TM 9-2320-361-10 2-52. OPERATION OF FORDING (DEEPWATER) KIT a. General. Salt water causes considerable damage to vehicle components. For this reason, do not drive needlessly in or through salt water. Vehicle components that do come in contact with salt water must be washed with fresh water as soon as possible. The vehicle will ford water up to 30 in. (76 cm) in depth without a fording kit and 72 in. (183 cm) with kit installed. Never attempt deepwater fording unless water depth is known to be 72 in. (183 cm) or less, and bottom surface is known to be hard. Failure to do this may result in injury or death to personnel. b. Operator Preparation for Fording. (1) Tighten battery filler caps and fuel tank filler cap. Make sure oil dipstick is installed securely. Refer to para. 2-4. (2) Secure all loose objects on vehicle. (3) Remove flywheel housing drainplug (3) from storage boss (2). Install flywheel housing drainplug (3) in flywheel drainport (1). (4) To prepare water tank trucks (M50A2, M50A3) for fording operation, refer to para. 2-27. c. Fording Operation (1) Start engine. Refer to para. 2-14 or 2-15. (2) Place vehicle in motion with transfer case shift lever in low and transmission gearshift lever in “1” (first) position (refer to para. 2-16). Engage front wheel drive (4) (refer to para. 2-4). WARNING Never attempt to cross water deeper than 72 in. ( 183 cm). Limit vehicle speed while fording to 4 mph. Failure to do this may cause \’chicle to lose control resulting in injury or death to personnel. (3) Enter water slowly, Move fording valve control lever (5) to the left immediately upon entering water. 2-210