Questionable ground clearance and concerns?

[2013Trail]

Toyota claims the 4RTE has 9.6" minimum ground clearance. I thought the ground clearance on the skid plate below the engine looked to be less than that so I measured it. Mine measured 9" at the lowest point on the skid plate directly below the oil filter but that 9" measurement expands three feet across the width of the skid plate. It was the just under 8.5" ground clearance at the back of the skid plate near the bottom of the oil pan. And, the four foot long fuel tank skid plate is only 10.5" above ground. That's a mighty long chunk of steel hanging out to get hit. My biggest concern was that where the exhaust pipe crosses over behind the cross member--it's lower than the crossmember by about 3/4" with a clearance of only 9.5 inches. Seems to me this pipe needs protection. What are your all concerns, if any regarding ground clearance on the stock TE, and have you had any probs with it?

 

[Okki]

Between tire pressure, fuel and other fluid levels, cargo/passenger load, your clearance will vary somewhat. I've run several trails with stock suspension height and the smaller limited skid plates. No major issues or concerns.

You can always lift the suspension and add after market heavier skid plates.

Okki

 

[cbreze]

The lack of ground clearance kind of surprised me coming from a Tacoma SR5 which is 12 and a half stock. Anyway, I just lifted it, got my twelve and a half now.

 

[2013Trail]

The lack of ground clearance kind of surprised me coming from a Tacoma SR5 which is 12 and a half stock. Anyway, I just lifted it, got my twelve and a half now.

I really prefer not to put a lift kit on it. Toyota markets it as a specialized offroad vehicle but it has 3 inches less clearance under the motor than my stock 1999 Isuzu Trooper. And nowhere on my Trooper is the ground clearance less than 9 1/2 inches and nowhere is there any piece of skid plate chassis or anything else under 12 inches of clearance that's four feet long like the gas tank or three feet wide like the engine skid plate on the Toyota. Just one of those things I didn't think to check when I bought it. I'll be writing Toyota a letter.

 

[2013Trail]

"You can always lift the suspension and add after market heavier skid plates." I bought the vehicle with the hopes that I could use it in the stock configuration--for the most part.

 

[cbreze]

I really prefer not to put a lift kit on it. Toyota markets it as a specialized offroad vehicle but it has 3 inches less clearance under the motor than my stock 1999 Isuzu Trooper. And nowhere on my Trooper is the ground clearance less than 9 1/2 inches and nowhere is there any piece of skid plate chassis or anything else under 12 inches of clearance that's four feet long like the gas tank or three feet wide like the engine skid plate on the Toyota. Just one of those things I didn't think to check when I bought it. I'll be writing Toyota a letter.

I gotta say it was pretty obvious there was less ground clearance than what I expected when I first saw it and I didn't need to crawl under it with a tape to measure. However, One would think a TE considering what it is designed for would have a decent amount of clearance. Good luck with your letter. Keep us posted.
FWIW, I had the dealer install the lift and they said I was the first requesting one for a 4runner. Around my town of 75,000 folks there are quite a few runners and very,very few lifted. Surprising considering all the awesome places to four wheel around here.

 

[1engineer]

"You can always lift the suspension and add after market heavier skid plates." I bought the vehicle with the hopes that I could use it in the stock configuration--for the most part.

Buyer's remorse bro?
Of course you can use it in stock configuration. I use mine all the time and never had ground clearance issues. If I did I would lift it. Simple fix. I have seen anything from Subaru's to 1970's Oldsmobiles out on the trail. They got out there with about 6" of ground clearance. I watched "Top Gear" where those guys ran Moab with a Toyota Yaris, a Ford Mustang and A Lincoln Continental. They made it too.

 

[Preston8114]

We took ours up around the Ouray area last year with the stock suspension. I replaced/added budbuilt skids (still stock gas tank skid), we made it through alright. I was glad I added the skids though as they now have some trail tattoos. The only damage done was popping the plastic bumper off a little bit. Fixed it with glue... The real key is having a good spotter, and picking good lines over the rough stuff. Still extremely capable off road. I wouldn't let the ground clearance keep you from using your TE for what it is made for.

 

[1000MPH]

Bottom line is Toyota's specs are off again, by more than 10%.
Shouldn't have to spend $ and lose MPG's lifting a truck to meet factory specs.
I took this pic shortly after purchase with tires at 38PSI and no cargo.

BTW...Subaru Forester: 8.7 " published.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Where does Toyota measure their spec from? I assume from the frame rail (I'm guessing, they don't tell me how they do it) which is actually rather misleading I agree. Your ground clearance should be the lowest point of the vehicle (often the differential in most cases) to the ground.

 

[Jeremy556]

Good luck on that letter, lol.

With the locker and gizmos on the TE, you will go a lot further than your old POS with more ground clearance. The Stock TE will happily slide along and destroy its underbody, if you so desire. If you are really into that kind of thing, you will be fitting a lift and under body protection anyway, like many of us.

FWIW, I did a #7 trail this afternoon, modified my skids a bit, and no worse for the wear.

 

[2013Trail]

Good luck on that letter, lol.

With the locker and gizmos on the TE, you will go a lot further than your old POS with more ground clearance.

You don't know what you're talking about and you've obviously never spent time in the cab of a 1999 Isuzu Trooper on a challenging offroad trail. Or anywhere for that matter. Line up your 4R against me and my Trooper. You pick the trail. See what happens. I'll take you to places your ride won't even fit in. BTW, my "POS" has locking diff, Torque on Demand Electronically controlled 4WD. Push of a button, I'm in traction-sensing 4WD. Do some homework. My "POS" is waiting for you. Then you can help me write my letter.

 

[2013Trail]

No offense Jeremy556, but if you can't effectively drive your 4R offroad in WITHOUT all those gizmos you brag about, you don't know how to 4wheel. You're welcome to follow me any time you want. If you can. Or if you can keep up. But you will be following. Peace.

 

[2013Trail]

Buyer's remorse bro?

More like buyer's surprise. You know when you stand at the front of the 4R and next to it, it appears to have a lot of ground clearance. I thought I checked it out thoroughly. I was wrong. I own the vehicle now. I'll get over it. :wink2:

 

[2013Trail]

"The Stock TE will happily slide along and destroy its underbody, if you so desire." Exactly. My Trooper won't however. Not until it gets extreme.

 

[KCcarguy]

I'll be writing Toyota a letter.

Seriously??? Why don't you get it dirty first, then decide if its capable enough for you?

 

[2013Trail]

"I gotta say it was pretty obvious there was less ground clearance than what I expected when I first saw it and I didn't need to crawl under it with a tape to measure."

Cbreze, I really noticed it when my Trooper was parked next to the 4R and I was standing in the garage looking at the front of them. Just happened to see it and I thought, wow! Regardless, it's good to know what we got under our butts when we're off road.

 

[2013Trail]

Seriously??? Why don't you get it dirty first, then decide if its capable enough for you?

Oh, I will.

 

[KCcarguy]

Oh, I will.

I think you'll be pleasently surprised. Did you/ are you upgrading tires? Everyone's offloading varies by personal use and where they live. I'm mostly on dirt with very few rocks and I'm more limited by approach/ departure than ground clearance.

FWIW. I think Tacos appear to have more ground clearance because the gas tank is farther back leaving the frame at the lowest point between the wheels when the truck is viewed from the side. In reality, the lowest point ( as you showed in your pic) is the front diff skid, which is the same on all 150s, so it really all comes down to tire size. Also keep in mind that your truck will have less clearance at the front skid if you have KDSS. Maybe Toyota took measurements from a standard 4runner?

 

[2013Trail]

I think you'll be pleasently surprised. Did you/ are you upgrading tires?

I do plan to upgrade my tires and do a number of other mods, but I don't like to put on lift kits because they often adversely affect handling and ride characteristics--we've all heard plenty of complaints about vibrations, pulling, etc. after a lift kit has been installed, and then the multiple attempts to try to fix the problems.

Most of my offroading is done on old mining trails. They can be very steep, very rough, and very narrow, and often suddenly come to a dead end with nowhere to turn around. They also often run through narrow washes with deep soft sand. Vehicles take a beating on these trails. My Trooper thrives on these trails because it's ruggedly built, very narrow, has a very small turning radius, great ground clearance, and an excellent 4WD system. But the old Trooper is on it's last leg for highway use and that's why I bought the 4RTE, so I could continue to enjoy the best of both worlds--on and off road as I have for the past 14 years.