| Author | Message | ||
     John Abrams (Jabra2) New Member Username: Jabra2 Post Number: 14 Registered: 02-2003 |
How deep a water crossing can a gas-powered Disco go without damaging or shorting out electronics? I know the owner's manual says 19", but I've gone beyond that before with no problems. I also know that if you form a "bow" or continuous wave in front of the truck through crossings, you can ford water that's a little deeper, and just hope there's no hidden hole or depression! I just ordered a safari snorkel, so I imagine that may help when entering water crossings at steep angles, but I hope I don't get too cocky with it. Also, is there anything practical that can be done to make the Disco more waterproof, besides converting it into a diesel-powered submarine or going for a taller lift? Thanks! | ||
| Scott Scott (Scottoz) New Member Username: Scottoz Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2003 |
how big are your balls? | ||
| Blake Luse (Muddyrover) Senior Member Username: Muddyrover Post Number: 663 Registered: 02-2002 |
safe side i'd say to the bumper, my .02 | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2002 |
Walk the water crossing first. If the water level is going to be higher than the bumper, fit a blind. A bow wave is great if the bottom of the water crossing is relatively smooth and you can maintain a constant speed. If the crossing is rocky you won't get a bow wave and therefore a blind is of no use. In a situation like this, a snorkel is essential or alternately, fit a breather hose to your exhaust and proceed across with steady as possible momementum. BTW, a little trick install you can do if your disco has a distributor, is to fit into it a tyre valve and connect to it a hose from your air compressor (if you have one, then when you decide to take your truck for a swim, just turn on the air and PRESTO....dry distributor! Roland | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) New Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2003 |
Check out: http://www.discoweb.org/mzar/PU03.jpg That should tell you about my balls (which offset my brains) As for the air-trick...will get you feedback in a bit... | ||
| traveltoad (Traveltoad) New Member Username: Traveltoad Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2002 |
Take a look where the air intake is. On the '03's it's in the left wing a little above and forward of the wheel opening (right where the snorkle conects to). That's what you are most worried about. As long as the engine is running the exhuast is no problem. If you spent a lot of time diving with your truck you should consider routing the tranfer case/differential breathers to a higher place too. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 477 Registered: 02-2002 |
John check the Water Road video. You can regularly go over the hood if you have a snorkel and your electrics are intact, but only if you maintain grip. Note that at this depth though there is a buoyancy factor that will reduce your grip substantially. Dean | ||
| Chris Brennan (Cdmbrennan) New Member Username: Cdmbrennan Post Number: 17 Registered: 01-2003 |
Nadim- WTF? What's the story behind that picture? Is that REALLY the secret spot where Discos and elephants go to die? | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 394 Registered: 06-2002 |
 That one was still running on dry land. As long as you are not bothered by getting wet, they can go almost submerged with a snorkel and sealed distrib cap and plugs for a bit. Electronics will generally not short out unless in water for a over a minute. I would try to protect the ECU as well. | ||
| charles pastrano (Charles) Member Username: Charles Post Number: 125 Registered: 08-2002 |
We never got the confirmation that this one ran aftewards. Mr. Wu never confirmed. | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1029 Registered: 02-2002 |
I have dielectric greased all of the connectors under the bonnet. The distributor has been similarly greased, but the breathers on the bottom of the distributor are still open. One problem with the distributor is if you seal it up, you may have arcing problems from the ionization that can take place under high voltage conditions. I have also dielectric grease each plug wire at both ends. All of my breathers have been extended at least as high as the bonnet and in some places, higher. I haven't done it on my truck, but have on Defenders-their ECUs are beneath the seat (British engineering, eh?) and are very susceptible to moisture. In that case, they need serious dielectric greasing and even then, immediately after returning to dry land, it is advisable to open up the compartment and allow it to air dry. A friend of mine ran into a deep mud hole last spring in Florida with his Rangie, submerging his ECU. After an interminable period of time to pull him out, he was able to dry it out and has had no further problems. I've had water running in under the doors with no problems other than smell:-). Paul | ||
| David Gage (Davidg) Member Username: Davidg Post Number: 111 Registered: 02-2002 |
Bone stock D2 (no lift, stock tires)  | ||
| Brad Russell (Bradnc) Member Username: Bradnc Post Number: 115 Registered: 03-2002 |
Eric, looks like you (or someone else is) are good at using photoshop!!! I still wanna hear the story about that first one | ||
| Eric Pena (Evalp) Senior Member Username: Evalp Post Number: 396 Registered: 06-2002 |
Charles, my understanding was it was still running but it is not me so I guess I can't 100% sure. Brad, if that question was for me, as far as I know that is an unaltered picture and is for real. It is from Lingyang Wu's gallery page. | ||
| lingyang wu (Lingyang_wu) New Member Username: Lingyang_wu Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hi all, I am the owner of the disco in the above photo.I used my car in the offroad race in Taiwan.In fact,after my car was pulled up,I just remove the plugs,dry them n then start engine to squeeze the water out,dig some holes on catalyst(coz it was blocked by sand).Here it goes again.I finished the race in 2nd place in long wheelbase gasoline vehicle.O,forget to mention one thing..my car audio sys was never got repaired... | ||
| Tbow (Tbow) Member Username: Tbow Post Number: 37 Registered: 12-2002 |
I just want to know do you mount the outboard motor on the bumper or the hitch receiver ?? | ||
| Paul Clawson (Pnut) New Member Username: Pnut Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2003 |
yeah, that and the periscope. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 205 Registered: 11-2002 |
Here is my dumb move.  This was actually taken before it got deep. I was floating and would go down and touch the bottom every few feet. Made it across and up the bank. Engine was dry. No problems because of it. That was last year at Uwharri Safari RTV course. (I ventured off the course a little) | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Wu! Great photo! I see the camera didn't wet. I bet you wear a wet suit and goggles next time. LOL. | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) New Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 3 Registered: 02-2003 |
Chris, That is a man made hole that is dug by the farmers in the lebanese mountains to irrigate their crops during the summer. The year before that, it was ~ 3 feet deep, I did not even have a snorkel then... This year, I saw the same farmer, said "hello", shared my hot coco with him, and asked him if I could venture in...To his positive answer, I charged, needless to say, the prick had dug it out a couple of meters more. It was a great experience, and has made me learn a lot about wading ("don't"). Its good I have a nice photo to enjoy it! However, Wu's picture rocks big time...maybe next time I'll get a picture with only the VHF antenna showing...hehehe... | ||
| Joey Cox (Joey_cox) New Member Username: Joey_cox Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2003 |
I Think you guys are missing the point with your trucks. First of all they have wheels, not impellers. Second, they don't float very well. If you are so worried about finding out how deep of water you can cross, just get a boat. | ||
| Paul Clawson (Pnut) New Member Username: Pnut Post Number: 13 Registered: 02-2003 |
I don't think anyone's missing the point. If you want to limit your adventures to asphalt so be it. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 212 Registered: 11-2002 |
Joey..YOU may be the one missing the point here. If you've got the balls to do it then do it. If it doesn't make it then it was a stupid thing to do. If you wanna play ya gotta pay... No guts No glory... That sort of thing. | ||
| Joey Cox (Joey_cox) New Member Username: Joey_cox Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2003 |
Balls? I think its more of a matter of common sense-cars were made to drive on the ground, boats were made to ride in water. I am sure you wouldn't see a post on a boating forum about how far you could get on land with a boat. | ||
| Carl D. (Cdoug3) New Member Username: Cdoug3 Post Number: 26 Registered: 01-2003 |
I Think that if you connect some water tight plumbing for the intake and exhaust you could probably drive from the United States to the UK with your disco. You might want to use some scuba gear though. | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 216 Registered: 11-2002 |
"Cars were made to drive on the ground. Boats were made to ride in water" I agree. Seems to me there is ground under the water. I own a vehicle that can drive on that ground. I am going to do it and have fun and scare the shit out of myself and have great pictures and interesting conversations about it. Then my hair will grow back and all the ladies will love me and I will win the lottery What is the purpose of having a great off road vehicle if you don't push the envelope from time to time? | ||
| Christian Cartner (Cartner) New Member Username: Cartner Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2002 |
how quickly do we forget the infamous Amphicar....and the DKW..among others.... | ||
| Christian Cartner (Cartner) New Member Username: Cartner Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2002 |
I got to use my Disco to wade today...road was flooded still for about a foot deep, not too much, but its nice to use it in action every once in a while on the way home...made it right through of course, girlfriend loved it and we got home smiling... | ||
| Greg French (Gregfrench) Member Username: Gregfrench Post Number: 219 Registered: 11-2002 |
My cousin used one of those amphi-cars in his wedding. He has married on the side of a river. His bride was driven down the river then pulled up on a boat landing and she got out. It was really cool. | ||
| Jack (Jack) Member Username: Jack Post Number: 79 Registered: 03-2002 |
Joey, Airboats in the glades, skims over the water and land. Three wheeled wind-sailer popular out west have a hull, but three wheels. Boat / Rover...who gives a shit if it's a good time  Enjoy your D2 | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) New Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2002 |
If you are worried about being too bouyant during a water crossing, you can get better traction by opening your doors. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1799 Registered: 02-2002 |
If you scoll up and look at the picture that David posted of Matt's D2 in the James River, look carefully at the rear passenger window.... that's my 7-year-old son Alex, wondering if the fish could get into the floorboards where a little water was coming up around the bottom of his sneakers... -L | ||
| Chris Brennan (Cdmbrennan) New Member Username: Cdmbrennan Post Number: 21 Registered: 01-2003 |
Christian, Women DO find water crossings amazing, no? I too had a chance to wade this weekend... driving through backcountry Ohio (New Marshfield- 20 mi w. of Athens for anyone who knows the area)in proverbially-thick pea-soup fog, came across a woman stranded in a CRV. She had a cell phone and didn't want a ride out but kept screaming "I wouldn't go in there!! YOU WON'T MAKE IT!". Debated the situation with my girlfriend and heard those three golden words seldom heard - "I trust you..." Realized halfway across that the road ahead was dark from water up past the brush-bar mounted Hellas and quite a nice bow wave in front. Made it through with no hesitation...but blinkers kept flashing after we were through, even with button depressed and engine off. So ECU got a little wet. But quite a crossing for a fairly stock D1...pics are forthcoming once they're developed... | ||
| Christian Cartner (Cartner) New Member Username: Cartner Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hell yeah they do. My girlfriend was more like "Oooh, go wade through it! The Disco will make it, COME ON HONEY WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!" she was into it...wants a freelander...but likes riding in the Discovery..our water only came up to about 3/4 tire deep, and we didn't have any trouble at all. My electrics are all dielectrically greased though, as of last summer and right before MAR...so haven't had much water/electrical issues but then I haven't touched the ECU yet either...that thing scares me..too mysterious. | ||
| Prescottj (Prescottj) Senior Member Username: Prescottj Post Number: 293 Registered: 12-2002 |
There's nothing like getting stranded in the middle of a river then finnaly getting it out and watching the truck drain for 30 minutes | ||
| Anthony Low (Bones) New Member Username: Bones Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2003 |
I wish i came from the land down under. How do you know when your engine will automatically shut off due to water limits being exceeded? and how do you start it back up once it has shut off automatically? | ||
| matt averett (Fishinfetish) New Member Username: Fishinfetish Post Number: 22 Registered: 11-2002 |
my 2 cents is as follows: I use the hell out of my 97 sd. Cross whatever comes in my path!!It is a Rover....why not?? Few weeks ago I had 12" of water(brown soup)in the rover.Stuck like a bitch,sitting on the pumpkins,water was about mid headlight level in front and even with the back bumper in the back....rusult....cracked manifold!!Still have not fixed it???I just don't go as deep as I used to anymore....I have the bumpersticker that says "Drive it like you stole it" so I do.  | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Member Username: Bri Post Number: 219 Registered: 08-2002 |
Frankly, when things get deep I get pretty scared. More so than on tough obstacles. This is impressive: http://www.discoweb.org/simonfranco.htm | ||
| Shawn McKenzie (Shawn) New Member Username: Shawn Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2002 |
I made a water crossing in a Canadian military vehicle called an Iltis. (think CJ5 w/ 1.6L VW engine) No doors or roof. Water was just at the top of the steering wheel at the deepest point. Made it through and scared the hell out of myself in the process. Fun though. Wouldn't want a re-enactment with the Disco. | ||
| James (Jimmyg) Member Username: Jimmyg Post Number: 152 Registered: 10-2002 |
Even with a Snorkle, if the water comes over your hood and in your window, you are S.O.L. ....I have learned from experience. | ||
| Jess Brandt (Disco285) Member Username: Disco285 Post Number: 102 Registered: 09-2002 |
do elaborate on why this would be a problem james...thanks... also can you disconnect the ecu while the car is off, in order to move it???? | ||
| Chris Derby (Derby) New Member Username: Derby Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2003 |
 | ||
| James (Jimmyg) Member Username: Jimmyg Post Number: 155 Registered: 10-2002 |
Your electrical system gives out, CD player breaks, relays get wet......etc |
