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Old 01-20-2003, 07:13 PM
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decooney decooney is offline
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Folsom, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 623, 427 S/C Cobra. Ford FE 428 Cobra Jet, Ford Nascar TL 4speed - with a touch of raw; "less is more" theme
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Default Re: converting over...

Kingbone,

on my last Unique 427SC Cobra, I did exactly what you are considering: converted from bolt-ons to Trigo pin-drive/hub wheels. I had bolt on PS Engineering wheels and wanted to to go Trigo pin drive wheels; with the 5-pin adapters.

Here is "possibly" the issue that Alan Weaver is alerting you to. The Unique 427SC cars have a 55" rear for the cars originally equipped with bolt-on wheels. The Trigo equipped cars have 52.5" rears. (hub to hub) In order to get your Unique to sit and look correct with the Trigos with what i call the "tucked in and squat look", you'll need to narrow the rear. Its a bit of work. I've done it, and it was worth it to me at the time. Steps: 1) shorten lower control arms 2) build shorter half-shafts 3) relocate upper shock mount plate eyehole 3/4" inward or the car will sit too high (no shock adjustment left) 4) adjust rear trailing arms to be shorter 5) could replace U-joints with spicers while you have the half-shafts out. 6) service all other bearings and shim parts while you have it all apart...

Like I said, its a lot of work. If I had to do it again, I would just send the 55" rear to Unique, pay the difference and swap them for a 52.5" rear if they'll do it.. a lot less time and effort.

When it was all said and done, my car just looked right to me at the time. It also helps to accentuate the rear fender flares more, which looks cool. Now I look back and see several cars with really nice bolt-on wheels these days (including Compomotive), and think that painting your wheels is a much easier option to consider. If you are in the state of mind that I was in at the time and just have to have the Trigos, see if Unique will make the differential exchange plus cash for you.

The only other advantage I found in doing the narrowing yourself is it gives you the chance to build some really meaty 3" tube half-shafts with Spicer ends that are capable of handling more horsepower, and are much safer too.

Good Luck.
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Last edited by decooney; 01-21-2003 at 07:41 PM..
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