Torq thrust D Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 38
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From: New York
Torq thrust D Question
I have a chance to purchase a set of 15 x 8, 3.5 backspace Torq Thrust D's for my '71.
Will they fit?? I've heard several say"No problem" and the same amount telling me to buy something else.
Personally I think the "D" is the best looking wheel ever made(but I'm old) AND $400 for the set seems like a deal.
Pictures would be good too.
Will they fit?? I've heard several say"No problem" and the same amount telling me to buy something else.
Personally I think the "D" is the best looking wheel ever made(but I'm old) AND $400 for the set seems like a deal.
Pictures would be good too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
The original "D"s from the '60s fit. In fact they were made for Corvettes - the "D' is for disc brakes. And the "D"s that are being manufactured now fit as well. I just installed a set on my Vette - bolted right up with no spacers.
My understanding is that when they started manufacturing them again, sometime in the '80s, they did not fit.
I don't believe they ever made the "D"s in 15x8 - only 15x6, 15x7 and 15x8 1/2
My understanding is that when they started manufacturing them again, sometime in the '80s, they did not fit.
I don't believe they ever made the "D"s in 15x8 - only 15x6, 15x7 and 15x8 1/2
Last edited by Kid Vette; Jul 16, 2009 at 03:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,125
Likes: 9
From: Crescent City, CA
My understanding is the old "D's" will not fit.
They do not clear the calipers.
The pic above shows the "D's" compaired to Appliance wheels of that era. Notice the backs of the Appliane wheels on the left, they have a bevel cut into the backing plate to clear the disc brakes. To do this they had to sink the lug nuts on the front.
The pics in the thread above show the newer "D's" with the curved spokes. They wil fit.
Also consider that with the 3.5 backspacing and 8.5 width, your tire wil be about an inch closer to the fender.
I chose the 15x7 wheel and it put the tire exactly in the same place as the rallies I took off.
Hope this helps.
Terry
They do not clear the calipers.
The pic above shows the "D's" compaired to Appliance wheels of that era. Notice the backs of the Appliane wheels on the left, they have a bevel cut into the backing plate to clear the disc brakes. To do this they had to sink the lug nuts on the front.
The pics in the thread above show the newer "D's" with the curved spokes. They wil fit.
Also consider that with the 3.5 backspacing and 8.5 width, your tire wil be about an inch closer to the fender.
I chose the 15x7 wheel and it put the tire exactly in the same place as the rallies I took off.
Hope this helps.
Terry
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 237
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From: Roseville CA
I have a chance to purchase a set of 15 x 8, 3.5 backspace Torq Thrust D's for my '71.
Will they fit?? I've heard several say"No problem" and the same amount telling me to buy something else.
Personally I think the "D" is the best looking wheel ever made(but I'm old) AND $400 for the set seems like a deal.
Pictures would be good too.
Will they fit?? I've heard several say"No problem" and the same amount telling me to buy something else.
Personally I think the "D" is the best looking wheel ever made(but I'm old) AND $400 for the set seems like a deal.
Pictures would be good too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Many people get confused between the original TT and the TT "D". The original "D"s were made specifically for Vettes with disc brakes and were used extensively on the early Vette race cars. However they did have a different appearance than the modern "D"s. Here's some pics.
As I wrote earlier, supposedly when AR first restarted production of the "D"s in the late '80s they wouldn't fit however that has not been documented as far as I know.
As I wrote earlier, supposedly when AR first restarted production of the "D"s in the late '80s they wouldn't fit however that has not been documented as far as I know.
Last edited by Kid Vette; Jul 17, 2009 at 06:31 AM.
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St. Jude Donor '03
Here are my 15" AR Torq Thrust D's. 3.375" bs. Installed on 1" thick adapters to clear calipers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Niles, MI
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Southeast Ohio
Torque Thrust D
Mine are 10 inch in the rear and have 3.75 in. back spacing and did need about a quarter inch spacer.
The fronts are 4.5 inch and I don't remember the back spacing, but they needed a .510 thousandths spacer. (I had to have them made, about $40)
I do recall hearing that The "D" in the early wheels stood for Disc Brakes.
Rick
By the way "Kid", I like those spinners!!
The fronts are 4.5 inch and I don't remember the back spacing, but they needed a .510 thousandths spacer. (I had to have them made, about $40)
I do recall hearing that The "D" in the early wheels stood for Disc Brakes.
Rick
By the way "Kid", I like those spinners!!
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St. Jude Donor '09
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Niles, MI
I would appreciate it if anybody that has TT Ds on their Vette and needed spacers or adapters would post some close-up pics similiar to the ones I posted showing the configuration of the spokes and its relationship to the calipers. Several of us have recently installed TT Ds and haven't had an issue. I would like to see what has changed. It might be valuable information for anybody buying used Ds.
By the way, here is a pic of the car that finally inspired me to go with this wheel/spinner combo. This belongs to somebody in the C1/C2 section. I can't remeber who and I hope they don't mind me posting it. Truely beautiful in my opinion.
By the way, here is a pic of the car that finally inspired me to go with this wheel/spinner combo. This belongs to somebody in the C1/C2 section. I can't remeber who and I hope they don't mind me posting it. Truely beautiful in my opinion.
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Intermediate
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From: New York
Thanks for all the responses!!
After reading KidVette's post I asked the seller to confirm the size and he was shocked to find they were 15x7. Now I'm not sure if I want them or not but at least I'll know that they will fit. I have the orig. ralley wheels on it now, which I believe are 8 or 8 1/2" wide and wanted to reuse my tires.
The pictures are GREAT and only proves my belief that the "D" is the perfect 'vette wheel.
Hopfully this threat will "roll" a little longer with more fantastic pics and more info. That blue '67 KidVette posted is a "Killer".
This is One of the cars that hooked me. Its blue also.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r42v_tBhoGM
After reading KidVette's post I asked the seller to confirm the size and he was shocked to find they were 15x7. Now I'm not sure if I want them or not but at least I'll know that they will fit. I have the orig. ralley wheels on it now, which I believe are 8 or 8 1/2" wide and wanted to reuse my tires.
The pictures are GREAT and only proves my belief that the "D" is the perfect 'vette wheel.
Hopfully this threat will "roll" a little longer with more fantastic pics and more info. That blue '67 KidVette posted is a "Killer".
This is One of the cars that hooked me. Its blue also.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r42v_tBhoGM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I would appreciate it if anybody that has TT Ds on their Vette and needed spacers or adapters would post some close-up pics similiar to the ones I posted showing the configuration of the spokes and its relationship to the calipers. Several of us have recently installed TT Ds and haven't had an issue. I would like to see what has changed. It might be valuable information for anybody buying used Ds.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
I always wanted TT Ds but as you know, they do not fit properly. Check out this site http://www.halibrand.com/index_frames.htm, as they make authentic muscle car car wheels that are clones of the TT Ds or the other way around. They have 8" wheels that should fit the 'vette. I will buy a set, when the economy improves!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
There is another option. These are American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels on my (former) 1967. The size is 15 x 6". They do clear the calipers. But I checked the specs and they are available in 15 x 8" with 3 3/4" backspacing for C3s.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
I would still like to see some pics of some "D"s that interfere with the calipers on a Vette. Several on this forum have recently installed "D"s with no interference problems so I think we can state conclusively that the "D"s currently available are made to fit C2/C3 Vettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Thanks for all the responses!!
After reading KidVette's post I asked the seller to confirm the size and he was shocked to find they were 15x7. Now I'm not sure if I want them or not but at least I'll know that they will fit. I have the orig. ralley wheels on it now, which I believe are 8 or 8 1/2" wide and wanted to reuse my tires.
After reading KidVette's post I asked the seller to confirm the size and he was shocked to find they were 15x7. Now I'm not sure if I want them or not but at least I'll know that they will fit. I have the orig. ralley wheels on it now, which I believe are 8 or 8 1/2" wide and wanted to reuse my tires.
Last edited by Kid Vette; Jul 23, 2009 at 09:54 AM.
Team Owner
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From: Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Niles, MI
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Last edited by Kid Vette; Jul 23, 2009 at 01:23 PM.