waterproofing the ranger!

[sloth69mustang]

after a year and 4 days i finally got my truck on the road again. i am going to build/buy a snorkel in the next couple weeks. still trying to decide if i want to try and do the arb snorkel or build one. the arb setup semis like the airflow would be horrible with all those bends. but anyway.....

what is the next issue the 3rd gen rangers run into with waterproof once you have a snorkel? idk what all i need to waterproof. i assume my coil might need something. i have a brand new one in there but anyone have any problems with misfires due to deep water crossings? i am talking like water over the hood deep lol

 

[clifford97]

its easier and way cheaper to build your own snorkel. as far as waterproofing, any electronics you have in the cab (cb, subs, speakers, etc) you should take out or mount them higher. under hood anything electrical, all connectors should be sealed with electrical grease and shrink wrapped or taped, fuse and relay box must be sealed. find where your engine harness goes into the cab to the pcm make sure that gromet is sealed and then go in and waterproof that too. go underneath to your axles, find the breather tube coming off the tops, replace with a longer tube, take it as high as you can go, above where your water levels will be. or get a sealed breather. also your exhaust may need to be extended up either a stack or just have it come up higher on the vehicle. (you will be happy if you stall underwater) it will also allow you to continue having power through long swims. mostly what it takes, keep looking to protect anything electric or anything that doesn't like water if you have a PCV breather filter in place of the intake tube, get rid of it and put the tube back on. there's a good starting point. good luck, PICS OF HOW IT COMES OUT!

 

[Mark_88]

I would put an electric fan if it doesn't have one already...and a toggle switch...door seals should be inspected and replaced as needed...and ensure there are no holes in the cab...if you go that deep...

I wouldn't go to water over the hood myself...just seems like asking for hydro lock...so inspect the exhaust and intake for leaks...unless you're planning on mixing in some sea foam with the water and do a nice carbon cleaning...

 

[sloth69mustang]

i figured those were the things i would need to do. all electrical connections and what not. i was hopefully to get away with as little as possible but sounds like i need to go thro the whole truck. i already ran my vent tubes up to the top of the bed a couple years ago. i will just have to start working on every electrical connector. probably should have done that when i put in this new engine. time to get busy so i am ready for the spring. thanks guys.

 

[straycat]

i figured those were the things i would need to do. all electrical connections and what not. i was hopefully to get away with as little as possible but sounds like i need to go thro the whole truck. i already ran my vent tubes up to the top of the bed a couple years ago. i will just have to start working on every electrical connector. probably should have done that when i put in this new engine. time to get busy so i am ready for the spring. thanks guys.

Water proofing is a lot of work. No easy way to do it. You have to take your time to make sure you get it right. Use the search function. This subject on the Snorkle has been brought up a bunch of times. Some great photos of homebuilt and storebought snorkles. Check out the tech section as well.

 

[brinker88]

Plumcrazy's snorkel is nice. But if you REALLY want it waterproof, run the intake INTO the cab/glove box.

 

[sloth69mustang]

i have searched the forums for awhile about it. some are nice. and of course seth's (plumcrazy) is nice. that dude is macgyver. he can fab anything to his truck and make it look good lol. i think i am going to build my snorkel now.

 

[tmcalavy]

Modding never ends...next up is a periscope...dive, dive, dive!

 

[sloth69mustang]

^ i actually thought of something like that hahahahahahaha. like you know those colapseable cups for camping? i had one when i was real little but the same thing applys. you could rig one. it would be awesome hahahaha

 

[tmcalavy]

You'd have to seal and pressurize the cab(in) to do that...scuba gear would be more efficient...tanks, regulators, masks, the whole 9 yards...just no fins, that would make shiftin' a be-atch.

 

[clifford97]

it will be a while before you get to this http://youtu.be/j7gZ28Msa8g

 

[sloth69mustang]

i have seen that video before. its awesome. but i dont want to ever do that hahaha. how do you see where you are going? thats some dirty water.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Well watching that left me thinking... Whatever floats yer boat or sinks yer Hummer in this case.