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SequoiaGeneral discussion forum for the second generation 2008 and later Toyota Sequoia.
This is a discussion thread titled "2008 Sequoia Poor Ground Clearance", within the Sequoia forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
Hopefully someday someone will invent a lift kit for the independent rear suspension
I'm curious. Do you also believe the following vehicles are not well suited for offroading because of their ground clearance ...... 4wd Tahoe (9.1"), 4wd Land Cruiser (8.9"), 4wd Hummer H2 (9.9"), 4wd Jeep Cherokee (8.3"), 4wd Expedition (8.9"), 4wd Land Rover LR3 (7.3"), 4wd Range Rover (8.7"), 4wd Jeep Wrangler (8.7"), 4wd 4Runner (9.1"), 4wd Pathfinder (8.9"), 4wd QX56 (9.1") or the LX570 (8.9")?
I guess all of the vehicles above are also "not for off-roading" since they all have less ground clearance than the LTD 4wd Sequoia which has ground clearance of 10.0". In fact, would you care to elaborate on which stock 4wd vehicles you believe are superior for off-roading solely because they have more ground clearance than the Sequoia? The only 4wd model I found with more stock ground clearance than the Sequoia was the Nissan Armada at 10.4"
I am sorry if I ruffle your feather, I just missed the family beaters - the 1994 and 1997 FJ70 & 75 (I wish Toyota sell them here). Land Cruiser II (FJ70 series) has 11" with stock 30" tire (Similar to 96 - 2003 4Runner/Hi-Lux). The FJ70 series will take 33" without lift kit.
And yes, I believed all of your listed vehicles aren't really 'offroad' except probably those $80K+ RR and LX (The adjustable suspension will help).
I am sorry if I ruffle your feather, I just missed the family beaters - the 1994 and 1997 FJ70 & 75 (I wish Toyota sell them here). Land Cruiser II (FJ70 series) has 11" with stock 30" tire (Similar to 96 - 2003 4Runner/Hi-Lux). The FJ70 series will take 33" without lift kit.
And yes, I believed all of your listed vehicles aren't really 'offroad' except probably those $80K+ RR and LX (The adjustable suspension will help).
Peace!!
Please don't misinterpret my response. They're honestly were no feathers ruffled on my part. I'm not a big offroader however I have done some. I would not necessarily position the Sequoia as a great stock off-road vehicle for other reasons however you titled the thread "2008 Sequoia Poor Ground Clearance". I'm trying to understand why you view the 08 Sequoia as having poor ground clearance when its actually better than almost every single vehicle sold today.
I could be wrong but I believe every one of the historical vehicles you are referring to (if they were sold in the US) have had ground clearances of less than 10" since 1999. These lower ground clearances go back to the issue of suv rollovers and the ratings that hurt vehicles with high a COG. It took alot of sophisticated software and computers to stabilize vehicles with high COG.
The Sequoia is one of those vehicles with a class-leading ground clearance in today's market that would have even been one of the best over a decade ago therefore I was unsure why you view the 08 Sequoia as having "poor ground clearance". The facts show it has one of the best clearances available on the market in almost a decade.
Am I missing something? What made you think the Sequoia had poor ground clearance? Is there an article or some review that suggested the Sequoia's ground clearance is poor?
Hopefully someday someone will invent a lift kit for the independent rear suspension
I wouldn't bother with the Sequioa if you plan on doing any serious off roading. I think every Toyota SUV has down hill assist and roll back help except the Sequioa. Toyota admitted that the Sequioa was not designed for off roading.
If you are going to be doing and serious off roading it should be in a Toyota FJ or Land Cruiser. FJ preferred.
As for Sequioa. IRS simply does not fly off road. IRS simply is not strong enough and does not articulate off road all that well. Neither does 28 degree approach or the a little too large size of the SUV. Wheelbase of the Sequioa is too long. No multi terrain ABS, hill start, or down hill assist.
The Sequioa also has the 2nd strongest Toyota SUV frame according to Toyota with the Land Cruiser being number one. Lastly, 20 inch wheels suck for off roading.
but yeah..it has 10 inches of ground clearance.
__________________
2003 Salsa Red Pearl
Last edited by pagemaster; 03-20-2008 at 01:50 AM.
And yes, I believed all of your listed vehicles aren't really 'offroad' except probably those $80K+ RR and LX (The adjustable suspension will help).
If you are going by ground clearance alone as being off road credible. My 2003 Tundra has a clearance of 11.6 inches. But off roading is more than just ground clearance.
I am sorry if I ruffle your feather, I just missed the family beaters - the 1994 and 1997 FJ70 & 75 (I wish Toyota sell them here). Land Cruiser II (FJ70 series) has 11" with stock 30" tire (Similar to 96 - 2003 4Runner/Hi-Lux). The FJ70 series will take 33" without lift kit.
And yes, I believed all of your listed vehicles aren't really 'offroad' except probably those $80K+ RR and LX (The adjustable suspension will help).
Peace!!
I thought you might find this article of interest. This is the top 10 list of luxury SUVs for off-roading in 2007. Top 10 Luxury SUVs for Off-Roading The Sequoia of course had not come out yet however I thought you might find the list of interest.
I believe 7 out of these top 10 off-roading vehicles rated by Forbes have independent rear suspensions.
I thought you might find this article of interest. This is the top 10 list of luxury SUVs for off-roading in 2007. Top 10 Luxury SUVs for Off-Roading The Sequoia of course had not come out yet however I thought you might find the list of interest.
I believe 7 out of these top 10 off-roading vehicles rated by Forbes have independent rear suspensions.
Correction on the above. Top 10 LUXURY SUV's not top 10 off road vehicles.
Its a lot harder to make an IFS rear off road worthy. The best off road vehicles have solid axles front and back. I was sorta surprised not to see the land cruiser on that list though.
__________________ TUNDRA786
2007 Tundra Crew Max 4.7 TRD 4x4
285/65/18's with BF Goodrich All Terrain KO's
BedRug, Undercover, Bed Extender, Husky Liners
Also i wouldnt take a Seqoia in any tough off road situations unless it had a lift. The Tundra is pretty bulky and doesnt have good approach and departure angles as well and its handles for its size. The break over angle is pretty bad on it as well. Its fun to take out and have fun with but its definitely not an offroading vehicle unless you spend some $$$ on a 6" lift and some 37" tires and a locker.
__________________ TUNDRA786
2007 Tundra Crew Max 4.7 TRD 4x4
285/65/18's with BF Goodrich All Terrain KO's
BedRug, Undercover, Bed Extender, Husky Liners
You know I guess it depends on your definition of "off-road". I feel I have already used my Seq for some significant off road activity. For an active person like me conductiong a pretty adventureous life (skiing, hunting... mountain biking) I think this is definteltly an off-road vehicle. For example I am not talking about crawling up a 45 degree embankment covered in small boulders, stumps and 15 inch ruts (ala ESPN extreme sports - which I think you guys are referring to). I am talking about the following much more likely scenarios I was recently in where my Seq kicked butt - - Went to go stay at freinds house/cabin at ski resort. It had snowed for almost 16 hours straight the day/night before. This left left about a 1.5-2 feet of relatively heavy snow on what is normally a gravel path leading uphill about 600 feet to his condo. I rolled right up no problem. A few weeks later at same friends palce, much of the snow melted leaving very sloppy thick mud (the kind if you stepped in would take your shoe). Cruised right up again, The fact that very few other vehicles could have done either one confirms to me that I own an "off-road" SUV. Anywhere I need to get to that is off-road to do my sports and utility - this vehicle has gotten me there. I guess that's where the name SUV come from. I think very few of the hardcore buyers of SUVs like me with my Seq are expecting it to be like a Baja dune buggy with giant tires that can roll over on itself and still keep driving after going nose down in a ditch.
Correction on the above. Top 10 LUXURY SUV's not top 10 off road vehicles.
Its a lot harder to make an IFS rear off road worthy. The best off road vehicles have solid axles front and back. I was sorta surprised not to see the land cruiser on that list though.
I'll top your incorrect correction with my correction Actually the story was NOT about the top 10 luxury suvs for 2007. It was exactly as I stated it was...namely the top 10 luxury suvs for off-roading. In fact that's the title of the story. Its also worth noting that in this Forbes article, 7 out of 10 of the luxury suvs for off-roading from their top 10 list...have independent rear suspensions. As I originally stated.
The Tundra is pretty bulky and doesnt have good approach and departure angles as well and its handles for its size. The break over angle is pretty bad on it as well. .
The Tundra should be an easy set up if you wanted to put a lift and bigger wheels.
As for the Land Cruiser I am not sure how it works with the KDSS so lifting a LC might be a little harder that one thinks.
As for Sequioa. I don't think it comes with off skid plates etc. The approach is bad and so is the break over angle. The rear suspension is clearly designed for on road use.
Quote:
The fact that very few other vehicles could have done either one confirms to me that I own an "off-road" SUV.
Any vehicle with 4wd and at least 7 inches of clearance should be able to do this.
Hill Descent = 4Lo Locked in electronic low (push the button on dash)
And, with the new Icon-Donahoe CO lift/Camburg UCA/Nitto Terra Grapplers - traction, approach, departure and breakover are even better. Not a rock crawler, but I can go most anywhere a Rubicon can within the limits of the vehicle width and departure angle.... momentum and touch-up paint are my friends!
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2008 Sequoia Poor Ground Clearance
TUNDRA786
Actually the story was NOT about the top 10 luxury suvs for 2007. It was exactly as I stated it was...namely the top 10 luxury suvs for off-roading. In fact that's the title of the story. Its also worth noting that in this Forbes article, 7 out of 10 of the luxury suvs for off-roading from their top 10 list...have independent rear suspensions. As I originally stated.
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