Shifting while submerged?
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JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Okay, 3 inchs deep is not submerged. Getting debris in your clutch housing while shifting in water requires you to be in deep enough water that your clutch housing is in the water. Now, there is no guarantee that you will harm your clutch if you shift while submerged, but there is a pretty good possibility, so you try not to do it. When in a water crossing (here I mean anything over the axles) you should be in 4 lo, so there is no need to shift the transfer case and in case you stall out, then you can start it again without using the clutch. But no, shifting the t-case while it is submerged will not harm it, though I don't see why you would have to do that. If you do have to shift while submerged, speed shift (no clutch), then there will be no damage - unless of course the concept of rev-matching is completely foreign, in which case there could be significant damage. But, since you should maintain speed during a water crossing, you shouldn't have to shift anyway. Just for a quick explination as to why shifting while submerged is bad - the clutch housing is not water tight, in fact it has a reasonably large hole in it where water gets in when it is submerged. Water won't splash up into it. When the clutch housing fills with water and you depress the clutch, water will go between the clutch plate and the flywheel. This water is dirty and that means rocks and muc get in between as well. When you engage the clutch again, you will trab the debrins between the clutch and flywheel tearing it up.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,730
Likes: 3
From: BC
Also, if you are playing in deep mud and water....don't forget to extend those Diff & transfer case breather tubes! Also, if you really are playing lots in mud and water a snorkel would be a pretty good investment.
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
It is safe to shut off in 1st or just let it stall out....if you decide you need to change directions in water or mud. When you turn the key in gear it will launch you a little. Just take your jeep out on a quiet dirt road and give it a try in 4lo and starting it without the clutch in 1st or 2nd gear or even reverse.
Also, if you are playing in deep mud and water....don't forget to extend those Diff & transfer case breather tubes! Also, if you really are playing lots in mud and water a snorkel would be a pretty good investment.
Also, if you are playing in deep mud and water....don't forget to extend those Diff & transfer case breather tubes! Also, if you really are playing lots in mud and water a snorkel would be a pretty good investment.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,730
Likes: 3
From: BC
very easy job except the Transfer Case was a B with a Itch. I used 5/16 fuel line hose got 30 ft of it and it was enough for both my front/rear diff and my transfer case. I did have to buy one of the white tube caps for my transfer case line as I cut it and installed a new complete line upto the engine bay as I couldn't get my hands on the original transfer case hose cap. I did get some hose clamps as well to ensure it's tight on the diff nipples. Rear Diff tube I placed up in behind the passenger rear light. The Front Diff and Transfer Case tube I placed up inside the engine bay and zip tied them.