Offroad in water discussion...

[Austin]

I've been reading through a lot of your guys offroad pics and discussion when you were in water. I'm thinking of getting a wrangler or something to have some fun with but lemme ask:

1. Does it hurt the car if the exhaust is underwater while the car is running?
2. How much do snorkels run?
3. Are there any precautions one needs to take to keep away the rust on the frame/motor/body?
4. How in the world do people keep traction with water up to their hoods?

 

[J-Thompson]

#1) I do it all the time in Louisiana ,in a heavy rain we can get enough water in spots to put the tail pipe under water running or not no issue there
#2) to get the "water proofing" most from a snorkel you need to do WAY more than just putting a snorkel on besides on a TJ you can run through 2-3 feet of water carefully with no issues out side of water in the cab ,they are not at all water tight
#3) dont bother rain gets it just as wet and more often
#4) Jeeps dont float they are like 4000 LB bricks ,good tires help also

Wranglers are fine out of the box
2-3" of lift
32-33" tires
3.73 gears MIN. for an auto 4.10 for a stick but I would do 4.10 or 4.56's
depending on the ****** you get
locker out back ,detroit is what I have it works EVERY time
ARB in the front and you are good to go

 

[JeepJeepster]

1. As long as you do not turn the engine off it will be just fine. If the engine is shut off the water will go up into the exhaust and when you try to start it, well, it wont be good.

2. Around $200-300?? Like J-T said, to actually run that deep you need to seal alot of stuff(axle/******/ tcase vents being one) but Im sure a snorkle would save you in those moments where you didnt know it was that deep.

3. Yup, its usually wet in the rain anyway.

4. Depends whats on the bottom. People get stuck in water holes all the time.

 

[LibertyFever]

Hmmm....depending on the state or province you live in crossing deep water (streams or rivers) its frowned upon for fear of messing up the ecology. With that said lets get to the technical issues.

I see few Jeeps with snorkels for the simple reason "why would you want to be in water that deep"? If you're in water deep enough to wash over the hood then you're going to have bigger problems like a catfish swimming at your feet.

Maybe if you had a snorkel you could possibly splash your way through big puddles without worrying about "hydrolocking" your engine but all too often there's something in the bottom of the puddle like a rock or a log.

Yes, its true that if you don't turn off the engine water won't get into the muffler.

Most Jeeps including the Libby will safely cross a stream without the need of a snorkel. I believe the Libby is rated for sixteen inches water crossings. I always let somebody else go first so I know where the deep parts are.

I don't like taking my Libby through deep water crossings because I'm still fond of the interior carpets. My YJ is a different story, I've torn out the carpeting and have a convenient hole in the floor for draining.

After a trail run with water crossings its always a good idea to check your fluids for contamination and grease every fitting you can reach. Water can get through a bad seal into your engine, transmission, transfer case or differentials.

just my two cents guys...

 

[_UnLiMiTeD_]

jeep libertys have proven you can go pretty deep without water getting into the interior as long as u hold a constant speed through it

 

[J-Thompson]

After a trail run with water crossings its always a good idea to check your fluids for contamination and grease every fitting you can reach. Water can get through a bad seal into your engine, transmission, transfer case or differentials.

just my two cents guys...

I am not saying you are wrong just pointing out
you engine oil is under positive pressure so if it can not get out then water can not get in
same can be said for your ******
your diffs can have a bad seal and water can creep in but not from just crossing a stream but from sitting in it

 

[04jeepkj]

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Just keep forward momentem, but not too fast keep a nice steady pace. as long as your intake doesn't take water your good.

 

[04jeepkj]

You are right at the max there for a stock KJ...

we've had a thread on this some time ago, most important is intake and breathers. But a KJ is not a JK so if you get stuck it will fill up with water and there's no way to get it out...

yea i was a little nervous. but now my kj isn't stock, and i soo wanna do that again. . . once i get back to the east coast.

 

[JeepJeepster]

You are right at the max there for a stock KJ...

we've had a thread on this some time ago, most important is intake and breathers. But a KJ is not a JK so if you get stuck it will fill up with water and there's no way to get it out...

Actually, there are drains in the floors of the kj if you look.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Yep, seen those but don't you agree that the KJ is way too luxurious to withstand being flooded?

ohh yes. I would never take mine in anything that could possibly get on the inside if I got stuck or something. Ive had it in water up to the fog lights and thats as deep as I want to go. This thing has got to do me for along time.. Ive kinda gotten away from offroading for awhile for that reason..