Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Extra ground clearance on a Mazda boxed +4

Worth bearing in mind that grounding is most likely towards the longitudinal centre point on chassis between wheels. The easiest and cheapest improvement is thus acheived by ensuring seat bolts (particularly front ones) are cut down or substituted for ones absolutely no longer than needed to accommodate nylock nuts. It also means that transmission is more vulnerable than engine sump over speed bumps assuming they are taken at gentle speeds.

Have not had any recent grounding issues on my Roadster despite only 85mm clearance on g/box cross member. I do take these narrrow/steep speed bumps found in supermarket and municipal car parks at an angle though.

The 3.0L Roadster sump issue tends to be overstated, although hit a gatepost and it will be catastrophic.

In 14 years of touring and bear in mind that we are surrounded by speedbumps here, I've only had one hit so far in a car park with a full width up and down flat hump. The contact came on the down, at very slow speed, because the drop was greater than on the road speedbumps.

My worst grounding was accidentally exiting a car park at an unofficial point, over a flush footpath but then front wheels dropping onto road from full height of kerb

The crunch seemed horrendous but not a scratch found anywhere on the car to my relief and amazement.

There’s not that much difference Dave but the Mazda box makes that horrible step. Dread to think what the wrong size metal post would do if it were to make contact.



I’m rather hoping the improved aerodynamics will offset the fuel overhead of lugging the deflector around

Looks very neatly engineered Roger

Thanks Jon


So another bit of undercarriage clutter added that might be better suited to the ‘what have you bodged today’ thread. Contrary to this thread’s title I’ve now joined the skid plate club and reduced my ground clearance, just a little.. I’ve become a convert as bolting a thin skid hard up against the cross member only actually loses 4mm clearance and it’s really not that heavy to lug around. It might just save the car from a bit of damage one day or even stop some random debris bouncing up and damaging that exposed brake pipe.



Bashed into shape form a 150x150x4 piece of steel plate off ebay for 6 quid and a little slither of 2” square section from my scrap box tacked on the back. Fortuitously the section fitted snugly inside the folded cross member, hopefully it will help take any impact off the fixing screws.

Nice work Roger

I have approx 100mm clearance to the skid plate

Thanks Craig. I’m around 95mm. You probably have a bit more than that on the road. I bet those wheels would have sunken into that sumptuous garage shag pile

Nice work Rog

I've been following all your additions and I'm tempted to take the full 'Ground Hog Day' package off you for my 2012 Duratec Plus 4

I must say I've not had a single bottoming out insident since the new rear spings and Bilsteins were fitted, those big old Billy bump stops are certainly doing their job.

However, grounding out will likely be a differnt story

Monty is now considerably lower than he was, and he really didnt like speed humps when he was sat higher so I don't think its a case of will Monty gound out, its more a case of when?

And when it happens, what damage will I suffer?

Dave.

Nice work with your upgrades too Dave. Monty is quite a unique motor and one of the last Duratecs, definitely a keeper. It’s really satisfying when it all comes together but those new springs might take a while to settle yet, gravity is relentless….. And keep a close eye on that front end too, I could be really tempted with a wishbone setup