Clearance Q

[adkinsadam1]

I have a 2006 4runner limited and it is advertised to have a minimum ground clearance of 9.1". However, I took it upon myself to measure, and found a minimum ground clearance of only about 8", far less than advertised. Why would this be? The entire front of the car between the wheels is that low. As well, the skid plate has an odd fold downward at the end, which reduces clearance in that area to only 7". Why would it be advertised at 9 if that is clearly not the case? Does anybody else notice this? Thanks a lot! I am only concerned about this because I do some serious off-roading. I had an Explorer, but it's wheel fell off and right after that the engine died (but it was 100000 miles). I wanted a much better off-road vehicle and bought this, but after taking it over a few bumps, I found we bottomed out even more than the explorer and I measured. Attached is our new 4runner and our past explorer (and the road that killed it). On top of everything else I've asked, how well does 4runner (that I have) do on such roads as you see in the explorer photo? Thanks for answering my questions!

 

[K.C.]

A lot of members dicussed about this before...yeah, the ground clearance is way off.

 

[K.C.]

"All 4th Gens state 9.1" running ground clearance."

"Having owned, and become accustomed to, a 1999 4R (99 is believed to be the highest year ever) for 8 years, the 2007 looks and feels just way too low. The 2007 is a full 2" lower than the 99. Hence the desire to lift. The 1999 was a height that I was comfortable with and did not want or need to lift. So my goal for the 2007 was simply to get it up to the same height as the 99."

via J.A.

Daystar Spacer Lift
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/2007/lift.html

via J.A.

 

[K.C.]

Love the gorgeous 2006+ Limited by the way!!

If I did it all over again...it would be the exact one but in Silver.

And probably swap the Limited wheels for Sport wheels, since it has more tire selections.

 

[ric]

adkinsadam1,
Welcome, are you still in Co. ? if so, and ya want to hit a trail, let me know..
Throw some BudBuilts under there, call Toyteclifts and lets go :dancin:

 

[adkinsadam1]

Isn't that false advertising? One of the biggest reasons for buying this car was the 9" of clearance! Now what!? Lifts. I guess I'll have to see. How strong are those skid plates anyway? How hard could I bash them without doing engine damage? And yes, still in Highlands Ranch, CO.

 

[EEtM33t]

Be glad you don't have a 5th gen, the clearance on those looks to be even less and I don't think there is a V8 option either... :barf:

 

[ric]

Isn't that false advertising? One of the biggest reasons for buying this car was the 9" of clearance! Now what!? Lifts. I guess I'll have to see. How strong are those skid plates anyway? How hard could I bash them without doing engine damage? And yes, still in Highlands Ranch, CO.

the stock skid plates are worthless, go budbuilt.com I wouldnt "bash" them on anything, lol..

 

[Thai]

One example of previous discussion on this topic: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=26321&highlight=ground+clearance

 

[adkinsadam1]

the stock skid plates are worthless, go budbuilt.com I wouldnt "bash" them on anything, lol..

Do you know this from experience? How do you know?

Also, what is up with the fold-downward on the end of my skid plate? It reduces clearance (about 2ft wide in the middle-front) to about 6.8"! Is that a normal deal?

 

[ric]

Do you know this from experience? How do you know?

Also, what is up with the fold-downward on the end of my skid plate? It reduces clearance (about 2ft wide in the middle-front) to about 6.8"! Is that a normal deal?

umm yea, just crawl under your rig, and see for yourself, the stock skids are VERY thin. your in Denver we can meet up sometime and you can see just how thick Budbuilts are, and how well they protect.

 

[adkinsadam1]

umm yea, just crawl under your rig, and see for yourself, the stock skids are VERY thin. your in Denver we can meet up sometime and you can see just how thick Budbuilts are, and how well they protect.

But I mean how weak is weak? I don't need to worry as long as I'm not slamming something, right?

Below I've posted a picture. To the right of the ruler is that fold-downward thing; its on a plastic extension to the skid plate. What is that?

 

[ric]

Im not sure what that peice is, of what its for. but Id be REAL careful going over rocks with the stock skids, they are better than nothing for sure, and yea, as long as your not "bashing" on rocks, you should be ok.
I ran for awhile with my stock skids, but when I got the 04, the second call I made was to BudBuilt

 

[adkinsadam1]

Im not sure what that peice is, of what its for. but Id be REAL careful going over rocks with the stock skids, they are better than nothing for sure, and yea, as long as your not "bashing" on rocks, you should be ok.
I ran for awhile with my stock skids, but when I got the 04, the second call I made was to BudBuilt

I think before I go for some better plates I would go for lifts. Have you installed lifts? How difficult is it to install for someone who doesn't know crap about installing anything in that area?

 

[ric]

Yes, Ive done the list on both my rigs, help a few others with thiers, with basic tools it can be done in your garage.
Depends on a few things, what lift are you going with ? if your going with the adjustable coil-overs, IMHO its fairly easy.. a spacer lift can be tricky, I wasnt comfortable using a spring compressor.

IMHO installing the adj. coil-overs are easier to install, ride better and are adjustable if you decide later to get a bumper and/or winch :thumb3:

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I off road a lot in Arizona in rocks like in your second picture of that Explorer or whatever it is. At stock height my 4runner was pretty much useless, always hearing some scrapping on the bottom. I now have the Daystar 2.5 lift and it makes a world of difference. I now go places with much more confidence. It is unbelievable what 2.5 inches more clearance can do. That and my slightly taller 265/70/17 BFG all terrains.

 

[adkinsadam1]

I off road a lot in Arizona in rocks like in your second picture of that Explorer or whatever it is. At stock height my 4runner was pretty much useless, always hearing some scrapping on the bottom. I now have the Daystar 2.5 lift and it makes a world of difference. I now go places with much more confidence. It is unbelievable what 2.5 inches more clearance can do. That and my slightly taller 265/70/17 BFG all terrains.

Thats the kind of lift I was thinking. What like 200 bucks right? How does it affect the ride on paved roads? Is it more firm or just the same? Also, how tough is it to install? Could someone with no knowledge on car parts do it? How much does it cost for a typical mechanic to do it? Thanks a lot!

 

[NCSCOTT]

Thats the kind of lift I was thinking. What like 200 bucks right? How does it affect the ride on paved roads? Is it more firm or just the same? Also, how tough is it to install? Could someone with no knowledge on car parts do it? How much does it cost for a typical mechanic to do it? Thanks a lot!

Daystar 2.5" Front & 1.5" rear is $132.66 Shipped free from Amazon.com. See Link. Then $80-$130 for a alignment depending on where you go. Pics on my 08 lifted are in the Sticky Lift Thread. I will have more pics once I get the tires and wheel spacers installed.

http://www.amazon.com/Daystar-KT091..._5?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1252596510&sr=1-5

I installed mine this past weekend and have been driving it everyday since 25 miles each way to work and it rides almost the same. I Don't feel any real difference. Just a little more body roll which was to be expected but not bad at all.

If you are not already mechanicly inclined find a buddy who is and have him/her help you install the lift. I did the whole install myself with various Hand tools, jacks/jack stands and pry bars to help me move things around. I have been doing bolt on mods for years thou.

It can be done in your driveway.

If you had to pay someone to install it???? Not even sure what they would charge. My SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess) is from $300-$500. Unless you find a shop that specializes in off-road stuff alot of shops don't even want to think about the liability.

Hope that helps.

 

[adkinsadam1]

I think I'm gonna have to get those lifts pretty soon. BARELY even off road today and slammed it over some ruts. Skid plate has REALLY taken a beating. Just out of curiosity, anyone got some pics of their underside damage from off roading? Would love to get some comparison to the dings and scrapes under mine. And I've only had it a week! Your pics are welcome!

 

[Thai]

I think I'm gonna have to get those lifts pretty soon. BARELY even off road today and slammed it over some ruts. Skid plate has REALLY taken a beating. Just out of curiosity, anyone got some pics of their underside damage from off roading? Would love to get some comparison to the dings and scrapes under mine. And I've only had it a week! Your pics are welcome!

What kind of off-roading do you do? Are you going too fast over these obstacles?? Do you have pics of your typical off-road adventure?