How deep can I go

[wbowner]

Hi
Looking into a trip to the Cape in late May or June.

Don't plan to do the OT, just bits of oil, I want to see a few of the water holes (Twin Falls and Eliot Falls ).
I have a 2014 D4 TDV6 with a Safari Snorkel. I will not be towing.

To get there I believe you have to go through Scrubby Creek which can be a bit deep. I have read there is now a chicken track through it but not sure that is true and where it is.

My experience with water crossing is limited in the D4- only small ones.

So my questions are
Q1. Even though the manual states 700m can I go much deeper with the snorkel - I will use a BRA when doing it
Q2. Any places I should check for water ingress.

I will check water level before I go through (ask people , not sure I am keen to walk through it up there).

Thanks for any help.
Richard

[discomatt69]

watching with much interest !!

[PhilipA]

Really water ingress is most important in wheel bearings, suspension bushes, Ujs etc.
The thing is to keep going and not sit there.

Seals do not really seal if you are stopped.
Probably good to wait and cool down before any crossings.

I hate water and mud, and when you see how many repairs that the 4X4 hoons have to do, you would hate it also.

Of course if you sit in 700MM or more of water your car will be a write off so remember that of you are temped to go on to Nolan's Brook..

But by all means go to Fruit bat falls. I don't remember that creek in as being at all a barrier in my RRC towing my camper trailer. I did my fan in on the creek that you have to do a 180 in.
Regards Philip A

[67hardtop]

Id make sure the snorkle is properly sealed before departing on ur adventure...u lucky bugger

[wbowner]

The snorkel fitted by ARB so hope they knew what they were doing , I did ask about that at the time

I think fruit bat falls ok, no river but to get to other two need to go through as Scrubby creek which is deep

In a pinch I will just skip them, plenty of other things to seem
Richard

[Victim]

I've got a 2014 D4 TDV6 as well, and estimate the deepest I've been through was approx. 850mm without a snorkel.

Suspension was set to emergency extended height (via GAP IID tool), and turned DSC off to reduce the risk of losing momentum. I crossed at a steady enough pace to maintain a good bow wave at the front, which results in a shallower trough right where the air intake is, and according to the water mark on the side of the vehicle, I probably had a couple of inches to spare. No water ingress found. I doubt I'd have attempted that depth without knowing it had a good rocky base with no obstacles to get hung up on, and I'm not sure I'd want to go much deeper even with a snorkel, but maybe you can.

Interested to hear from the more experienced...

[DiscoJeffster]

Grrr. Water. No matter whether you walk it or not, you inevitably never walk where the tyres go on both sides. I did Yardie Creek in Exmouth WA. At the time it was low tide and reasonably shallow. Inevitably I found the only decent sized rock in the creek (which I couldn’t see) and split a Cooper LTZ sidewall.

[67hardtop]

The snorkel fitted by ARB so hope they knew what they were doing , I did ask about that at the time

I think fruit bat falls ok, no river but to get to other two need to go through as Scrubby creek which is deep

In a pinch I will just skip them, plenty of other things to seem
RichardThats good. Its just that i think ive read somewhere that one of the joints on a D4 is just a foam strip. Not watertight. Cheers Rod

[LRD414]

Richard I have crossed Scrubby Creek to camp near the falls in mine without a snorkel.
You will be fine unless the water level is very unusually high compared to a normal winter time level.

Scott


https://youtu.be/3YniBd8lIoQ

[DiscoMick]

Should be fine. Remember to turn off the air-con.

[Turtle60]

Richard I have crossed Scrubby Creek to camp near the falls in mine without a snorkel. You will be fine unless the water level is very unusually high compared to a normal winter time level.

Scott
Just did this and ditto above. The disco will eat it. Chicken track to the right. If not sure just hang about as pretty soon someone else will cross it. Saves you walking it! We didn’t do Nolan’s as to be fair as as good a 4WD they are, none are a submarine. To go up there and not spend time at Elliot falls would be a tragic waste. I wouldn’t be braver just because you have a snorkel but it does give you a small margin of error if caught short.

[scarry]

The first trip i did,in the D2a,no snorkel,after Palm ck,the air filter was soaked.

Nolans was 300mm above the bonnet,so we gave that a miss,they had had a heap of rain two weeks before.

The next trip two yrs later,we had a snorkel,did the trip up and back,Nolans,etc both ways,no worries at all,but the water levels were a lot lower.

Logan's is also often pretty deep.

Pasco crossing,Frenchmans track,is also interesting,exits are often difficult.

In fact on the OTT,the exits out of the creeks are a lot more difficult,than the trundle through them.

[dirvine]

Whilst not 100% proof. Best way to see if air intake (snorkel) is sealed is to put a plastic bag over the intake and seal it off. (ie starve motor of air). If the motor does not stall you have a leak. If it runs for a bit you will probably hear the hissing sound of air being sucked in from badly sealed joins. Just remember that some air boxes have a valve in them to let water out in the bottom. I cannot remember if the D4 has one of these. Best to check its operation if it does have one.

[Eric SDV6SE]

. I cannot remember if the D4 has one of these. Best to check its operation if it does have one.

Yes it does have a drain valve. If the rubber seal is not perished, it should work like a one-way seal, lets water out from the inside as it drains to the lowest point, but won’t suck it in from the outside.

[Tony V]

The D4 is very capable of driving through water, with a raised air intake can wade up to the bonnet.

If the water is dirty, like Scrubby Creek going into Elliot Falls then a tarp/bra is the best way to go. This keeps the muddy water splashing around the engine bay.

The main thing with water crossing is, obviously know the water depth.
Fast flowing, up to the hubs is generally ok to drive, but if you can't walk it don't drive it.
Slow moving or still, then the top of the wheel arch is ok.
If you know your capability then a little deeper is fine.
Most cases of water going up the windscreen is due to hitting the water too fast, nose dips in and water goes everywhere and the vehicle nearly stops, it's like doing a bellyflop, lots of pain and no progress [tonguewink]

Stop and switch off to let the vehicle cool down, wheel bearings diffs, transfer and gearbox. Let the engine cool down and the fan will not grab forward.

Then get all 4 wheels wet, before powering through, a safe speed is a fast walking pace and create a small bow wave, see the speed in the video.

The attached video is my D4 on off-road height followed by a Toyota 79 Ute so you can get some perspective.
Low range and I tend to use Mud Ruts but leave it in drive.
Defenders excepted, water gets in only if you stop, water goes through the holes in the bottom of the doors and up through the door trim.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V9swsVMj2E&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR24 J2u25q-DpAwPmLqNbPoW-Z4xSeYNIbq979au6JOOV9GmW0iYqtO5lx0

[wbowner]

Thanks all for comments

Re testing the snorkel

My previous car was a paj. Took it to a car wash and thought it would be s good idea to put a plastic bag over the head
Trouble is I forget about it. When I started the car I heard Big Bang noise. The grill in the snorkel got sucked right into the snorkel 🤢

Richard

[dirvine]

Thanks all for comments

Re testing the snorkel

My previous car was a paj. Took it to a car wash and thought it would be s good idea to put a plastic bag over the head
Trouble is I forget about it. When I started the car I heard Big Bang noise. The grill in the snorkel got sucked right into the snorkel 🤢

Richard
Well at least you know all the joins were water tight and sealed!!!

[Wojer]

The D4 is very capable of driving through water, with a raised air intake can wade up to the bonnet.

If the water is dirty, like Scrubby Creek going into Elliot Falls then a tarp/bra is the best way to go. This keeps the muddy water splashing around the engine bay.

The main thing with water crossing is, obviously know the water depth.
Fast flowing, up to the hubs is generally ok to drive, but if you can't walk it don't drive it.
Slow moving or still, then the top of the wheel arch is ok.
If you know your capability then a little deeper is fine.
Most cases of water going up the windscreen is due to hitting the water too fast, nose dips in and water goes everywhere and the vehicle nearly stops, it's like doing a bellyflop, lots of pain and no progress [tonguewink]

Stop and switch off to let the vehicle cool down, wheel bearings diffs, transfer and gearbox. Let the engine cool down and the fan will not grab forward.

I was about to make a post & read Tony V's advice, and I couldn't agree more.
I would only add as a safety factor, a walk thro' is essential, wait until another vehicle is closeby just incase. Reduce the risks increases the safety, especially if travelling alone.

Then get all 4 wheels wet, before powering through, a safe speed is a fast walking pace and create a small bow wave, see the speed in the video.

The attached video is my D4 on off-road height followed by a Toyota 79 Ute so you can get some perspective.
Low range and I tend to use Mud Ruts but leave it in drive.
Defenders excepted, water gets in only if you stop, water goes through the holes in the bottom of the doors and up through the door trim.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V9swsVMj2E&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR24 J2u25q-DpAwPmLqNbPoW-Z4xSeYNIbq979au6JOOV9GmW0iYqtO5lx0

I was about to make a post when I read this post from Tony V.

They are wise words & I can only advise that you take note. I have little to add apart from walking the creek is essential, depth is one factor but also flow rate, but I doubt with Scrubby Creek that maybe an issue, but if you cannot walk it, don't cross it!
I would add that if travelling solo, wait for another vehicle to be present.

The climb out can be slippy as it is clay type ground & if wet can be tricky.

Enjoy it is well worth the effort.

I'm not certain if the northern entrance/exit track is still there as since we were there the Developement Road has been re-aligned.