Kyle,
I've had my Dakota in water up to about 24 inches with no problems
though I do have a 3" body lift and 31" tires. The axle vent tubes are
neccessary because the diff's do built up some pressure when driving. If
you capped them off, there may be a chance of blowing out a gasket. As far
as extending them, an old 4 wheeling trick is to get a coiled air hose from
Sears hardware and cut it into about a 3-4 foot lengths. Clamp one end on
to the vent tube and the other to a higher point on the frame leaving some
slack in the coil. Also remember that your transfer case has a vent on it
somewhere under there.
Walt Felix
88½ Dakota Sport 4x4 and 2000 Ram 1500 QuadCab Sport 4x4
Walt@Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
http://WWW.Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
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Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 22:54:50 -0600
From: "Kyle Kozubal" <grndak4x4@home.com>
Subject: DML: Water Fording Depths.....
For reference, I found this info in a old issue of Four Wheeler pertaining
to GenII 4WD Dakotas(stock suspension with LT235's):
*19 inches, measured from the bottom of the doorsill. "This is a
conservative number, even though the axle vent tubes are significantly
higher."
*Air Intake is about 28 inches off the ground
Now for my questions.....I have crossed and went 4wheelin' down some creeks,
but they were shallow, maybe 10 inches deep max.
*I assume that water will enter the doorsills, due to the lack of
weatherstripping, correct? Will water literally flow in rapidly, even if the
truck is still moving? I believe it would, just wanted to make sure.
*Concerning the axle vent tubes(both of which I have located on my Dakota).
What really is the purpose of these? Do diffs really build up pressure that
need to be vented? I assume also that these axle vents are vunerable to
water getting inside them, correct? Both my vents appear to be capped
though, how are they vents/how would water get inside? If I wanted to,
couldn't I just extend them and raise them to higher areas on my Dak?
*If the air intake is 28" off the ground(I am assuming this measurement is
where the cold air duct is located at the grill), and the top of the engine
is considerably higher, wouldnt a good quick mod be to remove the cold air
duct, leave the stock round metal air filter housing inplace, and just let
the engine use alittle more warmer air?? I mean I hope I never submerge my
Dak this bad, I am just trying to think of alternative options.
Thanks for any and all input.
Kyle
93 Dakota 4x4 V6
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