How to determine "ground clearance" for a rig?

[Air Cooled Nut]

I see there are roads labeled for high clearance vehicles. What is the definition of "high clearance"? What are the measuring points to determine ground clearance? Is it from the ground to the lower shock mount or to the bottom of the rear diff or simply find the lowest looking point of your vehicle and measure to the ground?

 

[grubworm]

ive always heard and gone with "high clearance" being a minimum of 10" from the ground to the lowest part of the vehicle. I'm sure that can and will be argued...but that's worked for me and generally what I know people to go with.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

"true lowest structural element.". Could be the diff pumpkin on solid axle vehicles. For IFS vehicles it would be some part of the frame, maybe low eat part of exhaust. If the shock perches are the lowest point, it should be those, but those should not be the lowest part of the vehicle, but their inboard mounting does seem to get in the way fairly often