The 2022 Toyota 4Runner has 9 inches of clearance.
Ground clearance refers to the space between the lowest point of the vehicle’s chassis and the ground.
Ground clearance determines how effective the vehicle is at off-road driving. A vehicle with more ground clearance is better at traversing bumpy and uneven terrain without scratching the chassis.
The Toyota 4Runner is an off-road SUV that has plenty of ground clearance. The 2022 model years equipped with a two-wheel drive (2WD) drivetrain have 9 inches of clearance between the lowest point of their chassis and the ground. 4WD 4Runners add another 0.6 inches for a total of 9.6 inches of ground clearance.
What Is Ground Clearance?
Ground clearance refers to the size of the gap between the lower end of the vehicle’s chassis and the ground surface. It can also be called ride height.
Many car manufacturers park the vehicle in a flat location before measuring its ground clearance. They often choose the drive axle as their reference point for measurement. The drive axle is a critical transmission component positioned underneath the vehicle. It must sit as high above the ground as possible to avoid hitting anything on the ground.
In most cases, the manufacturer will use an unloaded unit to determine its ground clearance. Adding accessories, taking passengers, or loading cargo on board the vehicle will lower it, thereby reducing its ride height.
Furthermore, some vehicle body types, like cars, have low ground clearance. Both sedans and sports cars need to sit closer to the road surface to increase their stability at high speeds, especially during sharp turns. Meanwhile, SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner have greater ground clearance to ensure they can cross rough terrain with minimal issues.
The Toyota 4Runner 4WD has a total of 9.6 inches of ground clearance. Image source: Toyota Newsroom
Why Is Toyota 4Runner Ground Clearance Important?
Ground clearance is vital to a Toyota 4Runner’s off-road performance. It determines whether or not it’s safe to drive up an incline or across a pothole or body or water. Ground clearance also plays a role in the vehicle’s overall height, which in turn affects things like its stability and how easy it is to enter or exit it.
The 2022 Toyota 4Runner’s 9 to 9.6 inch ground clearance will meet the requirements of most off-road trips that take you off the road.
If you’re dissatisfied with the standard 4Runner ground clearance, you have several options to change its ride height. Installing smaller tires will reduce the Toyota’s ground clearance, making entering and exiting the passenger cabin much easier. If you think your SUV isn’t tall enough, you can also replace its existing tires with larger ones.
You can also use a lift kit or lowering kit to adjust your 4Runner ground clearance. These kits change a vehicle’s suspension height, which also modifies the ride height.
Before you make any of these changes to your Toyota 4Runner ground clearance, it’s a good idea to consult a professional mechanic. Toyota intended the SUV to be driven with its standard ride height. Changing the ground clearance might affect your 4Runner’s performance, especially if you use a lowering kit or lift kit.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
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