ground clearance / steep driveway entrance

[Alec]

My MX5 (NC) has about 7" ground clearance at the nose, and I can enter/exit my driveway at an angle and not scrape, no problem at all. My brother-in-law's GT350 Mustang has a 6" clearance at the nose, at 38" in front of the front wheel center, and he cannot get onto my driveway with scraping. Should I expect to have a similar problem (that would require curb ramps or some other solution) with my MK4 when it is built? I'm guessing the overhang for the roadster is more like my miata than his much longer mustang.

I suppose I could build a test frame out of wood to try it with 5" nose clearance, if I knew the front overhang dimension. Better yet, anyone want to bring their car over to my house and try it (slowly) ?? Northwest Atlanta suburbs.

[CraigS]

I think you are correct. The FFR body is fairly low but it is close the front wheels. I have scrapped the 4 in tubes back in the middle of the car a few times going over parking lot speed bumps but the front cleared them just fine.

[Slow and Slightly Angry]

I have a similar issue with the entrance to my driveway. I don't have any numbers on it but I put air cups on my front end. Should give 2" at the wheel so slightly more at the front end.170148
170149

[Hoooper]

Couple things will help you and I think youll be fine. The tires are really close to the front of the car. The lowest part of the front of the body is higher than the frame, so a 4" ride height is more like 5-6" to the body. If you pull in at an angle, only the center area around the oil cooler is low (not even low by modern standards), the sides are a couple inches higher, so the part that passes over the driveway first isnt even the lowest part of the body.

[Theshandman]

Northwest Atlanta suburbs.
Alec, I'm interested to know how it goes for you and how you address your challenge. I live in Big Canoe just north of you which you may know is fraught with steep hills and in my case, a steep driveway with a worrisome transition angle to the road.
Art

[Alec]

Alec, I'm interested to know how it goes for you and how you address your challenge. I live in Big Canoe just north of you which you may know is fraught with steep hills and in my case, a steep driveway with a worrisome transition angle to the road.
Art

Art - Well I think you will be addressing it first since my kit is still 6 weeks out from production! I know the Big Canoe roads (and some of the driveways) are something to behold. The comments above have put my mind at-ease a bit. Sounds like my Miata is a good proxy. By the way, if you'd have me, I would love to stop by and see your in-progress build at some point. In return, I can try to bottom-out my car's nose on your driveway!

[Alec]

I have a similar issue with the entrance to my driveway. I don't have any numbers on it but I put air cups on my front end. Should give 2" at the wheel so slightly more at the front end.170148
170149

That's a cool option. Any downsides, other than the cost?

[Slow and Slightly Angry]

5 second delay without a tank and only the compressor. They are upside down in the only configuration that works so they will collect debris. I think I paid $750 for the setup. It's 1 button activation so that will be nice.

[Theshandman]

...my Miata is a good proxy...I would love to stop by...I can try to bottom-out my car's nose on your driveway!

Yes indeed, Alec. Love to have you swing by for a driveway test and see what I have going on. My build pard had a Miata and it did clear my driveway.
PM me for further discussion. Or, no secret, email me at theshandman@gmail.com.
Art