Preparing a Jeep for off-roading goes in many directions, from fitting in larger tires to installing light bars to welding in cages. One area that may not get as much attention is the driveline, and specifically the seals that go into driveshafts. When off-roading in an area with water crossings like the Rubicon Trail or Rausch Creek Off Road Park, it’s fun to go full-bore through the water and make a splash; what isn’t fun is dealing with the aftereffects, which can result in total failure to the driveshaft.

A standard U-joint will get to an operating temperature of 165-170 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat leads to expansion, which leads to contamination as water seeps into the U-joint’s seals.

We spoke with Jim Reel of J.E. Reel Driveline about his company’s proposed solution to this problem: H2O joints. These joints offer a big step up from the stocker versions in terms of protection from water contamination to the driveline, and keep a Jeep running happily through whatever stream, creek, or other shallow body of water it runs across.

What applications do these U-joints fit?

Jim Reel: They are for the Dana 44 front axle, the JK 44 front axle, and then we have them in 1310 and 1350 series. At this point, we have designed the H2O U-joints for Jeeps only.

The H2O U-joints have an encased, three-lip seal held at eight pounds of pressure, which is eight times the normal amount on a stock Jeep U-joint.

How did the idea for these U-joints start?

JR: We looked at the stock U-joint and considered it to be a good quality part. However, the operating temperature for these seals on the U-joints gets up to 165-170 degrees Fahrenheit. So they heat up, they expand, and then they allow water into the grease and that wears down the U-joint. What we’ve done is design a U-joint with a very small three-lip seal so it is encased and can’t get loose. A normal seal sits with a pound of pressure, where ours sit with around eight pounds of pressure, so it’s tight and small. It means that there’s no room to expand.

How do they install?

JR: They install just like a basic U-joint. The only difficulty is they seat so tightly that you have to force it down onto the driveshaft, transfer case, or differential. It’s forcing the seal onto the post or body of the cross. It doesn’t install any differently; it just takes more pressure to get it installed.

Do they come with a warranty?

JR: The cross is 40% stronger than OEM. We warranty the U-joint not to break the body, but we don’t warranty it against wear. We will give the user a new U-joint if the body snaps.

Are there plans regarding future applications?

JR: We have no plans at this time. We have a lot of other projects in the works at the moment, and we’d like to move up to the Dana 60s and stuff, but that is more of a long-term goal.

And there you have it. Getting wet and wild is plenty of fun in a Jeep, but having a busted driveline sure isn’t fun at all. Having J.E. Reel’s H2O joints just makes sense if you decide to take your Wrangler through the water. For more on J.E. Reel products and services, be sure to check out the company’s website.