[adkinsadam1]

So we all know that the 4th gen. advertised 9.1" of ground clearance but it really only had about 7". Well, the 5th gen. advertises 9.6" inches. Is this for real or have they falsely advertised like the 4th gen? Anyone know or looked at it? Please let me know what any of you think or if any owners could measure the lowest point. Thank you!

[martini]

I test drove a limited last night and while I didn't measure it the under body is setup a lot like the 4th gen, there are still some lower spots. As you said if the 4th gen had 7 inches of actual clearance (9.1 advertised), then the 5th gen has about 7.5 inches (9.6 advertised). Didn't get to see a trail edition but I wouldn't expect it to be much different.

[RonMAIDEN]

First we need to know which measuring points are being used on each gen of 4Runner. I know at my rear diff I am over 10" with taller coils and tires.

[JB.]

Originally Posted by RonMAIDEN

First we need to know which measuring points are being used on each gen of 4Runner. I know at my rear diff I am over 10" with taller coils and tires.

He's talking about the lowest point in center front, roughly under the front diff.

[jt_4rnr]

Originally Posted by adkinsadam1

So we all know that the 4th gen. advertised 9.1" of ground clearance but it really only had about 7". Well, the 5th gen. advertises 9.6" inches. Is this for real or have they falsely advertised like the 4th gen? Anyone know or looked at it? Please let me know what any of you think or if any owners could measure the lowest point. Thank you!

Here you go....The measure was done right underneath the engine skid plate.

One was measure from the plate to the ground (8.5") and the other bypassed the plate (almost 9")

[adkinsadam1]

Thanks a lot! So I guess toyota has equally LIED about the numbers. Here was my 06 limited. 7" when I thought I was getting 9.

Since then that plastic (useless(?)) piece has broken off somewhere off road.

[ssmathis]

Also take into account that the 4th gen used 265/65/17's and the 5th gen uses 265/70/17's. That alone would account for the .5" increase in height claimed and probably the increase in approach and departure angles.

Scott

[Thai]

Originally Posted by jt_4rnr

Here you go....The measure was done right underneath the engine skid plate.

One was measure from the plate to the ground (8.5") and the other bypassed the plate (almost 9")

JT, i know that you probably told us already somewhere else, but what model did you get?? SR5, Ltd, or Trail??

adkinsadam1, i would not worry about the lip at 7"...i would count where the actual plate is...around 8-8.3"...and this is your actual ground clearance. Lexus website correctly states the GX470's clearance at 8.3"...it is pretty obvious that Toyota lied about the 4th gen 4runner's clearance since Lexus is correct. (Both 4th gen and GX share the same underbody [for the most part, other than the optional KDSS on GX] and tire size.)

So, the new 4runner has about 0.5" (+/-) on the 4th gen due to bigger tires. Like i said before, the 5th gen is really a big makeover rather than a true full redesign from head to toe.

[Thai]

Originally Posted by RonMAIDEN

First we need to know which measuring points are being used on each gen of 4Runner. I know at my rear diff I am over 10" with taller coils and tires.

Both the 4th and 5th gen 4runners' lowest point is not the diff...it is the front skidplate. On your 4runner RonM, your lowest point is the diff because your nose is high (as is your front skidplate). Even on my 2002 4runner (3rd gen), the lowest point was the diff, not the front skidplate. Toyota uses various measuring point underneath to get bogus figures.

[GatorGreg]

Originally Posted by adkinsadam1

7" when I thought I was getting 9.

That's what Mrs. GG told me on our wedding night

[benormous]

Originally Posted by GatorGreg

That's what Mrs. GG told me on our wedding night

Nice.

[jt_4rnr]

Originally Posted by Thai

JT, i know that you probably told us already somewhere else, but what model did you get?? SR5, Ltd, or Trail??

adkinsadam1, i would not worry about the lip at 7"...i would count where the actual plate is...around 8-8.3"...and this is your actual ground clearance. Lexus website correctly states the GX470's clearance at 8.3"...it is pretty obvious that Toyota lied about the 4th gen 4runner's clearance since Lexus is correct. (Both 4th gen and GX share the same underbody [for the most part, other than the optional KDSS on GX] and tire size.)

So, the new 4runner has about 0.5" (+/-) on the 4th gen due to bigger tires. Like i said before, the 5th gen is really a big makeover rather than a true full redesign from head to toe.

It's the SR5!

[Thai]

According to this EDMUNDS preview of the Lexus GX460, the ground clearance is 8.1". (Link: 2010 Lexus GX 460 First Drive) BTW, this is officially less than the GX470 (8.3").

However, the GX comes with 31" tires. Therefore, the Trail Edition (and SR5)with 32" tires should give it a 0.5" increase in ground clearance. So, i believe that the 8.5-8.6" is accurate with the new 4runner.

[Teephud]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread... I just measured my ground clearance and found it to be only 8-1/2" (under engine skid plate). That's over an inch short of the advertised 9.6"! I'm a new 4Runner owner, and have already bent that skid plate...

Prior to actually measuring this I stopped at the dealer to see if they offered any lift mods. They shooed me away, saying "no, no, the KDSS is way too complicated. You shouldn't do any modifications."

I pretty much went "all in" to get this thing, so don't have much $$ to spend on mods yet. I managed to trade in the stock tires at a local tire shop to get some Cooper AT3s. Still stock size. I figured in a year I'd do some sort of lift. However, I've got a big road trip coming up where I'm going to get some off-roading in, and was hoping to get some sort of low-expense lift. Does anyone know of a good shop in the north SF-Bay area? I'm in Marin.

BTW, I don't mean to gripe. I do love my T4R! I just want it to be a little better...

[TheKent]

Originally Posted by Teephud

Sorry to resurrect an old thread... I just measured my ground clearance and found it to be only 8-1/2" (under engine skid plate). That's over an inch short of the advertised 9.6"! I'm a new 4Runner owner, and have already bent that skid plate...

Prior to actually measuring this I stopped at the dealer to see if they offered any lift mods. They shooed me away, saying "no, no, the KDSS is way too complicated. You shouldn't do any modifications."

I pretty much went "all in" to get this thing, so don't have much $$ to spend on mods yet. I managed to trade in the stock tires at a local tire shop to get some Cooper AT3s. Still stock size. I figured in a year I'd do some sort of lift. However, I've got a big road trip coming up where I'm going to get some off-roading in, and was hoping to get some sort of low-expense lift. Does anyone know of a good shop in the north SF-Bay area? I'm in Marin.

BTW, I don't mean to gripe. I do love my T4R! I just want it to be a little better...

I'm in the East Bay, and I'm getting my lift installed next week at SWAT Customs. People seem to like them and the price was fair. I wouldn't trust a dealer to do it right, or even give you 100% accurate info.

But do realize, the stock 4runner is a very capable machine. I have actually had this conversation with a couple other owners, stock and fully modded. Don't feel like you have to have a lift to go off-road. Know the limitations of your driving ability, and the truck, and you can still get places and have fun without breaking shit.