Measurement site for ground clearance

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:21 pm

I was looking at some stuff I got with my 05 Liberty. It says the ground clearance is 9.6". It also says the Wrangler is 8.8". Where do they measure at? I measured at the back end of the pinch weld and got 13.5" and the front end of the pinch weld is 13". So that isn't where they measure at!

Terry

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:37 pm

Fulltimer wrote:

I was looking at some stuff I got with my 05 Liberty. It says the ground clearance is 9.6". It also says the Wrangler is 8.8". Where do they measure at? I measured at the back end of the pinch weld and got 13.5" and the front end of the pinch weld is 13". So that isn't where they measure at!

Terry

I would pick the lowest hanging point and measure there. That is the rear diff on a KJ. You could also pick the front skid plate as it is fairly easy to miss most obstacles w/ the control arms and rear diff if you are careful to place your tires on the obstacles you are trying to miss.

As for pinch weld heights, "LLL" which stands for Liberty Lift Line was once the most popular way to compare various lifts on different KJ's, you would measure at the pinch weld between the doors to the ground.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:50 pm

On my wifes KJ w/ Frankenlift, 245/75 MT/R's, steel bumpers and roof rack, (heavy KJ) and 35 PSI in the tires the measurements are as follows:

Bottom of rear diff - 8.5"
Axle tube - 12.5"
Front skid, center - 11.75"
Boulderbars - Front - 14.75"
" - Rear - 14.5"

The "LLL" is about 16" at the pinch seam but obviously lower at the frame and bars. Go figure.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:02 pm

A stock kj with a skid plate has right around 6.5in of ground clearance.

My Liberty with the Rustys lift on the front has around 9.5in under the skid.

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

maybe a stock low rider is 6.5", not ones like mine.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:10 am

Thanks for the replies but I wanted to know where the factory measures.

Terry

moose · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:09 am

Fulltimer wrote:

Thanks for the replies but I wanted to know where the factory measures.

Terry

Well, I went over that with my dealer when I bought the thing and measured 6.x at the LCA's. He couldn't tell me. The bottom line is, if you find a spot that is 9.6, then that is where they measured it. Mostly, it's a bogus number.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:12 am

Fulltimer wrote:

Thanks for the replies but I wanted to know where the factory measures.

Terry

I think the answer to that is "we really don't know". LEt us know if you find out.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:40 am

I'll send an e-mail to them and ask.

Terry

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Keep in mind that that number is "running" ground clearance. Basically a fancy way for them to market a BS ground clearance figure. As others have said the lowest point is under your front diff.

BoyNamedSue · **Joined:** Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:32 pm **Posts:** 66

I think I read somewhere that they measure the running ground clearance by doing something involving climbing over a rock.
The idea I got was that you could go over a 9.4-inch rock or whatever if you did it by driving over it with the front tire and then the rear.

If you tried to go over the same rock but straddled it instead of driving over it, that would be a different story.

I don't guarantee this is correct, but I think I saw it or read it somewhere.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:00 pm

I think that ground clearance is not important if you have some,It's when you don't have any is when it really matters. :lol:

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:04 pm

LiLredLibby wrote:

I think that ground clearance is not important if you have some,It's when you don't have any is when it really matters. :lol:

very true. clearance does help you in many areas and lets you run more bigger more aggresive tires. But skill is key as well. A skilled driver may be able to tackle an obstiscle with a rig with less clearance. (i'm def not that person though)

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:53 pm

Here is what they said:

Dear Terry:

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Group Customer Assistance Center.

According to our information, the ground clearance is actually measured
from three areas: front axle, rear axle and the running boards.

Thank you again for your email.

Sincerely,

Wayne

Senior Staff Representative
Chrysler Group Customer Assistance Center

I think measuring at the differentials would be better myself!
Terry

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:39 pm

Running boards?!

Huh?
I guess they claimed that high figure at the front axle by measuring w/ the front skid removed?!? :lol:

Measurement site for ground clearance

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