Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => Lounge => Topic started by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 30, 2009, 03:11:34 PM

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on April 30, 2009, 03:11:34 PM

Ever since the mid-80's when the Center Line auto drags were popular, I have always wanted a set. (polished of course)
My buddies had them on their Pontiacs and I thought they looked so cool. I was jealous.

Well, I sent my 8.5s off to http://www.weldcraftwheels.com and had them widened 1.5 inches. Now the backspacing measures 6.25 inches. They should fit perfect in the TC fenderwell. The welding work looks superb!

Now I can mount the old set of BFG 325-50-15's (off my wife's T-Bird) on my 460 Turbo Coupe and finally get the look I have wanted for years with my favorite size rear tires. :D

UPDATE: Newer pics on page 3 >

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/widenedcenterlines2.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/widenedcenterlines1.jpg)

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: daddybair7 on April 30, 2009, 03:23:23 PM

They look good very nice

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 50tbrd88 on April 30, 2009, 03:37:59 PM

Nice!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: massCougarxr7 on April 30, 2009, 03:55:53 PM

BAD A$$!!!!!! Dont forget to show us pics with them ON the car!!!!, wonder why they didnt smooth out the welds,...... might end up with some hefty wheel weights!!!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 86XR7project on April 30, 2009, 04:43:04 PM

Quote from: massCougarxr7;269870

wonder why they didnt smooth out the welds

Because you won't be able to seem em when the tires are on and I doubt they'll need that large of a weight looks like the guy did a darn nice job.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: Chooglin on April 30, 2009, 04:47:34 PM

very nice,I like those

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: Tbird232ci on April 30, 2009, 06:43:02 PM

Quote from: massCougarxr7;269870

BAD A$$!!!!!! Dont forget to show us pics with them ON the car!!!!, wonder why they didnt smooth out the welds,...... might end up with some hefty wheel weights!!!

Grinding down the welds can actually weaken the weld.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 5.0 tbird on April 30, 2009, 07:45:00 PM

Yeah, you don't wanna risk such a thing on wheels.

They look good make sure to post some pics when they're mounted.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: V8Demon on April 30, 2009, 08:33:53 PM

A tire will throw off the balance on that wheel more than those welds will...

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: Bob on April 30, 2009, 09:32:45 PM

Looks great, when they going on the car?

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: shame302 on April 30, 2009, 10:22:59 PM

Kuh Ching

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on May 01, 2009, 03:45:12 PM

Quote from: Bob;269950

Looks great, when they going on the car?

Soon. I got the tires mounted and one wheel polished. I am anxious to see how they fit.
Polishing around those rivets is a bitch....but well worth it !:D

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: shame302 on May 01, 2009, 05:19:29 PM

you should be able to just pop the rivets out from the back, polish the wheel and them separately and tap them back in.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 86T-bird on May 01, 2009, 07:51:54 PM

Polishing with one of the Power Balls will do the trick. I have a set of front runners I used one on, 20 minutes and they came out great!

I picked up a set of widened wheels from Weld Craft on Wednesday! Second set I have had done. Added 1 1/2" to a 7 1/2"X16" Filipaldi wheel. Ended up with a 6.5" back space. I'm techically challenged on getting pics posted... But the welds look the same.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: massCougarxr7 on May 01, 2009, 09:25:01 PM

Quote from: Tbird232ci;269917

Grinding down the welds can actually weaken the weld.

LOL i know, how to mig, stick, and tig weld,.... so i know that grinding them weakens them....... he did run nice even beads tho,... i just never knew that rims could be welded wider,,... ive never seen it before!!!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on May 08, 2009, 07:37:46 AM

I got one installed last night.
In retrospect, I should have had 2 inches added to those 8.5's instead of 1.5 inches. That would have moved the tire in 1/4 inch more.
Overall, I am pleased because I can also use Fox Mustang axles with small spacers to place the wheel in more if I so choose.:D

I am also looking for 2 small center Line caps like the pics below show. These are slide thru from the rear type and are steel w/chrome plating. Fits 2 3/4 inch bore.

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/elliot6wclines6.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/elliot10wclines10.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/elliot2wclines2.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/carmagguy/clinecaps3.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/carmagguy/clinecaps5.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/carmagguy/clinecaps4.jpg)

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: massCougarxr7 on May 08, 2009, 09:14:17 AM

Looks sweet!!!!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 86T-bird on May 08, 2009, 09:46:52 AM

Those are monster meats! It's great to see how big a tire these cars can swallow. Nice choice on the Auto Drags.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on May 08, 2009, 10:30:36 AM

Quote from: 86T-bird;271214

Those are monster meats! It's great to see how big a tire these cars can swallow. Nice choice on the Auto Drags.

Thanks.
At least we Fox Cat/Bird owners have one thing over the Stang guys, and that is 325-50-15's fit well in the factory wheelwell. :D

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: DVP on May 08, 2009, 10:35:42 AM

Quote from: 83-88T-Bird Guy;271222

Thanks.
At least we Fox Cat/Bird owners have one thing over the Stang guys, and that is 325-50-15's fit well in the factory wheelwell. :D

I need to fill out my rear wells.

Look good on there.

Front tire on backwards?

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on May 08, 2009, 12:30:58 PM

Quote from: DVP;271223

I need to fill out my rear wells.

Look good on there.

Front tire on backwards?

Thanks.
No the front wheel is a 16 x 8 with 5" b.s. and a 225 tire. Doesn't fit the car well. I need those in a 16 x 7 size.

I can't wait until I get the caps and intall the skinnies to match the rears.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: turbo83coupe on May 08, 2009, 12:39:10 PM

WOW!! That looks soo aggressive!!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 5.8fastcat on May 10, 2009, 11:34:36 PM

Looking Great.

I guess you heard about US60 opening later in May?????

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: badbird84 on May 11, 2009, 01:05:24 AM

Good looking widening job and never grind those welds. The welds will not throw the balance off. I used to widen rims on the side.
Roger

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on May 11, 2009, 07:16:03 AM

Quote from: 5.8fastcat;271608

Looking Great.

I guess you heard about US60 opening later in May?????

Greg:
I knew they had the electric turned on but have not heard any info from the "official" guy in the know.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: stormtroopin' on May 11, 2009, 11:59:04 PM

The fender looks like it was designed for that wheel and tire combo. Looks awesome!!!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on June 26, 2009, 08:31:45 AM

Update:
I put a skinny on the front and got some shots. Hopefully soon the 512 BB will be ready and then I will order some new 325-50s for the rear and have fun !

(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/CenterLskinnies02.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/CenterLskinnies03.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/CenterLskinnies05.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/CenterLskinnies01.jpg)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s3/83-88T-BirdGuy/CenterLskinnies04.jpg)

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: vinnietbird on June 26, 2009, 06:15:50 PM

Niiiiiice !!!! That's a LOT of tire back there.I'm impressed.....really impressed.Looks great.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 50tbrd88 on June 26, 2009, 08:18:52 PM

Golly...thats Bad Azz. Talk about some serious meats.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: Beau on June 27, 2009, 02:36:40 AM

Looks like it was always meant to be. :D

You said something about a Mustang rear...from a Fox, correct?
Jus' checkin'...;)

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 1986Élan on June 27, 2009, 10:05:04 AM

i feel like havin my back wheels widened as well i think theyre only 6 or 7 inches wide
i was wondering around what price is reasonable to pay for such a job
and is there anything to consider like back space or anything like that or i can just add 1 -2 inches and put them back on with another set of tires

btw they look terrific!!!!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on June 27, 2009, 11:00:37 AM

Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;279926

Looks like it was always meant to be. :D

You said something about a Mustang rear...from a Fox, correct?
Jus' checkin'...;)

That car has the original TC rear, but converted to drums. It has the T-Bird axles. If I wanted to move it in another 1/4 to 3/8 inch I would use Fox Stang axles and spacers to put the tire where I wanted it. However, after driving it I think where the tire fits now is perfect. :D

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on June 27, 2009, 11:10:46 AM

Quote from: 1986Élan;279946

i feel like havin my back wheels widened as well i think theyre only 6 or 7 inches wide
i was wondering around what price is reasonable to pay for such a job
and is there anything to consider like back space or anything like that or i can just add 1 -2 inches and put them back on with another set of tires

btw they look terrific!!!!

I paid $ 175.00 per wheel to have them widened. It is the same price all the way up to 3 inches widened.

Those Center Lines have 6.5 inch backspacing. I should have had them widened 2 inches instead of 1 1/2 in. and it would have moved the tire in another 1/4 inch. :punchballs:...oh well, didn't know.

If you widen a stock 7 in. wheel, and put a fat tire on it, you will probably need to add spacers between the wheel and axle to correctly locate the tire in the wheelwell. That will require upgrading to 3 inch wheel studs.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 1986Élan on June 27, 2009, 08:45:51 PM

thanks alot for the info!!!!

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: CatCarMan2012 on June 27, 2009, 09:35:38 PM

Do you have exhaust dumps? My pipes are already pretty close to the 235s i have on the car.

Title: Got my widened 4 lug Center Line Auto-Drags back
Post by: 83-88T-Bird Guy on June 28, 2009, 12:44:12 PM

Quote from: danzajax;279997

Do you have exhaust dumps? My pipes are already pretty close to the 235s i have on the car.

Yes, they exit before the axle.
There is no way over the axle pipes will work on either of our 460 Birds.

Text only | Text with Images