Angles and Ground Clearance Easily Understood with Jeep Wrangler

Do you know the difference between ground clearance and the different off-roading related angles? If not, pay attention! If you off-road it is important to know your vehicle’s ground clearance and its three main angles. If you have or want the “king of off-road vehicles”, the Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited you are in luck, we not only teach you about angles and ground clearance, but give you those specs on a Jeep Wrangler as well.

Running Ground Clearance

Running ground clearance is usually just referred to simply as “ground clearance”. Whatever you call it, it is important to pay attention to it. Ground clearance is the measurement of the space between the lowest point of your vehicle and the ground. This information is particularly useful for those that plan on driving through uneven terrains because it is easy to drive over something too high and have it scrape the bottom of your vehicle.

Jeep Wrangler Ground Clearances

On a standard Jeep Wrangler, the ground clearance is 8.3 inches and it goes up to 10 inches for the Wrangler Rubicon trim. If you are looking to even further increase the ground clearance adding a lift kit and larger tires are a great way to do it. Really, the higher the vehicle the more capable it is when off-roading and exploring unknown terrain.

Pay Attention to Your Vehicle’s Angles

There are three angles to keep in mind so you don’t damage a vehicle when off-roading at a course or off-the-beaten path. The three angles are departure, approach and break-over.

Breakover Angle: The breakover angle refers to the maximum angle (furthest the vehicle can be angled or tilted) without the middle of a vehicle’s undercarriage touching the ground, rock, or terrain. This is measured by the lowest point of the vehicle for safety, and most people tend to add an inch or two to this number to make extra sure they don’t damage their vehicle. Each number varies depending on Jeep trim.

Jeep Wrangler Breakover Angles

• Jeep Wrangler Sport and the Freedom Edition: 21.5 degrees
• Jeep Wrangler Sport S: 24.8 degrees
• Jeep Wrangler Sahara, 75th Anniversary Edition and Winter Edition: 25.1 degrees
• Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler and Rubicon/Hard Rock Rubicon: 25.8 degrees

Departure and Approach Angles: Departure and approach angles are similar. The departure angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can descend without the tail dragging, and the approach angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can crawl up without the front of the vehicle dragging. These both have to do with inclines, just one is up and the other is down. Just like with the break-over angle, angles vary depending on Jeep trim.

Jeep Wrangler Approach and Departure Angles

• Jeep Wrangler Sport and Freedom Edition: Departure angle – 29.1 degrees, Approach angle – 38.7 degrees
• Jeep Wrangler Sport S: Departure angle – 31.6 degrees, Approach angle – 41.5 degrees
• Jeep Wrangler Sahara, 75th Anniversary Edition and Winter Edition: Departure angle – 31.8 degrees, Approach angle – 41.7 degrees
• Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler and Rubicon/Hard Rock Rubicon: Departure angle – 32.3 degrees, Approach angle – 42.2 degrees

Now you are ready to safely off-road! Check out our Jeep Wrangler inventory at Miami Lakes Jeep here.

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