Water Fording recommended maximum depth.

[Barksdale123]

It is called get a tape measure or conversely if you know the rim and tire size. Which the standard size tire is 225 65 / R17 and 17 inch rims. Using that picture in this thread the depth will be approximately diameter of the rim + SH (sidewall height) .

Sidewall height = (profile ratio * width)/100
(225*65)/100 = 146.25 mm
converted to inches
146.25/25.4 = 5.76 inches rounded up

So your water depth should be approximately
17 + 5.76 = 22.76 inches

Recalculate accordingly for the actual size tire and rim you get for any particular build and add the same amount as the extra lift for a lift kit if you plan to add one or 1 inch if the build is a Tremor package.

For the thick ones here. Does that calculation mean almost two feet is capable for the Maverick. Also not sure where the air intake is. Is that a consideration?

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[fossil]

For the thick ones here. Does that calculation mean almost two feet is capable for the Maverick. Also not sure where the air intake is. Is that a consideration?

if you're refering to the air cleaner intake, it's on top of the radiator. if you go cowboy and create a massive bow wave it could be a problem. of more concern to me is the electronics in the fender well.

 

[Barksdale123]

if you're refering to the air cleaner intake, it's on top of the radiator. if you go cowboy and create a massive bow wave it could be a problem. of more concern to me is the electronics in the fender well.

Good old days, spray the distributor with a sealer, Generator up high (except my AMC) and air cleaner intake right below the hood. Now if I can stop with those drum breaks.

 

[JimParker256]

For the thick ones here. Does that calculation mean almost two feet is capable for the Maverick. Also not sure where the air intake is. Is that a consideration?

Ford says "Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of wheel hubs," which is considerably lower than that. Looking at my Maverick in the garage (no lift or lowering), it's roughly 10 inches to the bottom of the wheel hub area. I wouldn't want to go any deeper than that, and only in standing water...

I believe Maverick2022XL made a pretty significant mistake in his formula - even if you want to use his numbers instead of the published Ford limits... He used the "diameter" of the wheel, instead of the "radius" to make his calculation. A quick check with my handy tape measure shows that his suggested 22.76" fording depth is almost 8 inches above the door frames - roughly even with the top of the wheel itself (not including the tire above the wheel...

But even if he had used the more appropriate radius of the wheel (which is the 8.5 inches - 17" diameter / 2) as I suspect he intended, that would make the calculated fording depth 14.26" (8.5" for the wheel radius + 5.76" for the tire) which would bring the water level to the center of the axles, rather than the bottom of the hubs.

But, hey, it's your vehicle, so do what you want. Me? I HATE musty wet carpet smells...

 

[Tiger Dude]

From owner's manual

Axle and PTU Maintenance
The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) and rear
axle (AWD only) in your vehicle does not
require any normal scheduled maintenance
unless the vehicle has experienced
extended periods of extreme/severe duty
cycle driving or the PTU and/or the rear
axle has been submerged in water.

I suggest that the truck is not designed to go through water.

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

From owner's manual

Axle and PTU Maintenance
The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) and rear
axle (AWD only) in your vehicle does not
require any normal scheduled maintenance
unless the vehicle has experienced
extended periods of extreme/severe duty
cycle driving or the PTU and/or the rear
axle has been submerged in water.

I suggest that the truck is not designed to go through water.

Is any truck "designed to go through water" like a boat?

Any time you submerge a mechanical creation in water, there is a possibility of water infiltration into parts where water really should not be. I mean, I change the gear oil in my side by side for the same reason -- if you're driving through mud puddles regularly, and some of that stuff gets into your gear box, you don't want it there. Do I think there is a cup of dirt in my gear box? No. But like the manual says, if you use the vehicle in extreme conditions regularly, then change the fluids regularly.

 

[Tiger Dude]

Is any truck "designed to go through water" like a boat?

Any time you submerge a mechanical creation in water, there is a possibility of water infiltration into parts where water really should not be. I mean, I change the gear oil in my side by side for the same reason -- if you're driving through mud puddles regularly, and some of that stuff gets into your gear box, you don't want it there. Do I think there is a cup of dirt in my gear box? No. But like the manual says, if you use the vehicle in extreme conditions regularly, then change the fluids regularly.

submerging the rear diff is a far cry from "like a boat."

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

submerging the rear diff is a far cry from "like a boat."

I agree. Which is why I'm saying if you submerge it for a few seconds it's not the end of the world. But if you do it REGULARLY, you ought to change the diff fluid regualrly.

I mean, I don't think the recommendation would be any different on an F-150. Does Ford say it's OK to drive your F-150 through the water? I doubt it. But you certainly CAN, within reason, without ruining the truck. You just have to step up your maintenance schedule to account for it.

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