When it comes to the mudding season, your truck’s transmission, front and rear differential, and transfer case must be vented. This is done to compensate for changes in air pressure. This happens when the temperatures go up and down when you drive.
Water will most likely enter through those vents in wet conditions while you are off-road. When water gets into vents, it contaminates the lubricants that protect parts. This can lead to bearing and gear damage. It can also lead to total component failure. Keeping water from getting into areas where it should not be is the solution. It is not a difficult task. You can utilize this easy technique to set up your truck for driving off-road in mud and water.
Elevate The Vents
You will need to attach tubing to vents that are at risk before you drive off-road. The tubing needs to be extended to a high location on the truck. A rubber hose will work just fine. The length of the tubing depends on your truck. 12 to 15 feet is probably enough to be extended to all of the vents. Before you start, find the vent on each component you will modify. You need to figure out if each vent is a cap type or a tube vent before you purchase supplies.
Modify Tube Vents
You need to purchase a rubber hose. It needs to be able to fit snugly onto vent tubes. Each tube will need to be secured to the hose. A small hose clamp can be used. Make sure there is enough excess hose length to route it upwards.
Modify Cap Type Vents
* These vents are shaped like mushrooms They generally screw in. Remove each cap. Take the cap to an auto parts store. Purchase a nipple vent with exact thread size and pitch. Then you can replace the cap vent with the nipple.
* Purchase a rubber hose that can fit snugly over the brand new vent tube. Secure each location. Use a small hose clamp. Make sure to leave a lot of extra hose length.
Check All Tubing
Check the tubing to make sure it is free of kinks. Make sure they are positioned away from the engine parts or hot exhaust. Now you are ready to drive off-road with a very small chance of water getting your vents.
Photo credit: tachyondecay / Foter / CC BY