1st River Crossing/ maintenance

dodchall70 · 07-23-2006, 08:10 AM

I crossed my first river yesterday with the CJ-7 I bought a couple of months ago. The water was up to the rocker panels. My question is should I change all of the fluids now (i.e front diff, rear diff, transfer case and transmission)?
Thanks

Salt Hay · 07-23-2006, 08:31 AM

How high are your vent lines ? Above the level you waded the Jeep?

Also what kind of tranny . The 80's model auto's with the 999 had a vent behind the converter. It's a little harder to run a higher line from it , but can be done if you ever have the engine or trans out.

I'd at least check everything out and replace as needed. Jode

78GoldenEagle · 07-23-2006, 09:18 AM

I was in the Marine Corps, served in the infantry aboard a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV). They were amphibious and after a good swim, we'd check our fluids in our diffs and t-case to ensure they weren't contaminated...I developed a real taste for 90 weight oil. Rarely, would we replace them from just going swimming. If we needed to we would because it was on the gov.'s dime, but as I said we didn't do a complete flush just for a swim. I would say if your seals are tight, you should be fine, however do check the fluids to make sure the consistency ans smell are where they should be.

dodchall70 · 07-23-2006, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the replies. I think I will change at least the diff's just to make sure. The vent line has been ran up so I don't think it took in any water.
Thanks

jooper84 · 07-24-2006, 09:06 AM

You didn't say what you had. My 84 was bought for the sole purpose of river ratting. After a weekend in the river, I check my difs, transfer case, and oil and replace as needed. I always replace the gear oil in my T5. It goes green faster than the rest for some reason.

Also, check the stuff as soon as possible. I made the mistake of thinking my front Dif was okay and waited a week. When I went out, I had 90w dripping out of both ends of the axle. I popped the dif cover and it was like a midget was in the bell with a garden hose spraying me. Water was everywhere. I got it cleaned up and put back together and luckily the seals sealed back up otherwise I'd have an axle to rebuild.

07-23-2006, 07:03 PM	#4
dodchall70 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 151 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks for the replies. I think I will change at least the diff's just to make sure. The vent line has been ran up so I don't think it took in any water. Thanks

07-24-2006, 09:06 AM	#5
jooper84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 226 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	You didn't say what you had. My 84 was bought for the sole purpose of river ratting. After a weekend in the river, I check my difs, transfer case, and oil and replace as needed. I always replace the gear oil in my T5. It goes green faster than the rest for some reason. Also, check the stuff as soon as possible. I made the mistake of thinking my front Dif was okay and waited a week. When I went out, I had 90w dripping out of both ends of the axle. I popped the dif cover and it was like a midget was in the bell with a garden hose spraying me. Water was everywhere. I got it cleaned up and put back together and luckily the seals sealed back up otherwise I'd have an axle to rebuild.