Waterproof Engine Bay?


Ranger Kip

Ranger Kip

15+ Year Member

⭐Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
May 2, 2010
Messages
2,960
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3,101
City
Wellsboro
State - Country
PA - USA
Vehicle Year
2006
Vehicle
Ford Ranger
Drive
4WD
Engine
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Confused and Intolerant
I have heard of them, but never seen one.
I believe they use them with snorkles, otherwise they are kinda useless, I think hummers had the option of them in the beginning.
 
Ah, my Ranger has a snorkel...but only when it's asleep...

I've been working on making mine waterproof, but not for forging rivers...just to keep it running when it rains, someone sneezes, or the weatherman calls for rain...
 
Mark_88 said:
Ah, my Ranger has a snorkel...but only when it's asleep...

I've been working on making mine waterproof, but not for forging rivers...just to keep it running when it rains, someone sneezes, or the weatherman calls for rain...
Click to expand...

haha, I can extend a hand to the comedian I guess =)
:icon_cheers:
 
The engine bay is not "waterproof" per se but all the components and wiring connections are as water resistant as possible. There is less to do than you might think. Most of the things that don't do well in water are already pretty well sealed up. What you want ot be conscious of are holes in the intake system (drains in the airbox and such), the location and seal around your computer, holes in the firewall, door seals and holes in the floor of your cab. Most everything else will take care ot its self. OH, and the vents for your axles. They need to be raised above any potential water level.
 
crbnunit said:
The engine bay is not "waterproof" per se but all the components and wiring connections are as water resistant as possible. There is less to do than you might think. Most of the things that don't do well in water are already pretty well sealed up. What you want ot be conscious of are holes in the intake system (drains in the airbox and such), the location and seal around your computer, holes in the firewall, door seals and holes in the floor of your cab. Most everything else will take care ot its self. OH, and the vents for your axles. They need to be raised above any potential water level.
Click to expand...

I meant water tight engine bay liners, or a waterproof bay that is installed, not ALL engine bays =P

Axle vents?
 
You should see a little tube coming up from the axles that usually ends somewhere in the frame. if you dont move those up higher you get watter in axle and bad things start to happen. some guys use the air lines that are in a coil
 
any cheap ways to reroute?
 
Ranger Kip said:
any cheap ways to reroute?
Click to expand...

There sure is. I can't recall what the diameter of the hose is so you'll have to crawl underneath to measure it. Go to hardware store and pick up some hose of the same size/material and you can replace the stock hose and route it to anywhere you want. If you get one long enough you could route it into the cab so you can watch it so it doesn't get submerged in water.
 
superds said:
There sure is. I can't recall what the diameter of the hose is so you'll have to crawl underneath to measure it. Go to hardware store and pick up some hose of the same size/material and you can replace the stock hose and route it to anywhere you want. If you get one long enough you could route it into the cab so you can watch it so it doesn't get submerged in water.
Click to expand...

Might have to do that =) but first thing is replacin that damned frame, then I can see the condition of the cab before I drill holes in it.

To what point is the cab watertight (lets say you submerged the cab under water completely), would water come in the window seals? vents (yes I am guessing), and is there a way to prevent this without cutting off every air connection to the cab?

I want my truck to be a stock-looking mudder with underwater movement capabilities, well, to the point of reaching the windows.
 
The cab is certainly not watertight to any extent. Water will seep in through just about anywhere there is a seal. If you drive through water that is above the bottom of the cab doors, water will began to seep through the door seals. The deeper you go, the more water will force it's way into the cab because hydrostatic force (force exerted by water due to depth) is higher the deeper the water. The doors will be your biggest culprit and you will have to take a lesson from submarine design textbooks to overcome that. :D
 
yeah, the weight of water pushes down on the truck, and causes pressure the deeper you go, because its more water pushing its weight down on your cab.

Now, I might go with making some door seals that stop water from riding in near the bottom of the door, I played around with this before, but for door insulators for the house, I used plastic ziplock bags, a packing foam for electronics, and a lighter to melt the ends, it worked to an extent, might revive the project for this reason.
 
I like these for diff vents. They allow for the expansion and contraction of air with heating and cooling and are completely sealed. No nasty in or out.
Waterproof Engine Bay?
 
Another way to route the axle tube breather is to get a long enough line and attach it to the air box.
 
superds said:
The cab is certainly not watertight to any extent. Water will seep in through just about anywhere there is a seal. If you drive through water that is above the bottom of the cab doors, water will began to seep through the door seals. The deeper you go, the more water will force it's way into the cab because hydrostatic force (force exerted by water due to depth) is higher the deeper the water. The doors will be your biggest culprit :D
Click to expand...

I once drove my B2 through a flooded gravel road, it was app. 50 yards long & was making a wake over the hood...the water was just below my windows. Somehow I made it through but mine is a 5 speed & the water was pouring through the shifter boot like a water fountain, by the time I got to the other side it had filled with water all the way to the top of the trans. tunnel! :shok:

I stopped on the other side, opened the doors to let the water poor out, then just kept on going......:headbang: (On a side note....lake water & carpet do not go well together,:bad:... needless to say I have been without carpet since then)
 
B2 Addict said:
I once drove my B2 through a flooded gravel road, it was app. 50 yards long & was making a wake over the hood...the water was just below my windows. Somehow I made it through but mine is a 5 speed & the water was pouring through the shifter boot like a water fountain, by the time I got to the other side it had filled with water all the way to the top of the trans. tunnel! :shok:

I stopped on the other side, opened the doors to let the water poor out, then just kept on going......:headbang: (On a side note....lake water & carpet do not go well together,:bad:... needless to say I have been without carpet since then)
Click to expand...

Duly noted. I would like to add the shift boot area as a susceptible water seepage point.
 
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