Question RE TruDesign wheels for wide body

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I am in the process of turning my Carrera into a wide body. I plan on using 17'' Tru Design wheels. Does anybody have pictures of their wide body using these wheels. I am trying to decide on wheel width. I am leaning toward 8 and 9.5 as I dont want to have to reroute oil lines if I go with 11s on the rear. I also plan on using 225 fronts with 275 rears. Any input would be appreciated as well as photos and back spacing specs.

ruby911 · ruby911's Garage

Hey Don - Have you spoken to Buckterrier (Mark) - he has some for sale right now on this site.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I will check to see if I can find him.,...thanks

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

those are nice...but I need wide body back spacing so I dont have to use spacers or adapters.

rfloz · 12-02-2009, 03:21 PM

Are you using standard Turbo flares?

My Factory Turbo-Look has 9 1/2" wide fronts and 11" wide rears with 245/315 17" tires and no modifications were needed to oil lines nor was any fender rolling required. I have heard of 12" rears with some fettling.

My off-sets are different due to the Turbo running gear, but the room available in the wheel wells should be the same.

FWIW, the Jeff Alton wheels in 9/11 x17 are available (well, sorta - see the thread) to fit your configuration. I have seen these in person and they are really nice. The proportions are just perfect and the finish is first rate.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

I would love a set of Alton wheels....but I want to be able to drive my car someday...he seems to be having a problem with production. I already have the donor wheels to send to TruDesign. I am just trying to figure out my best options.

eimkeith · 12-03-2009, 05:22 AM

Actually, at this point, the Zuffenhaus 17inch fuchs-style wheels are entering regular production, as we are completing the 50-set prototype run.

Our production delivery schedule from the manufacturing facility is 5-10 weeks from monthly order submission, depending on finish desired (some are done at Weidman's.) Standard finish, as could be expected is the quickest turn-around.

So, we should be able to conclude orders in a roughly 2-month window moving forward, FYI.

PcarPhil · 12-03-2009, 05:35 AM

I had a set of TruDesign front wheels with Lindsey rear wheels on my '77. 9 & 11 x 17 with 255/40 and 275/40 Azeni tires. If you look at the link in my sig you can see a bunch of pictures. Lindsey and TruDesign wheels are essentially the same.

I sold these wheels and replaced them with a set of Alton/Zuffenhaus wheels. My strong recommendation is to go with the Alton/Zuffenhaus wheels.

Anyways...here's two pics of the TruDesign front wheels with Lindsey rear wheels.

PcarPhil · 12-03-2009, 05:54 AM

Oh yeah...no oil line relocation necessary with 11" rear wheels on a widebody 911. There's PLENTY of room back there.

Zuffenhaus has the proper backspace specs for 9 & 11" wheels. Jim at TruDesign has my backspace specs on the 9" front wheels which are basically the same as 9x16 Fuchs backspacing. I think the Lindsey rears had an effective 5.5" backspace but I'll have to look that up.

Elombard · 12-03-2009, 08:12 AM

I was going to say, I dont think there is an issue with the 11s on narrow bodies converted to Turbo flare....I have no personal experience though? Did you read that from Jack Olsen's build?

In Excellence a while back a guy did a white RS3.0 look, he used 10" in the back and ran the 275s. Aesthetically I think that looks a little better than a 315. The 315 is just too big on the 911s little body in some views IMHO....I still would rock the 11s if I had a chance :-)

Oh I forgot to add, the pricing on the TRU Designs is VERY enticing....especially if you are not looking to save those last few ounces. Of course money aside the Alton ZUffenhouse cant be beat.

Kevin Stewart · 12-03-2009, 09:51 AM

Looking at the back of the tdw with all the welding and plating made me nervous and concerns on balancing, Kevin

i know you guys will grill me on this i just dont want a welded on wheel on my car at high speed

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

My car will only be street driven...and I am doing this whole project on a very tight budget. I plan on using 275/17s because I agree, aesthetically they will look better. If I am not mistaken, TruDesigns are available in 9.5 and 11.....I think the 275s will fit better on the 9.5 in wheel.

Capt. Crunch · 10:33 AM

Do they have different weld bead styles on the 11's?

I called all the major fuch repair folks earlier this year to price this service and I was really surprised. A 17x11 ranged from $480 (RSR Finish) to nearly $800. They all claim the outer rings prices were very high. I looked at the ROTA wheels but they are expensive and a bit ugly if you ask me.

The gent in colorado seems to have a decent price and the wheels I have seen look great.

I think Santa has a Lincoln Mig welder and a Lincoln plasma cutter for me this season. I might just attempt to make some!

Hetmann · 12-03-2009, 11:00 AM

TruDesign refinished my wheels and were reasonable to deal with. I would recommend.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

Great looking wheels Jerry....I would like more info.

willtel · 12-03-2009, 12:09 PM

I have some 17x10.5" Racing Harts sitting around if you need to use one for measurements. They were on my 930, I can't be far from you.

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

That would be very much appreciated. I live in Smyrna....just off south cobb and east west connector. I hope to have the car back from the shop next week...so anytime after that and is convenient to you just let me know....I can come pick up the wheel(s) or you can bring them whichever you prefer. Do you know the backspacing on your wheels?

PcarPhil · 12-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Stewart

Looking at the back of the tdw with all the welding and plating made me nervous and concerns on balancing, Kevin

i know you guys will grill me on this i just dont want a welded on wheel on my car at high speed

Many many people have been using welded Fuchs for years (for better or worse).

Back of TruDesign wheel:

Back of Lindsey wheel:

Kevin Stewart · 12-04-2009, 07:23 AM

there are many wheels that have a one piece barrel, the center is slid in (placed) to achieve the correct offset and welded in, they weld it all the way around which is how they certifi (sfi) race wheels, which in turn works. the 16x6 wheels can be done in this way but the 16x7 is not built the same way which causes all the plating. Im not disrespecting tdw as i to spoke to them to, to each their own, I have worked in wheels for 20 plus wheels, I also need custom built wheels but have decided i do not want their 16x7 wheel center on my car. im not saying i wouldnt use their 16x6. Jeffs wheels are the real deal, but a bit pricey, which doesnt allow the average guy to buy them. so reality is im still looking also.

again no disrespt to those who have the wheels, Kevin