Need help with cragar wheels!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: N.Y
Need help with cragar wheels!!!!
i have posted a couple of times and gotten no help. someone has to have the crager ss wheels on there car or know someone who has. i have the 15x8 factory wheels but want crager ss rims on my 81 corvette. i was told i need special wheels for the rear because they will hit the calipers????? i want 15x10 on the rear but need to know if can be done with regular wheels or do i need special ones??? also told wheel spacers will make it work too but it was a bad idea. someone please help asap so i can buy them and get them mounted. thanks
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
i have posted a couple of times and gotten no help. someone has to have the crager ss wheels on there car or know someone who has. i have the 15x8 factory wheels but want crager ss rims on my 81 corvette. i was told i need special wheels for the rear because they will hit the calipers????? i want 15x10 on the rear but need to know if can be done with regular wheels or do i need special ones??? also told wheel spacers will make it work too but it was a bad idea. someone please help asap so i can buy them and get them mounted. thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
I have them on my '76 and they do require spacers. There are actually two spacers on each wheel and it makes it a PITA to put the wheels on the car. I think the spacers are 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
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From: N.Y
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,501
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From: Sunshine State, USA
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
You can order Cragers with the correct backspacing to clear the calipers so you won't hit the calipers. Do a search, as they are many threads on the topic that will tell you what the correct backspacing is because I don't remember off the top of my head.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 271
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From: N.Y
that looks pretty sweet, did search and they are 280.00 a piece but i have a chance to get a brand new set of 15x10 from someone i know for 325.00 just bought the fronts from jegs at 15x8 for 318.00 total will ahve all four for only like 650.00!!!!!!!
Team Owner
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
I ran into the same problem about 6 years ago....I, too, wanted Cragars but they wouldn't work because of the way the wheel is designed.....made for drum brake only & not discs. You would need (if memory serves me right) a 3/4"-1" spacer. Didn't want to go the "spacer" route so I opted to purchase American Racing TTII and they fit perfectly w/o spacers. They are also era correct....
Last edited by vetteguy75; Jul 12, 2011 at 04:36 PM.
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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I have them on my C-2. They only need like a 3/8" spacer. Backspacing won't make any difference. It's the shape of the spoke that's the issue...not where the tire is in relation to the hub,
Spacers work OK. The only time people have issues is if the lug nuts don't engage enough threads. I make sure my lug nuts extend past the wheel flange INTO the spacer slightly so that when tightened I use all the stud I can. If you install a 3/8" spacer (for example) with the regular nuts you've given up 3/8" of thread engangement. Need to get that back with the correct nuts.
Never had one come loose even once...and run this thing pretty hard!
JIM
Spacers work OK. The only time people have issues is if the lug nuts don't engage enough threads. I make sure my lug nuts extend past the wheel flange INTO the spacer slightly so that when tightened I use all the stud I can. If you install a 3/8" spacer (for example) with the regular nuts you've given up 3/8" of thread engangement. Need to get that back with the correct nuts.
Never had one come loose even once...and run this thing pretty hard!
JIM
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 23
From: MA
I have 17x8's on my 82 & they do not need spacers & fit fine.
The 17x9's I had on my 93 TA almost fit, but they hit the trailing arms & the tierods.
I did not feel like using offset traliing arms or a bump steer kit so I sold them & went with 8" wheels.
I have a 4.5" back space with a zero offsett & they fit perfect.
You can see them in this thread.
You can buy a set of what I have from the same person I got my wheels from here.
The 17x9's I had on my 93 TA almost fit, but they hit the trailing arms & the tierods.
I did not feel like using offset traliing arms or a bump steer kit so I sold them & went with 8" wheels.
I have a 4.5" back space with a zero offsett & they fit perfect.
You can see them in this thread.
You can buy a set of what I have from the same person I got my wheels from here.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: N.Y
thanks for advice guys. i bought the 15x8 for the front and the 15x10 for the back because i wanted the muscle car approach with the wider back tires. they are so pretty! lol anyways. now i need tires and am debating on the sizes to offset the front and back????
I have them on my C-2. They only need like a 3/8" spacer. Backspacing won't make any difference. It's the shape of the spoke that's the issue...not where the tire is in relation to the hub,
Spacers work OK. The only time people have issues is if the lug nuts don't engage enough threads. I make sure my lug nuts extend past the wheel flange INTO the spacer slightly so that when tightened I use all the stud I can. If you install a 3/8" spacer (for example) with the regular nuts you've given up 3/8" of thread engangement. Need to get that back with the correct nuts.
Never had one come loose even once...and run this thing pretty hard!
JIM
Spacers work OK. The only time people have issues is if the lug nuts don't engage enough threads. I make sure my lug nuts extend past the wheel flange INTO the spacer slightly so that when tightened I use all the stud I can. If you install a 3/8" spacer (for example) with the regular nuts you've given up 3/8" of thread engangement. Need to get that back with the correct nuts.
Never had one come loose even once...and run this thing pretty hard!
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
255/60 on the front (just check for tire clearance at the lower front edge...78s and 79s were "clearanced" from the factory), and 275/60 on the rear, IMHO....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 271
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From: N.Y
i am sold on the 255/60s on front as they look better with the optional package they had, i have got anywhere from 275 to 295 for opinions on the back????
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 271
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From: N.Y
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 11
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From: Fallon Nevada
I have 295/50's on my 78 on 15x10's they fit fine and don't rub. I do have air suspension on the rear though. They stick out of the wheel well slightly also, but I like that look. See the Garage for pics
