Water crossings and potential damage, is it worth it?

I took my Tacoma through 3~ feet of water today, it died as I was pulling into my driveway.

Did some wheeling in my taco today. For context, I have a 2022 off road. I’m on 35s, regeared, stock air intake, no snorkel, and I wheel the crap out of my truck all the time.

I went and hit some trails today. There was a pretty big water crossing, 3+ feet deep and about 25 feet long. It was one of the first obstacles I hit on the trail. Afterwards, I was crawling some pretty large rocks, and all of a sudden I got a “check charging system” warning on my dash. Got to the top of the obstacle, popped my hood, and saw the entire engine bay was covered in mud.

This isn’t the first time I’ve covered my engine bay in mud, and it won’t be the last. I turned my truck off, disconnected the battery, and cleaned the terminals with a damp cloth. The warning didn’t go away so I figured I’d go about my day and fix it when I got home.

Made it through the 45 min drive back with essentially no issues. About a mile away from my house, I get another warning. It says my ABS isn’t working, the traction control and ABS lights also went on. This is when I started to really get worried. As I’m about 2 blocks from my house, the infotainment screen goes black, then my speedometer and tachometer stop working, and I got ANOTHER warning on my dash saying my transmission fluid was overheating. At the red light before I turn off onto my street, my trucks idling sounded really off, I could tell it was about to die. Im pulling into my driveway, and my truck died before I could make it all the way in.

Disconnected my battery again, properly cleaned the terminals, and let it sit for a few minutes. When I reconnected it, it wouldn’t start again. My battery output was fine, but my alternator had kicked the bucket on me. I was able to get it started with a jump on the first try, but I’m honestly disappointed as I feel like with only 25k miles and only being a year old, my truck shouldn’t be having these problems.

Maybe I’m just an idiot. I know this is a result of my actions and I’ll be replacing the alternator tomorrow, but has anyone else had similar experiences? I took my 2019 raptor through deeper water many times and never had an issue (with the alternator at least lol) does anyone know of any mods/shields/relocation kits to prevent this from happening again? Maybe the 3rd gen just doesn’t like water.

Hopefully it is an easy fix. I will be taking it in for a service and I’ll have it looked at for a second opinion as I’m no mechanic by any means.

I will post updates on this thread. In the meantime, I’d like to hear from other people who’ve had issues, big or small, when taking their Tacoma through water/mud. Any input is welcome and appreciated.

 

You shouldn't wheel this hard on your daily. These are pretty much expected when going all out. Its 3+ feet of water man! come on

I assume you at least have snorkel. The components weren't build to be watertight! Its not a submarine. You got away easy! Be happy.

 

He noted no snorkel.


‘I’m honestly disappointed as I feel like with only 25k miles and only being a year old, my truck shouldn’t be having these problems’
You drove the truck through 3 feet of water. What did you expect to happen?

Next you are going to expect Toyota to repair water intake related issues via warranty.

 

I actually used to do water crossings in my 3rd gen all the time until we had a hydro locked model come in and it was a 15k fix. Sold the damn truck and got dedicated offroaders after seeing that.

The next biggest issue is connections, it can take a year to show issues, but corrosion will grow over time.

 

Crawl under your truck and take a look at all of the exposed electronics. Hell, the rear brake controller on the middle of the frame can't be more than 1.5 feet off the ground. The electronics are water resistant sure, but not water tight. Big difference. Also, might not be a bad idea to look at where your air intake sits stock. Hint, it's in the front passenger fender no more than 3.5 feet up.
Also, there's massive wire bundles that run right by your feet next to the door on both sides of the truck. 3 feet of water is more than enough to cook them. Just pull up the drivers door jam plastic thing and I guarantee you that there's water sitting in their corroding your wire connections.
You're driving a TRD Off Road, not TRD Underwater. Mud vs. water submersion plays very differently with the exposed systems.

If you want to submerge your taco for extended periods of time, I suggest modding it up like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVjo6YOT3Zg

 

You went there

 

Hey now, it's a stone cold classic! And if you can cross the channel in a Nissan you can definitely do it in a Tacoma.

On a serious note this thread is reminiscent of one where a guy posted videos of himself doing saltwater/ brackish water crossing on a beach somewhere and then a few weeks later asking why his dash looked like a Christmas tree and his rear diff was making grinding noises. There are very few vehicles that roll off of the production line ready to take that kind of beating without any long-term issues. You can't cry about Toyota quality being a lie when you do things to a truck that it actually isn't made to do. This is why people build dedicated trail rigs, so that when something goes bust they don't lose their daily driver. Lifts, gears, and tires do nothing to protect your powertrain.

 

Good old user error

 

You’re not supposed to drive your vehicle the way they do in car commercials.

Water crossings are typically a dumb idea and should only be used as a last resort.

Most devices sold as snorkels are actually just meant to keep dust out of your intake.

Even if you have a 100% airtight snorkel, you also need breather mods for your drivetrain.

You dealer will be doing you a solid if they fix this under warranty.

 

Sounds like you should be driving an old beater XJ or something for that kind of abuse. There’s too many electronics on these newer trucks for frequent deep water crossings. Most of the word prefers older diesels with snorkels for that application.

 

My old 4Runner was never the same after being in water. All the wiring under the truck and the floor of the cab.
Dry everything out, clean connections. Get a digital multimeter.

 

Open your airbox and check your air filter for water and mud.

Also your rear diff probably got some water and grit in it.

And yeah, let it dry out and tackle the problems as they come.

3 feet of water is above the door line, might want to pull the carpet up check the interior wiring harnesses on the drivers lower left side and just for water intrusion in general.

The wiring harnesses and electronics on vehicles are good for some splish splashes, prolonged submersion and it's going to make its way in. Once it's in, there's no real way for it to dry up and so corrosion takes its course.

Good luck

 

At least what you are doing is intentional and for the purpose of offloading. There's plenty of people who ride right into a flooded road thinking there won't be anything to worry about, and they were only trying to get to Walgreens.

 

Kind of my fault, but let’s try not to roast OP too bad.

Let this be a cheap lesson.

 

I think the car manufacturers are to blame by overselling what you should be doing with off-road vehicles.

If you go off road, you’re going to break shit.

I’m like a cat, I avoid water. Your new Toyota Tacoma is not going to survive a deep water fording adventure following after some guy with an XJ on 37 inch tires where the wiring harness is partially made up of a lamp cord he found in his grandmothers basement.

 

With roasting comes wisdom. I've been on the receiving end of my fair share of "you dunce" comments that were ultimately right. You just learn to take it on the nose and learn from the experience. I did something very similar to OP with my first SUV and my buddy who was an awesome old redneck laughed his a$$ off before then helping me change out 2 out of my 6 spark plugs and an alternator.
It's a form of education lol.

Edit: Okay, I'll be productive here.
OP, get yourself a port scanner and see whatcha did. Sounds like you probably toasted the alternator and maybe some connections. The connections are going to be a nuisance to chase down but repairing them is relatively straightforward.
1. If you don't have a diff breather mod you'll probably want to go ahead and change your diff fluids and then add an extended breather if you plan to keep doing stuff like this.
2. Check all bearings, joints, axles, and most likely clean and re-grease.
3. Check solenoid connections where you can get to them
4. Open up the trans and check the electronics. Might as well do a drain and fill while you're at it. Replace trans filter too. Sounds like you may have nuked the temp gauge/regulator.
5. Check all fuses
6. Check cabin fuse box.
7. Check cabin firewall wire bundle that comes in through the engine bay into the drivers side by your feet.
8. Pull up carpet, shop vac, check all wire bundles.
9. Check blinker fluid.
10. Check brake controllers (One in engine bay, other in the middle frame right below the divide between the front and rear of cabin. Should have a plastic cover on it.)
11. Check controller connections in your wheel assembly above CV axle.
12. I also see in your bio that you're running a 3.5in lift. This is definitely beyond what most consider safe, even when done right. I hope to god you're running aftermarket/longer CV's, LCA's, etc., to compensate, otherwise you could possibly have over extended them and sheared something. Definitely check those out for play or obvious signs of wear and tear.

I'll add more if I can think of it. Hopefully you can take care of most of this yourself, otherwise the shop bill might be pretty hefty.

 

Translation:

My dad bought me this new fancy hot rodded truck and i beat the shit out of it, AND I ALWAYS WILL! Oh shit, I broke something while abusing it. I cant fix shit and its Toyota’s fault. Better go online and find answers Im owed. HELP!

8k repair easily.




At least saved on a tow #winning #genz

 

Your damn lucky you didn't hydro lock it mid stream that has a tendency to bend more important things.
The electrical is semi well sealed but that's pushing it. I mean come on dude that's damn near up to the windows I'm surprised you even made it to the other side.

 

Buy a boat lol.

 

Gotta get to Target for those upcoming Memorial Day Weekend Sales