Fording question

[Saberr]

My m38a1 has it's fording system intact, and i plan to refurbish it again. Just love the idea, and is a big attraction for me to the jeep. I have seen family drive the "family" m38a1 as a daily driver for work and they complain that it cold. I am planning to put a heater in mine with a soft top. My question is though can you ford with the heater unit ? Obviously you can't ford with the heater on. When i say ford, not just a stream, but up to the grill or higher, go swimming with a snorkel . Don't know enough about the units, but don't recall them being water proof.

[skyjeep50]

I'm not sure about the heater but in regards to the fording system, there are a lot of components that need consideration and proper maintenance to make the jeep capable of underwater operation. Even then, fording was is considered to be a operation of military tactical necessity - not a "fun" thing to do on a regular basis. Does your jeep have all the components including bell housing gaskets, axle breathers, vent tubes in addition to the fording valves on the engine intake and breather? Are you prepared to service the jeep completely after every time you ford?
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... pic&t=8375

http://www.cj3a.info/sibling/m38vent/vent.htm

[wesk]

As already mentioned the military used the jeep's fording ability only out of tactical necessity. The reason it was not a common place task is the motor pool actions required as soon after the fording as possible so no long term damage occurred to the jeep. The degradation of the lubricants and operating fluids caused by the water contamination varied with the condition of the jeep and the length of time forded. The rule was at the first opportunity immediately after fording the jeep had to have all fluids and lubricants changed. This can get expensive if you simply play in the water with the jeep. If this is your plan for your jeep then I suggest you make several improvements to increase the protection of the fluids. Brakes and axles suffer the most because they are only lightly or subtly waterproofed. The military when necessary did the fording thing quickly. They did not spend the entire day playing in the water. All the fording equipment was designed to support very short periods of fording operations. So for more lengthy sojourns into the water many barely adequate sealing system will need help in the form of additional sealing efforts and agents. You will need to review all fording system seals for effectiveness and condition.

Here's a guide where improvement is needed:
Sealing of master cylinder
Better Sealing of engine openings and service points
Axle sealing and raising the vent height well above the expected water level.
Adding gaskets to distributor cover and sealant to the plug leads.
Adding heavy grease or sealants to the starter and generator openings.
Adding sealing agents to all wiring terminals. gauges and switches.

Remember, although the fording system sustains the jeeps operation when submerged as deep as the top of the windshield it does not guarantee protection of any fluids from water contamination or any components from accelerated corrosion problems.

[Saberr]

I appreciate the information, but i only asked if you can ford with a heater unit, or will it get messed up ? Is it one of those units just never meant to be in contact with any water.

[wesk]

The heater was not meant to be submerged. In the military it was usually only issued and installed when the jeep was sent to arctic weather areas.

[Saberr]

Thx for confirmation, had a feeling that was the case. LoL kind of funny though. Units not made to deal with water, yet its made for arctic which has a lot of water .

[wesk]

Frozen water doesn't enter the wee small areas. Plunging thru the ice usually meant a recovery team and a trip straight to the motor pool for a lot of work.

[RICKG]

Just for chuckles let me say this: I've got MC51986, #99 of the 102 unit run with the late fording system intact. On the trails my pals are always pointing me to deep water with the ol' double dog dare ya.. The answer isn't just "No" but H#ll NO!!