Went through some deeper than expected water over the weekend, wondering what i should be concerned for?

[PrairieMojave]

As the title says, went through some puddles over the weekend, I drive a 22 mojave with factory suspension, and I definitely had water lapping at the rock sliders, but I don't believe it exceeded the tires.

From what I can find, fording depth is reported to be 31 inches and some change for mojaves, and considering the tires are 33s (true size around 32s) I assume I should be fine? I wound up changing the rear diff oil after the trip as it was more or less due anyways, techs said front diff fluid looked fine, but I'm mostly concerned about the transfer case and transmission as I'm not sure what the story is about their breathers.

Debating on replacing T-case fluid, but I'm only at 22,000km and that feels like a waste if not needed. And ideally I'd rather not even touch the transmission yet, but I figured I'd reach out for some advice nonetheless. Any simple ways I can check trans/t-case for water without fully servicing them?

Photo of my camp setup attached just to show rig off a lil

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[Stuntman Mike]

I wouldn't worry too much. Water lapping at the rock sliders should be no issue.

 

[Janster]

I’m curious about the ‘breathers’ also …. Not that I plan on dipping it in water, curious to know where they are. I would think Jeep would’ve routed the breathers high up in the engine bay somewhere. I remember doing that on our old YJ -extended it up into the engine bay.

If you’re muddin’ or hitten the water a lot….. over a period of time, you could have bearing failures (pulleys, etc). THat’s the nature of the beast when going thru water.

 

[Volt0]

I wouldn't worry too much. Water lapping at the rock sliders should be no issue.

I wouldn’t do this, unless I was prepared to clean my radiator, trans cooler, alternator, pulley assemblies, brake slides, along with checking diff fluids. That said, I’ve been through a short water crossing that touched my lower door hinges, at around 3mph.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I wouldn’t do this, unless I was prepared to clean my radiator, trans cooler, alternator, pulley assemblies, brake slides, along with checking diff fluids. That said, I’ve been through a short water crossing that touched my lower door hinges, at around 3mph.

I have used the specified wading depth a few times. This was 7-8K miles ago and the truck showed no abnormalities since then.

Of course I cleaned it as good as possible after the "mud games" and for the next i bought another car ...

 

[Stan H]

As the title says, went through some puddles over the weekend, I drive a 22 mojave with factory suspension, and I definitely had water lapping at the rock sliders, but I don't believe it exceeded the tires.

From what I can find, fording depth is reported to be 31 inches and some change for mojaves, and considering the tires are 33s (true size around 32s) I assume I should be fine? I wound up changing the rear diff oil after the trip as it was more or less due anyways, techs said front diff fluid looked fine, but I'm mostly concerned about the transfer case and transmission as I'm not sure what the story is about their breathers.

Debating on replacing T-case fluid, but I'm only at 22,000km and that feels like a waste if not needed. And ideally I'd rather not even touch the transmission yet, but I figured I'd reach out for some advice nonetheless. Any simple ways I can check trans/t-case for water without fully servicing them?

Photo of my camp setup attached just to show rig off a lil

Your fine. For peace of mind ypu can check and make sure the vent hoses are still attached to the top of front and rear differential . Could even go so far as to remove the plug (on level ground ) stick your pinky in and make sure your differential axle grease doesn't look mixed .other than that drive that thing .

 

[JTdiRtyD]

T-case breather is the lowest and sits right on top of the t-case.
Rear axle is the next lowest and is against the bottom of your bed.
Front axles is next, at the inside of the drivers inner fender liner, and roughly bumper height, maybe a little higher.
Finally the transmission is the highest at top side of the engine.

All of them have a valve that is supposed to minimize/prevent water intake. While moving in 31 inches of water, in theory you should be pushing the water away from the truck enough that the breathers will be out of the water (for the most part). If the water was at your rockers and you stayed moving you should be plenty fine.

 

[NC_Overland]

I’m curious about the ‘breathers’ also …. Not that I plan on dipping it in water, curious to know where they are. I would think Jeep would’ve routed the breathers high up in the engine bay somewhere. I remember doing that on our old YJ -extended it up into the engine bay.

If you’re muddin’ or hitten the water a lot….. over a period of time, you could have bearing failures (pulleys, etc). THat’s the nature of the beast when going thru water.

My front diff breather is right up next to the air intake and the rear is up by the bottom of the bed. Both are as high as possible. I’m not sure about the transmission or transfer case. I assume they’re sealed and fine. I went through water a lot deeper than I’d realized last year and when I serviced my diffs and transfer case after (because it was due) there was no water intrusion.

I was on a forest service road and the road was a shelf road and washed out. Nowhere to turn around so I had to back down the hill and through a creek deep enough that I got some water inside through the doors. It dried out fast though and the jeep never even slipped once. The carpet is super easy to pull and it obviously had drain plugs.

 

[PrairieMojave]

T-case breather is the lowest and sits right on top of the t-case.
Rear axle is the next lowest and is against the bottom of your bed.
Front axles is next, at the inside of the drivers inner fender liner, and roughly bumper height, maybe a little higher.
Finally the transmission is the highest at top side of the engine.

All of them have a valve that is supposed to minimize/prevent water intake. While moving in 31 inches of water, in theory you should be pushing the water away from the truck enough that the breathers will be out of the water (for the most part). If the water was at your rockers and you stayed moving you should be plenty fine.

This was very helpful, I never stopped in any of the water, might have gone a bit quick through some of them but not crazy, don't remember speed exactly but definitely 10-20kph, just wanted to make sure I didn't get stuck cause they were muddy ice pits haha. Considering rear diff was not contaminated, I'm likely fine, gonna take a peak at the t-case fluid though.

 

[Janster]

Just a note ….. because nobody ever mentions it….

There are times when you thought you checked the overall depth of said water crossing or mud hole - and you’ll get sucked into something much deeper than planned. If you’re lucky…you can power your way out of it.

If not……. If your truck ever STALLS….. DO NOT, and I mean….DO NOT turn that key (or press that button) and try to start it !!!

Back years and years ago, we had one guy who was fairly new and didn’t listen during the drivers meeting. He went blazing into a mud hole that was ‘offtrail’. Hit it like a ton of bricks. Front end dove and sunk right in. Hydrolocked. He turned the key and we heard sounds that you don’t ever wanna hear on the trail. I don’t know what he told his insurance company, but it was totaled and he got some reimbursement for it.

 

[Crane]

I’m curious about the ‘breathers’ also …. Not that I plan on dipping it in water, curious to know where they are. I would think Jeep would’ve routed the breathers high up in the engine bay somewhere. I remember doing that on our old YJ -extended it up into the engine bay.

If you’re muddin’ or hitten the water a lot….. over a period of time, you could have bearing failures (pulleys, etc). THat’s the nature of the beast when going thru water.

Dan Grec from The Road Chose Me has a good Youtube video about the breathers, stock locations, and where he moved them to.

 

[Gvsukids]

As the title says, went through some puddles over the weekend, I drive a 22 mojave with factory suspension, and I definitely had water lapping at the rock sliders, but I don't believe it exceeded the tires.

From what I can find, fording depth is reported to be 31 inches and some change for mojaves, and considering the tires are 33s (true size around 32s) I assume I should be fine? I wound up changing the rear diff oil after the trip as it was more or less due anyways, techs said front diff fluid looked fine, but I'm mostly concerned about the transfer case and transmission as I'm not sure what the story is about their breathers.

Debating on replacing T-case fluid, but I'm only at 22,000km and that feels like a waste if not needed. And ideally I'd rather not even touch the transmission yet, but I figured I'd reach out for some advice nonetheless. Any simple ways I can check trans/t-case for water without fully servicing them?

Photo of my camp setup attached just to show rig off a lil

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/water-fording-depth-update.26673/
I've been deeper and currently at 97k miles.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

I wouldn't worry too much. Water lapping at the rock sliders should be no issue.

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