I do not know the answer but am curious to hear as well -- also, just wanted to say that I am glad to hear you are ok....

 

Dunno the answer, but I'm sure there is some margin. I think they test to 20 inches or so of slow moving water. If you have a lift or QL, you may be able to get a couple more inches.

There will be axle, transfer case, battery, and transmission vents that have check valves to prevent water backing up, but there is perhaps a low lying module that won't like being submerged.

Axle and transfer case fluid should be changed after fording. Also it is a slow drive fording deep water.

There is also a difference in short fording episodes and sitting in deep water for hours.

 

Dunno the answer, but I'm sure there is some margin. I think they test to 20 inches or so. If you have a lift or QL, you may be able to get a couple more inches.

There will be axle, transfer case, and transmission vents that water can get into, and perhaps a low lying module that won't like being submerged. There is also the battery vent.

Axle and transfer case fluid should be changed after fording. Also it a slow drive fording deep water.

There is also a difference in short fording episodes and sitting in deep water for hours.

Good points. Thanks for that info.

 

20" is the maximum depth rated. Meaning it must sit still in 20" of water for at least 30 minutes with no intrusion or component damage. Obviously you can drive through more than 20" without hydro-locking the engine, but other components could be damaged or take on water, plus if you have to stop in water higher than 20", it may enter the cabin.

 

This is some good info to know, as I live in a shore town, and it is prone to flooding when the conditions are right.

 

What about the exhaust being submerged? That can't be more than 20" high (haven't measured), and I can't imagine that having the exhaust submerged being a good thing - but this is not my area of expertise.


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As long as the engine can blow the water out of the exhaust pipes and start, 20 inches of standing water is not an issue. Water in the intake is a different story.

 

Keep in mind too that when the vehicle is moving through 20-inches of water, it's creating a bow wave in front of the vehicle that is greater than 20-inches. If you're going to attempt water fording, make sure to take it nice and slow as opposed to just blasting through. To the OP, if you do any water fording, take pictures and let us all know how it goes!

 

There is a list of modifications if you want to go deeper. The Australians set them up for deeper water. OEM the first thing to go out in water is usually the starter motor.

 

Just don't go wide open throttle like 92% of the people do when driving through water.

 

By the way, the vent lines, including the battery, have a check valve to keep water from backing up into them. Dunno why I didn't mention that before

 

What's up fellow Houstonian! I have to say, the flood (and the constant threat of heavy rains producing minor flooding) played a role in my determination to get my JGC in a 4x4 model. I wasn't aiming for a Quadra-Lift, but it's nice to know I've got it in the event that I need it.

 

I am reviving this to see if anyone has info to report on the modification list to increase depth tolerance. I have a Trailhawk with QL which I assume gives me 2" about the rating of the standard WK2?

 

My understanding is that the water fording number that is published is at Normal Ride Height. Theoretically if you go into ORII ride height on a QL equipped vehicle you could get an extra 2 inches of water fording depth I suppose.

 

My experience...

I did a water crossing of the Mojave River in Afton Canyon last week on my Mojave Road trip. I have QL and was at OR2. My tires are 275 65 18's so a little taller than stock at 32". The deepest part of the crossing was approx 32 to 34 inches, it's hard to judge.

After the crossing, the water marks on the driver side were about 4 inches above the top of the Grand Cherokee badge. I had a decent bow wave going which kept the water well below my intake. I have a Volant CAI.

Even though the water was well up the drivers door I didn't get a drop inside. I made it through the crossing in about 30 seconds. Several Wrangler Rubicons on the trip had a fair amount of water come in around the bottom of their doors.

I experienced zero issues afterwards. I was nervous about making the crossing but watched several others cross prior. This crossing is well used. It has a consistent bottom and the water is still. Otherwise I would have taken a bypass.

 

Here is a video of the Afton Canyon crossing. Enjoy

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xy792VUZmaPgPfyk1

 

looks like 2 drones, are they auto follow me ones?

 

That may be a solution to the mud in skid plates problem some have been having....

 

Yes, and the wheels cleaned up well too.

 

Looks like a guy standing beside the pool with drone control for at least one.

 

I crossed this same spot in December of last year in my 2017 WK2 TH. There was no one else there and I won't lie, I was terrified that I was going to drown my TH but i went slow and had zero problems. The water was well over the front grill but did not come over the hood. My fiance and I did a three day off road through the Mojave, it was an amazing experience. Great to see someone else here did it as well in a WK2!

 

You are a brave man! I was nervous even with the advantage of watching others go first.

The WK2 was great on the Mojave Road. It inspired confidence and is a solid overlanding platform.The Wrangler and Land Cruiser guys I was with were impressed and have stopped giving me grief about my "mall crawler". The Mojave isn't tough or technical but there are some "interesting" sections...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B8YQpTz4gX65EXBq8

 

“...made just a few modifications I think they would be the only manufacturer in the market that had the perfect SUV that offered on-road comfort and luxury and serious off road capability in an SUV class.”


What do you suggest that those mods should be?

 

I think it’s a pretty perfect mix of the two as it stands. Name one other SUV you can outfit with skid plates, rock rails, and 32”s (w a lift) and still has heated/cooled seats, a headed steering wheel, acoustic glass, and it will basically drive itself up and down crazy terrain with only steering input from the driver 🤷‍♂️

 

Bklynrob:

What do you think? What mods?