Jeep Wrangler Ground Clearance: What To Know
2018 Jeep Wrangler by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
If you’re looking into Jeep Wrangler ground clearance, you most likely want to know what styles of off-roading are possible with Wranglers or if the clearance available can reach that off-the-grid cabin you rented for the weekend.
Maybe you’re calculating if a lift kit can increase your off-roading capabilities and what new problems may arise. Perhaps you’re considering using a Wrangler as a work vehicle, and that’s why ground clearance is vital to you.
There are numerous reasons to know the ground clearance of a Jeep Wrangler. In Jeep land, model variants have different clearance levels. We will look primarily at the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport for this article.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the critical factors involved.
What Is Ground Clearance?
Technically speaking, ground clearance is the minimum distance between the chassis (the lower end of the vehicle) and the road. Manufacturers’ ground clearance generally does not consider how much cargo or passenger weight will affect ground clearance. This is vital to consider when planning what terrain a Wrangler can navigate, especially with any extra weight.
Higher ground clearance is favorable when traveling on a bumpy or rough road. Bottoming out is never good for a vehicle. Knowing your ground clearance helps protect your vehicle’s underbelly from everything from scratches to severe damage. To perform even minor off-roading, a vehicle should have at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance.
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2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport Ground Clearance:
- Jeep Wrangler Sport – 9.7 in.
Why Does Ground Clearance Matter?
Why does Jeep Wrangler ground clearance matter anyway? Other than the reasons above, a higher ground clearance creates further distance to equip the vehicle better to absorb road shocks. Higher ground clearance also allows a vehicle to navigate a road with less risk of damage to its chassis or undercarriage.
If the ground clearance is too high, perhaps an overly aggressive lift kit can shift the center of mass higher on the car, making it more prone to imprecise handling. The combination of height and handling loss runs an increased rollover risk.
Jeep Wrangler Angles
While off-roading with a Jeep Wrangler, it is crucial to know the ground clearance and angles of the vehicle to avoid getting stuck or causing heavy damage.
Departure and Approach Angles:
The maximum angle a Wrangler can descend before dragging its tail end is the departure angle. The maximum angle it can climb before touching the bottom end of the vehicle is the approach angle.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport:
- Approach Angle: 41.4 degrees
- Departure Angle: 35.9 degrees
Breakover Angle:
The maximum angle a Wrangler can navigate without the middle of the Jeep’s undercarriage making contact with rock, ground, or other terrains. The best practice is to add a few inches to this number to protect your vehicle.
Also, a few things will ruin an off-road day, like getting your 4x4’s undercarriage stuck on a rock. Unfortunately, many off-roaders end up on the said rock for some time as they are too proud to ask other truck people for help. Don’t be that person. Ask for help. We’re all on this off-road adventure together.
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2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport:
- Breakover Angle: 25.0 degrees
Over the Years
Over the years, Jeep Wrangler ground clearance has changed. Here is a listing of years and ground clearances for Jeep Wrangler Sports from the second to fourth generations.
Jeep Wrangler Sport Ground Clearance
- Generation 2 (1997 – 2006): 8.5 in.
- Generation 3 (2007 – 2017): 8.3 in.
- Generation 4 (2018 – 2020): 9.7 in.
Permitted Activities
Off-roading opens up an otherwise unavailable world, especially for vehicle travel. This could mean things as simple as navigating rough backroads to reach a getaway destination, or it could mean entering off-road races through muddy terrain.
You don’t need a Jeep Wrangler ground clearance of 9.7 in. for every activity available—the rule of thumb is 8.5 in. is the minimum to navigate basic off-roading. And even with that, obstacles need consideration on a case-by-case basis.
While a high ground clearance opens up a ton of off-road activities, many require other modifications to occur to the vehicle beforehand. To many, this is more of a bonus than “one more thing to do.” More often than not, off-roaders are huge car people, especially the 4x4 variety. Working on their rig and getting upgrades is a welcome part of the ride.
With high enough ground clearance and the right off-roading bells and whistles, it is possible to participate in numerous off-road activities, including:
Dune bashing: A form of off-roading over sand dunes. While primarily executed by larger vehicles like Land Cruisers, a quick Internet search reveals everything you need to know about Jeep Wranglers participating in this adventure-packed activity.
Mudding: Off-roading through wet mud or clay. The goal is to get your vehicle through the obstacle without getting stuck. There are a variety of tires recommended for mudding. Check them out if you’re looking to get into the activity. It’s a lot of fun and an excellent rush.
Rock crawling: This is off-roading at low speeds over rock obstacles. Due to the danger of this activity, vehicles used are usually heavily modified with special tires, suspension components, and various other adjustments.
Desert racing: Racing in the open desert on rough terrain at maximum speed. Various Jeep Wrangler models participate, though they are heavily modified.
Green Laning: Also known as two-tracking, this one’s more leisurely, though no less enjoyable. “Green lane” is a tip of the hat to the routes used being unused, such as tracks in a forest, dirt roads, and the like.
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Prohibited Activities
As previously mentioned, a vehicle with too high ground clearance increases the risk of imprecise handling and ultimately a rollover. Drivers with higher ground clearance may also experience less maneuverability and find navigating a crowded city or finessing a tight parking space more difficult. That said, a Jeep Wrangler’s ground clearance usually does not interfere with these activities.
Jeep Wrangler Ground Clearance: Which One Should I Buy?
For the serious Jeep buyer, two models are appealing.
The base Sport trim has 9.7 inches of ground clearance, and if you’re into the Wrangler culture, you’ll know that your Sport wouldn’t be kept standard for long. What essentially amounts to a blank canvas, the base Sport trim allows you to add any accessories and mods that you want.
The base Sport trim is an excellent choice for serious off-roaders and modders. If you’re a serious rock crawler, you may even add an extra 5 inches of ground clearance through aftermarket lift kits. The possibilities are endless.
Your second option is the more hardcore Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The Rubicon boasts a higher ground clearance of 10.8 inches. The Jeep also includes a Rock-Trac system which uses the shortened wheelbase for more extreme off-roading. It’s the most capable Wrangler there is, and it’s the top trim for a good reason. And that’s not even including the aftermarket parts you can add.
Regardless of your choice, the Wrangler remains one of the best off-roading machines you can get. The Wrangler is an excellent buy if you like solid ground clearance stats and going down and dirty.
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