Creek fording and diff breather question

[Snooperstyle]

Planning on fording a good number of small creeks this weekend in and around GWNF in VA to get to some good fishing. I have forded some seriously deep creeks in all kinds of cars/trucks, and never had a problem with any differentials or fluids getting water in them. I have even driven my old Audi through a 10 mile stretch of flooded road where the water came over the hood a few times (NOT BY CHOICE!). How much of a risk is it exactly to ford through say, twenty creek crossings, if each is around 1' to 18" deep? I understand why the diff breather must be relocated for the deep stuff, but just wondering what the safe limit is, and also if the quantity of crossings in a given trip matters. Exactly where is the stock breather located? Apologies is this is already answered.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Don't have the knowledge to answer your questions, although in the "modifications" sticky there is a link about Diff Breathers.


On another note, I am going to head down to GWNF in a few weeks to do some camping / off-roading...I'm interested to hear about which trails you do and what the conditions were like. Thanks!

 

[Snooperstyle]

Don't have the knowledge to answer your questions, although in the "modifications" sticky there is a link about Diff Breathers.


On another note, I am going to head down to GWNF in a few weeks to do some camping / off-roading...I'm interested to hear about which trails you do and what the conditions were like. Thanks!

I am going to try to find some remote streams in the Dry River area, and I heard that there are good trails all through that area...but my interest is not hardcore rock crawling and mud holes et al...just want to get to somewhere remote enough that regular vehicle can't do it...I will definitely let you know. I also heard that the 4x4 pressure on these trails is pretty bad, and that the rangers are closing down a lot of trails...so we shall see...

 

[USMC_4runner]

The rear diff breather is on top of the rear differential so not a whole lot of clearance. There's some good info in both the mods thread and plenty of 4th GEN owners have done this mod. It's a easy/cheap mod that is far less painful than having to replace the rear diff oil (been there, done that...)

 

[Snooperstyle]

On another note, I am going to head down to GWNF in a few weeks to do some camping / off-roading...I'm interested to hear about which trails you do and what the conditions were like. Thanks!

Never ended up going to Dry River area in GWNF, but we did do a nice little trail in a different part of the GWNF in Nelson County, VA. It is called the Shoe Creek Jeep Trail. It goes up along a creek and ends up on the top/back of Crabtree Falls. It is very pretty and good scenery of VA mountains. No overlooks...all in the forest. I would say that any stock 4x4 could do this trail, but it has offshoots that are very challenging and would require lift and double lockers. The trail had a good amount of pressure. We saw 7 other vehicles...ALL were jeeps. There are campsites along the way, and some are ideal, but I would not camp here during hunting season, unless you are going to hunt. There is an old hunting lodge along the way and some deer stands and things like that...so I suspect this road/area gets a lot more pressure during hunting season.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Never ended up going to Dry River area in GWNF, but we did do a nice little trail in a different part of the GWNF in Nelson County, VA. It is called the Shoe Creek Jeep Trail. It goes up along a creek and ends up on the top/back of Crabtree Falls. It is very pretty and good scenery of VA mountains. No overlooks...all in the forest. I would say that any stock 4x4 could do this trail, but it has offshoots that are very challenging and would require lift and double lockers. The trail had a good amount of pressure. We saw 7 other vehicles...ALL were jeeps. There are campsites along the way, and some are ideal, but I would not camp here during hunting season, unless you are going to hunt. There is an old hunting lodge along the way and some deer stands and things like that...so I suspect this road/area gets a lot more pressure during hunting season.

Sweet - thanks for the heads up, and I saw the pics in the other thread, looks like you had a great time and that 4Runner held up great! I'll keep you updated on any GWNF adventures I find myself on.