How deep is too deep to water ford with factory air intake?

[McGilli]

I have my JL Sahara lifted 3.5".

But I am curious - some of the forest roads I was on yesterday had puddles like I've never seen in my life - the water was up almost to about the bottom of the Jeep.

Every weekend I'm encountering situation like this with rivers overflowing onto forest roads etc.

Then add to that that sometimes I'll go through water that's deep at a decent clip and it's like a tsunami...

I've been looking at the Rugged Ridge Amfib - mounting just up on the cowl, not the snorkel...

But - what sort of water would you routinely need to drive throughto make you think about changing your air intake?

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[MarkY3130]

There is a decal with dimensions on it on the inside of your tailgate. I believe it shows you it’s water fording depth.

Aside from the snorkel/air intake, there are other things you can extend like the breathers for the axles, etc. if you need to go deeper.

 

[McGilli]

There is a decal with dimension on it on the inseide of your tailgate. I believe it shows you it’s water fording depth.

Ahhh the decal I've seen every day but never actually looked at closely

I'll check that out, thanks!

 

[MauiSteve]

Also, think about all the electronic stuff. I know the connectors are pretty tight but I wouldn’t want to get too deep and pay for the damage

 

[cnapierala]

30" is what mine says.

 

[WrnglrJL]

Speaking from experience I went through about 3 feet of water and I was perfectly fine with 2” mopar lift and 35’s , a rule of thumb would be water up to the bottom of the headlights max

 

[MrKnowitall]

Stock fording is 30”. Good idea to check fluids in axles, t-case and trans, as well as engine oil after any deep water crossings.

 

[Stormin’ Moorman]

Pfff, bitches

 

[jeepdabest]

 

[jdubya421]

Something that really matters is your axle breather tubes. It will only be as high as they are. Moving all the breathers to be in the engine bay up at near the same height as the intake will increase fording ability.

 

[Fsttanks]

I have my JL Sahara lifted 3.5".

But I am curious - some of the forest roads I was on yesterday had puddles like I've never seen in my life - the water was up almost to about the bottom of the Jeep.

Every weekend I'm encountering situation like this with rivers overflowing onto forest roads etc.

Then add to that that sometimes I'll go through water that's deep at a decent clip and it's like a tsunami...

I've been looking at the Rugged Ridge Amfib - mounting just up on the cowl, not the snorkel...

But - what sort of water would you routinely need to drive throughto make you think about changing your air intake?

Old school rule of thumb for standing or low flow rate water crossing depths: Up to the TOP of you front tire.

 

[McGilli]

Just went and had a look:

 

[PA-Punkn]

Something that really matters is your axle breather tubes. It will only be as high as they are. Moving all the breathers to be in the engine bay up at near the same height as the intake will increase fording ability.

If you're installing a snorkel, consider routing the breather extensions into it. Pictured you can see the transmission breather extended into the duct. The diff breathers are extended into the air box.

 

[jdubya421]

If you're installing a snorkel, consider routing the breather extensions into it. Pictured you can see the transmission breather extended into the duct. The diff breathers are extended into the air box.

Precisely. That's a nice setup!

 

[word302]

When the motor stops, that was too deep.

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