View Full Version : Pin Drive knock off wheels?
rjcarbone
06-19-2018, 12:18 PM
Looking to go pin drive for my wheels. Rumor has it that some states are outlawing the pin drive/knock off design. I'm in Mass. and was wondering if anyone out there knows anything about this.
Thanks,
RC
edwardb
06-19-2018, 12:33 PM
Can't help you with the legal side. But just in case you don't know, choosing to go pin drive affects more than just the wheels themselves. Because of the required adapters, the suspension width is different. For the front, requires pin drive specific suspension parts and assembly. For the rear, if you're looking at the newer style IRS, it's not even an option. Factory Five doesn't offer the current IRS in a pin drive width. Solid axle is still an option.
David Hodgkins
06-19-2018, 01:35 PM
Can't help you with the legal side. But just in case you don't know, choosing to go pin drive affects more than just the wheels themselves. Because of the required adapters, the suspension width is different. For the front, requires pin drive specific suspension parts and assembly. For the rear, if you're looking at the newer style IRS, it's not even an option. Factory Five doesn't offer the current IRS in a pin drive width. Solid axle is still an option.
Just to add to Paul's statement, you CAN order a MKIV with the older style IRS.
:)
rjcarbone
06-19-2018, 03:11 PM
I will be using a shortened solid axle rear end.
Kennyr
06-19-2018, 03:56 PM
David,
If you were going to order a new car (not to be raced-street cruising only), would you get a solid axle, or the older style IRS? Any opinions on how hard it would be to source a old Tbird diff, etc?
Ken
edwardb
06-19-2018, 06:12 PM
Just to add to Paul's statement, you CAN order a MKIV with the older style IRS.
:)
Did not know that! Given the improvements provided by the newer IRS, plus the parts availability, not sure there's a good reason to though. Unless you're dead set on pin drive.
David Hodgkins
06-19-2018, 07:02 PM
Did not know that! Given the improvements provided by the newer IRS, plus the parts availability, not sure there's a good reason to though. Unless you're dead set on pin drive.
I talked to "my guy" at FFR and I'm told it's a special order item, but doable.
David,
If you were going to order a new car (not to be raced-street cruising only), would you get a solid axle, or the older style IRS? Any opinions on how hard it would be to source a old Tbird diff, etc?
Ken
Hi Ken,
PERSONALLY, I'd go with the older style T-Bird diff all day long if my goal is pin-drive width and 15" rims. I run that on my MKIII with absolutely no regrets.
I looked on ebay and it seems they are getting harder to source, but you only need one and I'd have it built with new gears and a Torsen LS anyway.
:)
Jacob McCrea
06-20-2018, 07:43 AM
"Any opinions on how hard it would be to source a old Tbird diff, etc?"
In addition to David's comments, you should be able to find one with enough calls to a junkyard. Just be careful as some of the Thunderbirds came with a smaller (7.5"?) differential. And for what it's worth, I recently saw an aluminum-case differential of the right type for sale in the "For Sale - Parts" section for a very reasonable price, with a rebuilt factory limited slip. I also have an iron case unit for sale there, for not much more than my parts costs, rebuilt with a new Detroit true-trak limited slip, and there are two "open" aluminum units in my shop that I could also live without. Good luck!
Kennyr
06-22-2018, 04:48 PM
Thanks for your response David. Since 15"s and pin drive wheels are about the only thing that I have decided on, I guess I have some thinking to do. I'm going to stop by the Factory 5 booth at Barrett Jackson tomorrow & talk to the guys....
David Hodgkins
06-22-2018, 05:31 PM
Thanks for your response David. Since 15"s and pin drive wheels are about the only thing that I have decided on, I guess I have some thinking to do. I'm going to stop by the Factory 5 booth at Barrett Jackson tomorrow & talk to the guys....
Tell my son Grant I said hello! :)
David Hodgkins
06-22-2018, 05:35 PM
oh, and yes, I DO love that pin drive 15" look!:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=74936&d=1507435142
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=74958&d=1507435224
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=74964&d=1507435228
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=74927&d=1507435126
:)
Kennyr
06-22-2018, 06:13 PM
And a black plate too-very cool...
CobraboyDR
11-29-2018, 04:22 PM
Just to add to Paul's statement, you CAN order a MKIV with the older style IRS.
:)I'm sorry to be late for this.
Really? You can get the old-style IRS which can be pin-drive? When did this begin?
I was told the old style, T-Bird, IRS was not an option.
David Hodgkins
11-29-2018, 05:21 PM
I will call and double-check tomorrow.
David Hodgkins
11-30-2018, 01:12 PM
I will call and double-check tomorrow.
I made a call to FFR and got updated information from Dan:
There was some overlap while FFR still had half-shafts but the decision has been made to NOT produce any more chassis with the Ford Thunderbird Supercoupe IRS option. Upper and lower control arms are still available as a service item but the cage is discontinued.
:(
FFR is also getting scattered reports of folks in certain instances being told that pin drive wheels are no longer acceptable. They do not have a list of where this push-back is happening from, but they told me that in a few instances folks are moving from pin drive to bolt-on wheels.
Well, shoot.
David Hodgkins
11-30-2018, 01:13 PM
On the flip side - at least in my mind - my pin-drive IRS MKIII just went up in value...
:)
CobraboyDR
11-30-2018, 03:24 PM
I made a call to FFR and got updated information from Dan:
There was some overlap while FFR still had half-shafts but the decision has been made to NOT produce any more chassis with the Ford Thunderbird Supercoupe IRS option. Upper and lower control arms are still available as a service item but the cage is discontinued.
:(
FFR is also getting scattered reports of folks in certain instances being told that in drive wheels are no longer acceptable. They do not have a list of where this push-back is happening from, but they told me that in a few instances folks are moving from pin drive to bolt-on wheels.
Well, shoot.Too bad.
They are missing a market.
The Pin-drive/IRS combo is the #1 reason FFR does not have my cheese. And I'll bet I am not the only one.
Too bad an enterprising engineer doesn't offer a kit for the FFR chassis for that set-up. I'd pay decent $$$ for it.
There is so much I really like about FFR. It's so disappointing there is no pin-drive/IRS option. Every other Cobra replica manufacturer has one.
Maybe you could use parts from other cobra / replica to fit FFR?