TRX Wheel Project: Part 2

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

I did the T-Bird TRX wheels...now it is time for the Mustang TRX wheel

Here is a cut -up shot with the centers ready to head to the machine shop.
The centers will work perfect inside a 15 inch hoop....better than the T-Bird/Cougar.

Just need to find a shop that can expand the hoop with a flame, then set the TRX center in and position to whatever backspacing I want....then do the final 360 degree welding.

Jack Roush had this done in 1979 or 1980 I believe...it was in Hot Rod magazine. I am going to dig out the mag and scan the pics and put them on here....Blew me away when I saw them in the magazine.

This way, I can get any backspacing I want.

[eric5oh]

I admire your ambition. This project is badass.

[fordguy]

now that's cool. much better than the hubcaps you made out of the bird wheels.

[Dean_T]

Interesting! Like to see how it all turns out.

Dean T

[Mustang Marty]

I am looking at doing the same thing. There is a wheel shop down the street from me that can do it. They will also polish them and powder coat them clear. We just need to talk price....

[79mustangcobra]

Look at you! How did you cut the wheel? That is nice. I think I have that Hot Rod issue somewhere too.

Thanks for the pictures and keep us posted!

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

Look at you! How did you cut the wheel? That is nice. I think I have that Hot Rod issue somewhere too.

Thanks for the pictures and keep us posted!

I cut it up with a chop saw. I hate cutting them that way, but it is the cheapest way. ( makes a terrible mess)

I went looking for that article last night. I started with the Sept. 78 issue thru the 1983 issues of both Hot Rod and Car Craft but had no luck. Of course I was looking in the table of contents on every issue. My next try will be to look at every page.

I remember Jack Roush had giant rears ( TRX) and narrowed TRXs for the front. The layout was in black and white. He had a built 351 Cleveland with 2 fours I believe.

[R825OH]

That is so cool I hope you find some one to do it lmk when yuo do .I like wy 16's but TRX's look so good and correct

[mustang4life1985]

This is definitely a awesome project. Thumbs up all the way and they will look awesome when they are done. I definitely wish a regular 15" tire would fit the rims. It's ridiculous that a new tire for these rims costs $356.00 a piece.

[sleepercoupe]

i know the car you are talking about! and its not going to be on the table of contents it seems to me i remember it was just a little half page thing with a small picture. looks awesome though! if i ever had a use for trx's i would be dropping them in some 17 inch hoops!

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

Well, I finially found it. I thought it was Jack Roush's car, but it is not. He helped build the car.
The rear wheels are Centerline with TRX centers and Ansen fronts with TRX centers...welded in. ( Page 78-81 Hot Rod Sept. 1983)

Could this possibly be the first Fox Mustang built with a cowl hood?

[R825OH]

Man that is so cool I'm gonna do it to mine when I can(financially)

[79rsx5.0]

Nice imfo!!

[TR1]

Just think, that Mustang was only 2 years old at the time.

[sunsport186]

You are the man, keep up the good work. Let me check around but i think i can come up with a set to donate to the cause.

[Horton]

This thread has got me thinking....where can you buy wheel hoops?

[SVO4PWR2]

i did my SVO rear wheels stock 16 x 7, made them into 17 x 9.
i had the car at the MCA 40th. i'll see if i have pics.

i always thought about doing TRX wheels for my 85 XR7 but never did.

-RICH-

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

There is a place that will widen wheels in Michigan...www.weldcraftwheels.com

Putting a cut 15 " wheel backside onto a TRX center would not be a problem, however getting the front part (lip) of a 15 inch wheel grafted onto the TRX center would be the problem.

Putting them into 15 inch hoops is the cleanest solution.

I have to think a wheel maker could do this if I supplied the centers at a specified diameter of the centers.

Those TRX centers are forged aluminum, so strength would not be an issue, and they are thick so welding them 360 degrees should make them strong.

Anybody got any leads on a place that can do this?

[fred414141]

stockton wheel,if it goes between a tire and a lug nut,they do it

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

You are the man, keep up the good work. Let me check around but i think i can come up with a set to donate to the cause.

I would like to thank Kevin ( sunsport186) for donating a wheel.

He really helped me out because one of the 4 TRX wheels I had was different than the other 3 and he supplied a 4th matching one.

Thanks Kevin !!

Was nice meeting and talking to you !

Now it is back to the machine shop to finish the final 2 centers and then everything should be ready for the NMRA Finals in Bowling Green.

[tripice351]

*tap tap tap*

Finish those wheels yet?

Also, can we get a scan of page 81 from the Hot Rod article? That car is freaking awesome. "unusual hood"... if they only knew. I don't remember ever hearing about that car, I guess it was before the dawn of the Pro 5.0 scene..

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

*tap tap tap*

Finish those wheels yet?

Also, can we get a scan of page 81 from the Hot Rod article? That car is freaking awesome. "unusual hood"... if they only knew. I don't remember ever hearing about that car, I guess it was before the dawn of the Pro 5.0 scene..

Not finished yet...I got so caught up in work between my job and Directing a special drag race at the track that I haven't been able to cut the other 2 centers out and run them up to the machine shop.

I put the scan of page 81 below the others above.

I was a chebie guy when that article came out but it left an impression on me and for years. I thought it looked wicked bad!

I believe he was the first Fox Body Stang with a cowl hood tho.

[bbarber275]

So how did the wheels turn out?

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

This is as far as I got so far. I just stuck them in to get photos.

Top 2 photos are the centers in 15 x 7 inch wheels

Bottom 3 photos are trx centers in 16 x 8 wheels.

I wish I had the time to finish all this stuff. Someday maybe.

[haromaster87]

WOW! That looks phenomenal! It looks right! lol What rims did you use to put the TRX centers in?