--- title: "This ND Mazda Miata on 30-inch Mud Tires is the Off-Roader We’ve Waited For" description: "This off-road-ready Mazda Miata RF kit, which brings 30-inch tires and uses custom tubular steel bumpers, could be yours one day." date: "2022-07-31" modified: "2022-07-31" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-na-mazda-miata-on-30-inch-mud-tires-is-the-off-roader-weve-waited-for" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "Mazda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "compact" - "Convertible" - "mazda" - "miata" --- # This ND Mazda Miata on 30-inch Mud Tires is the Off-Roader We’ve Waited For ![]() A few years back, the team at[ Paco Motorsports](), based in central Kentucky, built an NA [Mazda Miata]() "Offroadster" and it became popular with local enthusiasts. So much so that a client came to Paco and asked if they could do the same but for an ND Miata. While Paco Motorsports doesn't really build customer cars, this client was insistent. Plus, the Paco team already had a 2017 ND Mazda Miata RF as a development car. So they got to work building this off-road Miata RF on 30-inch mud tires. The suspension kit was designed first, using modified Koni shocks with longer progressive springs, to provide 8-9-inches of wheel travel at each corner. The entire rear suspension geometry was also changed, giving the off-road Miata a two-inch longer wheelbase. To accommodate the massive 30-inch rear tires and 28-inch front tires, both bumpers were removed and replaced with CAD-designed tubular bumper guards. The customer wanted five-lug wheels, so Paco had to swap out the four-lug hubs for five-lug units. ![]() ![]() ![]() The fenders were also cut and given steel fender flares, which were then covered in bed liner material. Lastly, the side rocker sliders were also designed in CAD and made from steel tubing. Hella spotlights rest inside the front tubular steel bumper and Hella LED headlights, with high and low beam, are going to be fitted in the near future. There are some other potential mods coming, such as a trunk rack and a wrap, but the car is mostly done. After it does some promotional rounds, at Barber Motorsports Park and a couple of [Miata reunions](), the customer will take delivery of their off-road Miata. The best part of this build, though, is that it could soon become available to any Miata owner who wants it. Mark Rivera of Paco Motorsports told *The Drive* that they plan on selling the suspension mods for Miata owners. They might also sell the bumpers and rocker sliders as well but that's not certain just yet. Though, there's currently no word on how much these parts will cost. ![]() ![]() ![]() No changes were made to the engine, though. So it still uses Mazda's naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder, with 155 horsepower. Even with its modest power output, the off-road Mazda Miata looks like a blast and I'm sure Paco Motorsports is going to get quite a few orders once people start seeing it. ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()