Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - Extra ground clearance on a Mazda boxed +4

A quick bit of bodging this afternoon that I’ve been meaning to do for a while that maybe worth a post.

I’m sure anybody with this model is familiar with that shocking scraping sound a few inches from your bottom whilst negotiating some speed bumps (not to mention the embarrassment from any wincing bystander observing). The culprit will most probably be the low slung factory fabricated rear Mazda gearbox mounting arrangement extending from beneath the car. Its centrally located between front and back wheels incorporating two downward protruding bolts for maximum effect. A feature I don’t recollect on my previous Duratec with a MT75 box.

Here’s the culprit and this measurement is with an empty car, a good pair of springs and taller profile tyres than the standard fit giving about an extra centimetre of lift. Speed bumps can be up to 100mm high.


And shown here with the bolts trimmed back if you look closely. It was my initial attempt at a fix.


A little reconfiguration seemed appropriate so a couple of countersunk screws now fitted.




I should also be able to get over the pavement and drive into my garage with a greater payload too. Every little helps……

Thought I’d posted this some time ago. Inspired by this thread and having experience a local speed bump I decided to buy the Williams kit and make my own bell housing protector.

Both seen action and worked fine for last 4-5 months.

A bit more undercarriage streamlining…..

This unfortunate mismatch between the Mazda bellhousing and Ford sump castings is a little disconcerting

Again only a feature on post 2010 +4’s. My previous 2006 MT75 bellhousing was nicely integrated and flush with the Duratec sump however this arrangement leaves a protruding step very nearly as low as the cross member. If the step ever took a significant clout the impact might get transferred to the diff/transmission. So as there was a spare hole in the bellhousing it seemed prudent to try a little deflector block the same thickness as the step.

4mm tread plate, 25mm angle with 2x 8mm holes. M8 nuts and bolts. Tread plate secured to angle with 6mm HD rivets. Angle cold bent by about 10 degrees.