Wedge TR8 five bolt wheels and hub

[tr8todd]

Here is a picture of the five lug conversion I did last fall. This is the first time the car has been out where I could get some good pictures. On the back, I just went with a Ford posi 31 spline 8.8. I sourced two units from a Mountainer/Explorer. Ford uses an axle that is 3 inches shorter on one side. I used the two short axles and cut the longer tube down 3 inches to match. The pumpkin had a 1 inch offset the same as a stock TR8 unit does, so it was a pretty easy job. I didn't have to buy custom axles. Total cost with new Ford brakes was under $500 and took a couple of days. Ford bolt pattern is 5X114.3mm or 5X4.5". The front was a little tricky. I started with Rover SD1 strut tubes. They are longer, have a larger diameter tube, and use much larger bearings and hubs. I had to shorten the tubes, and use adjustable coil over sleeves and springs. The hubs were a 5X5, so the holes were welded up and redrilled to 5X4.5. After many hours measuring brake rotors, I settled on 280mm vented Jeep Cherokee rotors. They required a little machining to get the right rotor spacing. Willwood calipers were mounted with aluminum brackets that were made by Woody's machinist. They are similar to the ones Woody sells in his kit. The one's I had made, set the caliper farther out to accomodate the larger diameter rotors. The wheels are Einkei RPF1. The back is 16X8 and the front is 16X7. If I ever do this again, I will use all Willwood components and not mess with machining stock heavy rotors. I would also probably go bigger on the wheels. With the rolled fenders, I could easily fit 8s up front and 9s in the rear.

 

[tdskip]

Wow - lots of bits came together for you there in a nice way.

 

[DNK]

I hate post like that

 

[philman]

seeing green?

 

[DNK]

Lots of it!

 

[tr8todd]

This little project solved lots of the cars weaknesses all at once. I got a posi rear end, bigger brakes front and rear, larger wheel bearings, stronger hubs, and a wheel bolt pattern that has wheels available at a reasonable price. While I was in there, I added a huge front sway bar, poly bushings, manual steering rack, Koni adjustable shocks and adjustable spring perches. Now that the driveline is bullet proof, I can start on the twin turbo 4.0 liter project I have cooking. I picked up a complete engine, 6 used turbos, several different intake manifolds, and the tubes needed to make turbo exhaust manifolds. Just need to settle on an engine management system.