Waterproofing Your Rig

[Matty]

well, i searched and didn't really find much about waterproofing rigs.  I know most of you guys are rock guys, and i like rocks too but i ride lots of trails and find lots of brooks i must cross and things like that.  I'm just trying to build an all around decent truck.  Anyways i was just wondering what any of you have done to water proof.  I read the Snorkel Thread and didnt want to hijack it.  I was thinking thinks like rubber boot on the distributor to keep the water out, differential breathers, snorkel, and then i was kind of stuck on what else to do.....any pictures of your water proofing or any tips of what can be done to water proof any farther would be greatly appreciated....

[BLACKDOG]

move your ECU up from foot level, make sure your electronics are all sealed, and all your wires are connected properly, or at least wrapped well with tape.  Other than that you've got a good start I think.  I've heard and seen both ways, but some people install an electric fan with shutoff, so when it hits the water it doesnt flex into the radiator, and I've seen people just use the stock clutch fans and go into the water slowly

[mudmaster]

I put Duralube's spray inside my cap and wires. So far water has had no effect.

[RHG]

Heat shrink is your friend. Also dialectric(sp) grease is supposed to keep the water out and the spark in

[Shamb]

go to pirate4x4.com  or 4x4wire.com and look up 4Crawlers site. He's got a good web-site full of great information along with alot of water proofing tricks.


ah what the heck, i'll take it a step further

Mr. Roger Brown

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/WaterProofing.shtml

[bmxanddie]

snorkel shmorkel, dont get one of those, unless of course you plan on crossing the atlantic

[mudmaster]

Agree or want to suck in lots of dirt

[Matty]

snorkel shmorkel, dont get one of those, unless of course you plan on crossing the atlantic

thats actually what i want to do!! im

thanks for all the info guys...

[Matty]

why do you not like snorkels, and what are you doing to keep water out of the intake???

[mudmaster]

suck in dust and if the water is up to your carb (I'm not EFI) you're already stuck

[Matty]

wait why are you already stuck if its up to your carb?? and how does it suck any more dust up than when its right behind the grill??

not tryin to be mean just curious...


oh and mudmaster...whats your specs i like the look of the avatar suspension? tires?

[mudmaster]

only have 36's

[Matty]

      only have 33s?

[mudmaster]

cheap 4" Pro Comp, 36" Swampers, 2" bl

[Matty]

im in the same boat suspension wise...cheapo side

[red]

suck in dust and if the water is up to your carb (I'm not EFI) you're already stuck

the snorkel pulls in air from above ur truck, where its cleaner, almost no road debree from other vehicles. i live in west texas and go through an air filter every 2000 miles drivin on the road and i dont have a snorkel. a friend of mine does on his chevy pickup and goes about 18,000 miles before he has to get a new one, and he's got a snorkel.

the main things to worry about water proofing are ur computer, distributor, spark plugs, and ur air intake(engine wise). friend of mine uses an oil ring on his distributor, has no problem crossing water up over his hood. used electrical tape around his spark plug boots just to be careful, guess it helps. no computer for him, carb.

[flourman]

It's always good to remember to hit the water slow and then keep a constant speed through it.  This way you form a wave in front of the grille and the water level will actually be lower than all of the other water behind your grille. 

[grandeyota]

Put your ECU in a Tupperware that is about the same size and RTV where the wires and mounting brackets go through the plastic.Leave the lid off so humidity doesn't build up, and snap it on when you go wheeling.  For ignition parts, this site has some boots cheap at the bottom of the page - http://www.dansperformanceparts.com/buggy/ic/buggyic.htm . Or something like that will work. CRC 6-56 marine lube is about the best stuff I've used for ignition spray, WD40 can be used if you can't find that stuff. I sometimes have my alternator go out if it gets too deep, but the parts store has lifetime warranty so thats as far as I've looked into that. Diff breathers on front and rear and check out the tranny/t-case too. I've had water get in every one of those things. The stock (EFI) intake is made to suck up water. If you don't run a snorkel, at least run where it takes in air back towards the firewall, like where the brake booster is at. With the hood shut that MAY leave a pocket of air for a bit, for sure a better spot than stock. I put RTV on about every surface when I repack the front wheel bearings. Dunno if thats the best idea the more I think about it though, will it seal water out or trap it in the bearings?? Oh well.

[Toyminator]

snorkel shmorkel, dont get one of those, unless of course you plan on crossing the atlantic

Or this little creek...

[Matty]

1. thats fawkin aweeessomme
2. got any more pics of that ....looks very cool
3.  have you done any other waterproofing i mean im assuming you've had to have done something besides raise the intake up to go that hardcore into water....



did you make it???

[mr4x42u]

. Also dialectric(sp) grease is supposed to keep the water out and the spark in

use it everywhere,,ALL wire connectors,,plug wires,,cap o-ring..add a vent hose to the dist cap to a dry place..I found this stuff to be the best and its very cheap..

[CTENG in KS]

Like this...

[DAWGTOY]

no one has said anything about the hole in the bottom of the dist.
near where it bolts into the head. i used dielectirc grease on everything
and water still got in. so i removed the dist. and filled the hole with silicone.
its never got water in it since. and yea i run a homemade snorkle since the
83 gets its intake air from the headlite area. also make sure your air cleaner
is sealed around the top well.

[*FFC*]

no one has said anything about the hole in the bottom of the dist.
near where it bolts into the head. i used dielectirc grease on everything
and water still got in. so i removed the dist. and filled the hole with silicone.
its never got water in it since. and yea i run a homemade snorkle since the
83 gets its intake air from the headlite area. also make sure your air cleaner
is sealed around the top well.

I was wondering when someone would mention silicone... That's what I'd recommend....hey, it'd even help you float

[mr4x42u]

I was wondering when someone would mention silicone... That's what I'd recommend....hey, it'd even help you float

its messy and nasty stuff,,besides that the bottom of the dist cap uses a o-ring,,so if the o-ring is there and in good shape you should not need silicone..

dawgtoy,,there should be a rubber plug in that hole,,the dist cap is vented through the cap,,so with the cap vented to high ground it should be good..Guess you need a rubber for your hole  

[Toyminator]

did you make it???

Wasn't me, but yes,  he made it.

[mr4x42u]

awesome..

[SWAMPER]

Good thread this is indeed Ill proly need this, whenever it pours here in San Antonio the den floods...you wont make it unless ur really waterproofed

[Volcom]

Or this little creek...

Wow, that little river is deceving 

[bigman]

love the pic