Diff breathers WK2 and electrics WK2

[Jeeper6]

Hi folks...just wondering...has anybody had any issues with the standard breathers on the WK2 diffs? I know they have a name but can't recall what that is.
I bought a kit to extend the vents, but having spoken to 2 Jeep specialists here is Brisbane they both say they are fine and no need to replace them with any extensions for wading.

Wading depth is quoted as being 20" or 500mm...which of course is based on a stock standard JGC...but would cover the diffs, transfer case etc...so they must believe the vents are water proof.
Though with a snorkel, lift and taller tyres that depth could be safely increased...as well as the Jeep being on the move in then water not just parked in a metre of water!...(Hope not anyway...lol)
Certainly water depth could easily be at the top of the tyres...

Secondly, the location of the transfer case module under the passenger seat, and the battery under the driver seat, has anybody experienced water getting in to these when water crossing? The double door seals on the lower half look pretty good, and I have no plans of parking in a metre of water....

Thanks all...

[drover]

While all my other fourby's have done deep crossiings the thought of taking my last 2 Jeeps into some depth put scary thought s in my mind, as far as I can tell most of the stock breathers are well out of the way, by the time the water has got up that high the diffs have cooled so won't be sucking in water..... its when the breather is on top of the housing and you go straight into depth over the pumpkin that there will be an intial suck of air, with the tube up higher no water gets in and if your parking in water above the doors ills then water in the diff will be the least of your troubles...

I looked at front and rear diffs, tranny and really saw no need for a breather, have always made my own breathers with them all running into the engine bay..

Water ingress through doors is more often via the panels not so much the door seals, the water wouldn't worry the battery but the TCM would be a worry I would think..... I wouldn't like the water being any higher than the door sills on these myself and not stopping in a puddle at anytime.... actually can't think of any reason to be stopped in a creek any higher than the hubs.......

Thing very few seem to be concerned about is deep water crossing, no blind fitted and water meeting fan, they don't usually have a great time together.... electric fan may not bend like the others but I wouldn't want to tempt it....

The wading depth of 500mm is a bit above the hub, a lift makes no change in height other than body, if doing crossings above that I would have a blind on to stop water flowing into engine bay, makes a nice bow wave and pushes water away from doors etc, no blind water just flows into engine bay, creates a lot of drag and easier for it to find the grommets not quite fitted right, with no snorkel it allows for short deep crossings..................

[Jeeper6]

Thanks for the feedback Drover...I was wondering what your thoughts might be...

As far as the lift was concerned, for me that is more about body and engine height as well as lower door sill height....engine air intake is not a problem.

The diff breathers on this model I see are located near the top of the housing where an older diff would normally have a cover plate, where as this housing appears to open from the front only. I may fit something to them yet.

I already have a "bra" to fit to the front when crossing any water that is at front bumper height or more. The top of the bull bar bumper and bottom of the grille are 850mm off the ground. though I'll probably sook and fit the bra when the water is knee deep...
I worried that the alternator at around half way up the engine might be vulnerable and would very much like it to stay dry...along with all the other electrics of course. Alternators seem to be a regular casualty on the OTT, I have the one that came off, not sure whether i should pack it just in case.
As you write a "bow" wave is important to keep water out...

I was interested if any others here have taken their GC through water, I like most here have been through water to the door sills but thats all.
Thing is those little tubs where the battery and the Transfer case controller sit look like great spots for any water that does make its way in to go...like nice little sumps in fact.

I have taped around the edges of those trap doors under the seats with a water proof tape, and added extra rubber sealing under the trap doors so if any water does make it's way in to the car it hopefully won't flow straight in but only slowly soak through the carpet giving me a chance of mopping it up...

One week to go...there has been some rain at the Cape but hopefully the creeks will be reasonable easy to cross...reports say it is all pretty good, but some of the roads are crap and full of bad corrugations.
I guess I will get the chance to really try out Jeep's Traction Control system too as I have no diff locks in this thing..some of creek entries and exits are pretty ordinary...

[Grippy]

I can't wait to see your trip report mate. It's a bucket list item of mine for sure.
As for water ingress, the plush carpet would be ruined in a snap if water got it and it would stink. Mine has more than the transfer case module in the cubby hole, there's a whole swag of electronic shit in there I wouldn't wanna get wet. Best bet, at somewhere like Nolans, the deepest and where most people get stuck, hook to someone in front and have them pull you through, that way you shouldn't get any water in, the rest all don't look too bad.
I've just watched a small series (Ronny Dahl's mate) Fire to Fork I think where he does it in a Delica Van with no issues, so I reckon the Grand would eat it up. I read a trip report of someone in a Jeep a couple of weeks ago, they said they walked up everything and it's the 70 series brigade that want to make a fuss of everything as usual.
Nolans it seems has a shallower crossing to the left, just a steeper entrance and of course, everything you see on the popular 4x4 channels etc is all the hardest track and line.

[LeCheese]

For what it's worth, in my decade-ish of following this forum, WK2Jeeps, and Facebook forums, I don't think I've ever seen someone mention issues with water ingress into the boxes under the seat from a water crossing. No doubt it's a bit of a liability if you get stuck and it starts coming in, but honestly I think you'd be really unlucky - if you've got enough water in to fill those boxes (particularly the battery box to where the leads are at the top), you've got more underwater than just what's in the boxes.

TCM under the passenger seat would probably fry before the battery has water issues, but I reckon it would take a decent amount of time taking on water to get enough through the lid.

Play it safe, recognise that you're (thankfully) not driving a 70 series with a 4" lift on 37s, and you should have a blast.

Very much looking forward to the pics/vids from your trip. There's definitely been a few grands head up there, but not as many on the OTT, and even less sharing images of their travels.

[Jimmy777]

Sounds like a great trip about to be had Jeeper6.
Just a note on the diff breathers, i did some research on these a while back and the stock ones are pretty good kit. They are designed with a one way valve (rubber seal closes with water pressure from external and only opens with positive internal pressure needing to get out.) If I was stuck for considerable time I would be changing fluids on return though just in case but you should have no problems from what I have read.

good luck with the trip and keen to hear about it and see some great pics! on the bucket list for sure.
cheers

[Jeeper6]

...can't wait to hit the road. The numbers have dwindled down to just two of we hardnuts now...the other vehicle is an FJ Cruiser.
He'll be doing the crossings first as he has a winch, as well as the 2" lift and on 33's, where as I have the 2" lift and am on 32's.

Thanks Jimmy, That is the feedback i had got so far on the breathers. The diffs will never hit water hot so really don't expect any problems...though I'll be carrying spare diff and transfer case oil anyway...

Agree LeCheese, I have not read anywhere either of water ingress...maybe fewer WK2 owners go to extremes?
Most US wheelers muck around on rock climbs and desert stuff...not many doing reasonable water crossings...the TCM module is a couple of inches off the bottom of its container...I have nothing else in there, the DCDC Charger that was in there I have moved out and will be sitting above. The battery I have no real worries about.

Yeah Grippy, if the carpet got a soaking it would be trashed...the door seals are all good.
My mate with the FJ Cruiser will be going first through all crossings and I will definitely have the snatch strap attached and ready to hook on if any sign of trouble. He at least is an experienced 4wd'er as well, with deep water crossing and general mud and crap experience so won't be a liability at all....plus he is a motor mechanic, and his young bloke that will be with him is a very highly skilled aircraft engineer. Not that the ole Jeep will be flying anywhere!
Hoping the creek levels are down anyway being late in the Dry, especially Nolans...I read that Scrubby Creek is dry already, and have also read that many entries and exits are pretty torn up due to the volume of vehicles...that with the dopes that just sit there spinning 35" tyres digging massive holes!