Toyota's take on the difference between 4R and LC250

So... I had so much fun at offroad driving school this past weekend, I think Im keeping my 5th gen for a while

 

LOL The deal-breaker between the two may also depend on which model will fit in their garage.

 

Your 5th gen is better than the 6th and the new LC offroad.

 

The LC250 is the worldwide model while the 4Runner is only marketed in the Americas so they're already building both just as before. They're an identical platform underneath so the cost to Toyota to sell both here is an assembly line changeover to US spec with parts they're already making since they ship from the same factory. It's not like they built two totally competing models that will eat each other's sales, it's a different body bolted to the same platform.

They recognize people will give them more money for a "Land Cruiser" so why stop them?

 

the lc250 is usa only. rest of the world uses the lc prado (aka lc250) or the lc200 series (the true land cruiser, aka heavy duty). think the lc300 is what the lexus models use

the 4r is called the fortuner outside the usa but is based on the hilux.

 

The 4Runner and Fortuner have about as much in common as the Tacoma and Hilux. That is to say, very little. Both Fortuner and Hilux are the same 20 year-old IMV chassis which has never been stateside.

As for the rest I'm not exactly sure what your point is... LC250 is the Toyota designation for the J250 platform which includes the US Land Cruiser and the forthcoming Prado (and obviously the GX)... they're the same thing minus some localization/compliance items and both referred to as the LC250. It's absolutely a worldwide model.

 

So Im trying to figure out this ground clearance question on the LC. Definately want to go see one in person when I can. I took images off the build configurator and did some measuring in MS paint, using the known tire diameter as a baseline:

Unless they are using a completely different axle the rear diff cannot be hanging that low. Maybe something with the suspension up frnot is causing the front skid to hang lower? Or maybe its that plastic front air damn and easily removable.



And then from the front, its likely part of that air damn can be ripped off and hte aftermarket may make full replacements for hte lower half of hte bumper to improve clearance. Probably good bones to build up on here??



The more and more I look at the LC the more I like it. Buy the mid trim, swap out the headlights for the rounds, rip off the air dams and swap to bigger AT tires and add some armor and then have fun with it. I could probably get stupid money for trading in my Pro.....

 

i probably guess the pumpkin or the shocks are the culprits

edit: or the lower arms

 

All LC get the hybrid engine which means they get the larger rear axle. The 6th gen will probably still get the smaller rear axle on the non-hybrid like the Tacoma so those will have more clearance all else equal.

 

So if true, and they need the bigger axle to handle the hybrid torque - that implies they 4Runner TRDPro and Traihunter with the hybrid max will also have this limited ground clearance unless they put even bigger tires on them (which didn’t seem to be the case in the launch info)

 

I did some math. Got out the measuring tape and verified my 2023 is 9 1/2" give or take to the bottom of the diff in back. So with a 31.6" wheel that works out to

31.6/2 = 15.8 to the center of the hub.
15.8-9.6 = 6.2" radius of the diff, aka the outer diameter of the housing is 12.4" for the Toyota e-locker axle.

So if the land cruiser has a 32.6" tire and 8.3" ground clearance:
32.6/2 = 16.3 to the center of the hub.
16.3-8.3 = 8" radius of the diff, aka the outer diameter of the housing is 16" for the hybrid max axle. (assuming its symmetrical, and I know it may not be)

Does this sound right? That's a huge increase, and it would imply that the higher trim 4Runners need it also.

 

I read for the TH
"33-inch Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires wrap unique bronze-painted wheels, and in combination with the suspension, raise the front ride height by 2 inches and the rear by 1.5 inches. "

https://www.autoblog.com/2024/04/09/2025-toyota-4runner-trailhunter-trim-breakdown/

EDIT: Not sure if you're saying bigger than a 33"...???

 

Some of the youtuber first look videos said the 6th gen is on 265/70-18s same as LC... which are roughly a 33. Maybe it is an even bigger tire?

 

Found the image online... It is a 265/70-18... so the "33" is a 32.6.

So my theory stands - if the LC minimum ground clearance of 8.3 is to the rear pumpkin, and the rear pumpkin is lower because of a bigger,stronger axle to take the iForce max torque, and the 4Runner has the same iForce max... it must have the same rear axle and the same clearance limitation.





We need guys at Dealers with a tape measure and camera when these hit lots....

 

All assuming the pumpkin is the measuring point, and not a control arm or shock mount. Correct?

 

Here's a pic of the Tacoma rear, note the shock mounts.

https://www.theautopian.com/2024-toyota-tacoma-review/

 

Yes, shock mounts are always low. Even on the current 5th gen the rear shock mounts only clear by 6" or so per my tape measure... I don't think that is what they are counting.

 

**supposed to be the lowest point on the chassis/suspension.
But a lot of manf fudge their numbers and measure from somewhere else. *cough SUBARU *cough