TRX wheel centers...the look with 295-50-16 drag radials

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

Last night I got my first glance at what 79-84 Mustang TRX wheels might look like if Ford had made them in a 15 x 8 or 16 x 8 sizes, and then some 295-50-16 M/T Street Drag Radials were mounted.

I am kind of diggin' the 2500 satin finish myself. Can't wait to get the fronts done so I can get a whole car shot (after a car wash of course...LOL)

[DRAGTOP89]

Hmmmmm? Nice,what wheels ARE THOSE?

[Jaymoney]

Looks good. I always liked the TRX's and often thought about doing the same thing when I finally buy a project four-eye. Did you change the backspacing? If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to do this? Those TRX's look really good on T-Birds!

[craigerSS]

I'm liking it

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

Hmmmmm? Nice,what wheels ARE THOSE?

Centerline 16 x 8 with 5" BS

[davidmorez]

How did you that ? It looks solid !

[PaceFever79]

I'm putting my order in for a set of these!

When can you have them done?

[2003z06]

I am still confused????? Did you cut the center out and use as a hubcap or are they rehooped????? Looks good!

[varn82]

Whatever it is, I like it. I would gladly get a set turned down to fit over my current wheels. Very cool.

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

I am still confused????? Did you cut the center out and use as a hubcap or are they rehooped????? Looks good!

Yes, I cut the centers out of discarded wheels. Then I had them machined to about 14 -3/16 " diameter. The machine shop made them so I got a tight fit.
I use 3 inch long wheel studs and mount the wheels as normal with 4 lugs.
Then I bolt on the TRX centers with another 4 lug nuts.

I took a disk brake dust shield and cut out the center to provide a black background so you cannot see the wheel behind the TRX center.

Yes, they are glorified hubcaps, but I got the look I wanted without all the major expenses.

[2003z06]

Yes, I cut the centers out of discarded wheels. Then I had them machined to about 14 -3/16 " diameter. The machine shop made them so I got a tight fit.
I use 3 inch long wheel studs and mount the wheels as normal with 4 lugs.
Then I bolt on the TRX centers with another 4 lug nuts.

I took a disk brake dust shield and cut out the center to provide a black background so you cannot see the wheel behind the TRX center.

Yes, they are glorified hubcaps, but I got the look I wanted without all the major expenses.

Very cool.

[mustang4life1985]

Those look really cool. I'm really digging those wheels. Always liked the TRX wheels, but not crazy for the tires.

[Turbo Futura]

Yes, I cut the centers out of discarded wheels. Then I had them machined to about 14 -3/16 " diameter. The machine shop made them so I got a tight fit.
I use 3 inch long wheel studs and mount the wheels as normal with 4 lugs.
Then I bolt on the TRX centers with another 4 lug nuts.

I took a disk brake dust shield and cut out the center to provide a black background so you cannot see the wheel behind the TRX center.

Yes, they are glorified hubcaps, but I got the look I wanted without all the major expenses.

How did you come up with this idea? I've heard of cutting out the centers and and have them attached to another wheel hoop. Pricey.

[PaceFever79]

Yes, I cut the centers out of discarded wheels. Then I had them machined to about 14 -3/16 " diameter. The machine shop made them so I got a tight fit.
I use 3 inch long wheel studs and mount the wheels as normal with 4 lugs.
Then I bolt on the TRX centers with another 4 lug nuts.

I took a disk brake dust shield and cut out the center to provide a black background so you cannot see the wheel behind the TRX center.

Yes, they are glorified hubcaps, but I got the look I wanted without all the major expenses.

That's the best hot rod trick I've seen in a long time!

[Capriman86]

Love it!!!


My only question is , if you do this on the front do you risk overheating the brakes? I don't see thru, so I assume you have a blackout behind it somehow.

[PaceFever79]

Love it!!!


My only question is , if you do this on the front do you risk overheating the brakes? I don't see thru, so I assume you have a blackout behind it somehow.

He painted the centerline solid flat centers, then bolted on the TRX cutouts using 3" studs and a second set of lug nuts. It's trick!

[Capriman86]

OHHHHH ok, gotcha, thanks for clarifying that and you know what, I was thinking after I posted that old centerlines and cragar sst's and such were solid wheels.

I shouldn't post late at night. LOL

[arj]

Yes, I cut the centers out of discarded wheels. Then I had them machined to about 14 -3/16 " diameter. The machine shop made them so I got a tight fit.
I use 3 inch long wheel studs and mount the wheels as normal with 4 lugs.
Then I bolt on the TRX centers with another 4 lug nuts.

I took a disk brake dust shield and cut out the center to provide a black background so you cannot see the wheel behind the TRX center.

Yes, they are glorified hubcaps, but I got the look I wanted without all the major expenses.

^^^This is pure genius.

Now I wonder if it might be possible to use wheels with spokes that would hide behind the TRX center, so that the black dust shield wouldn't be necessary. Maybe something with three spokes? Or six narrow spokes, in pairs like the TRX?

If the wheels had a similar layout as the TRX, and if the centers were painted black, it might be possible to see through to the brakes without noticing the wheel centers behind the TRX.

[sowaxeman]

This my friend is pure genious...I love it. Will be printing this for a future project as I have plenty of spare TRX's laying around. I bow down to you for your ingenuity

[2112COBRA]

WOW!!! That looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good idea!! Love the TRX's

[PaceFever79]

How much did they charge you to cut the TRX centers out?

[homer302]

How much weights were required when you had them balanced is my question. Any vibrations/wobble at highway speed? Sounds very heavy but it looks incredibly awesome.

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

Thanks everyone for the compliments !

To answer some questions:
* The TRX centers themselves are very well balanced even after machining, so they do not affect the drive-ability. On the T-Bird TRX center project the car drove as normal.
* The Center Line wheels with TRX centers weigh the same as 10 hole 15 inchers do.
* The valve stem hole are fill-welded with a tig welder.
* The first machinist I went to in 2006 charged me 20 dollars apiece to finish to size. He lost his shop so I had to pay 70 dollars for 2 to be done by an in-town shop. Little pricey for me, but i really wanted them done.
* With the total wheel/tire weight the same as a cast aluminum wheel, durability/ driveability has not been an issue.

Here's the cut apart shot;






Here's Jack Roush's TRX wheels he had widened way back in the day: (of course his are cut/welded versions)







My T-Bird TRX project pics:

[vascj]

you're da man...I've always loved the TRX wheels, they were awesome and really defined the early foxes. nice work and creativity!

[Durango]

I am not a huge TRX fan, but damn sir - that is EPIC GENIUSNESS right there. Props.