How to determine "ground clearance" for a rig?

Air Cooled Nut

Air Cooled Nut

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Portland, OR, USA
First Name
Toby
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Erkson
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WSNV844
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US Navy -- STG3
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?
 
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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.
 
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"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
 
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Thanks for the input.
The lowest points are at the rear of my vehicle. My pumpkin is 8.5" from the ground, rear shock lower perches are 9.5". Hmm.
I'm the 3rd owner. Truck is shod with 17" rims with a 31.5" or so tire height.
 
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I generally figure 1/2 the tires diameter, less 5" for the diff.
I run 35s, so 17" to the center of the axle/hub, then another 4" or so for most differentials from center to bottom. Airing down costs another inch or so.
Leaves me at 12.
 
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Aah- airing down, I’m reminded of the great debate that was raging back in the 70s in the community about airing down- “ if you air down you lose clearance “ versus “ air down for better traction “ This was back when 31” tires were the gold standard, 33s were considered huge and very rare indeed. As far as High Clearance? Jeeze, I used to get my basically stock 66 VW bug just about anywhere my friend was getting his CJ. In today’s world? In my mind high clearance means no sedans, crossovers, lowrider pickup trucks, etc.
 
onXoffroad seems to define High Clearance 4x4 Trails as "...4x4 and 6-8" of clearance or greater may be required to travel safely." Well, the "and greater" sure isn't helpful because my truck can clear 8" but not 12" and as we know, size does make a difference. That amount of ambiguity makes route planning a bit challenging.
 
Air Cooled Nut said:
onXoffroad seems to define High Clearance 4x4 Trails as "...4x4 and 6-8" of clearance or greater may be required to travel safely." Well, the "and greater" sure isn't helpful because my truck can clear 8" but not 12" and as we know, size does make a difference. That amount of ambiguity makes route planning a bit challenging.
Click to expand...
What do you drive- I ask because in my case I have plenty of clearance, but I also have a massive 176” wheel base. If you’ve got a short wheelbase CJ on 31” tires or a LC 40 on 31s or a VW squeezing 27” tires can go a lot of places. My brother in law has a Colorado, with 31” rubber and goes a lot of places.
 
Our ride (same as in my signature):
1000019079.jpg
Front level lift. OEM "off-road" package, which is shocks and a plastic skid plate/engine protection. I replaced the plastic with an aluminum piece. Tires are LT275/65R18....they'll need replacing and I'll be on the Chevy forums regarding what the tallest tire I can get away with. We tow a trailer so I won't be going crazy, needs to be streetable.
 

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