2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How deep can Rams go?

[Gifford]

Since everything seems to be on the verge of flooding here in California, I'm wondering how deep I can go in a 97 12v before she starts sucking water? (tires are 255-85-16's which are a couple inches larger in diameter than stock).



Heh, then you guys are gonna see me on the news, one of those dumb****s that get caught out in the middle of a torrent and end up on the roof of the vehicle looking like a drowned kitten waiting for the fire dept.

 

[SEmerson]

You have axle vent at about the hight of the top of the tires. And you definty do not want to inhale water in the engine.

 

[illflem]

Manual recommends that if you go deeper than the middle of the wheels that your trans, transfer case and both differentials be drained as soon as possible. You probably can go as deep as the air filter before it dies.



Put one of these on it and you have a submarine



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[HC]

I have heard that the higher compression ratios of our diesels make water ingestion a much more damaging event.



Even if the above is an old wives tale, I would say this:



Drown a gasser, maybe spend $1200 for new motor.

Drown a diesel, maybe spend $6000 for new motor.



To me, it's just not worth much risk unless a life is on the line.

 

[bighammer]

Why do I get the feeling you are just LOOKing for some deep water (that's not TOO deep) to drive thru?

 

[JGK]

Personally, I wouldn't go any deeper than about the bottom of your doors. I realize there are gaskets around the doors but I'm not banking they are water-tight for any length of time. I woudn't want wet carpeting. Anyone tested these gaskets by submersion?



Then there's the vents in the doors to let interior ventilation pass through.



Sounds risky. You go first!



-Jay

 

[cmckinney]

Seems like I remeber a 4x4 Nissan can go up past the bottom door seal and it never leaked. Maybe someone would go out and try it for the TDR and give us a report... .



I like the idea of you first, then I'll think about it.



-CM

 

[Gifford]

too deep?

Nahh. I just miss uncle sams hummer with the fording package... (60" water crossings... )



And, yes I have been known to go out of my way to hit puddles!

 

[TowPro]

Depends on how much effort you want to put into this project



You can extend the Vent's for the rear and trans up into the truck cabin.

We used to vent the distributers on Gassers into the cab.



Once you hit real deep water, we used to put a bungy cord onto the fan to stop it from spinning and throwing water all over the engine, but keep the RPM real low. (that was a tow truck with a gas engine)



I have been a late 70's Chevy Gasser that we stalled out in the water (driver had the air cleaner lid on upside down) How deep was it? put it this way, it was hard to open the door with the water current against it. It was 3/4 the way up the door! Once we got a door open, it got real wet inside.



You should be able to go up to the point you suck water into the air box (then its to late). Keep in mind that your truck is 7X lighter under water, and current will be your biggest problem going into water that deep.



Disclamer: You ain't going to catch me going through anything deeper then the hight of my sidewalls. If the rims get wet, its to deep. But then I am a highway type guy, the most off road I go is to park my camper in the grass

Originally posted by Gifford

Since everything seems to be on the verge of flooding here in California, I'm wondering how deep I can go in a 97 12v before she starts sucking water? (tires are 255-85-16's which are a couple inches larger in diameter than stock).



Heh, then you guys are gonna see me on the news, one of those dumb****s that get caught out in the middle of a torrent and end up on the roof of the vehicle looking like a drowned kitten waiting for the fire dept.

 

[americana]

hummers can submarine!!!

heres the deal on hummers... . as tested by this former marine... unintentionally, of course!!



you have a fording kit... air intake and exhaust snorkels. then just before you ford water you flip a switch. it puts extra pressure on the hydraulic system (don't know if it also adds pressure to engine oil?????) to avoid water infiltration. if you leave the switch in the fording position i've been told it will develop nasty leaks... . which makes sense. i have it on VERY good authority that the hummer will work as long as the air and water intake are above water level almost without regard to how long those intakes are. take it for what it is worth.



ahem..... a few days after being promoted to staff sergeant i forded a stream i thought only inches deep. it wasn't. so i sees my entire short staff nco carreer flash before me eyes as water is creeping past my, almost defiled, boxers. everything thankfully worked out as well as the good folks at am general had engineered for including a steep (at least 30*) climb on the opposite bank.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Gifford

Since everything seems to be on the verge of flooding here in California, I'm wondering how deep I can go in a 97 12v before she starts sucking water? (tires are 255-85-16's which are a couple inches larger in diameter than stock).



Heh, then you guys are gonna see me on the news, one of those dumb****s that get caught out in the middle of a torrent and end up on the roof of the vehicle looking like a drowned kitten waiting for the fire dept.

Sounds like you're going to findout on your own. When it stops running do us all a favor and get out and measure how deep the water is Then let us know, so we can all warn the next guy

 

[Ncostello]

I wouldn't go through any water over a roadway. I'd rather take a few minutes extra and find another route. As little as a foot of swift water can make even big rigs move around and loose traction. There was a guy a few years back who worked at a local coal mine. After a heavy downpour, the road had a stream running across it that looked shallow. The stream culvert under the road washed out. He drove across it in a dually 4x4 and found out that it was actually 8' deep. The truck was washed away about 100 yds and he died. The passenger was able to escape and he lives across the street from me.



I know, no fun here, but its just not safe unless you can see the bottom. And thats no guarantee either.

 

[lmills]

Ask this guy.





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=62900

 

[thejeepdude]

swimming CTD

I've crossed about 3 FEET of water in my 4x4 CTD... I think the CTD makes a perfect water fording engine, because there's no electrical system to speak of, no ignition/coil to get wet and crap out on you, etc. Of course, keep it below the intake level, and check your axle/transmission/tcase fluids when you get home. I just took the breather hoses off and put longer ones on... ran them up to the height of the hood, so I can get at least that deep without worrying about anything. And, as with deep water crossing in my Jeep, the key is to keep a slow but steady momentum through the water... it's possibly to actually cross wate deeper than your intake if you go the right speed because a wave will be created, and the front of the truck will push the water out of the way of the intake. Of course, dont' try stopping, or you're back to buying a new block... oh hell, I got a #53 block anyways, just an excuse to get a new one, right? lol

 

[Billy Diesel]

I had water about 1" below the wheel well. Then it started feeling like the clutch was starting to slip (might have been mud under the tires) so I backed up and found another route. Clutch was fine after that. Checked all the fluids later that day (both diffs, transmission, t-case, oil) and everything looked fine. I did take in some water through the driver's door seal, but that was it.



BTW, the truck had less than 10K miles on it. I just had to see what it would do!

 

[JHerrlich]

I've been up to my doorsill and haven't had any problems. Just be careful if you're offroad because cold water will make it a lot easier to puncture your tires. Wet and cold tires get very hard and don't get as much traction either.



Here's what happens when you hit a large "puddle" in the road, and it ends up being over a foot deep:



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BTW, I was going the speed limit.

 

[tpruitt]

this pic is not much but i did not have a problem crossing this river. My Truck did have a lift on it but now it has the winch for when it gets too deep.