Driving in Water - How deep?

[Tundra2006CP]

Over the past three days our area has seen about 9 inches of rain. Needless to say there is a lot of roadway flooding. We have been driving through fairly deep water - to me as a first time truck owner. On the news you always see people getting stalled out in water and needing a rescue.

My question, perhaps to those that 4X4, is how deep of water can you drive through? If and when you get higher than your lug nuts is anything getting damaged? I know not to drive in the sand at the beach for the salt and sand will contaminate grease etc. What about just muddy water?

I have only driven as deep as the beginning of where the rim meets the rubber on the tire. Not interesting in being a swamp buggy but I would love to know from those that are a little more brave what the limits of our trucks are. I drive a 2006 4X2 LSD DC and love it!

Look forward to hearing the advice and stories. Thanks.

[Mazutoytundra]

I've driven in water as deep as the bottom of my running boards and that's with about a 2.5" lift on my truck. I've got no problems with my truck at all.


Also 9" of rain in 3 days is about normal for where I live.

[Big_Al1]

Originally Posted by Mazutoytundra

I've driven in water as deep as the bottom of my running boards and that's with about a 2.5" lift on my truck. I've got no problems with my truck at all.


Also 9" of rain in 3 days is about normal for where I live.

Times 2 on that expect without any lift even could kinda feel the water slapping the under carriage.Make sure to check your differentials if the fluid looks milky change it out asap its more than like water contamination.Not good for differential fluids.

[mostsleek]

I have gone up to the bottom of the doors...I heard it rippling against it. Go slow but not stopped. You need to keep moving at a steady speed to keep the "bow" wake intact. Plus if you stop you might be on muddy/sandy ground and loose your traction. Don't go to fast, Toyota decided to put the alternator near the bottom of the belt system. If you go to fast the splashes will get to the alternator.
I also agree 9" of rain could be a day or 2 in South Florida.
Standard forecast from now till the end of October:

50% or greater for rain everyday.
High of 90-95
Throw in a hurricane or 2 to mix it up

[sic402]

didnt read this but lets say 4 feet, do it, do it

[george60]

************************************************

When your engine stops running you'll know that's too deep!




(sorry)

[jaywhy]

I dont know about the tundra but in my Rocky i used to drive it so the water level was above where my door opens and i never had any problems besides getting the interior a lil wet lol

[tundra05_trd]

I had water come over the hood on my tacoma, scared the crap out of me. I was wheeling and the puddle got deep quick. I had no problems and somehow I didnt suck any in through my FIPK.

[DunesRunner08]

Just keep it below the intake and you will be fine...the truck should stay dry for a while until you hit window high with the water. Look under the hood and see where the intake comes in and that will answer your question. If its inside the fender then its low and if its at the hoodline, you are in good shape...

[03tundrablack]

So i know exactly how much is to much. when your headlights are under water in a stock 03 tundra with 4wd that is to much and leads to an expensive fix($3400 dollar fix 2 months ago.). Your intake should be at the top of the passenger wheel well(you may want to check to make sure). I drove though water to the top of my running boards all the time with no problem. You just need to be carefull because their is a vent nippple on the top of the transmision that you dont want to get under water. If it does you just need to check the fluids and see if they need changing.

[MKYOTA]

Water over the wheels is not a great big deal...its how fast the water is moving that gets you. sometimes if it is moving very rapidly even a little bit can be extremely hazardous especially during floods when pieces of trees and various other things get swept along the current. IMHO you might not want to test a road that has running water over it, if its just a pond and its not any deeper than the top of the wheel go for it......some people are up for running their trucks through mud holes but an engine w/ water in it costs a bunch of money. I usually walk out into the water before I go for it

[apimpdad]

I have had water just below my door handles with no problems with the alternator or water getting into the intake. Just be sure to check the fluids in the parts that were underwater.

[darren_nh]

We had a similar storm here two years ago. I drove in water up to the front of my hood on a stock 2000 SR5 for about 50 feet. I checked the diff. fluids and tranny after, and everything was fine. I don't think I would go any deeper than that.

[MrBeanley]

When your butt starts to float; its time to stop.

[TundraSurfBum]

9"? blah! we get that every afternoon around 2pm here in Florida