P reg P38 2.5 DSE off-road (wading)

WayneRR4x4

Active Member

Posts

120

Location

Brecon

• Nov 24, 2016

• #1

Ok, so, the truck is standard as far as I know. I'm going to want to take it off road at some point, and have some questions about water.
If the truck is completely standard, what do I need to do to prep it for wading... I'm not talking trying to turn it into a submarine, but maybe wading to bumper depth.

 

brianp38dse

Well-Known Member

Posts

20,156

Location

heathrow

• Nov 24, 2016

• #2

You have to be very careful, the cars main brain (becm) is under the drivers seat if this gets wet its game over.

 

WayneRR4x4

Active Member

Posts

120

Location

Brecon

• Nov 24, 2016

• #3

Ok, so no wet farts, got it!

 

WayneRR4x4

Active Member

Posts

120

Location

Brecon

• Nov 24, 2016

• #4

Seriously, I'm not going to risk going that deep, just wondering what I need to protect so I know roughly how deep I can go, so I picked a point on the vehicle (bumper) as a guide.

 

WayneRR4x4

Active Member

Posts

120

Location

Brecon

• Nov 24, 2016

• #5

I've just found a 5 way breather pipe extension kit, which can replace, or extend the gearbox, and axle breather pipes, however this is supposed to be used with a snorkel, although it can be used without. How long are the in-situ breather pipes, where do they top out? Also listed is an engine timing case breather kit, and a fuel tank breather kit.... are these necessary, or am I wandering into "water halfway up the windows" territory?

 

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Donater

Posts

58,170

Location

Preston Lancs.

• Nov 24, 2016

• #6

Maximum recommended wade height for a P38 is 20" with precautions. You will be in deep shit long before the water gets to the axle and gearbox breathers.

 

WayneRR4x4

Active Member

Posts

120

Location

Brecon

• Nov 24, 2016

• #7

wammers said:

Maximum recommended wade height for a P38 is 20" with precautions. You will be in deep shit long before the water gets to the axle and gearbox breathers.

Click to expand...

So, that's about the top of the wheel rims, give or take. Sounds similar to the "advice" given by Army instructors, who then promptly pushed us to break that rule by pointing us at trenches big enough to swallow tanks, filled with about 3 feet of water and said "get on with it!"
Mind you, I think they were using the 20 inch rule for moving water, more than for muddy puddles.
I'll have a look at the truck if I buy it and take a view on the lengthening of breather pipes, but sounds like something more suited to very serious off-roaders rather than the stuff I'm likely to do.