WindRock off road park killed my Ford Ranger...

[Grumpaw]

A Snorkel would have saved the day.

Home made snorkel, and yes, there is a Hummer still going in the second pic....

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[JACKSMYDOG]

You need the 3.2 diesel, stock wading depth is 800 mm. The alternator is right at the top, see pic of mine attached.

There was a time I would have instantly said yes to diesel in my Ranger. After having dealt with a few modern diesels and North American Emission Controls, I want nothing to do with a diesel not built before 2000.

 

[Trigganometry]

Not long from now someone will come up with a sealed alternator for our trucks. (Most likely big bucks) Or some creative bracket mounts for relocating said Achilles heel. Or, just carry a spare with you!

 

[C113]

Killed my ranger 2 weeks ago. Had really bad rainfall that streets got flooded "not that common in my area". Water level was high, alternator got wet, ran it until battery died about 1.5 miles from my driveway. Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, dealer shop didn't have a replacement.

 

[Radioman]

I don't know if the 4 X 4 Ranger has extensions on their differentials and transfer case or if they are sealed somehow (I think they need to "breathe"). I know on my Jeep, they have extensions to keep the breathers above the water level when crossing fairly deep streams otherwise water (water, sandy water, and/or muddy water) can enter and cause long term damage unless you drain and clean them.

 

[Cmar]

I don't know if the 4 X 4 Ranger has extensions on their differentials and transfer case or if they are sealed somehow (I think they need to "breathe"). I know on my Jeep, they have extensions to keep the breathers above the water level when crossing fairly deep streams otherwise water (water, sandy water, and/or muddy water) can enter and cause long term damage unless you drain and clean them.

Take a look at the photo I posted above of my diesel. If you look carefully over on the right of the engine bay between the fuel filter and the throttle body you can just see 3 little pipes like shepherd's crooks. One has a dot of yellow paint. They are the top end of the factory extended breathers for the front and rear diffs and transfer case. I don't know if the US version has these.

 

[TheDo114]

I don't know if the 4 X 4 Ranger has extensions on their differentials and transfer case or if they are sealed somehow (I think they need to "breathe"). I know on my Jeep, they have extensions to keep the breathers above the water level when crossing fairly deep streams otherwise water (water, sandy water, and/or muddy water) can enter and cause long term damage unless you drain and clean them.

They do have some extension. Here's a post with some pictures showing them.

As a good comparison, here is the alternator location on the US Ranger with the 2.3l

And here is the engine from the Wildtrack with the I5 diesel engine. Alternator is much higher in placement.

Also a disclaimer before i post more, i dont particularly know a lot of practical knowledge about vehicles and transmission systems, but I have a resource with some more info on those vent hoses. The vehicle model the following pictures are from is a Ranger Lariat with the FX4 offroad package and trailer-tow.

Rear Differential Vent hose location: Looks to run just below the fuel door

Front Differential vent hose: This looks really low... I think whoever took this picture might have adjusted the hose.

Transfer case vent hose:

Transmission vent hose:

EDIT: Another picture of the front differential and that vent hose. Looks like it's supposed to attach to something else higher up

 

[Radioman]

Take a look at the photo I posted above of my diesel. If you look carefully over on the right of the engine bay between the fuel filter and the throttle body you can just see 3 little pipes like shepherd's crooks. One has a dot of yellow paint. They are the top end of the factory extended breathers for the front and rear diffs and transfer case. I don't know if the US version has these.

They do have some extension. Here's a post with some pictures showing them.

I am impressed. Good job Ford!

 

[towpro]

I would think a plastic cover that snaps over the side of the alternator to keep spashing water out of the windings would fix 90% of the problems. It could even have some air gap to allow air to move between cover and case.

 

[RecoilOperated]

I'm assuming that without using an engine/transmission combo that was already certified for use in the US we wouldn't even have a 5th gen Ranger right now. What remains to be seen is if they rectify the situation now that they've had an entire development cycle to fix their shortcomings. With the new Frontier Pro4X (and maybe a future NISMO model), forthcoming Tacoma redesign, and the ZR2/Bison/AT4 triplets Ford can't have Rangers dying left and right every time someone drives through a puddle too fast.

 

[Jim C]

dont think i would try it
even in this but they made it through

 

[Glocker]

Not long from now someone will come up with a sealed alternator for our trucks. (Most likely big bucks) Or some creative bracket mounts for relocating said Achilles heel. Or, just carry a spare with you!

If we're lucky, that 2.3 Bronco has a sealed unit that will swap onto our trucks with little modification!

 

[TheDo114]

If we're lucky, that 2.3 Bronco has a sealed unit that will swap onto our trucks with little modification!

It does not have a sealed unit it's the same as our ranger

Below is a pic of the alternator in the bronco.

 

[Glocker]

It does not have a sealed unit it's the same as our ranger

Below is a pic of the alternator in the bronco.

Well damn. And that's what I've been holding out on!

 

[RecoilOperated]

It does not have a sealed unit it's the same as our ranger

Below is a pic of the alternator in the bronco.

So wait, how is the Bronco sold as having 33" of water fording ability if it has the same stupid alternator placement?

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