TR8 5 lug aluminum hubs

tr8todd · February 22, 2019, 03:06:59 PM

I'm tossing around the idea of having a machinist make me up some hubs out of 6" round stock 6061 aluminum. Not entirely happy with the trailer hubs I mocked up. Too many spacers to inspire complete confidence that everything is going to hold together at very high speeds. Thinking about making hubs that are fairly close to TR8 hubs except the brake rotors will fit on the front of the hub instead of bolting to the back. 5X4.5 wheel bolt pattern to match the common Ford pattern. This will allow narrowing a Ford 8.8 without ordering custom axles, and will open up a wider selection of aftermarket wheels. I can either have him make me a couple of sets in the lathe, or I can try and find somebody with a CNC machine. The CNC set up is only worth it if somebody other than me wants these things. Once its programmed, he can run off as many as I want. Material costs should only be about $50 a piece, plus bearings and studs. Is there anybody, other than me, that has any interest in this? For me, its an easy button to solve all of my wants in the best way. Light weight aluminum hubs, with the correct offset, set up for Wilwood aluminum hats and vented rotors.

WernerVC · February 27, 2019, 10:28:21 PM

Hi Todd,
Can you give some more details about the 5 lugs hubs ?
I have a set of vintage Maxilite wheels that I want to install on the rear end of my MGB. So I am very interested if you can get the 5-lug hubs. The bolt pattern must be 120 mm. These rims are brand new, never used and would fit for a Jaguar. Same bolt circle as Chevrolet.
Let me know about that project asap. More details on rotors and set up please.
Werner

tr8todd · February 28, 2019, 10:52:33 AM

Pretty sure I'm going to have my machinist buddy make me up a couple from billet aluminum. Have not completely ruled out using steel either. I brought a hub inside and have started drawing what I want him to build. At this point, I can make any bolt pattern or offset. If making these doesn't piss him off too much, I'm sure he would be willing to make other custom hubs. He makes up brake kits for TR8s using Mini rotors and Wilwood caliper. He also redrills hubs for the TR8 guys. Both things I have talked him into doing, and now its part time money for him. If you go to Wildwood's site, there are all kinds of measured drawings for everything they sell. Pretty easy to dream up something that will work for you.

roverman · February 28, 2019, 11:35:16 AM

I like the series II RX7 hubs, light, strong design with adequate bearing/spindle sizes. Art.

BlownMGB-V8 · February 28, 2019, 12:12:03 PM

How about some details on those Art?

Jim

roverman · March 05, 2019, 05:42:29 PM

Deep cross section like Porsche, only Japanese cheap,(many produced). I used larger shoulder, 1/2-20 studs to arrive at 5 on 4.5" bc. Art.

BlownMGB-V8 · March 06, 2019, 01:07:24 PM

Good. Is it a direct fit on the MGB spindle? Does it use the same offset? Can it be used for chevy pattern as well? (5 on 4.75")

Jim

WernerVC · March 08, 2019, 08:39:57 PM

Jim,
I am fighting the same battle. Hope to find 5-lug spindles that fit the MGB spindles. Too bad the MGC spindles are a very rare beast.
That would be a perfect fit.
Hope to get an answer soon from Art.
Werner.
PS.: I have a set of new Maxilite rims with bc of 120 mm used for a jaguar. Cannot find nuts for it. Anyone has a source for it. I need 15 of them . Nuts have 1/2" threads and shank is 3/4 "

mgb260 · March 11, 2019, 06:11:59 AM

The RX7 hubs use straight cartridge bearings. I remember that Art bored them out for Mustang II or GM bearing races. Mid 80's Series II N/A had 4 lug same as MGB and Turbo had 5 lug Ford pattern.

flylear45 · March 24, 2019, 08:38:20 AM

Todd,

I am definitely interested in a set of hubs.

On my turbo TR7 I am presently running a stock width 86 Mustang 8.8 rear with Moser axles, and using Contour FWD offset (~45mm IIR) wheels all around. Mustang bolt circle, but the center bore is slightly smaller. I had to have my rear axles concentric hub centers turned to fit the Contour wheels.

The FWD offset poses a dilemma on the front because the front ends up way too narrow, so I had custom spacers made to push out the front wheels. I have a large outer bearing in the hub along with a tube spacer to enlarge the outer axle diameter for the bigger bearing.

It's OK but not ideal. I am currently using Merkur front brake calipers along with a custom bracket. I have to drill rotors to renew the brakes.

I am definitely interested in an upgrade since it's about time for rotors!

Jim Franks

tr8todd · March 24, 2019, 08:40:36 PM

One of the local TR8 owners has a son with a CNC machine in his garage. I just need to draw up the hubs for him to plot in, and then get some 6" round 6061 for him. Once they are plotted, he says he can run one off every 45 minutes or so for me. He owes me a favor as well, so I just need to get off my butt and draw up some plans for him. Spent today making up adjustable rear lower control arms for the 8.8 axle I have. They have urethane bushed ends, grease fittings, adjustable length on one end, and spring perches set at 14* to mimic stock spring angle. Set up for 2.5" ID springs with threaded sleeves on top against the frame rails. Still undecided about how I want to do the sway bar mounts. The stock bar will hit the aluminum Ford dif cover if I mount it in the same basic spot as the stock lower control arms. Thinking I will make a shark fin steel plate under the tube and mount the sway bar to that. Just make the mounting holes a little lower, and a little farther back to gain the clearance I need.

BlownMGB-V8 · March 25, 2019, 11:50:03 AM

Yeah, and that's where we generally run into trouble since the volume just isn't there. Probably $50 just for the blank for one hub, then machine time, tooling costs and setup time, then bearings seals and studs, by the time you add in enough to make it worth your time the market has diminished to the point where the volume doesn't justify the effort in many cases. The TR8 is very much a niche market, and not a particularly large one. So you cut your profit in an effort to boost volume and in the end it's just a hobby that you are doing for your friends.

Don't get me wrong, I love to see things like this being done. The TR6 brake brackets were a great thing. Just don't quit your day job.

Jim

MGBV8 · March 30, 2019, 11:19:21 AM

Lots o' meat left on those rotors, Jim F.

flylear45 · March 30, 2019, 04:01:20 PM

Posted by: MGBV8
Date: March 30, 2019 11:19AM

Lots o' meat left on those rotors, Jim F.

Unfortunately that picture is 10 years old! I have a fair number of miles on the conversion now, and am in the process of planning for a complete re-fresh with some new mods.