Ground Clearance Change Year-to-Year

[Pokey]

Hail all,

Was originally considering a Gen 2. For some reason I was under the impression that they were better offroaders.

But I'm looking at the specs at http://www.edmunds.com/used/1995/toyota/4runner/4537/specs.html

And now I'm thinking Gen 3 looks better: more hp/torque/mileage/ground clearance and lighter. Any opinions on Gen 2 vs 3?

However, I noticed that the ground clearance changes from 8.5 inches for 1996 to 11.1 inches in 1997?

Is this right, or just a typo, or change in the measurement method?

Is there a good source that details the year-to-year changes in the 4R?

Thanks for the help.

 

[greyghost4x4]

The 99 is the tallest year to date. I am not sure what the exact height is, maybe someone else can chime in.

Evan

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Not all '99 got the taller coils but it seems most did but that can be remedied in any year with a better lift.

I have almost 11" at my rear diff and from the ground to my fender lip is 36".

I think the '96 clearance was a typo since from '96-'00 the ground clearance was all only about an inch apart but in late '00 Toyota started using the short coils.

Here's a year by year breakdown. '99 was the mid gen upgrades and 5 speeds and the rear diff lock didn't make it past '00.

http://top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html

2nd gen vs 3rd gen is easily taken by the better technology and power and off roadability with the rear diff lock goes to the 3rd gen.

 

[techno]

I am not 100% certain, but I believe ground clearance is meassured from the bottom of the rear diff to the ground, since that is pretty much the lowest part. Coil springs will have no bearing on that figure at all, but tire size will and there were 225/75R15 and 265/70R16 choices.