water fording w/o breathers

I've been crossing a few streams here and there. No higher than maybe a foot to 20" deep. Just wondering if that's ok to do in a stock (no breather mods) 2nd Gen Taco.

I've been reading about all the water issues you can get in from those breathers and wondering if I should be worried. I just cross those streams because I figured there's probably just as much water on some roads during rainy days.

Long story short: what's the maximum water depth you can go through without having breather mods?

 

should I just go ahead and replace the fluid on differentials, transmission and transfer case? going through 20" of water?

 

x2^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I don't know exact numbers, but driving through 20" of water would probably create a small wave, keeping the rear diff below the surface. The top of the rear diff (where the factory breather is) may be below 20" anyways. That is the lowest breather on the truck. The other ones (I dont know exactly where they are) are higher, one even going into the engine bay I think.

I'm not an expert by any stretch, so it may just be a piece of mind by changing the rear diff fluid...

 

Thanks for the clarification . So why do people do breather mods for transmission if it's under the hood. Just curious.

I was reviewing some videos and it doesn't look like the axle were ever submerged in water, just have some water splashing. Should I be concerned?

What do you even put in there? Motor oil?

 

Thanks for the info and appreciate your patience with a noob lol.

 

So I think this was the deepest stream I crossed. Do you guys still think I should change the fluid? What are the signs of water in rear differentials?

 

Since you have an Offroad, you probably don't need LSD oil- Just regular 75w90 should be OK. Synthetic is OK too- your truck '09- should not have a mechanical limited slip. (Some guys get chatter with '08 or older if they use synthetics.)

 

ive crossed many water crossings without the breather mod. i changed my fluid and it was fine. the diff breather has a valve on it. the only way to get water in the diff is if the breather valve sticks open. they do stick open but iits not "guaranteed" to get water in there. theres a chance you can get water in there, its not a sure thing. just change the diff oil and do the breather mod the same time.

 

Checked it, no water

 

Where under the hood are these breathers located?? Pictures will help.

 

there are two of them near the battery in plain view. I can't locate the third one (for the transfer case) Auto tranny breather is just on the highest part of the tranny.

 

I believe the 6 spd only has one.

 

That's for FJs though... here are pic neubs posted awhile ago.

 

what breather is the second pic of?
is that the transfer case?

 

Hey here is the deal. its all in the scuba thread but here is the short form. the (2) breathers near the battery on driver's side under the hood are for the ADD and the Front Diff. (Yes the 2nd gen tacoma has 2 not 1) we do NOT have the Elocker breather on our trucks only the FJ. the Rear diff is well...in the Rear right on top the diff. The Trans breather is extended in no way and is directly up on top of the passenger side of the tranny and is right about were the fire wall starts. look at my video on the scuba thread. If you have a M/T then your transfer case breather is extended but not really. it runs from the transfer case on the passenger side, over the top of the transmission to the drivers side and then back over to the center of the tranny where it comes to rest up against the back of the engine next to the fire wall. you can access it by reaching up under the vehicle on the driver's side. there is quite a bit of slack so you should be able to access it and put an extended hose on it to get it higher. it is literally laying up against the back of the engine.

 

Right here... both directions on the road to Mision Santa Maria.









The breather is 18" above ground level, but it is a one way valve to let hot gas out. Muddy water can only get in if there is negative pressure inside the diff. when dropping into cool water. The contamination is allowed by the axle seals... unless the breather is stuck open.

After the Baja trip, I had the differential inspected and it was contaminated (truck was only 5 months old)... had the oil changed.

Last weekend, I did the breather mod. so now if there is a pressure drop in the diff. the new 2 way breather will break any vacuum, thus preventing junk from sliding by the axle seals... at least that's the plan!






(Orig. breather off the diff. on the left)

 

I recall reading on TN that stock 2nd Gen Tacomas have an official max fording depth of 27". Is this accurate? Or did somebody make that up? If there are no tubed breathers for the diffs or tranny, seems like it ought to be a lot less than 27", no?


My coworker just swamped a GMC Sonoma at a job site after he got flooded in -- this was Sunday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlvhk4JT2pE

Sonoma got hydrolock with damaged pistons and has now been deemed totalled.

So, naturally, I wondered if my Taco would have fared any better. I would guess not.

 

I love watching people hit water with speed always turns out bad you could have made it

 

this is video of me going through the deepest water i think a stock tacoma can go through. not the greatest quality but good enough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE9vKI7Z7h8