When crossing water, at what depth should water seep into the cabin?

[A Sober Animal]

I know Jeep says that a stock vehicle can ford water up to 30 or so inches without issue, but does that mean that the cabin will stay dry? I was recently playing around in the swamps of Florida, and was surprised that once the water was above my rock rails and on the lower part of the doors, we had water leaking into the cabin.

If this is not normal (that doors should be a moisture barrier), I am wondering if this due to me having sill guards.

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[Carlton]

Usually the jeep is pretty water proof, not guaranteed though. Some people get leakage. Hit or miss. Also a quick splash through, probably be okay, swimming around in waterbkong term. More likely to get water.

Which entry guards do you have? There are quite a few posts about them causing water to flow in during car washes and such. Could be your issue.

 

[aldo98229]

It’s nearly impossible for the door rubber seals to keep water completely out of seeping into the cabin when immersed.

Jeep’s claimed 30 inches of water fording has more to do with where the alternator is mounted.

The Pentastar V6 has the alternator placed very high up; Jeep repositioned the alternator on the Pentastar V6 specifically for JL application.

The generator on the eTorque V6, and the alternator on the 2.0T and EcoDiesel, are placed quite a bit lower.

3.6 V6

3.6 V6 eTorque

2.0T 4-cyl

3.0T EcoDiesel

 

[Mikester86]

Another reason I don’t use sill guards.

 

[calemasters]

It’s nearly impossible for the door rubber seals to keep water completely out of seeping into the cabin when immersed.

Jeep’s claimed 30 inches of water fording has more to do with where the alternator is mounted.

The Pentastar V6 has the alternator placed very high up; Jeep repositioned the alternator on the Pentastar V6 specifically for JL application.

The generator on the eTorque V6, and the alternator on the 2.0T and EcoDiesel, are placed quite a bit lower.

3.6 V6

3.6 V6 eTorque

2.0T 4-cyl

3.0T EcoDiesel

And I would prefer for my electric cooling fan not to be under water.

 

[3TV]

Door seals are generally not water tight. In a prior Jeep I once got stuck with the rear end of the Jeep deep enough in water that the water line was 6" up onto the side of the hard top. I stayed in the Jeep while a strap was hooked up to pull me out, and was able to acutally see water seeping in around every door seal. In the 5 minutes it took to extract the Jeep the water inside the Jeep had reached a depth of 6". Yes, you need to change all fluids after a stunt like that.

 

[AnnDee4444]

And I would prefer for my electric cooling fan not to be under water.

 

[AcesandEights]

Water will come in when the floor hits the water. The 30" has nothing to do with staying dry. Remember too there are plugs in the floor. Whether they are always water "proof" is debatable. Water will definitely come in the doors.

 

[TheBirdie72]

Just make sure you keep the windows rolled up! ??

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Might want to check/change your diff fluid after that bath.

 

[A Sober Animal]

Might want to check/change your diff fluid after that bath.

Can you clarify the reasoning behind this? Every time I submerge my diff (which happens pretty frequently off roading, such as geting stuck in mud or small water crossings), I need to check this?

 

[Headbarcode]

Can you clarify the reasoning behind this? Every time I submerge my diff (which happens pretty frequently off roading, such as geting stuck in mud or small water crossings), I need to check this?

There shouldn't be any concern if just the axles go underwater. It's when the water is deep enough to reach the axle breather tubes, that the diff oil can become milk shaked.

 

[ALVagabond]

Important question... are the drain plugs removed?

 

[A Sober Animal]

It's when the water is deep enough to reach the axle breather tubes, that the diff oil can become milk shaked.

My understanding was that these breather tubes have a valve that prevents water from getting into them.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/extending-breather-tubes.31203/

 

[aldo98229]

And I would prefer for my electric cooling fan not to be under water.

Perhaps the reasoning there is that if your cooling fan is underwater...then the engine is being cooled... ?

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