Water Fording

[wibornz]

There’s a joke there somewhere I think

I am 6’4”. And lucky for me. It is a pretty good indicator if I can make it.

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[Vanburi]

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.

 

[Tncdrew]

I like boats.

 

[Matanzas]

 

[ForgottenTaco]

They all saw car wash and drove in

 

[Blueliner3]

Assuming the picture is drawn to scale, it looks like pretty much the top of the front and rear bumper is the safe limit according to Jeep. I'd be curious to measure mine tonight and see what height they're at these days. According to my napkin math, I should be able to ford 37" of water (31.5" stock is what my 4xe Rubicon manual says + 3.5" lift + 2" additional tire height).

In reality the deepest I've ever forded was probably 24" and I don't know if I'm brave enough to really try anything deeper than that. Guessing the water depth wrong could be the most expensive mistake I ever make.

 

[RicRecon]

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.

 

[2019JLUS]

The real question is 2WD/4hi or 4lo for water crossings?

 

[DaltonGang]

Years ago, when the JL was new, i had to drive through water that was just below the door handles, for about 1/2 mile. Scary as hell, but I kept it at a steady pace, didn't let off the skinny pedal, and passed all those drowned trucks and cars. As long as water doesn't get inside the air box, and you know how to drive, you will make it. oh, I changed differential fluids after that.
The kids I had with me thought it was kool, they rolled the windows down, and played in the water, while waving at the people in stalled out trucks.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

Deep water crossings are a gamble with a very expensive price tag if you lose. I’ve done one really deep water crossing in a my years of jeeping. The line I picked worked…the guy behind me was not so lucky. Never again.

 

[Blueliner3]

…Not sure what people are thinking when the drive into water like that.

I was thinking “I’m glad someone else went first.”

Maybe my SoCal "what's a stream?" mindset, but--unless I just saw someone cross--I get out and walk the crossing first, checking depth with a stick.

Discovered on a trip in BB, not all water crossings in SoCal are streams. Sometimes it’s snowmelt.

Maintaining a bow wave helped keep the air intake (mostly) clean.

I have a stock Rubi, while everyone else was lifted, so it was probably at my headlights. (And occasionally breaking over the hood—first gif.)

 

[aerosynch]

Someone say water crossing?

This is Fordyce in California.

 

[BobW]

Someone say water crossing?

This is Fordyce in California.

Hmm, didn't realize the new Rubis came with a prop and rudder!

 

[BobW]

I was thinking “I’m glad someone else went first.”

Discovered on a trip in BB, not all water crossings in SoCal are streams. Sometimes it’s snowmelt.

Maintaining a bow wave helped keep the air intake (mostly) clean.

I have a stock Rubi, while everyone else was lifted, so it was probably at my headlights. (And occasionally breaking over the hood—first gif.)

Had to demount part of the belly pan last year, still drained out some Mojave water from Afton...

 

[daroutergod]

And make sure your floor drain plugs are in!

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