So i have a 4.6 4x2 150 and occasionaly i encounter some water when the rain gets too hard. I should probably mention that i like to drive through different driving situations (when i encounter them on my own terms), so that if i ever have to make it through a similar situation i know what to do and more importantly what my truck will do. However i also realise that motors do hydrolock, and have had a friend do that. My question is for the stock setup how much water can it handle, what would have to happen for the motor to suck water, the airbox seems pretty protected but im not sure. the deepest ive been in is about 1 to 1.5 ft and i knew what i was driving over. also has anyone encountered any problems with the AC compressor it seems that it would be relatively vounerable to mud/water being so low. is it sealed well to protect the bearings?? and how well does the alternator fare, i know it sheds the water quick ,but how much risk is there. idealy my truck would have a snorkle enclosed alternator and all the diff or tranny vents relocated, but money, well need i say more im in college. thanks

 

I'd say about 6" below the fender hole for the airbox. Don't forget that as you drive through water you create a wake (that's above the actual water line) that gets higher the faster you go...

 

That's what she said

 

thats a good question. I believe the rear end has a vent too? I have been at some fresh water boat launches in which I sumbmerged the rear of my truck up to the tail gate in order to launch a stand up jet ski...

 

Don't forget about the fan. If you get too deep, the blades of the fan might bend forward and hit the rad.

 

Yep, all the breather tubes need to be extended (I plan on running mine up to engine somewhere, it worked well on my Ranger).

Also, if you sit/play in water for any good amount of time, it's a good idea to check/change the tranny/dif fluids.

 

There's a LOT more to fording deep water than a couple of vent lines or the engine intake. You can destroy your cats if they're hot when they hit water.

Follow the owner's manual &/or the Off-Roading with Ford brochure.

 

to be safe axle high. drive through slow and steady.

 

Tops of the tires. Drive slow!!!! Build a wake infront, then back off and let the wake lead you driving in the shallow portion after it. The biggest mistake I see is speed in water. I have had plenty of stock 4x4's halfway up the grill. When you start getting stupid is when it gets expensive

 

If it is a plastic one (mine is) it will probably just come apart, one of the only really good reason to justify electric fans on a offroad rig is so you can shut them off for water crossings.

 

If you have to ask, its too high.

 

That's the smartest thing i've heard all day.

 

People people.... plastic fans do not come apart. I have run plastic fans in snorkeled vehicles with the hood under water for minutes at a time with nothing coming apart. By the time water pushes through your radiator it is not near as much as you imagine would be coming through

 

Great. But if the blade doesn't have a molded ring around the edge, then the blades CAN dig into the radiator. It happened to this truck right here:

 

This is true, although that has also been caused by play in the fan clutch. Once the fan hits the water it walks foward hitting the radiator. Seen it many many times. I've had my Ford up to the 2tone on my doors and have no water in the Diffs, and no water in the motor. Living in Houston every vehicle I have ever owned has had its fare share of water. Here was my 04 dodge less than a month old