Questor
Huge member
As we age and go though life, we go through different phases, trying new things, and hopefully learning along the way...
From Adventure Bikes, to Tacomas, to full sized Expedition Vehicles, we learn the strengths and weaknesses of each and incorporate that into our sphere of knowledge.
And then you start to dream and wonder, and plan, and rationalize...
I want the speed and visceral experience of a motorcycle, with the climate control of a tacoma, and a kitchen.
The next thing you know, you've gone and done something... weird.
May I present, the Off-Road Miata!
I love riding the twisty roads in the Appalachian mountains. Its one of the reasons I moved here.
The Nantahala National Forest and others contain thousands of miles of narrow dirt roads, which are a delightful combination of scenic views and hidden waterfalls.
But I got tired of riding in the rainforest climate of the Western Carolinas. In the summer we get a big thunderstorm pretty much every evening. I got tired of riding in the rain, soaked from the humidity and wanted more storage space.
So a convertible sports car seemed to be the optimal solution, till I got to my first dirt roads...
So I hatched a plan to make a sports car more dirt road capable.
First, we need bigger tires and lift to fit them.
27"x8.5" on a stock 14" rim works and there are some good Mud Terrain tires available in that size. There cheap too! About $120 / ea.
Then we needed a lift and new suspension. Through the internet, I discovered Paco Moto. They sell a suspension kit with moderate long travel, and coilovers so I could set the height.
Then we got to work.
With a lot of fender cutting, a bunch of new holes in the trunk, we were able to get things to fit with minimal rubbing.
Front fender.
Rear fender.
Then let's see if we can get a neutral stance out of the suspension.
We were able to get a good alignment and I spent the next two months testing and tuning the suspension. Sure we could have lifted it all the way for maximum clearance, but that would be hard on the rear axles. I wanted good handling on moderate dirt roads. I knew I would never be rock crawing with this.... or will I?
But for the majority of the dirt roads I'll be driving I think I've found a good compromise.
From Adventure Bikes, to Tacomas, to full sized Expedition Vehicles, we learn the strengths and weaknesses of each and incorporate that into our sphere of knowledge.
And then you start to dream and wonder, and plan, and rationalize...
I want the speed and visceral experience of a motorcycle, with the climate control of a tacoma, and a kitchen.
The next thing you know, you've gone and done something... weird.
May I present, the Off-Road Miata!
I love riding the twisty roads in the Appalachian mountains. Its one of the reasons I moved here.
The Nantahala National Forest and others contain thousands of miles of narrow dirt roads, which are a delightful combination of scenic views and hidden waterfalls.
But I got tired of riding in the rainforest climate of the Western Carolinas. In the summer we get a big thunderstorm pretty much every evening. I got tired of riding in the rain, soaked from the humidity and wanted more storage space.
So a convertible sports car seemed to be the optimal solution, till I got to my first dirt roads...
So I hatched a plan to make a sports car more dirt road capable.
First, we need bigger tires and lift to fit them.
27"x8.5" on a stock 14" rim works and there are some good Mud Terrain tires available in that size. There cheap too! About $120 / ea.
Then we needed a lift and new suspension. Through the internet, I discovered Paco Moto. They sell a suspension kit with moderate long travel, and coilovers so I could set the height.
Then we got to work.
With a lot of fender cutting, a bunch of new holes in the trunk, we were able to get things to fit with minimal rubbing.
Front fender.
Rear fender.
Then let's see if we can get a neutral stance out of the suspension.
We were able to get a good alignment and I spent the next two months testing and tuning the suspension. Sure we could have lifted it all the way for maximum clearance, but that would be hard on the rear axles. I wanted good handling on moderate dirt roads. I knew I would never be rock crawing with this.... or will I?
But for the majority of the dirt roads I'll be driving I think I've found a good compromise.
Last edited:
