Water Fording

[A 2]

Who says it doesn’t rain in Southern California…

I‘ve been traversing several deep water crossings in my mall crawler lately. Trying to figure out what’s causing the incredible amounts of water that sheets onto my windshield; to the point that I cannot see anything in front of me. Truck is a rubicon with oem high fenders. I have a steel OEM bumper that I removed the bumper wings off. I am rolling on 35” tires with wheels that have minimal poke. I installed a 1” spacer lift up front. Are any or all of these things contributing to the issues? Anyone rolling in a stock rubicon that has these issues?

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[HorneyBadger]

Speed! And how deep are the crossings?

 

[A 2]

I judge speed based on what traffic is doing but anywhere from 30mph down to 5mph I can’t see anything. Never faster. Depth? One area of Hemet, CA must be 18” deep?

 

[Silverator]

Speed.

 

[Gvsukids]

Truck is a rubicon with oem high fenders. I have a steel OEM bumper that I removed the bumper wings off.

Water is spraying from the opening in your fenders.

 

[jac04]

I know exactly what you are talking about. I have had the same issue on a few occasions with my stock Mojave. I've noticed it when driving through standing water that is more than 3-4" deep at speeds of around 20-25mph or higher. In my case, I wasn't really doing it on purpose, but I was caught 'off guard' during significant downpours.

I think it is just a combination of the front fender gaps, short overhang, and high ground clearance. It sends water up in front of the vehicle, which you then end up driving through. I'm not sure there is much you can do about it.

There is no doubt that your bigger/wider tires, 1" front lift and lack of bumper wings are making the issue worse. Adding the end caps back on the front bumper may help.

 

[A 2]

I need to dig around to see if I kept my bumper wings And put them back on. You would think that the general height of the gladiator would keep the windshield high and dry.

 

[gladtohave]

I am in Riverside county and lots of standing water and stock rubicon with plastic bumper and have the same problem with water washing out my vision . The tires push it thru the gap between the bumper and fender . I don't think putting the water wings back on the steel bumper will help with the issue very much . Turn the wipers on high before fording .

 

[AstroZombie]

every jeep i have ever owned has done this.

 

[Minty JL]

Speed as the others have said.

Same thing would happen in my old tahoes and yukons.

 

[Gvsukids]

I need to dig around to see if I kept my bumper wings And put them back on. You would think that the general height of the gladiator would keep the windshield high and dry.

You'll need to cover the gap between the fender and bumper.

 

[MrJeep]

It sends water up in front of the vehicle, which you then end up driving through. I'm not sure there is much you can do about it.

It's mostly this. On the Jeep's there isn't much, or anything, in front of the tires to prevent it being splashed up in front of you when your big tires hit the water and blast it forward. Then your forward progress has you drive through it. There's a PennDOT disaster area near me where it happens every time it rains.

BTW this isn't water fording in the strictest sense. That's driving really slow through really deep water.

 

[A 2]

It's mostly this. On the Jeep's there isn't much, or anything, in front of the tires to prevent it being splashed up in front of you when your big tires hit the water and blast it forward. Then your forward progress has you drive through it. There's a PennDOT disaster area near me where it happens every time it rains.

BTW this isn't water fording in the strictest sense. That's driving really slow through really deep water.

True, that’s why I called it a mall crawler. ?

 

[Orange01z28]

Wipers

 

[jac04]

Wipers

Great advice!! But, if you ever find yourself in the situation explained by the OP, the wipers (even on max speed) don't help much.

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