sizing cragar ss wheels on a 65

[fredd65]

i'd like to put 15x7 cragar ss wheels on my 65 i'm just finishing..anyone done it and do you know the proper backspacing, offsets, etc?...and while i'm at it, where is the best place to buy them?....nassau blue convertible...which would look best, raised white letters or redline tires or plain black walls?...this is my first restoration and it's been a blast!!!..i'll post a picture or two when completed...thanks

 

[bossvette]

when I bought my 76 I tried to put the Cragars I already had on it and they hit the disc brake caliper. I went to American Torque thrust 2s which seem pretty popular ariound here

 

[ro.co2]

I put the cragars on my 65 also, they look great. I ended up using spacers I beleave they were 3/8" or 1/2" you can call cragar direct and they can tell you. Also I down sized my tires to 205-70r15 because my 215 tires would rub the rear fender inner lip on bumps. Also I had to roll the camber in a hair to help. Yes it was a PIA but they look good and I get alot of compliments.

 

[bossvette]

Fred
What part of Ohio are you in? I am in the NW corner.
Do you plan on coming to our first Cruise Fest in Auburn ? Looking forward to seeing pictures.
Craig sr

 

[BLACK MOON]

Does anyone know how the 'New" Cragers work on Vettes. They are alloy , not steel and appear to have a redesigned crossection. I was thinking about 17 x 7s on my 63. Any knowledge would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[TLeBlanc]

Fredd65

There was an article about this in the May 2003 issue of Corvette Fever. You should be able to get this via the CF Website.

In the article, they went with 15X7 new style Cragars with 4.5" backspacing. However, in the end they had to make some custom spacers for the rear due to a conflict with the park brake. Their assessment of this was to go with 3.5 backspacing, if they were to do it over again.

If you can't get the article, let me know I can try to dig up my copy.

 

[BLACK MOON]

Thanks. I'll look it up. I think going with the 17's would fix that. There is one in town with 17x7" TT2's that doesn't have any problems. His xar is also lowered 2". I don't want to use the Torque Thrust because they're everywhere and I'm getting tired of looking at the same wheels on every car.:cool

 

[TLeBlanc]

Keep us posted and send pics. I'm in the middle of rebuilding the rear suspension on mine, but thinking of going the Cragar 17" route once I finish up.

 

[BLACK MOON]

I tried to narrow a set of Chrome ZR1's that I have but the taper on the inside of the rim wouldn't allow for the material we had to remove. I thought ZR1's would look awesome on a midyear. If anyone has a picture of a midyear with the 'NEW' Cragers or narrowed ZR1's I'd appreciate seening it.
Thanks

 

[Dinger09]

I'm going through the same process. I found both of these guys to be good to deal with.

http://www.petepaulsen.com/ and https://www.newstalgiawheel.com/default.asp

BTW the TT2's look great and I used 3 5/8 B/M with the 15 X 6's on my 64 Coupe.

 

[BLACK MOON]

Please post pics if you have time.
Thanks

 

[fredd65]

cragars

anyone know if cragar makes a 15x7 with 3.5"backspacing?...and what about the offset?...i read the may 2003 corvette fever article where they suggested it, but i see none this size from cragar listed anywhere...there is a 15x6 with 3.5" though....considering going with 16 or 17", but not sure what size tires to use...black moon, did you ever get your wheels and do you do the corvette expo?...fun show!...and anyone have any thoughts on using the 2 piece composite as opposed to the forged alloy?..big price difference..thanks

 

[BLACK MOON]

I haven't bought mine yet. I'm going with 16x7 or 17x7 with a 4" backspacing. I believe going to a 16 or 17 will increase the backspacing you can use by about 1". As far as the size I'm waiting until I decide which rear gear I'm going with as well as whether I spend the money on a 5 speed conversion. Using a larger wheel will allow you to shorten the sidewall delivering better handling. Most tire and hot rod stores have a chart which helps you to check diameters or go to Kiesler's website (5 speed kit) and he has a tool to give you cruising speeds by changing rear gears and I think tire size. My preference would be a 17" with a 40, 45 or 50's series tires and loose the 70's series tires from the 1960's.

I go to Expo every year. Decent show but nothing compared to Carlisle.

Let me know if you find a knowledgeable Cragar dealer.

Thanks

 

[STRAYDOG]

I have Crager SS on my 66, 15'' X 6 '', used Crager spacers to clear caliprers, 215 X 60 R 15'' tires no rubbing at all, larger footprint OK ,due tomlower 60 series .

 

[BLACK MOON]

I have Crager SS on my 66, 15'' X 6 '', used Crager spacers to clear caliprers, 215 X 60 R 15'' tires no rubbing at all, larger footprint OK ,due tomlower 60 series .

Do you have the original steel Cragar or the new alloys?

 

[fredd65]

I put the cragars on my 65 also, they look great. I ended up using spacers I beleave they were 3/8" or 1/2" you can call cragar direct and they can tell you. Also I down sized my tires to 205-70r15 because my 215 tires would rub the rear fender inner lip on bumps. Also I had to roll the camber in a hair to help. Yes it was a PIA but they look good and I get alot of compliments.

hi..your car looks awesome!....mine's the same color, same top, 327 even...black interior though....are your cragars 15x7's?....the new forged alloy or composite?...i've been told the alloys are hard to keep shiney and more expensive...do you happen to know the model number of your wheels?...i think 61715 are series 61 and 15x7 wheels....thanks

 

[ro.co2]

I was told when I bought them they were steel on the outside and alloy spokes. There 15x6. I beleave I paid around $165 per wheel hear in Fla. Good luck.

 

[Gerry]

hi..your car looks awesome!....mine's the same color, same top, 327 even...black interior though....are your cragars 15x7's?....the new forged alloy or composite?...i've been told the alloys are hard to keep shiney and more expensive...do you happen to know the model number of your wheels?...i think 61715 are series 61 and 15x7 wheels....thanks

Jegs has the new Cragar forged alloys S/S 200 series for $199-309 each ( 15x6 and 17x9 respectively). These are real forged, strong, lightweight, polished alloys. They are expensive but are probably worth the money when compared to alloys for foreign sports cars.

Best regards,
Gerry