TRX Rims Part3. Who has had them converted to 15inch? [Archive]

rnjstel

10-22-2005, 06:26 PM

Hi,

Don't want to generate a discussion about its merits, but I need to know who has had this done.

I read the column in MM from the Indy Pace Car Registry and, I am not sending a SASE to anywhere for info on the swap (go buy a web T.V. at least, it is 2005 for christs sake). An google search turns up more BMW garbage than I care about. I am starting to believe the TRX 390mm-15inch conversion is a Unicorn (everyone has heard about them but no one has seen it).

If you have done it or know first hand and can provide photos, or your experience with it please do so.

Thanks in advance for any and all info, I want to keep the TRX wheel but have a 15 or 16 on it.

negusm

10-22-2005, 08:59 PM

rnjstel

10-22-2005, 09:12 PM

There was a guy who sold a car on the board that already had them done by a previous owner down to 15". I asked and he didn't know who actually did it.

I found a place who did it for 4x4 wheels (its quite common for off road guys). They said they could do any steel wheel but wouldn't do alloy wheels.

-Mike

Thanks Mike,

The machine shop close to us decided to pass on doing the job, they are concerned about the "liability".

I was told somewhere on the eastern shore of Maryland there is a wheel shop that does it.

negusm

10-22-2005, 10:03 PM

http://www.stocktonwheel.com/

Contact these guys. Ask them for a referral if they won't do it.

-Mike

rnjstel

10-22-2005, 11:17 PM

http://www.stocktonwheel.com/

Contact these guys. Ask them for a referral if they won't do it.

-Mike

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!1

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

FoxChassis

10-23-2005, 09:46 AM

Can we PLEASE keep threads in this forum on topic? Modifying TRX wheels is just that, a modification. It is not a "restoration".

PetesPonies

10-23-2005, 12:38 PM

geez Fox Chassis...............unbelievable.

rnjstel

10-23-2005, 01:31 PM

Can we PLEASE keep threads in this forum on topic? Modifying TRX wheels is just that, a modification. It is not a "restoration".

I differ with that line of thought. I consider it restoration, as the Form, Fit and Function will be representative of the OEM TRX equipment. I am lucky to have one of the few cars ever equipped with both the Quad Shock and TRX.

I see it as no different than procuring the OEM Radio Chassis as I have done and send it out for update and modification to an new internal digital chassis with RCA plugs so I can hide a CD changer and have modern digital quality sound. From the outside there will be no difference to the OEM but its quality will be much improved. This is exactly what I hope to achieve with the TRX to 15 swap and I consider it restoration. The pre-73 crowd additionally utilizes moderns radials but, from the outside look like the original Bias-Ply’s.

If you want pure restoration threads, than anything (including cams, internals, WC T-5’s etc) should be disallowed if it is not as it rolled down DAP.

That is the quandary facing what is the vanguard of Fox restorers that I have asked of in my other post.

TuxStang

10-23-2005, 03:34 PM

Can we PLEASE keep threads in this forum on topic? Modifying TRX wheels is just that, a modification. It is not a "restoration".
With the availability of TRX tires running low every day and the ever higher prices of the few availables, i wouldn't consider this conversion as modification but adaptation to market reality. It keeps the design of the wheels, that's the most important.

FoxChassis

10-23-2005, 03:54 PM

Restoration Related (http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/index.php)

The restoration craze has slowly begun for the early Fox Mustangs and Capris. This forum is for discussion of factory-stock restoration, not modification. Owners of unrestored/unmolested vehicles are encouraged to participate as those cars are our best source of information for what is correct.

Announcement: New Forum Specifically For Restoration Issues (http://www.foureyedpride.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21606)

In order to help out those who want their car to be as factory-correct as possible, we have a new forum. This won't be for general repairs and this is NOT for modifications, this is for all those nit-picky things about hunting down the right parts, finding the right paint codes, replacing often-removed factory components, and, yes, even figuring out where the chalk and paint markings must have gone all those years ago.

There may well be some grey areas as to which forum to post in for what sort of question. If you're looking to just repair something, or modify something whether it be body, interior or mechanical, please post elsewhere. If you are wanting something to be as the car was manufactured, this is the place.

Some topics still might fall into those hard-to-classify zones, if that happens, please be understanding that moderators and administrators try their hardest to make the right judgement call.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we'll be moving some example topics from other forums to this one to better guide the direction of this area.

f4fntm

10-23-2005, 11:00 PM

No Mustangs came from the factory with 15" TRXs, so it's not a restoration issue. QED. It'll get more attention in another forum, anyway.

PetesPonies

10-24-2005, 09:02 AM

some of you guys are so damn tight I don't know how you are able to walk

negusm

10-24-2005, 09:07 AM

Well, I'm on the fence on this one for all the reasons cited above.

Maybe a higher power could rule on it and move the thread accordingly?...

-Mike

GT500KR

10-24-2005, 09:58 AM

I hope we can avoid splitting hairs here. When folks are trying to make their car stock or as stock as possible, issues arise...money, resources, availability. But they still want their car stock or appear stock...restored. I for one enjoy conversations about how folks go at it. And I will go to the restoration section for it. If I need help with a 347, I won't. Please recognize folks start most links with the best intentions in this section; if they take off with a lot of replies, it is because folks in the restoration section are interested. I for one would in fact look for TRX wheel topics in restoration because no one for sure is going to use them for any serious performance application. The non-restoration guys wouldn't bring up a TRX wheel unless it was on an anchor rope. I hope to see more dialogue about restoration issues even if they aren't 100 point. Thanks

MHISSTC

10-24-2005, 02:16 PM

I like operating in the grey area...

With TRX tires still available, although at very high prices, I feel machining down TRX wheels is a modification of original equipment.

However, if the correct TRX tires ever become completely unavailable, in order to keep the original appearance of a vehicle, it will become necessary to modify the wheels to fit another tire. At that point we could return all of the threads talking about modifying TRX wheels back to the restoration section.

I'ts clear as mud.

gregpro50

10-24-2005, 02:54 PM

Do you guys see the TRX tires as always being available?? I certainly dont.

I know many people that have turned in their TRX rims for scrap aluminum rather than try to sell them. I would rather run a TRX rim on my car when it is done but I am definitely not going to pay $200 per tire.

Machining the rim is a RESTORATION issue because it deals with keeping the ORIGINAL appearance of the car. Thats what a restoration is anyway, restoring a car to its original appearance. No one is going to see my car passing them on the highway and say "Hey, those are 15" tires on TRX wheels."

IMO, machining of the TRX rim just might be the only future for this rim. I feel this topic belongs here as well as the topic of locating the original equipment Michelin tires...

negusm

10-24-2005, 03:04 PM

gregpro50

10-24-2005, 03:09 PM

negusm

10-24-2005, 03:13 PM

I just didnt think so because I never thought there would be any real demand for them. I would really like to see the price go down for the tires though.

I kinda wish the aftermarket wheel makers would make a 16" repro version of the TRX rim. Now that would be nice.. 8)

Considering they came stock on some Ferraris (and BMWs and more?)....there will always be some around....maybe just not at a reasonable price where you could put 20k miles on them a year.

-Mike

MHISSTC

10-24-2005, 03:57 PM

I kinda wish the aftermarket wheel makers would make a 16" repro version of the TRX rim.

THAT would be sweet! I'd jump on those in a heartbeat instead of trying to track down a set of TRX rims, caps, and lugs that are usable and look good enough to put on a stock vehicle without spending silly amounts of money on reconditioning them or buying overpriced tires made with obsolete technology.

I'd rather drive it and have it look just like it did new without being an exact copy of how it left the factory.

The "restoration" of my Capri GS will go so far as to have the original radio, interior and body pieces, but will have updated "consumables" such as plugs, plug wires, coils, distributor caps, radiator, heater, and vacumn hoses, and tires...maybe even an aluminum radiator painted radiator black and possibly even an 8.8 rear in place of the 7.5. I think I'll even keep the...(collective gasp of horror)...CFI!
Considering they came stock on some Ferraris (and BMWs and more?)....there will always be some around....maybe just not at a reasonable price where you could put 20k miles on them a year.

True. Everything in the car world gets obsoleted after 10 years. That translates to only serious collectors and restorers trying to find the stuff at premium prices from niche suppliers. When was the TRX tire last consistently used on a production vehicle? I know it came to an end on the Capri in '85 and the Mustang in '84.

gregpro50

10-24-2005, 04:11 PM

I never knew they came on anything else other that Fords. I thought it was just some joke Ford played.

I learn something new everyday.

rnjstel

10-24-2005, 04:22 PM

http://www.stocktonwheel.com/

Contact these guys. Ask them for a referral if they won't do it.

-Mike

Big Zero from Frank at Stockton Wheel..... :(

Thanks anyway

rnjstel

10-24-2005, 04:27 PM

Do you guys see the TRX tires as always being available?? I certainly dont.

They will be around forever. They were used on many other cars than just mid 80's Mustangs/Capris/Cougars/etc. If you open up antique/classic tire catalogs, they have all sorts of crazy tires that you wouldn't think would still be made in this day and age.

-Mike

Coker has them, for the time being they are availible although pricey.

I am sure I can still get a NOS Members Only Jacket but, I dont want to :D

Truth is they were and are lousy tires, good for the dawning of the Atari 2600 age but they just dont cut it in an X box world.

I want the TRX rim to look OEM but, also want and expect modern handiling.

FoxChassis

10-24-2005, 05:59 PM

I guess i can put fiberglass fenders, doors, and a hatch on my car then, and call it a restoration, since they look the same as stock/factory. :roll:

evlgt85

10-24-2005, 06:12 PM

Aiight, time out kids.

I'm going to let this one sit for now. It is a very borderline thing, and I do consider it a modification, although I can understand the intent of it.

rnjstel

10-24-2005, 06:24 PM

How much Bandwidth or space would it take to add another sub-category as a compromise ... Resto-Mod???

I hate to lift the phrase from the pre-73 crowd but it might be needed.

There seems to be two differing points of view on this one. My personal belief is if Form Fit and Function is representative of what is was equipped with when it rolled down DAP than it is OK.

rnjstel

10-24-2005, 06:28 PM

I just didnt think so because I never thought there would be any real demand for them. I would really like to see the price go down for the tires though.

I kinda wish the aftermarket wheel makers would make a 16" repro version of the TRX rim. Now that would be nice.. 8)

Brillant!!! :D

If they can make 22's with spinning dollar signs, why would someone not make a TRX in 16??

5.0 Resto are you reading this??

gregpro50

10-24-2005, 06:38 PM

I guess i can put fiberglass fenders, doors, and a hatch on my car then, and call it a restoration, since they look the same as stock/factory. :roll:

Were not talking about fiberglass wheels here... Would you concider mounting a reproduction steel fender a modification since its not original?

evlgt85

10-24-2005, 06:49 PM

http://evlgt85.com/gallery/albums/album18/zipit.jpg

ZIP IT!

And back on topic.

:)

gregpro50

10-24-2005, 06:56 PM

:lol:

Moving on....

gregpro50

10-24-2005, 07:00 PM

Brillant!!! :D

If they can make 22's with spinning dollar signs, why would someone not make a TRX in 16??

5.0 Resto are you reading this??

Its not like they would take much machine work or be too labor intensive to make. It is really a pretty simple design. The reason I said I "kinda wished" is that I think you might start seeing them alot on all different kinds of mustangs and it would take away the identity of the original TRX's. Kinda like the Cobra R's but not as extensive.

merkerguitars

10-24-2005, 08:18 PM

I have a friend that went for school machine tool, i'm gonna talk to him about machining a trx for 15 inch tire, should be doable with a big enough lathe.

390mm = 15.354" / 2 = .177" taken off

Ok I talked to my friend tonight, he said it should be doable if we mount the rim to a sawed off axle and then chuck it in a lathe. How much would you guys be willing to pay to get your rims machined without shipping?

PetesPonies

10-25-2005, 07:42 PM

it is more than just machining them...that is easy. What I think needs to be done is cut one wheel apart. This allows you to see the cross section of the aluminum. Then you can make a better determination as to whether that area of the wheel can handle .177 removed from it without compromizing the integrity of the wheel. That is about 3/16" of material removed...not a small amount.

TuxStang

10-26-2005, 01:56 AM

I have a friend that went for school machine tool, i'm gonna talk to him about machining a trx for 15 inch tire, should be doable with a big enough lathe.

390mm = 15.354" / 2 = .177" taken offIt's not just a question of removing some metal, the tire bed is different and incompatible with regular tires.
Considering they came stock on some Ferraris (and BMWs and more?)....there will always be some around....maybe just not at a reasonable price where you could put 20k miles on them a year.Consider nobody else except Michelin builds them anymore (and last rumors saying Michelin sold the moulds) ... Also, there was various sizes of TRX, not only 390 (Ferrari, Renault, used different sizes), or aspect ratios (Peugeot had the same aspect ration as Ford, but different from BMW). Last time i asked to Michelin (two years ago), they were no more making 190/65R390 and they only had two limited productions a year ...
Ferrari/Peugeot/Renault/BMW owners have already switched to actual tires from a long time, TRX market share is no longer viable since years. Of course they still might be around for some years for collectible market, but as for many vintage tires, in limited choice and availability, and really high prices.

ashley roachclip

10-28-2005, 08:02 PM

get this guys , I've not only had this done years ago , ....turned on lathe , ran tires for 4or 5 years , never had trouble with the beads seating , and if you read this edition of Mustang Monthly , page 95 ....Indy Pace Car Registry has some one that can do it also ....for 300.00 each
stay on track ....!

merkerguitars

10-29-2005, 02:40 AM

Ok, I looked at a set of trx's i had laying around the garage, they seem like there is much for material that would be left after shaving, but I'll have to check again once I pull the tire off the rim.

rnjstel

10-29-2005, 09:13 AM

I have scored a set of new TRX tires and rims off another car, I will be getting them Tuesday night. Now, having the true OE tires, I am going to take my OE tire-less TRX rims and have them done by a machine shop that is willing to give it a go.

I will photo and document everything. Now instead of using the 85 10-holes for the driver wheels, I will use a 15 TRX conversion (if it works) and keep the OE TRX tire and wheels I scored for Carlilsle and such.

79_5.0

10-31-2005, 08:16 PM

Now being a fresh Capri owner, i don't know what TRX rims are, but I do have the original rims for the car with the original tires. i don't know what kind of rims they are but i do know that machining them would be a bad idea, i had to pick up a set of rims from a 90 GT in order to buy new tires, because i can't order the metric tires in Canada.

Boomer82gt

10-31-2005, 09:08 PM

I took a TRX rim to a local machine shop to have them give me a quote and they declined. Guy told me it was too dangerous to machine that much off. I was surprised but this guy has been in the trade for quite a few years.

So now I'm looking for some Michelin TRX wheels. Has anybody else found them at Walmart?

Thanks,
Joe

black86capri50

10-31-2005, 09:43 PM

when i was still working at firestone we did it ourselves on one of the guys wheels (employee) put the wheel on the axle on the lift, ran it in neuteral, and let her rip with a die grinder with a ball end carbide bur, measuring with the eye-crometer, and lo and behold, with a little bead sealer (looks like tar) it worked, we only did it once, and that was because we were told we couldn't do it, but we did, we changed bolt patterns on rotors too, and studded bmw, merc and vw rotors, it is amazing what you can do when you are bored

MHISSTC

11-01-2005, 01:27 AM

...and studded bmw, merc and vw rotors...

What are studded rotors?

79_5.0

11-01-2005, 04:11 PM

I took a TRX rim to a local machine shop ...

... So now I'm looking for some Michelin TRX wheels. Has anybody else found them at Walmart?

I have a set of TRX rims that originally came on the car

black86capri50

11-02-2005, 03:22 PM

the vw/bmw/mercedes use lub bolts, not wheel studs, we used to drill them out for people and press in studs, i have some "studded" 5x4.5 11in vw scirocco rotors around here somewhere, to put in studs and change the vw to 5 lug was all the rage in the early 90's

projectfox

11-04-2005, 04:40 PM

TuxStang

11-04-2005, 05:12 PM

He isn't right, TRX can't be 15" from factory, they can only be 390mm on Mustang (but i don't see where he states they are 15" on this site)

MHISSTC

11-04-2005, 10:38 PM

negusm

11-04-2005, 10:57 PM

heres a set here if hes right that they are 15's from factory on www.prestigemustang.com heres the link http://www.prestigemustang.com/index.php?dev=newarrivals&action=display&id=127&cat=2&pic=1 and have them refinished if needed :D

Why is that car a parts car? It says Damage: worn
If I used that criteria to destroy my cars, I'd be walking a lot!

Yes, so as to not stir the anger of the gods. Lets not go into the whole "why is that car being parted" thing. Lets keep it about TRX wheels as close as possible.

-Mike

MHISSTC

11-04-2005, 11:03 PM

Yes, so as to not stir the anger of the gods. Lets not go into the whole "why is that car being parted" thing. Lets keep it about TRX wheels as close as possible.

-Mike

Agreed.

Since the parting out is already in progress, it didn't stop me from firing off an email asking for a condition report and price quote on the rims, center caps, tires, lug nuts, and shipping to my door. :hehe:

silver85

11-06-2005, 10:38 AM

Just to pose a question. After reading this it seems that most people are just trying to machine them down just enough to fit a 15" tire on. Why not have the rim machined down to the center chunk and have hoops put on them? It would be like many of the late 80's aftermarket wheels that are two piece. That's how my Saleen rims are. You could get them in whatever width you want and whatever backspacing or possibly have them put in 16" hoops. A good place to start that research is www.wheelcollision.com They could at least tell you who might be able to do that. It'd be cool to see the rim in a different backspacing for daily driving. To me the rims look alright, but are just a little too skinny and sit too far inboard. But, it's awesome to see them on an unmodified Capri or Mustang.

projectfox

11-09-2005, 11:49 AM

shoot em a e mail they got back to me in the same day about the rust free doors i was looking for :D

rnjstel

11-12-2005, 05:38 PM

Its worth the hassle, TRX rims just look right. I finally got the set I bought off the other 84 that was being parted on my AE. I could just imagine them with 16 and TRX rims...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c261/rstel/IMG_9244.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c261/rstel/IMG_9256.jpg[/img]

Mustang Marty

11-18-2005, 08:05 PM

Why not have the rim machined down to the center chunk and have hoops put on them? It would be like many of the late 80's aftermarket wheels that are two piece. That's how my Saleen rims are. You could get them in whatever width you want and whatever backspacing or possibly have them put in 16" hoops... .

Years ago, one of the car mags (Hot Rod, PHR, or Car Craft) cut out the centers of the TRX and had them welded into the center of a Centerline wheel. At the time, there wasn't a selection of 15" wheels available for a Mustang. Same idea, different execution.

2manycars

11-18-2005, 11:07 PM

He isn't right, TRX can't be 15" from factory, they can only be 390mm on Mustang (but i don't see where he states they are 15" on this site)

I believe his is true with one possible exception.

From some of my memoralbilia, the actual track Pace Cars had Goodyear Wingfoot tires on them. I even have a factory Ford photo that clearly shows that the tires are Goodyears on the Pace car in the picture.

Does anyone have any info on the tire size of the Goodyears?

If the TRX rims were machined from a casting (or even billet), who says they couldn't have had a little extra aluminum on them so they could be turned down to accept a 15" tire?

I have often thought about having some TRX wheels machined out of billet.

Maybe if FEP could get a group purchase set-up with a wheel manufacturer or aftermarket company, the price on having them made wouldn't be such a large pill to swallow.

Maybe we could even talk Shannon at Latemodel Restoration into helping out with this task.

Boss 429

11-18-2005, 11:51 PM

I really like all this infro. on the Trx wheels, but for the cost,is it (your car)really going to handle that much better? are the TRX tires "that hard to find? I seem to have found so many (good useable tires/wheels) at Swap meets, I have quit stock-piling them. Gregg M.

gregpro50

11-23-2005, 04:52 PM

From some of my memoralbilia, the actual track Pace Cars had Goodyear Wingfoot tires on them. I even have a factory Ford photo that clearly shows that the tires are Goodyears on the Pace car in the picture.

Does anyone have any info on the tire size of the Goodyears?

The Goodyears came in the same metric size as the michelins. My pacecar had a set of badly worn wingfoots on it when I got it. They arent available anymore. I also used to buy Avon's but they arent available either.

PetesPonies

11-24-2005, 06:36 AM

there used to be a company that did computer rebuilds on tires. It is a little more than your basic retreading. They do them for airlines etc too. Anyway, they had metric tires for TRX wheels. It has been a few years since I saw anything. I am not sure if they still are in operation and if they still do these tires.