how to waterproof??
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
Just seal the whole damn Jeep up in a vacuum sealed baggie.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 1
From: Warren, Pa
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Originally Posted by lowrange2
Just seal the whole damn Jeep up in a vacuum sealed baggie.
Video Link: http://www.amazon.com/Space-Compressible-BRS-9212ZG-Vacuum-Seal-Travel/dp/B0000TQGVI
Video Link: http://www.amazon.com/Space-Compressible-BRS-9212ZG-Vacuum-Seal-Travel/dp/B0000TQGVI
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 1
And yes going over the hood with water and keeping the jeep reliable is hard core wheeling.
Like others have said die electric grease all your connections. Over time these connector gaskets can go bad.
Obviously seal up the intake with a snorkel of sorts. Bench test it all before actually going under.
Its a good idea to seal up the fuse boxes and computer.
The more time you spend sealing properly your jeep the more certain you will be to cross water without damage.
Generally speaking all jeeps will run under water as long as the intake has good air. But I would take extra precaution and double check everything.
If you do swamp the jeep and suck in water your jeep is not dead. And if treated quickly won't hurt the motor at all.
Good luck and have fun.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 1
If you bend a rod its your own fault, and you probably should not do water crossings.
Bench test as in test your snorkel system out for leaks before you actually put it in water.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Uruguay
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1) Installed an ARB Safari snorkel
2) Replaced the sparks for new ones.
3) Replaced the distribitutor cap and rotor for new ones.
4) Installed MSD wires (try that engine don't missfire or missfire ocassionally).
5) Now I'm checking all the o2 sensors and exhaust to see if there is some leak.
6) Try to cross at constant speed. Too fast can do waves that pass you over.
7) Leave others cross first and in case it's too deep: turn the engine off and cross with a winch or strap.
I use to wheel with some Aquaman-like guys in diesel rigs that like the water too much:
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 1
I don't know if mine is 'waterproof' but at least I'm preparing to cross some water path with more confidence.
1) Installed an ARB Safari snorkel
2) Replaced the sparks for new ones.
3) Replaced the distribitutor cap and rotor for new ones.
4) Installed MSD wires (try that engine don't missfire or missfire ocassionally).
5) Now I'm checking all the o2 sensors and exhaust to see if there is some leak.
6) Try to cross at constant speed. Too fast can do waves that pass you over.
7) Leave others cross first and in case it's too deep: turn the engine off and cross with a winch or strap.
I use to wheel with some Aquaman-like guys in diesel rigs that like the water too much:
LA PALOMA VIDEOS 018 - YouTube
LA PALOMA VIDEOS 026.MP4 - YouTube
1) Installed an ARB Safari snorkel
2) Replaced the sparks for new ones.
3) Replaced the distribitutor cap and rotor for new ones.
4) Installed MSD wires (try that engine don't missfire or missfire ocassionally).
5) Now I'm checking all the o2 sensors and exhaust to see if there is some leak.
6) Try to cross at constant speed. Too fast can do waves that pass you over.
7) Leave others cross first and in case it's too deep: turn the engine off and cross with a winch or strap.
I use to wheel with some Aquaman-like guys in diesel rigs that like the water too much:
LA PALOMA VIDEOS 018 - YouTube
LA PALOMA VIDEOS 026.MP4 - YouTube
Great videos!! In my opinion you don't have a well set up rig if you can't cross water.
Exactly why all my idiotic carpet is coming out. Shoot I don't drive barefoot anyways!
One thing people don't realize, and that is water will not foul a spark plug. So no need to carry an extra set.
I have 2000 xj so I don't have to worry about the cap. Just mainly the computer and intake.
Also something to note. Make certain your transmission/transfer case, and differential vent hoses are connected and routed properly.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 1
Here is one of my favorite videos that got me back into 4x4
http://youtu.be/GXGiNRNWZX4
These boys know adverse conditions.
http://youtu.be/GXGiNRNWZX4
These boys know adverse conditions.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 12
From: Ontario, Canada
Year: 1989 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L 6 Renix
A lot of good tips in the thread for waterfasting your ride.
If you are planning for water consider removing the belt fan and install a switchable electric. The fan can have a hell of a party under the hood when your in deep, possibly deform a bland and cut the rad. You can switch off a controllable electric just before the cross.
If you are planning for water consider removing the belt fan and install a switchable electric. The fan can have a hell of a party under the hood when your in deep, possibly deform a bland and cut the rad. You can switch off a controllable electric just before the cross.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 1
Do you think they magically bend when water hits them?
You drive like a fool and keep on trying to go when your motor is dead and you may have a slim chance of bending a rod. slim. lucky for us bending rods is not common with an xj or any motor under 500hp filled with water.
You just don't " bend rods" Your motor only takes in as much as it can suck through the intake. Once it sucks enough water per fuel molecule it kills the motor because water wont burn.
Once your motor is dead you don't throw battery cables on it and start cranking it. You remove the plugs and pump out the water first before anything.
Not saying there is not an exception to the rule but it would be a very rare case. Or some body bent a rod and assumed it was while the truck was going through the water crossing.
I have seen it time and time again. Most people drown out, pull the truck out, and instantly start cranking it to see if it will fire. BIG mistake. Dummy, why do you think your truck just quit running? Because of water! Take the plugs out and pump the water out. Then drain the oil out if possible. Fill the oil, then try and start it(after dumping out the intake and airbox and exhaust of course.
Last edited by holycaveman; Aug 26, 2012 at 01:39 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 507
Likes: 6
From: Richland Center, WI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by holycaveman
No I am saying you have no clue as to the reason rods bend from water.
Do you think they magically bend when water hits them?
You drive like a fool and keep on trying to go when your motor is dead and dying and you may have a slim chance of bending a rod. slim. lucky for us bending rods is not common with an xj or any motor under 500hp filled with water.
You just don't " bend rods" Your motor only takes in as much as it can suck through the intake. Once it sucks enough water per fuel molecule it kills the motor because water wont burn.
Once your motor is dead you don't throw battery cables on it and start cranking it. You remove the plugs and pump out the water first before anything.
Not saying there is not an exception to the rule but it would be a very rare case. Or some body bent a rod and assumed it was while the truck was going through the water crossing.
I have seen it time and time again. Most people drown out, pull the truck out, and instantly start cranking it to see if it will fire. BIG mistake. Dummy, why do you think your truck just quit running? Because of water! Take the plugs out and pump the water out. Then drain the oil out if possible. Fill the oil, then try and start it(after dumping out the intake and airbox and exhaust of course.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Uruguay
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Great videos!! In my opinion you don't have a well set up rig if you can't cross water.
Exactly why all my idiotic carpet is coming out. Shoot I don't drive barefoot anyways!
One thing people don't realize, and that is water will not foul a spark plug. So no need to carry an extra set.
I have 2000 xj so I don't have to worry about the cap. Just mainly the computer and intake.
Also something to note. Make certain your transmission/transfer case, and differential vent hoses are connected and routed properly.
Exactly why all my idiotic carpet is coming out. Shoot I don't drive barefoot anyways!
One thing people don't realize, and that is water will not foul a spark plug. So no need to carry an extra set.
I have 2000 xj so I don't have to worry about the cap. Just mainly the computer and intake.
Also something to note. Make certain your transmission/transfer case, and differential vent hoses are connected and routed properly.
The guys on the videos don't have any carpet in their rigs. Besides TD engines: none sparks or distributor and pretty old: almost inexistent computers.
The 'only' problem with TD if some water enters to the engine, you can say goodbye to it.