I've really been looking at the American Racing Torque Thrust 2s but they are so expensive! I also like the look of the Cragar SS's but no one on here can seem to agree if they are good wheels or not. I'd really like to know how they hold up to the weather (road dirt, wet, etc), the stresses of regular use in a hot rod, and if they will clear my disc brakes on a '65 if I got 15s(x7 front and x8 rear). There also seems to be confusion about how much backspace is needed: is this more of a concern if you are trying to stuff huge tires under the car? I just want nice meaty tires, but I don't have any plans on going overboard. I did a search, but a lot of the advice seems somewhat conflicting. Thanks, as always!

I got 4 15 x 7 Cragers 6 years ago for the 64. Paid about $110 each. After having them for 10 months I replaced them under warranty because they chrome was flaking off of mounting flange where it rests against the brake drum. This was always a problem with the original Cragars in the 60's I assumed they had solved the problem.

The second set started flaking at the same place but you only get one warranty replacement. I run them in the spring, summer and early fall switching to stock wheels and covers in the winter (car is a daily driver). After 5 years of relatively dry driving (they do see occassional rain) the chrome on the steel rim is showing some minor surface rust spots that come off with polish. The flaking hasn't gotten any worse. I wash the wheels every couple of weeks and wax every other wash. The lugs and washers need replaced as the chrome has fallen off of the washers.

From 10 feet they still look new. Anyone who knows Cragars always looks for the flaking and smiles. I still love the way they look especially when idling at about 5-10 mph (am I the only one that looks in store windows to see the wheels??).



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OrrieG
64 Malibu HT Survivor (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/OrrieG1.jpg)

Orrie,

Just the Wheels?? I look at the whole car and me in it http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Paully,

Crager SS wheels are the classic look IMO and definitely a nostalgic appearance. I love them but I think durability has always been a problem as mentioned above and I do not like the Unilug design. Why can't they just make a 4 3/4" bolt pattern? As much as I like them AR TTII's are the way to go IMO if you like the 5 spoke look

Mytmouse

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My 67 SS396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/Mytmouse67SS.jpg)
My 70 SS396 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/Mytmouse70SSback3.jpg)
My 68 RSZ/28 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/MytmouseRedZ28.jpg)
All 3 Together (http://chevelles.com/showroom/Mytmouse/MytmouseAll3.jpg)
Mytmouse A.K.A. Robert Stacho
ACES Member # 04359

[This message has been edited by Mytmouse (edited 11-26-2002).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by paulymuller:
I've really been looking at the American Racing Torque Thrust 2s but they are so expensive!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Also check out the American Eagle Series 211. Look just like the TTs, but about $30-$40 less per wheel. Not as low priced as the Cragars, though...

I got 17x8 Series 211 on my Monte and love them...



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71 Monte 454 HO 5-Speed "FULMNTE", 100 HP Nitrous
www.71Monte.com (http://www.71Monte.com)

I have the Keystone Klassic's (Similar to Cragars. These are 15x8 with 4" backspacing.
I can barely fit 275-50-15's on all four corners. A 4.5 or 4.75" backspace would allow a wider tire. Since I did a B-Body brake swap and they are Unilug design, I went with beefy front rotors with 5" lug spacing while retaining the rear 4.75 spacing. Have heard of a few problems with the lugs coming loose.

Check them out here: http://home1.gte.net/res096qi/71Elky.htm

Thanks for all the replies so far - I really like the Eagle 211s and have found several sources for them. My question is - what sort of backspacing will I need? They offer the 15x7 for the front with 4" BS and the 15x8s in the rear of the car with 3.75" BS - this won't be enough, will it? I think other threads have recommended 4.5" in the front and 5" BS in the back for my 65...

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by paulymuller:
Thanks for all the replies so far - I really like the Eagle 211s...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They ARE nice, aren't they?
I can not speak for 15" wheels, but my Monte has 17x8 all around with 4.5" backspacing. 245/50/17 front 275/60/17 BFG Comp HR4 tires... http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif



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71 Monte 454 HO 5-Speed "FULMNTE", 100 HP Nitrous
www.71Monte.com (http://www.71Monte.com)