Ground Clearance!

[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.]

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]

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]

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]

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]

7" when I thought I was getting 9.

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

 

[benormous]

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

Nice.

 

[jt_4rnr]

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]

Stock Ground Clearance

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]

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.

 

[wfo9]

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...

Same question comes up here over and over again. Just like this thread about KDSS comes up over and over again.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/219977-kdss-road-behavior.html#post2367641

Yes, KDSS reduces ground clearance a bit. Yes, many shops will not lift a vehicle with KDSS. Dealers will almost never do it....

It can be done, it just requires a little more work and can result in a few issues down the road with odd leans and what not that are mostly resolvable.

I will say it is not worth getting too worried about ground clearance in that particular spot. It is more or less in line with the axle and that basically does not limit you in many situations since the tire can be position to start raising you up and over... The lift will help with your approach and departure angles which are much more problematic than ground clearance in that area.

 

[Cymon]

Very capable stock. If anything after my experience I would rather add protection first (better skids/sliders) then lift it to put on 285's and only gain 1/2" of clearance. Lifts can help with approach/departure angles but ground clearance of your differentials and axle is only achieved by tire size. Just my .02.

Look at [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION] build and Adventure thread and these pics from this past weekend...all stock suspension.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/209558-building-driving-adventuring-mtn4rnr.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/97855-official-5th-gen-toyota-4runner-off-road-pics-84.html

 

[Teephud]

Thanks for the positive feedback [MENTION=133547]TheKent[/MENTION] and [MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION]. Sorry if I annoyed you @wfo9. After spending way too much time reading all these threads, I guess I got a bit of an inferiority complex for having just a stock 4runner... I have seen most of those. I thought for sure mtn4rnr's was lifted.

Hmm... So lifting doesn't give you more ground clearance? After thinking about that a bit, I kind of get it, but am still surprised. I really don't plan on going any bigger than 275's. This is still my everyday driver, and will be used for long road trips. All the dirt is still at least 3 hours from here anyway...

Thanks again, and happy trails!

 

[Teephud]

One more question on that: So everyone here (at least those with kiss) has only got 8.5" plus 1/2 of however bigger in diameter their tires might be?

 

[wfo9]

Very capable stock. If anything after my experience I would rather add protection first (better skids/sliders) then lift it to put on 285's and only gain 1/2" of clearance. Lifts can help with approach/departure angles but ground clearance of your differentials and axle is only achieved by tire size. Just my .02.

Look at [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION] build and Adventure thread and these pics from this past weekend...all stock suspension.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/209558-building-driving-adventuring-mtn4rnr.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/97855-official-5th-gen-toyota-4runner-off-road-pics-84.html

Anyone who spends much time offroad on technical trails will want a lift. These big girls are just too low with too many overhangs. I looked at the threads you mentioned. I saw a cool SAS second gen and some lifted Tacomas on some fun looking trails... The 5th gen was not really pictured doing anything. Just saying.... Lift is the most obvious place to start for most people. Armor + bumpers is too much weight for the stock suspension + the weight hinders all aspects of off-road performance. There is very little downside to a small lift and moderate tires (besides and MPG hit). Bumpers are a great improvement, but the stock suspension would never be able to support it and it is crazy expensive...