Random post. Off-roading, water coming up under the hood.

[Ranger4x4.0]

So, I done some "light" off roading, nothing crazy, mudding I guess lol. No rock crawling although I would like to again sometime.
Few aftermath pics-


Anywho, I noticed some muddy water all over the battery and a little bit around the air box. ( I'm doing this on my phone so hopefully the pics will show lol)


I was hitting a few mud holes, not even an inch or so deep, only around 20 ish, not too fast for the condition of the road, which wasn't that bad, a few holes that splashed water on my windshield. It just makes me uncomfortable that it got to those two parts lol. It also splashed all up under the hood.

Which still bothers me that water can get all up in there. Man do I have a mess to clean this weekend I think I found where the water is acually coming in-

Why isn't there a flap or something there to prevent this? Why, ford, why!? Wouldn't it be nice if I can rig up something to put there? Idk maybe there is a flap thingy-ma-bobber to put there, is there? Lol. Have any of you had this happen?

 

[RonD]

Swap mechanical rad fan for electric fan and add an OFF switch in the cab.
This also frees up some horse power and gets better MPG, about the only thing that can do both.

While it won't stop all the splashed mud it certainly stops it from spreading around so much

 

[Ranger4x4.0]

Swap mechanical rad fan for electric fan and add an OFF switch in the cab.
This also frees up some horse power and gets better MPG, about the only thing that can do both.

While it won't stop all the splashed mud it certainly stops it from spreading around so much

I don't think the fan was spinning too fast at the time, or engaged, idk how mechanical fans work but I don't think anything got wet from the fan though, I guess the water just rushed up under the bumper.

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[Ranger4x4.0]

Swap mechanical rad fan for electric fan and add an OFF switch in the cab.
This also frees up some horse power and gets better MPG, about the only thing that can do both.

While it won't stop all the splashed mud it certainly stops it from spreading around so much

So, looking at the radiator a little closer, you may be right.


And I looked at the gap I was talking about under the bumper closer, and it doesn't show any signs of muddy water going up

I don't know how hard it would be to put an electric fan in it, and I don't know if it would really be worth it, especially if it's really hard and boring lol.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I took an old tractor inner tube, cut it to shape, drilled holes in the inner fender and pop riveted it in. Gosh it has been 10 years ago now and it is still holding up great.

The "Off Road" and FX4 trucks have a big skidplate that covers up the front end on those things. I remember my college roomates '00 ORP had a big pretty stainless one that was factory, it might help too.

I wouldn't worry about the fan unless you do water crossings. If nothing else you don't want the radiator getting plugged up with that crap and off roading does generate heat that needs to go somewhere other than just the coolant.

 

[Ranger4x4.0]

I took an old tractor inner tube, cut it to shape, drilled holes in the inner fender and pop riveted it in. Gosh it has been 10 years ago now and it is still holding up great.

The "Off Road" and FX4 trucks have a big skidplate that covers up the front end on those things. I remember my college roomates '00 ORP had a big pretty stainless one that was factory, it might help too.

I wouldn't worry about the fan unless you do water crossings. If nothing else you don't want the radiator getting plugged up with that crap and off roading does generate heat that needs to go somewhere other than just the coolant.

I was thinking along the lines of that too,something rubbery lol, until i looked at it closer and i don't see much signs of water going up that spot. Look at the pics in the last comment, now i think that it is coming from the lower part of the rad fan.

I still don't think id put a new fan in it, id leave it alone, but if it starts causing problems, like water getting on sensitive parts, them i may have to, or just buy a jeep, which I've been drooling on one for a month lol, only $16,000 ill pass

 

[Mark_88]

I bought some vinyl flooring at Home Depot and did something similar to what 85_Ranger4x4 did and mine was still in place after about twelve years...I used body bolts with big washers to hold mine in place...but it was more along the sides than a shroud like covering...

I think the electric fan idea would reduce most of the spray too...but you can also get a set of pontoons and float your Ranger like a boat instead of the submariner approach...

 

[Ranger4x4.0]

I bought some vinyl flooring at Home Depot and did something similar to what 85_Ranger4x4 did and mine was still in place after about twelve years...I used body bolts with big washers to hold mine in place...but it was more along the sides than a shroud like covering...

I think the electric fan idea would reduce most of the spray too...but you can also get a set of pontoons and float your Ranger like a boat instead of the submariner approach...

Yeah, I might be able to try that method! Lol

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