Increased ground clearance?

[andyanderso]

I want to have more ground clearance on my Yaris. I have the 175/65 R14 wheels and tires on it right now.

My first thought is to get bigger tires - anyone know how big you can go and not hit anything?
second thought - a lift kit?? any ideas?
third thought - hydralics? yeah baby, yeah!

has anyone successfully done any of these things?

thanks for the advice.

[KCALB SIRAY]

Raising the center of gravity on such a short wheelbase is not something I would suggest, and ultimately that is what you are doing by raising the ground clearance. Why are you looking to raise the ground clearance.

[Benggolf2]

Are you trying to make it look like a "monster truck"? :wink: (j/k)

[nemelek]

With everyone trying to lower their car, you are probably the black sheep on this forum.

[jkuchta]

Gut the interior. I haven't changed out the OEM suspension yet, and my car is riding like an inch higher with all of the weight I've taken out of the car.

[kimona]

You can run 195/65/14's on your stock steel wheels without any worries.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I believe there are rubber inserts that go in between the coils of the spring that'll raise the ride height a bit. It'll also increase the spring rate. However, I'm not sure how it'll handle during cross winds.

[andyanderso]

It would be fun to have it look like a monster truck...hmmm some teeth painted on the side and big ole knobby tires...

anyway to respond to KCALB SIRAY -- I agree about the raised center of gravity. I only really want the clearance during the winter for driving through deep snow. I have to work early in the morning and the road isn't always plowed. So a temporary solution like bigger tires is probably what I am going to do.

Thanks kimona about the tire size...I figured I would definately be safe with 185/65/14 so it is good to know that I could go 195's. Do you know how much extra clearance this would give me?

I know everyone wants a lower car but somebody has to be that guy who wants something different right?

Thanks for all the help.

[PetersRedYaris]

175/65/14 = 23 inches diameter
185/65/14 = 23.5 inches
195/65/14 = 24 inches

Your car will be lifted by 1/2 the increase in diameter...

You could get a second set of wheels and mount 195/65/14 snow tires on them. This way you have the extra clearance only during the winter.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

I know everyone wants a lower car but somebody has to be that guy who wants something different right?


:laugh: True. You're that guy. :tongue:

[kimona]

If you're going with snows on your OEM 14" steel wheels, then I'd recommend a 70 series tyre. You could go with 175/70/14 @ 23.7" or 185/70/14 @ 24.3".

[kimona]

I know everyone wants a lower car but somebody has to be that guy who wants something different right?



Here's what you're looking for with increased ground clearance:

[TLyttle]

My move was to narrower, deeper-section tires for snow, ie, 175s instead of 185s, and 70 rather than 65 section. If you can get 75s, better yet. The larger the diameter, the longer the contact patch. The narrower the tire, the more it cuts through, rather than ride up onto, the snow.

I don't drive my Yaris in the snow, I take the Volvo; much better. I just put a set of Tiger Paws on it, and they are MUCH better than the wide Yokohamas tht were on there, much better.

[MUSKOKA800]

I want to have more ground clearance on my Yaris. I have the 175/65 R14 wheels and tires on it right now.

My first thought is to get bigger tires - anyone know how big you can go and not hit anything?
second thought - a lift kit?? any ideas?
third thought - hydralics? yeah baby, yeah!

has anyone successfully done any of these things?

thanks for the advice.

I'm thinking like-wise.
I'm TRD lowered and with the steelies and 175/65/14 winter tires (bought used) installed my sedan is very low. These winter tires stand about an inch lower than the stock summer set. My front lip spoilers is plowing when I'm in deep snow ruts.
I've researched a bit and found that 195/75/14 snows will stand at the exact height as the OEM rubber (185/60/15 stock on alloys) so next fall I may update my winter boots.
At least with the 195's I'll have the same ground clearance, instead of too-low for snow.

[kimona]

OEM 185/60/15 = 23.7", while 195/75/14 = 25.5"

For snows, you'd probably be best with 175/70/14 = 23.7", or 185/70/14 = 24.3"

[neo1985]

Gut the interior. I haven't changed out the OEM suspension yet, and my car is riding like an inch higher with all of the weight I've taken out of the car.

omg!! i saw it!! i was like.. u goin to rally? hehe.. but u told me u havnt change anything yet... lol like ur monitor system tho!!

[bkrownd]

I only really want the clearance during the winter for driving through deep snow.

My interest in raising would be to prevent underbody damage from rocks and uneven terrain. The trend to tiny wheels and minimal ground clearance in economy cars is definitely a bad thing for the car. The car makers seem to forget that many/most of the world's roads are unpaved, that speed bumps (speed mountains) are getting taller and more aggressive with all the trucks on the road, and there can be debris in the road at any time. A small wheelbase helps steer around the rocks and holes and over humps, but eventually you'll "thunk" stuff and scrape up your underbody badly. Even an inch can make a big difference.

[TLyttle]

I understand your concern. I have already done in my rocker panels on snow humps; mind you, it would help if those panels were thicker than a Coors can... No damage on the underbody, yet.

[Altitude]

Here's what you're looking for with increased ground clearance:

Me likey the trim on that Yaris!

[Spades]

lol...i run 215/40R17 tires...and i dont know off hand the size, but i had some 15" snow tires left over from a previous car, and they were TALL...they fit on the 15" steelies i bought for the snowstorm we had, but the tires were almost enough to rub the fenders when the car wasnt lowered...the 17"s i have a couple inches gap, the 15"s i had about 1",lol.

it handled just fine in the snow and ice...i went everywhere, untill the snow got to 10". at that point i parked the car for fear of high siding it.

i would say if you want cool looks but more clearance at times, air ride or hydralics. air ride would prolly work fine and be cheaper i bet. you dont need to bounce up and down, just have adjustable ride height, and air ride would do that.

[TLyttle]

Can you say, "Citroen"? That was decades ago, it worked then it would work now.

[MUSKOKA800]

OEM 185/60/15 = 23.7", while 195/75/14 = 25.5"

For snows, you'd probably be best with 175/70/14 = 23.7", or 185/70/14 = 24.3"

Thanks Kimona!
Unfortunitely similar sizes don't mean same height from one tire manf. to another. I'll be taking a tape measure when I go shopping for taller snows next fall.

[fuji]

If you want to raise you yaris, you could try rubber coil spring spacers. They are readily avalible in one inch thickness

[Yaris-x]

FYI 175, 185, 195, 0r 215 all have the same outer Diameter That is the width of the tire in snow you want narrow tires I run 175 in the winter and I pass 4x4 suv's all day I live in Syracuse NY the snow belt of the world. so 175 = 175mm of width 65 is the tire height so 65 = 65% of 175 and R14 obviously is the rim size

In snow wide tires are bad the wider the tire the bigger contact patch and the weight of the vehicle is spread over a larger area and the car is more likely to float on the snow causing a more unstable ride (My wifes xA is on 195 tires and I learned the hard way her car is horrible in snow) with narrow tires the car's weight is focused on a smaller area and the car is more likely to cut threw the snow.

[Doc Zaius]

FYI 175, 185, 195, 0r 215 all have the same outer Diameter...

Are you serious?? Please don't spread misinformation, and learn how to read a tire size (http://www.google.ca/search?q=how+to+read+tire+size).

[SeaYa]

FYI 175, 185, 195, 0r 215 all have the same outer Diameter ...

Doc is right:thumbsup:, YX: the outer diameter is related to the sidewall ratio...so the only way for them to have the same outer diameter is IF you could get customized sidewall ratios for all those different sizes....ie: 61, 58, 55, 50.

[rob323]

If you change the ride height with spring spacers, or airbags etc, then you will need a wheel alignment after every change in height. If you change it by different profile tyres, you will not need a wheel alignment.

[Yaris-x]

I'm not saying your wrong but the first number is not telling you the diameter. But yes going from 175 55 to 195 55 is a bigger diameter because 55% of 175 is different than 55% of 195. I am not spreading misinformation but he is better getting a taller 175 if possible. In snow it is not good to increase the width of a tire even if it gives you a inch taller tire