Water Fording

[Blueliner3]

That’ll get your attention!

Someone say water crossing?

This is Fordyce in California.

Glad to see the heritage lives on!

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[BobW]

You can also crawl underneath and measure height to the several gearbox vent lines, tho I guess the plugs are supposed to be a kind of gortex, allowing air to vent out and in but excluding liquid water.

 

[jimcoffey62]

That water fording line is essentially at the top edge of the front and rear stock bumpers.

If my Jeep is lifted and on larger tires, is that line still the high water mark? i.e. can I now go that much deeper, 30" plus my added lift height plus added tire height?

It's a function of what is getting wet. A lift will raise the body, engine, and electronic components that are lifted.

A lift doesn't raise the air breathers in your differentials.

 

[jimcoffey62]

I’m less worried about the water depth than I am the stability of the bottom. I just passed up crossing a 20’-25’ wide creek in southern ID a week ago. Not because the water was running high and at a good clip, but because I was watching how the cattle struggled to walk through. Water was about level with their belly but their footing was obviously an issue.

Few minutes later, I was talking with the nearby rancher and he told me he rescued a couple trucks from that crossing within the last week which confirmed my suspicions.

A few days later while running a trail in WY, I crossed a fast running creek in several locations with about the same 1’-2’ running depth with no issues. But the bottom was completely covered in large size river rock and it was very easy to drive through.

Exactly. Folks see water and forget the basics of traction.
If the bottom is muddy - you can be triple locked and if all four tires are spinning you aren't going to be going anywhere.

 

[tk1700]

And make sure your floor drain plugs are in!

I kept them out in my first CJ5, I probably lost them. I didn't have any floor mats or carpet and more than once I would hit the water and would have a column of water several inches high coming in. Good news is it would run out as quick as it came in once I was out of the water.

 

[C.Sco]

Someone say water crossing?

This is Fordyce in California.

Ok, you win this thread

 

[C.Sco]

It's a function of what is getting wet. A lift will raise the body, engine, and electronic components that are lifted.

A lift doesn't raise the air breathers in your differentials.

I thought the tops of the breather tubes are mounted to the tub though, aren't they?

 

[tomk62]

It's a function of what is getting wet. A lift will raise the body, engine, and electronic components that are lifted.

A lift doesn't raise the air breathers in your differentials.

Where are the air breathers mounted?

 

[OlGray]

I must not have seen that tag. I have had water over the hood several times.



when in doubt, I walk the water crossing where I suspect my tires will be. If it is not more than balls deep and has a solid bottom, I figure that I am good to go.

Hmmm! LOL.. This would depend on length of legs and amount of droop in cold water. I think maybe hip deep for me. I’m only 5’ 8”.

 

[jimcoffey62]

Where are the air breathers mounted?

Each Differential has an air breather. Front axle, rear axle, and transfer case. This allows for hot/cold expansion and contraction of the metal and the gear oil.

Google for diagrams and videos. But it will be a rubber tube attached to a nipple at the top of the diff.

Lots of videos with details explanations on how to buy a longer bit of rubber hose, attach to the nipple, and snake the hose up into the engine compartment and/or up into the rear tail light assembly. AKA allow it to grab some air from a higher location, less likely to be submerged.

And - supposedly the existing hoses have a membrane that allows air to move but doesn't allow liquid. Similar to Goretex(tm).

As a chemical engineer, membranes are great. But if the pressure differential is high you can blow the membrane, you can also potentially force liquid through the pores.

If you have a hot differential from heavy wheeling or just driving for a few hours, and go immediately into the cold water you will create a rapid pressure drop which then sucks lots of air in very quickly. If the air breathers are submerged you run the risk of pulling water into your oil.

Which is why experienced river crossers will tell you to stop. Let the engine and diff's cool down while you walk the river and make sure it is safe to cross.

As opposed to marketing which loves to make videos showing people driving fast and fording water with a big splash.

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