3rd Gen Ground Clearance

This is mainly for the non-stock 3rd gen Tacos out there because the stock ground clearance can be easily found online..

Modded Tacos: what's your ground clearance (in inches), what's stopping that ground clearance (front diff, rear diff, something else ?), what made that ground clearance (lift, size of tires, etc), and do you wish you had more or less based on where and how much you wheel/offroad (center of gravity vs clearing lines)?

Example answer:
My ground clearance is 9.25 inches due to the front differential because I have a 4 inch drop bracket lift mixed with the maximum tires that can be used without trimming (33.2"). I wish I had more ground clearance because my LCAs and skids take a beating on trails.

My answer reflects a conundrum to either sell (was not aware the lift I was getting was a drop kit- live and learn), to keep the setup, or to just try to fit 35s or 37s and chop it up.

*if anyone has any better ideas to increase the front differential ground clearance besides bigger tires or removing the lift kit (because the kit required cutting the crossmember), I'm all ears*

 

Tire diameter is what determines ground clearance on every vehicle. Bigger tire is only way to increase ground clearance.

 

^bingo

 

Bingo, just making sure I didn't miss anything. So then what is everyone running for their preferred ground clearance?

 

IFS portal axles is the way.

 

If you got a DB lift and 33s but are still struggling on trails, there isn't much else out there that is going to be much better other than a dedicated trail rig or a bike. A Wrangler on 35s or bigger is not the fun thing that it appears to be.

Larger tires will help with clearence, but you get into a ton of other issues that affect life off the trail.

 

There's no trusting Russian engineering. BTDT.

 

True but that doesn't get your pumpkin up any higher

 

Bigger tires. I don't have a lift at all but with 255/85/16s have the same ground clearance you do, right about 9.5" give or take. Though that does beg the question, where does Toyota measure ground clearance at on a stock truck for the factory numbers? They advertise 9.4" on a stock truck and my tires should give about 1.25" extra clearance over stock.

 

You need the set for the rear as well.

 

Ground clearance SHOULD be measured from the lowest point on the chassis/suspension. That is why I laugh at Subarus claimed numbers, they measure from the highest point.

 

So not just IFS portals

What do those fancy things cost? And what are the drawbacks?

 

so sexy… is like looking under skirt.

 

The drawbacks are huge loss in efficiency, much lower top speed, higher center of gravity, more maintenance, and major gear whine at all times. I will look into cost out of curiosity.

 

I agree, it’s Taco porn

 

Couldn’t find a reliable price for the IFS front stub portals, but a complete set for a cruiser is $31,000 USD.

https://www.solveoffroad.com.au/portal-axles/

 

Figured they'd be somewhere in that neighborhood. Too rich for my blood so I'll have to buy bigger rubber and get to cutting

 

Yeah. Spending that kinda money on a Toyota to bring it to the capability of a $5000 1995 wrangler on 37’s is for people with major hobby money.

 

Enough axle wrap to fold a leaf?


Even up front, I highly doubt that the UCAs / LCAs are up to the task under dry braking. Something is gonna twist.