waterproofing?

ShadE · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:05 pm

Hey guys, i'm new here. I've read through the postings but couldn't find the answer to my question.
I've noticed many pics of watercrossings. I'm just wondering if there is any type of waterproofing needed to be done before you can do that.
also how deep can i go? (grill, headlights, hood)

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:09 pm

Most people have done no waterproofing work at all. A few people (the smart ones, a group I don't belong to,) have extended the diff, t-case and transmission breather tubes up to "higher ground."

I wouldn't go any deeper than about halfway up the headlights (if you were standing still in the water, not creating a wake.)

The goal is to keep moving at a fair pace (not fast, but don't crawl through either) so you create a slight bow wave. This will help keep water away from the air intake. Also if you stop in water (or soupy mud) the automatic tranny has a tendency to take a drink. At least one and probably more people here have first hand experience with this.

The most important thing to remember when doing water crossings is NEVER cross fast moving water, even if it is less than a foot deep, and never enter a body of water whose depth you don't know.

A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn't feel comfortable walking through it, don't drive through it.

All that aside, watter crossings are extremely fun and make for awesome pictures! Have fun!

ShadE · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:34 am

awesome. thanks for the tips.

vxla · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:19 am

And don't forget, tread lightly in the water. All that toxic gunk on your suspension has to go somewhere, and it will go right into the water, land and wildlife. I'd recommend only taking a water crossing if absolutely necessary.

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Fri Aug 05, 2005 4:33 pm

Quote:

And don't forget, tread lightly in the water. All that toxic gunk on your suspension has to go somewhere, and it will go right into the water, land and wildlife

Good point

MULE · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:16 am

I own a stock 04 with the factory extended breather tubes. I completed my first Jeep Jam. in the Jersey Pine Barrens this spring. No rocks or mountains, just plenty of sand trails and water crossings, first day in the pouring rain. Lot's of mud too! We crossed a small river (approx. 30-40 yds. wide) at one time I swear, the water was at my door handle. Slow and steady was the key. Not one drop of water entered my KJ. Many of the CJ's can't claim that! I checked my engine and transmission oil before I left, good clean oil. Had my diff's. and t-case oil drained back home, waisted good clean oil. There is a round medal on the KJ's side, sez TRAIL RATED, believe it! I got stuck three times and pulled one CJ out behind me. The stock KJ suffers from poor ground clearance. After my last "got stuck" a trail guide gave me this tip, 75% of the people go down the middle, so their tire tracks (under the water) are down the center with a raised hump between them. Place your one tire on this hump and ride the right or left side of the trail. I got stuck no more. Tree scratches were for free! Besides, it put some character on a new truck.

Happy Wheeling!

vxla · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:43 am

Mule: why dont you show us pics of how you extended your breathers? Do you have an auto or manual trans? I've got a 2004, but manual trans.

As far as keep a tire out of the rut, just be careful. I've almost gone front over back in a rollover due to that!

MULE · **Posted:** Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:34 am

vxla: The tube extentions on the dif's are factory, front comes up near the battery, rear above the gas tank. My auto tranny vents on top of itself. Unless you have any tranny work, it's a hard place to access. I kid you not about the water level. My engine compartment was mud-city. I kept the KJ going, never stalled even when i got stuck. Was I lucky? Or is it a good design?

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:22 am

MULE wrote:

vxla: The tube extentions on the dif's are factory, front comes up near the battery, rear above the gas tank. My auto tranny vents on top of itself. Unless you have any tranny work, it's a hard place to access. I kid you not about the water level. My engine compartment was mud-city. I kept the KJ going, never stalled even when i got stuck. Was I lucky? Or is it a good design?

Those aren't extended, that's where all KJ's factory tubes are. They really aren't high enough though, and should be extended at least to the top of the firewall (going higher wouldn't serve any purpose unless you've added a snorkel to the intake.)

ShadE · **Posted:** Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:18 am

FreedomKJ wrote:

They really aren't high enough though, and should be extended at least to the top of the firewall (going higher wouldn't serve any purpose unless you've added a snorkel to the intake.)

is there any snorkle systems for the kj? or just custom made
does a snorkle hurt the air intake ability at all? would it be not recomended for a daily driver? (i'm just curious, not thinking of doing it.)

Jesus Levy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 09, 2005 10:23 pm

ShadE wrote:

... just wondering if there is any type of waterproofing needed to be done before you can do that.
also how deep can i go? (grill, headlights, hood)

Well, you can go for some nice crossings without any problems. Have a look at pictures of river crossings in my website below.

Also, consider all tips provided by all our colleagues here.
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waterproofing?

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