[Overlandfronty]

Anyone out there have experience with rerouting the tubing for the transmission and transfer case breathers? I've been contemplating abandoning the old tubes and route new tubing. Anyone have experience and suggestions? I've already taken care of the diff breathers.

 

[V8 man]

Not needed. The run to the top of the bellhousing from the factory. They are in a really good spot and well protected. You have bigger issues well before those are close to an issue.

 

[Overlandfronty]

What are some of the issues you have found that present themselves before trans(case) breathers? Just looking for first hand experience not trying to be a smart ***. Thanks.

 

[V8 man]

I would start with panicking that you are about to drown. The water level in the cab will be high enough to take out the electrical system. Interior components are not waterproof.

That is how high the factory breathers are already located. The breathers are at the top of the bellhousing. So you would need to be in deeper than the height of the transmission including the bellhousing. The top of the bellhousing is also the same as the height of the top of the engine block. So we are talking static water level of being halfway up the cylinder heads. Insurance totals vehicles that have been in less water.

 

[Overlandfronty]

Wow. Looking at it I never notice it that high up. I'll have to investigate after getting my Fronty back from the body man. Rock incident. Anyway thanks for the info!

 

[Nissan4Life]

Though I understand what V8 man is saying but if you regualry cross deep water it might be worth your while. I recall crossing creeks in my 2wd hardbody (when I was really young and dumb)where the water would be coming over the hood. These were quick short crossings and the engine did chug some but never died or took in enough water to hydro lock. Thinking back boy was I a stupid kid. Way out, middle of the night, solo.

Seem like in these conditions water could easily enter breather that are located at the top of the tranny bell housing.

 

[MNCarl]

What are some of the issues you have found that present themselves before trans(case) breathers? Just looking for first hand experience not trying to be a smart ***. Thanks.

Assuming this thread is regarding 2nd Gen Frontiers year 2005 thru present.
From what I have heard its the 2nd Gen low mounted alternators that pose a risk for water crossings.

Overlandfrontry, I am guessing you already did this but just in case...make sure you do the rear diff breather mod.

I have driven about a mile on a forest service road that was completely submerged under water (beavers built a massive pond).
Water was up to my lower door sills , and I was creating a large (not sure what to call it) "bow wake"? in front of my truck and the alternator survived.

The pic below is before approaching one of the beaver dams , you can see the beaver dam in the pic and how deep the water is after the beaver dam on the Jeep that was in front of me.

 

[GMK14]

For piece of mind its not a bad thing to extend your breathers. I'd take them to the engine compartment especially if your doing any deeper water crossings plus it doesn't have to be expensive. The alternator location on these frontiers is ridiculous to so keep that in mind to when your crossing deeper water, mud etc.

 

[Overlandfronty]

I have done the rear diff mod. I think with the heafty fab bumper and skids I'll be able to keep most thick mud away from alterator but I don't know what else I could do considering I will be keeping my AC compressor.

 

[Overlandfronty]

GMK14 did you just abandon your existing tubing for the reroute? Thanks.

 

[V8 man]

For piece of mind its not a bad thing to extend your breathers. I'd take them to the engine compartment especially if your doing any deeper water crossings plus it doesn't have to be expensive. The alternator location on these frontiers is ridiculous to so keep that in mind to when your crossing deeper water, mud etc.

You do realize that they are already at the top of the engine, in the engine compartment?

 

[GMK14]

You do realize that they are already at the top of the engine, in the engine compartment?

The front diff does but it’s up by the air box I think, I’d rather it was by the firewall. I thought the trans and transfer case had the breathers routed to the top of the bell housing area not into the engine compartment. When it warms up I’ll have to go check it out, I’d like to have the front & rear diff, trans and transfer case breathers all I’m once spot on the firewall, but that’s just me.

 

[JeniorNV]

I thought the trans and transfer case had the breathers routed to the top of the bell housing area not into the engine compartment.

^I’m pretty sure this is correct.

 

[Overlandfronty]

100% correct

 

[Kudu]

Bringing this back from the dead. So to make our vehicles as "water worthy" as possible, the only breather that needs extending is the rear diff? Is the tail light the best spot to extend it to? Thanks!

 

[Overlandfronty]

Watertight(er). Yes. Contrary to a previous post the bell housing does not go as high as the top of the motor maybe as high as the top of the front tires. For most that is much more than you need for playing in the puddles and crossing streams but I would like the top of the wheel wells as a minimum. But to digress, the rear diff breather is a mod you almost need to do for everything beyond the pavement in a Gen 2 Fronty. And yes extending it up as high as practical behind the brake light assembly is where to go. There are many ways to do this DIY style but with fuel prices on their way up buying a kit is nearly as cheap. I would advise, even with a kit to put the tubing in wire loom tubing anywhere it comes in contact with the frame or other metal parts. The pro kit I installed suggested routing through the frame which is fine but the spots where the tube contacts the frame almost wore completely through after a couple short months.

 

[hotdogtaco]

Anyone out there have experience with rerouting the tubing for the transmission and transfer case breathers? I've been contemplating abandoning the old tubes and route new tubing. Anyone have experience and suggestions? I've already taken care of the diff breathers.

I have only extended my breathers on my old Jeeps. I haven't done anything to my truck...yet. I would like to extend all my breathers just for peace of mind.

 

[Lemusj100]

Does anyone have pics of where the transmission and transfer case breather should be placed.. once I connect those I should be set to give to focus on putting truck back together... do I connect the drive shaft to the differential fort or transmission to differential... a slight difference in how everything is compared to bmws

 

[Overlandfronty]

The transfer case has two breathers and the transmission has one. They go to the top of the bell housing in stock configuration. I abandoned them rather than trying to reroute them. I took them to an ARB breather kit that I attached to the firewall behind the motor. At the same time I extended the front differential breather to the kit too, using all 4 ports on it. I just got back from the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail having done about a dozen substantial river (and countless creek and mud bog) crossings. One was over 3 feet deep and 150-200 feet across with very strong currents. I was happy to have done those mods as a failure in that remote of terrain, plus being 1500 miles from home fills even the most experienced off roaders with apprehension. I hope that helps.