow waves. Just curious with all the electronics etc what peoples experiences have been. I tried a search and didn't come up with anything. Thank you. akraven
PS its a gas V8

[Scott Brady]

I had my DII very deep on several ocassions. I know the LR does a goodjob of protecting those components.

Here is a video of my disco driving UP the Gila river (http://www.expeditionswest.com/2003Box-Ovens/water.WMV) between exit points.

[Dmarchand]

Extend your breathers.All of them. Not sure where the ECU's on the DI are but you might consider moving them. And then the airbox is important too. But you'll be surprised how deep it can go and how well it recovers. You can buy a nice distribution block for the breathers and run them up a snorkel. Nothing more disconcerting than watching your footwells fill up.

http://k53.pbase.com/u47/dmarchand/large/34061940.IMG_0107.jpg

[pwc]

Make sure the door sills are good. I got stuck once and while not bad for the engine, the carpets didn't like the water coming in, nor the mud left behind.

[SeaRubi]

On D1's I'm pretty sure the front diff and transmission breathers are vented at the top of the firewall ... at least they were on my RRC. The rear diff runs up by the rear door IIRC. Getting them much higher isn't good for alot unless you plan on pretending to be a submarine :oops:

after deep crossings you will want to empty the water out of your swivels and make sure there's still enough grease in there. If there are signs of the swivel seals leaking or allowing water ingress (like a cups worth; they all leak a little bit even when new) you want to get them replaced.

As for the ECU, alot of folks seal it inside a tupperware container, cutting a hole out the side for the wires and using silicone to seal up the hole.

Get a good tube of dialectric grease and apply to every electrical harness plug you can lay eyes one (and even some you can't, like the ones that route under the carpets). Use it on your plug wires, and all the connectors on the engine, especially leading up to the coil packs.

with the moderate prep listed above you can be safe up to the grill / tops of the tires with no problems.

[jeffryscott]

If I remember correctly, the water fording depth of a stock Disco I is about 2 feet (manufacturer spec) but I've seen them go deeper, especially once lifted, etc ...

Where they are weak is going through rain on the streets and splashing water up into the engine compartment - seen several stalled out because of that.

Carry a can of WD-40 to dry out things ...

[akraven]

Thanks for all the info. I have some work to do before summer wheeling season hit! akraven

[stevenmd]

Get some Tupperware big enough to hold your ECU. Drill holes in the ends to run the wire. Place the ECU in it, run the wires, use some silicone to seal up the holes. Place the lid on tight. Now you have a water tight ECU protector that is still easy to access.

[Dmarchand]

Get some Tupperware big enough to hold your ECU. Drill holes in the ends to run the wire. Place the ECU in it, run the wires, use some silicone to seal up the holes. Place the lid on tight. Now you have a water tight ECU protector that is still easy to access.


Note, only put the lid on when fording. Otherwise the ECU will overheat. I've seen this twice now.

[stevenmd]

Note, only put the lid on when fording. Otherwise the ECU will overheat. I've seen this twice now.
Yup, you're right, thanks for catching that part!:clapsmile

[pwc]

Did you laugh at them with taunting bravado when that happened? :)

[Dmarchand]

Only when they asked where my ECU was located... :beer:

[pwc]

Yeah, I put my ECU in one of these Rubbermaid containers
http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/images/product/2892-mocha-black_sm.jpg

Ok, ok, I'll stop mouthing off since my truck isn't running just as of yet. :) But it was fun ripping that sucker out.

[viter]

:xxrotflma

[Dmarchand]

I was surprised how much you can sell a used ECU for.It went for more than my used long block.