Accidently dipped Rear of truck into salt water?!?

So last weekend, I was going fishing and the tide was really high when I launched my boat. It was in lake ponchatrain which has brackish water. When I backed up, the back of my truck was in the water up to the exhaust pipe. When I got home after fishing for a few hours, I got under my truck with a brush and soap and water and washed the underside thoroughly. Question is, how much damage do you think was done, and could water have gotten into the differential? Also, what else could I do to prevent any kind of corrosion from the slightly salt water? Anyone ever had a problem with their truck after something like this?

 

You are good to go with the exception of your rear diff
If you have not done the breather relocate mode
If you had water over your rear diff change the fluid and while your at it do the relocated mod

 

Ok, well does a 2wd base ( no LSD ) even have a diff breather? Also, do you know what height of water is needed for it to get into the diff?
Thanks

 

if it was over your axle ....then change the fluid......
all diffs have breathers...
fluid has to be changed every 30k anyhow

 

It should have a breather right next to the pumpkin, driver side, top of axle. Your problem will be once you dunked the pumpkin which would of been hot it would of cause the oil to go cold and possibly pop your rear seals and suck water in due to contraction. Your exhaust comes out higher than your rear diff.
Your best bet is to do as brutalguyracing recommended and hope your rear seals didn't pop. You'll know soon enough if that happened, oil will start leaking out and splatter around the inside of rear tires.

 

my truck been submerged many many times and for 8 hours in sandy with 8" in cab
and never had my rear seals pop
not saying it cant happen....
i think you have more of a chance of that happening by driving with water in the diff,....

 

That's why I wrote possibly it could happen. The factory breather is one way to let hot air out, when a hot pumpkin is dunked it can cause negative pressure when it chills fast, in theory the rear seals will give way to allow water in.

Take a plastic 16oz water bottle you buy in bulk 24/36 packs drink half, leave in your truck during a hot day with cap on tight. Then put it in your fridge and see what happens to the bottle in about 2~3 hrs. It will look like someone sucked all the air out and the bottle will cave in on itself. Same theory as your rear end.

 

No leaks, and nothing looks like it cracked or "popped" so I think I'm good. Probably will do a diff fluid change though. Anyone know how much sears or pepboys charges for something like that? Don't feel like buying a torque wrench and all that stuff. Also, when I backed up, I was on an incline so naturally the the exhaust pipe was lower than the top of the pumpkin.

 

1. Change the diff fluid ASAP
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/24545-changing-differential-fluid-step-step-how.html
You don't need a torque wrench per se, since the required torque is low, just 36 ft-lb, doable with a normal ratchet handle.

2. Do the breather relocate before going into the water again.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/15686-diff-breather-mod-dummies-pics.html

3. Use a pressure washer and thoroughly rinse the underside after getting out of the water. Soap and brush aren't strictly necessary.

 

A one time dip into brackish water isn't going to make your truck rust instantly or the rear diff suck in gallons of water. Hose it off and then for piece of mind on your part change the fluid but I wouldn't think it neccessary. Dunked the rear on my truck plenty before I did the diff mod and the fluid was fine.

 

i launch my jet ski/buddys boat in salt water a few times a month with my taco, all i do is hose it off after.

never submerged my truck by any means but my rear axle has definitely seen salt water alot

never had an issue.

 

The jeep I had before this I drove it into the ocean up to the bottom of the door (with a 4" lift and 35s) and everything is just fine. A good rinse down and a fluid change if ya want. Just can't make a habit of it.

 

Like everyone said, I would worry more about the differential being submerged than the salt water. The folks up north drive through salt laden snow all winter long. Just have to clean it off as often as the cold will allow. A car wash spray wand should be more than enough to clean the salt off.

 

Agree with the above posts.

But to address the Salt question, and what to do to prevent damage in future outings. Use a product called "Salt Away" quite religiously when I take my boat out in brackish or full salt water. It dissolves the salt and will add a layer of protection for the next time you go out. It's fairly cheap and great insurance!

 

^Never heard of Salt Away. Learn something new every day.

 

The breather seems to have some sort of valve, perhaps that keeps some of the moisture out?

 

Academy carries a product called "Salt Eliminator" if you can't find the other one, same product overall.

 

Add a breather to that water bottle i bet it wont

 

Kinda, it's splash-resistant, but not enough if it's completely submerged under water.

 

In a perfect world or when the part is new- but over time dirt and road grime can make the "valve" or breather stick in the open position allowing water in